Environmental Protection
FAQs
If you have other questions that are not listed here, please call 3-1-1 (or 604.873.7000 from outside Vancouver city limits) or e-mail us.
Storm Drains
- What happens to water that enters the storm drains?
- What can you put down the storm drain?
- What should I do if I see anything other than rainwater being dumped or washed down a storm drain?
- Why is there a yellow fish painted next to the storm drain on my street?
- How do I get a Storm Drain Marking Kit?
Demolition Issues
Underground Storage Tanks
- How do I find out if I have an underground storage tank (UST) on my property?
- Why do I need to have my underground storage tank removed?
- What does the process involve to have an underground storage tank removed from my property?
- Who is responsible for the cost associated with the removal?
- Does the City provide a certificate or write a letter to the property owner letting them know the status of their property after an underground storage tank is removed?
Waste Discharge Permits
- Where can I find an application form for an industrial Waste Discharge Permit?
- Where can I find an application form for a groundwater remediation Waste Discharge Permit?
- What is the application fee for a Waste Discharge Permit?
- What is the amendment fee for a Waste Discharge Permit?
- What is the cost for discharge of contaminated groundwater?
- What if I need more volume than initially requested and/ or a permit extension?
Site Profiles
Disposal of Dangerous Goods
Storm Drains
Q: What happens to water that enters the storm drains?
A: Currently the City of Vancouver is in the process of converting from a combined to a separated sewer system. In the combined system, rainwater and sewage are collected together into one pipe and the liquid waste is conveyed out to the Iona Island or Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plants. In the separated system, stormwater is conveyed directly into surrounding water bodies. Stormwater outfalls are located on the Fraser River 
, Still Creek, Burrard Inlet , False Creek and English Bay.
The separated system is advantageous as it reduces the occurrence of combined sewer overflows which can happen during periods of heavy rain. During a combined sewer overflow stormwater and wastewater is discharged untreated directly into local water bodies. The City's goal is to eliminate all combined sewer overflows by 2050.
Q: What can you put down the storm drain?
A: Sewer and Watercourse by-law No. 8093 prohibits anything other than uncontaminated rain water from entering the storm drain system. Never pour anything into a gutter, street or storm drain. Help protect your neighbourhood by disposing of unwanted liquids properly.
Q: What should I do if I see anything other than rainwater being dumped or washed down a storm drain?
A: Report it to 3-1-1.
Q: Why is there a yellow fish painted next to the storm drain on my street?
A:Storm drain stenciling is a great way to remind people that storm drains are for clean rainwater only. It’s a visual reminder that pollution prevention is important. The yellow fish are there to remind us that storm drains on our roadways empty directly into local streams. Storm Drain Marking is a conservation and education project developed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Q: How do I get a Storm Drain Marking Kit?
A: Contact 3-1-1 and request a kit. A staff member from the Environmental Protection Branch will contact you to make arrangements. The kits are available to schools and non-profit groups.
[top]
Demolition Issues
Q: What are the requirements for hazardous materials handling in demolitions?
A: Hazardous materials include asbestos, drywall, the contents in aboveground or underground storage tanks, PCBs, abandoned chemicals and others. These materials are described on the City of Vancouver’s Hazardous Materials Report Form 
(57kb). All hazardous materials must be identified, removed and recycled or disposed of prior to demolition of the buildings in accordance with all relevant regulations. The survey to identify these materials must be completed by a qualified person, as defined in WorkSafeBC Guideline 6.6-3 .
Q: What do I need to submit with my application for a demolition permit?
A: WorkSafeBC requires a survey for hazardous materials be completed before any demolition work begins. Effective July 1, 2009 the results of this survey and the City of Vancouver’s Hazardous Materials Report Form (57kb) must be submitted to the city prior to the issuance of a demolition permit.
Q: What is asbestos?
A: Asbestos is the name for a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that are durable, heat-resistant and inexpensive. Asbestos has been used for hundreds of applications with origins dating back to around 2500 B.C. It is commonly found in many insulating materials as it insulates well against heat, electricity and sound. Asbestos is now considered a hazardous material and if handled without caution can lead to serious chronic health issues.
Q: There is asbestos in my house! Am I in danger?
A: Asbestos poses health risks only when fibres are in the air that people breathe. When left in an undisturbed state, asbestos is not harmful. However, if a homeowner cuts, tears apart and removes his asbestos insulation or other asbestos containing materials, asbestos particles will be sent airborne. WorkSafeBC provides a bulletin outlining regulations for asbestos hazards in demolition, renovation, and salvage. They also publish a booklet Safe Work Practices for Handling Asbestos (1.04mb) .
