The Province is providing $50,000 to the Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of BC (ASTTBC) to ensure common qualifications and licensing standards for workers installing septic sewage systems.

“Onsite wastewater accounts for a large portion of sewage disposal in British Columbia,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “Whether located in municipal subdivisions with many systems in a fairly small area, or one system for many kilometres in rural regions, they need to be properly designed, installed and maintained to assure our health and safety. Funding will enable the organization to review licensing requirements in other jurisdictions.”

Registered onsite wastewater practitioners certified by the ASTTBC are designated under provincial government regulation to assume responsibility for systems installed in British Columbia. Systems not designed and installed by an authorized practitioner are illegal and the owner is subject to serious penalties.

Sometimes applicants come to B.C. with training and licensing from another jurisdiction and in these cases ASTTBC is obligated under a federal agreement to certify the workers. The challenge for the organization is that the qualifications and competencies of these practitioners may not be the same as those trained and certified in B.C.

“This support from the Ministry of Health will lead to minimum common standards for onsite wastewater practitioners across Canada. Harmonization of standards will lead to enhanced mobility of practitioners. I appreciate the foresight and leadership of Minister Terry Lake in supporting ASTTBC to deliver high standards of design, installation and inspections of onsite wastewater systems. In the long haul, this initiative will provide greater assurance of public health and safety,” said ASTTBC chief executive officer John Leech.

ASTTBC will develop a standard set of competencies in collaboration with other provincial licensing agencies that will ideally become the national standard as the licensing processes vary across the country.

ASTTBC, a professional regulatory body of over 10,000 technologists, technicians and technical specialists evaluates the credentials of applicants seeking certification. There are over 500 registered onsite wastewater practitioners in British Columbia.

Media Contacts:

Kristy Anderson
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

John Leech
Chief Executive Officer
Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC
604 230-5827 (cell)