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vidual on-site systems such as septic tanks. As tech-
nology improves at both community and individual
system levels, municipalities have to re-evaluate their
approach in a more cost-effective manner and remain
open-minded to future available options in servicing.
Within the urban corridor, water supply, treatment
and delivery will continue to rely on community-wide
systems in the future given their efficiency, quality
control, and compatibility with the compact built en-
vironment. Even in the rural and farm areas, com-
munity water is available, except for Ryder Lake and
the agricultural land west of Lickman Road (exclud-
ing Greendale which has already been connected
through Cattermole). Yet long term challenges re-
main and revolve around the following issues:
Long Term Water Supply
Currently the City obtains its water from seven com-
munity wells in the Sardis Aquifer. While this aquifer
has provided world-class quality water for decades,
the City has recently introduced a secondary disin-
fection system because of provincial requirements.
In addition, the City is considering future expansion
of its water source as its population approaches the
capacity limit of the Sardis-Vedder Aquifer. Tests are
being done on the Chilliwack Aquifer, which will likely
be the new addition when the City reaches its thresh-
old around 2021. In the meantime, the planning for
the Chilliwack Aquifer will carry on and the water
consumption and population growth of the City will
be closely monitored.
Water Conservation
Water conservation programs will be part of the long
term management strategy. The City has already
imposed summer sprinkler restrictions, will oversee
conservation installations per the Building Code and
encourage conservation through education and retro
fit programs.
Water Main Network
Detailed planning of water main network improve-
ments has been ongoing, but in the future this will be
regularly informed by the monitoring of densification
activities and population growth within the urban
corridor and in the comprehensively planned hillside
community developments (Map 14). With respect to
rural settlements such as Yarrow and Rosedale which
have a limited water flow, a long term solution that
represents a community consensus has yet to evolve.
The unserviced rural areas and Ryder Lake Uplands,
though within the City’s vision of municipality-wide
water service coverage, still need a defined strategy
that is consistent with their rural nature, will not trig-
ger urban development speculation, and is based on
self-financing principles.
Sanitary Sewer
Sanitary sewerage is regarded as an urban service. A
sanitary sewer district basically stands for the future
urban growth limits. In our municipality it largely cor-
responds to the urban corridor. However, between
Evans Road and Chilliwack River Road where some
ALR and First Nation lands are involved, a clear direc-
tion for future sewer coverage and planning has yet
to be in place (Map 15). Ongoing sewer/pumping/
treatment-disposal capacity use should continue to
be monitored, whereby future upgrades associated
with urban corridor densification can be planned and
executed on a timely basis, and adapt quickly when
changes occur. The downtown neighbourhoods, des-
ignated for intensive densification, should be one of
the sewerage planning foci. Sardis-Vedder, which will
also see active densification but is largely served by
one main sewer trunk, should be another utility plan-
ning focus. In the latter case where First Nations re-
serves are an integral part of the utility system, early
consultation with First Nations is crucial.
Storm Drainage
Storm drainage systems are an essential service to
both the urban corridor and the rural valley floor. At
the watershed level, the city’s storm drainage system
channels the rainfall from the hillsides across the
Goal 5 - Build Healthy Attractive Communities