[top]
Underground Storage Tanks
Q: How do I find out if I have an underground storage tank (UST) on my property?
A: The City of Vancouver does not have records on the installation of USTs. A 3-1-1 customer service representative can check if a Fire Permit has been taken out to remove a UST from your property or if the Environmental Protection Branch has received any information regarding a UST on the property. Obvious signs indicating a UST may be present include a filler pipe that sticks up several inches out of the ground, supply lines, vent pipes or oil in the basement sump. The property owner may also hire a qualified private contractor to do a search of the property.
Q: Why do I need to have my underground storage tank removed?
A: Under City of Vancouver Fire By-law No. 8191, Section 4.10.3 and Sewer and Watercourse By-law No. 8093 (253kb), section 5.3 all underground oil tanks which have no further use or have been out of service for two years must be removed. Eventually rust and corrosion can cause holes to form in the tanks or seams to fail. This allows water to infiltrate the tank and the oily water can then leak out contaminating the surrounding soil and/or groundwater. Buried underground storage tanks can cause a variety of environmental, safety, legal and economic concerns for property owners or property buyers.
Q: What does the process involve to have an underground storage tank removed from my property?
A: A qualified private contractor should be hired to remove the UST and a certified environmental consultant should be hired if soil contamination is suspected. Ensure that a Fire Permit is taken out prior to having the UST removed. The Ministry of Environment has a Facts Sheet (197kb) outlining liability and remediation issues.
Q: Who is responsible for the cost associated with the removal?
A: The property owner is responsible for all costs associated with the removal.
Q: Does the City provide a certificate or write a letter to the property owner letting them know the status of their property after an underground storage tank is removed?
A: No. The Fire Permit is closed when the property owner provides an environmental consultant’s report indicating there is no remaining soil contamination on the property after the removal. A property owner may call 3-1-1 to find out the status of a Fire Permit or a file research (15kb) can be requested for a fee (16kb).
[top]
Wast Discharge Permits
Q: Where can I find an application form for an industrial Waste Discharge Permit?
A: Download the permit application here (172kb).
Q: Where can I find an application form for a groundwater remediation Waste Discharge Permit?
A: Download the permit application here (158kb).
Q: What is the application fee for a Waste Discharge Permit?
A: The application fee is $1000 for an industrial waste discharge permit. The application fee for a groundwater remediation permit depends on the maximum instantaneous flow requested. The fee is $500 for a maximum instantaneous flow ≤ 6 L/s and $1000 > 6 L/s.
Q: What is the amendment fee for a Waste Discharge Permit?
A: The fee for a major amendment is $500. Anything besides a name change is considered a major amendment. A name change is considered a minor amendment, the fee for which is $250.
Q: What is the cost for discharge of contaminated groundwater?
A: The cost is based on discharge volume. The rate is currently $0.73 per cubic meter.
Q: What if I need more volume than initially requested and/or a permit extension?
A: Please notify the Environmental Protection Branch in writing to apply for a permit extension at least four weeks in advance of the expiry date. A $500 amendment fee is required for all permit extensions. Additional volume can be requested at a rate of $0.73 per cubic meter. A $500 amendment fee is required in addition to the cost of the additional volume.
[top]
Site Profiles
Q: What is a Site Profile?
A: A Site Profile is a questionnaire regarding the past and present uses of a site. It is designed as a screening tool for potentially contaminated sites.
Q: Under what circumstances does a Site Profile need to be submitted to Environmental Protection?
A: If you are applying for a subdivision, zoning, development/development variance, soil removal, demolition, decommissioning a site, taking over a property as a trustee/ receiver/liquidator or selling property that has, or has had, a Schedule 2 activity on it you may need to complete a site profile.
Q: Where can I find the Site Profile Form?
A: The site profile form (46kb) can be found on the Ministry of the Environment website.
Q: What do I need to submit with the Site Profile?
A: In addition to filling out the Site Profile form in its entirety (incomplete forms will not be processed) a site plan and a $100 review fee is required.
[top]
Disposal of Dangerous Goods
Q: How do I properly dispose of things like unwanted paint and used car batteries?
A: Residential quantities of certain recyclable materials such as car batteries can be disposed of free of charge at the City of Vancouver Recycling Depot. A list of Banned & Prohibited Materials can be found on the Metro Vancouver website. A list of some of the alternative disposal locations within Metro Vancouver is found on the City of Vancouver Solid Waste webpage. In addition, the Recycling Council of British Columbia provides a searchable directory on their Recyclepedia page that lists recycling and disposal options by material and location for things such as paint .
[top]
