Local Government Awareness Week May 15 – 21

Local governments play a key role in providing citizens, businesses, and communities with the essential services they need to prosper and thrive. Safe drinking water, wastewater management, streets, sidewalks, libraries, land-use planning, fire and police protection, recreation and parks are just some of the important benefits that B.C.’s local governments help support in order to foster strong, successful communities. A few interesting quick facts about local governments are:

– There are 189 local governments in British Columbia, including 162 municipalities and 27 incorporated regional districts.

– The Community Charter (Bill 14, 2003) is the first local government legislation in Canada to establish a full set of principles for municipal-provincial relations.

– Under the Community Charter and the Local Government Act, local governments have broad authority to provide any service that their respective council or board considers necessary or desirable, including water, sewer, garbage disposal, recreation, child care, and economic development.

– The Local Government Act provides a legal framework and foundation for local governments. It provides local governments with powers, duties and functions – and with the flexibility to respond to the diverse needs and changing circumstances of their communities.

Sewer problems

When flushing the toilet, draining the sink, or running a washing machine and water enters your home through your basement drain, this indicates a blockage in the sewer service line to the home and you should contact a plumber. A video of the line should be taken if the plumber suspects the problem is with the city’s main line. While the City of Kimberley strives to clean and inspect all sewer main lines regularly, it is still possible for a sewer main to plug up and allow water and sewage to flow into the dwellings it serves. To avoid this unfortunate situation, we recommend that all households install a backflow preventer device on their sewer line to prevent any damage to your residence.

The Sewer Connection Bylaw No. 2415 reads, “Each owner shall be solely responsible for the installation of the sewer line, backflow preventer and the maintenance of both the sewer line and the service pipe.” To view the bylaw please visit our website.

For more information please call the Operations & Environment Services Department at 250-427-9660 or [email protected].

Be Bear Smart

Please remember that the bears are coming out and they are hungry! The biggest attractant for bears in our community is garbage. Properly secure your garbage, and keep it indoors until pick-up, or until you can take it to the transfer station. Everyone likes the smell of a barbecue, bears included! Please remember to properly clean your barbecue after using it.

Thank you

The Public Works and Operations & Environment Services Departments, would like to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who shared in the Public Works Day and the tours of Mark Creek Dam.

Victoria Day Weekend Closure

City Hall and the Public Works Yard will be closed on Monday, May 23. Have a great long weekend!

City of Kimberley

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