Wastewater Services

Wastewater is any water that has been used in homes, businesses, institutions or industry. This includes water from sinks, toilets, showers, dishwashers and washing machines.

Stormwater, such as rainfall and snowmelt running off roads, roofs and parking lots, is also managed as part of the wastewater system.

CBRM now uses a user-pay model, based on the amount of water entering your property, which closely matches the wastewater generated. This approach is fair and widely accepted as best practice.

• Bills are calculated quarterly.
• Most residents are already metered through municipal water.
• Customers on private wells but connected to sewer are charged based on average wastewater use for similar customers, with the option to install a meter to measure actual use (installation costs apply).
• Using less water directly reduces your wastewater charges.

The new model ensures that all users pay their fair share for the services they use.

For detailed rates, see Schedule "A" 2024 of Wastewater Discharge By-law (By-law W-100).

CBRM treats wastewater using a multi-step process to remove contaminants and protect public health.

• Pre-treatment: Large debris, such as garbage, twigs and rags, is screened and removed.
• Treatment and settling: Smaller solids settle into layers and are separated from the water.
• Disinfection: The water passes through ultraviolet (UV) light to eliminate harmful bacteria.
• Safe discharge: Once treated, water is safe to return to the environment. Residents can help by avoiding putting fats, oils, grease or other materials down drains.

The system includes treatment plants, pumping stations, storage tanks, pipelines and thousands of valves to maintain safe and reliable wastewater services.

• Battery Point Wastewater Treatment Plant (Sydney)
• Dominion-Bridgeport Wastewater Treatment Plant
• Villa Drive Recirculating Sand Filter (Bras d’Or)

• Sydney Harbour West Wastewater Treatment Plant (Edwardsville)

• Southwest Brook Lagoon (Sydney)
• Birch Grove Constructed Wetland
• Centerville Lagoon
• Meadowbrook Lagoon
• Tower Road Lagoon

• 41 outfalls
• 14 combined sewer overflows (CSOs)
• 55 lift stations
• 5 community septic tanks

• Municipal: Wastewater Discharge By-law (By-law W-100)
• Provincial:
  • Water and Wastewater Facilities and Public Drinking Water Supplies Regulations
  • Environment Act
• Federal
  • Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations
  • Canada-wide Strategy for the Management of Municipal Wastewater Effluent