Septage Receiving and Pump and Haul

Septage Receiving and Pump and Haul

Septage Disposal Rate

Over 12,000 homes in the Regional District of Nanaimo use onsite systems, such as septic systems, to treat wastewater. Occasionally, septic tanks must be pumped out. After a tank is pumped out, septage may be taken to an RDN septage receiving facility for treatment and disposal.  

The regular septage disposal rate in 2025 is $0.31 per imperial gallon. The rate increases each year by $0.01 per imper gallon. This rate covers treatment and disposal costs.  

Hold Tank Rate (Pump and Haul) 

Holding tanks must be pumped out more often than septic tanks. For this, the RDN offers a reduced waste disposal rate of $0.01 per imperial gallon to eligible properties.  

Temporary Rate Reduction  

Residents may apply for a reduced septage disposal user rate for up to 90 days, if their onsite system has malfunctioned and will be repaired.  

Horne Lake Strata Properties  

Horne Lake Strata properties are eligible for a reduced septage disposal rate.  

Permanent Rate Reduction 

Holding tanks may be used by properties that cannot connect to public wastewater systems and are unable to obtain a conventional onsite system. Those properties must first obtain authorization from Island Health to use a holding tank for wastewater disposal. Marine sewage reception facilities may also apply for a holding tank rate, if they do not charge for the disposal of sanitary sewage. Application fees apply.  

Information for Septage Haulers  

Septage haulers must be licenced to use an RDN septage facility. To apply for a licence, you must:  

  1. Complete the Application for Credit with the RDN to set up a credit account. Apply for a credit with the RDN 

  1. Drop your application off in person, or email financeAR [at] rdn.bc.ca (financeAR[at]rdn[dot]bc[dot]ca) with the subject ‘Application for Credit’  

  1. Complete the Hauler Discharge Licence Application to apply for a hauler discharge licence. Apply for a Hauler Discharge Licence 

  1. Drop your application off in person, or email rcu [at] rdn.bc.ca (rcu[at]rdn[dot]bc[dot]ca) with the subject ‘Septage Hauler Licence Application’ 

  1. Allow for 30 days after credit is established for the review of your application  

Septage is randomly sampled to ensure prohibited wastes are not discharged. For more information, please see:  

Septage Receiving Facilities  

Access outside of the posted hours is only available during an emergency. Call 1-800-862-3429 to request after-hours emergency access. Your company will be charged approximately $100 per hour if staff incur overtime for such a request. = 

French Creek Pollution Control Centre 

957 Lee Road, Parksville 

Hours of operation:  

  • 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday 

  • 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday 

  • 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Sunday and Statutory Holidays 

Chase River Pumping Station  

1174 Island Highway, Nanaimo 

Hours of operation: 

  • 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily