Grinder Pumps

What is a grinder pump?

Most properties in West Vancouver can connect to the municipal sewer system using gravity. In some cases, gravity doesn’t do the trick and a pump is necessary to move wastewater from private properties to municipal sewer lines.

A grinder pump grinds wastewater from your home (i.e. toilet, shower, washing machine) and pumps it into the public sanitary sewer system. A grinder pump is typically located in a tank that is buried in a convenient outdoor location on your property.

How does a sewer grinder pump work

1. How do I maintain my grinder pump?
  The most important thing you can do to maintain your grinder pump is to make sure you don’t flush or wash unflushables down the drain.
2. Will the District help maintain grinder pumps on private property?
  No. Private property owners are fully responsible for sewer systems on their property, including the maintenance of grinder pumps.
3. The District has helped maintain my grinder pump in the past, what has changed?
  Historically, there have been some exceptions where the District has provided on-going maintenance for grinder pumps on private properties with no legal obligation to do so.
  
  In October 2023, Council adopted Sewerage and Drainage Regulation Bylaw No. 5263, 2023, and with it a new policy that the District will no longer install or provide maintenance for private sanitary systems as part of municipal sanitary utility operations. The policy change formalized a consistent ownership model where private property owners are fully responsible for sewer systems on their property.
  
  This change affected fewer than 150 property owners. It was made to improve equity, and to allow the District to direct ratepayer funding and staff resources toward maintaining sanitary system infrastructure that benefits a greater portion of the community rather than a small number of individual property owners.
  
  To implement that new policy with minimal disruption to residents who have benefitted from special service in the past, the District transferred ownership of the grinder pump installed on private property at no cost to the current and future owner(s) of that property. These private property owners can continue to benefit from that infrastructure for the duration of its useful life.
4. Does the District have a service record for the grinder pump on my property?
  The District may have service records for District-installed grinder pumps on private properties. If your property previously received maintenance support from the District and you are seeking records, please call Engineer Dispatch for more information: 604-925-7100
5. Does the District have specifications or other grinder pump documents?
  The District may have electric and hydromatic specifications for District-installed grinder pumps on private properties. If your property previous received maintenance support from the District and you are seeking specifications, please call Engineer Dispatch for more information: 604-925-7100
6. How will I know if my grinder pump needs to be serviced?
  Every grinder pump has an alarm that will sound, and a red light will flash when it needs to be serviced. For service, please contact a qualified service provider as needed.
7. Can the District recommend a contractor who can service my grinder pump?
  The District cannot provide a list of recommended contractors, and does not sell parts. Grinder pump parts and service providers can be found through a web search.
  
  If your private contractor has specific questions about a District-installed pump, they can call Engineering Dispatch and talk to a District sewer technician – Engineer Dispatch: 604-925-7100