Water
Water for the Village of Burns Lake is derived from 3 deep wells located on Gerow Island. Water is pumped to the high lift station, where it is chlorinated. From there, it is pumped to three towers, two on 5th Avenue and one on Woyenne Reserve. From the 5th Avenue tower, water is boosted in pressure and travels to the ends of the avenues and streets above Carroll Street. The rest of the water is gravity-fed from the towers, downhill to the main streets.
On average, Burns Lake pumps 1100 cubic meters of water per day, and this amount significantly spikes in summer due to lawn watering.
In 2020, construction began on Burns Lake’s first water treatment plant. This project would not have been possible without the financial collaboration between the Village of Burns Lake, Lake Babine Nation, Burns Lake Band and the provincial and federal governments. The water treatment plant will be online by spring of 2021.
Summer Watering
Fresh, clean water is a precious commodity and the Village of Burns Lake wants to conserve it.
Water Restrictions are enforced within the Village of Burns Lake between May 15 and September 15. The use of large quantities of water for lawn, garden, vehicle washing and other domestic purposes only is permitted daily between 7 am and 11 am according to the following schedule:
- Residents whose homes have odd house numbers will be permitted to water on
odd-numbered days. - Even-numbered houses may water on even-numbered days.
- Light hand watering is permitted at any time for new lawns, flowers and gardens.
For more information, please contact the Village Office at 250 692-7587.
Storm Water
Storm water is collected through a series of open ditches and culverts. Storm water flows into storm pipes and manholes on Highway 16 and is eventually dispersed through an open ditch system.
Sewer
Sewer is collected through underground pipes, centralized in manholes, and flows to the lift station where it is pumped through two lines into Burns Lake lagoons. The retention length is approximately 8 days, unless there is significant extra flow due to infiltration.
Infiltration is generally caused by homes allowing their drains and sump pumps to flow into the sewer system, which is in contravention of the sewer bylaw. In addition snow runoff can infiltrate through manholes and access points which causes a significant increase to flow into the sewer lagoons during spring runoff. This results in increase costs due to the treatment process.
When do I get my Utility bill?
Local levels of government provide water, sewer, and garbage services. Utility billing is prepared by the Finance Department and sent out in April.