What is happening?

Keeping Steveston's sanitary sewer system reliable

Hey Steveston: Did you know that sanitary sewer pipes run behind or next to many Steveston homes in City-owned lanes?

Many of these pipes are approaching the end of their service life and need to be replaced. The Steveston Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project is a multi-year infrastructure program that will upgrade aging sanitary sewer pipes throughout the neighbourhood.

Why is this project important?

Sanitary sewer pipes carry wastewater safely away from homes and businesses.

As these pipes age, they become more vulnerable to cracks, blockages and breaks. Sewer failures can happen without warning and may result in:

• Sewer backups that may affect the use of toilets, sinks, showers and other plumbing services in homes and businesses
• Health and safety risks
• Environmental impacts
• Emergency repairs that can cause greater disruption

Proactive and planned replacement of aging infrastructure helps avoid these issues and keeps the community safe.

How you may be affected

Project schedule

The first phase of construction is currently planned to start in fall 2026 and is within the blue lines on the project map below. The schedule will vary by block and will be confirmed once a contractor has been hired. Residents within the current phase will receive a Notice of Construction at least two weeks before work begins.

Construction in the remaining project area is anticipated to begin in 2028 or later. Further details of the next construction phase will be available at a future date.

The overall project map shows the properties that are adjacent to the sewer pipes in the construction area. For more details, click the Layers button in the top left corner of the map to turn map features on and off.

What you need to do

Check if your property is affected

Most of the sanitary sewer pipes are located within City-owned lanes behind or next to residential properties.

Over time, some of these areas have become occupied by private structures, landscaping, gardens, fencing and other private property items. These obstructions prevent access for sewer replacement work and future maintenance activities.

To complete the project safely and efficiently, clear access to City-owned lanes is required.

If your property is located within the current phase area, please review the aerial photos below to identify property lines and City-owned lanes.

Remove items located within City-owned lanes

If you have personal belongings, landscaping, gardens, fencing or other structures located within a City-owned lane, they will need to be removed before construction begins. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for more details regarding construction activities, property impacts and restoration.

Early removal helps avoid delays, reduces disruptions during construction and allows crews to safely carry out the work.

The City will require ongoing access to this area to maintain this important infrastructure that will serve the community reliably for years to come.

We understand that construction may be disruptive. By sharing information early, we hope to help residents prepare for upcoming work and provide opportunities to ask questions and share feedback.