To more effectively respond to incidents, mitigate health risks by pathogens (such as Legionella pneumophila ), and ensure compliance with updated standards, operating permits help us and health authorities track new and existing:
Cooling towers
Decorative water features
Non-potable water systems and other building water systems
Looking for an electrical annual permit? Review the steps and get an electrical annual permit
Ready to get your permit?
Review what systems require an operating permit
Review our guide on how to use the online permit system for operating permits PDF file
Register for an online account (If you don't have an account.)
Submit your application
Report water quality results as required. For Legionella pneumophila and E. coli , review laboratory requirements and sampling guidelines (listed under water quality reference documents).
Get or renew permit Search for a permit
For additional information, email: operatingpermit@vancouver.ca or phone: 604-873-7549.
Effective January 1, 2022, the annual operating permit fee will be $175 (pending Council approval).
As of January 1, 2022, all operating permits must be associated with someone holding the EOCP “Building Water System Operator” certification. Get additional information from the Environmental Operators Certification Program External website, opens in new tab
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All new and existing cooling towers and evaporative condensers require:
An operating permit
A maintenance log PDF file Annual offline cleaning and disinfection
A Legionella pneumophila culture test at system start-up (monthly testing required as of January 1, 2022)
Action when a Legionella pneumophila result is 10 or more CFU (colony forming units) per mL
New system requirements
Systems installed after January 1, 2021, must:
Include a water treatment system
Have a maintenance contract for a minimum of one year
Incorporate a drift eliminator
Discharge away from the building (minimum setbacks are prescribed)
Be provided with access for maintenance and testing
Include a sampling port
Reference documents
Decorative water features
All new and existing indoor and outdoor decorative water features require:
An operating permit
A maintenance log PDF file Annual offline cleaning and disinfection
As of January 1, 2022, all new and existing decorative water features also require:
Bi-monthly Legionella pneumophila testing and reporting
Action when a Legionella pneumophila result is 10 or more CFU (colony forming units) per mL
Exemptions
There are exemptions, such as systems for single-family homes and duplexes. Fish ponds and natural bodies of water are also exempt.
Systems that are regulated under the BC Pool Regulation do not require a City operating permit. Those systems are inspected by Vancouver Coastal Health External website, opens in new tab .
Reference documents
Rainwater harvesting and other alternative water systems
All new and existing systems must meet the following water quality standards:
Temperature < 20 °C
Turbidity < 10 NTU (nephelometric turbidity units)
E. coli < 100 CFU (colony forming units) per 100 mL or < 100 MPN (most probable number) per 100 mLLegionella pneumophila < 10 CFU per mL (as of January 1, 2022)
What is required
All new and existing systems require:
New system requirements
Systems installed after January 1, 2019, must:
Have an operating permit to get an occupancy permit
Connect to toilets, urinals, and trap primers
Use specified purple piping and sizing methodology
Include inline monitoring, sub-meters, and a sampling port
Exemptions
There are exemptions, such as systems for single-family homes and duplexes.
Reference document
Vancouver Plumbing By-law, Division B, Section 2.7 External website, opens in new tab
Building water treatment systems
Legionella growth can be minimized by keeping the hot water hot, and the cold water cold. While an operating permit is not required for a building’s potable water system, there are some requirements to follow.
Hot water
Thermostats on storage tanks must be set no lower than 60 °C (140 F).
Recirculation loops should keep hot water above 49 °C (120 F).
Low flow faucets and showerheads are not required in treatment or care facilities and may be exempt from other buildings with a professional water management plan.
Reference documents
Once through cooling and other single pass systems
Note
All existing once through cooling equipment, non-recirculating liquid ring pumps, and other single pass systems must be disconnected from the City’s water system.
Not sure if your system uses once through cooling? Learn how you can find out in our guide PDF file .
Exemptions
There are exemptions which require a permit, such as for emergency once through cooling equipment installed before May 2, 2017.
Reference documents
Water quality testing and reporting
Certain operating permits require periodic water quality testing and reporting.
Note Legionella pneumophila results exceeding 1,000 CFU/mL must be reported immediately to both the:
Local medical health officer
City
Legionella pneumophila tests must be conducted by a laboratory:
Using the culture method (ISO 11731), and reporting results for all serogroups of Legionella pneumophila
Accredited to ISO/IEC 17025
Enrolled in a bi-annual external proficiency testing program, such as CDC ELITE External website, opens in new tab
That gives notice to the medical health officer and City for exceedances, as defined by the by-law
E. coli tests (which are only required for rainwater harvesting and other alternative water systems) must be conducted by an accredited laboratory External website, opens in new tab
Reference documents
