The MD is making changes to the Sewer Grinder Maintenance Program. These changes were carefully considered by Council and senior leadership. While they entail additional responsibilities for affected property owners, the achievable outcome is to provide a more efficient and equitable water/sewer utility services for all MD residents.
Grinder Pump
HOMEOWNER'S GUIDE
If your home is equipped with a grinder pump, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with this homeowner’s guide. It contains general information on how a grinder pump works; general care and maintenance information; warranty coverage; frequently asked questions; and important contacts.
Notice of Change: Sewer Grinder Pump Maintenance
Changes will be made to the Sewer Grinder Pump Maintenance Program effective January 1, 2024.
Property owners within the hamlets of Canyon Creek, Wagner, Widewater and the area of Nine Mile are advised that changes will be made to the Sewer Grinder Pump Maintenance Program effective January 1st, 2024. This decision has been made after careful consideration of the rising costs of providing quality utility services to our customers.
The changes to be implemented January 1st, 2024 are as follows:
- The Property Owner will assume ownership of their sewer grinder pumps plus all related responsibilities for inspection, installation, removal, maintenance, repairs, and replacement. This includes any and all costs incurred related to the sewer grinder pump.
- The Property Owner will be responsible for all costs incurred to purchase, install and commission the sewer grinder pump and/or sewer package and accessories on private property up to the sanitary curbstop (the curbstop is the service shutoff valve located at the property line).
- The MD will continue to supply certified sewer grinder pumps for the Property Owner to purchase. Each pump has a five-year warranty. Upon purchase of the sewer grinder pump, this warranty belongs to the Property Owner — not the MD.
- The MD will sell grinder pumps to the public (at the MD’s cost plus 5 percent).
Please be advised that as of January 1st, 2024, the MD will no longer offer the option to finance the sewer grinder pumps through the five-year Financial Agreement. All sewer grinder pumps bought from the MD must be paid in full at the time of purchase.
We understand that these changes may cause some inconvenience to you, but we assure you that we will continue to offer support and guidance during this transition. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact the Utilities department at 780.849.4888.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we work together to ensure the continued growth and optimal functionality of our wastewater infrastructure.
CONTACT WATER & UTILITIES
| rudolf.liebenberg (@) mdlsr.ca | |
| Phone | 780.849.4888 |
| Toll-Free | 1.866.449.4888 |
| Fax | 780.849.4939 |
If you have any questions regarding the sewer ginder pump changes, please contact Rudolf Liebenberg, Operational Director of Planning & Development, Utilities & Protective Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about the grinder pump maintenance program changes.
Why is the MD downloading responsibility onto property owners?
Each property owner is responsible for all sewer infrastructure and accessories on their land up to the sanitary curbstop (service shutoff valve) which is generally located at the property line.
Section 6.10 of Bylaw 2003-08 states:
b) The owner of the property shall maintain the sewer from the point where the service is connected to the public sewer main to the building at the owner’s expense.
c) If the point where the MD services connected to the private service cannot be reasonably
established, such point of connection shall be deemed to be at the property line.
The MD installed my sewer grinder pump. Don’t they own it?
I don’t know anything about sewer grinder pumps. What are my options?
If the MD no longer installs and services sewer grinder pumps, who does?
If I need to replace my grinder pump, do I need to find a distributor?
Download the Guide
Click Here to download and print a copy of the Grinder Pump Low Pressure Sanitary Sewer (LPSS) Homeowner's Guide.
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2024, ANY SEWER GRINDER PUMPS BOUGHT FROM THE MD MUST BE PAID IN FULL AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE.
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