Frequently asked
Septic FAQ for the Comox Valley
Courtenay Septic Systems answers the questions homeowners ask most about septic installation, repair, inspection and riser access across Courtenay, Comox, Cumberland and the Comox Valley Regional District. You'll find how the Island Health filing works under the Sewerage System Regulation, and what the CVRD's 2026–2028 maintenance rebate pays for.
- How much does a septic system cost in Courtenay?
- Design and filing typically run $2,000 to $5,200 across BC, and the system itself depends on your lot, soil and household size. We'll give you a firm number after we walk the property.
- Do I need a permit for a septic system in the Comox Valley?
- You don't need a municipal building permit for the septic system itself — it's filed directly with Island Health under the provincial Sewerage System Regulation, separate from any building permit your municipality issues.
- Is there a rebate for septic maintenance in the Comox Valley?
- If you're in CVRD Electoral Area A, B or C, the regional district's maintenance rebate covers 75% of the cost — up to $500 for an inspection, $400 for a riser or $200 for a distribution box — through 2028. It doesn't cover new installs or pump-outs.
- How often should I pump my septic tank?
- Most tanks need pumping every 2 to 5 years, depending on size and how many people are in the house. We can set you up with a maintenance schedule so you're not guessing.
- Do you work outside Courtenay?
- Yes — Courtenay is only part of our service area. We also serve your properties in Comox, Cumberland, Royston, Union Bay, Black Creek, Merville, Fanny Bay, Denman Island and Hornby Island.
- What's a Letter of Certification, and do I need one?
- It's the document that proves your system was installed to the filed design — Island Health requires it within 30 days of completion, and you'll want it on hand if you ever sell the property.
Common questions before you book
- Do you need a permit for septic work on your property?
- Septic work isn't a municipal permit — it's a filing with Island Health under the provincial Sewerage System Regulation, no matter which town or electoral area your property sits in. Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland handle their own building permits for anything that touches your house, and CVRD Electoral Areas A, B and C go through the regional district instead. Either way, your septic filing goes to Island Health, and our team handles that filing for you.
- What is a Letter of Certification, and do you receive one for your job?
- Yes. Once your system passes inspection, we issue your Letter of Certification within 30 days of finishing the job. Keep it — Island Health and future buyers both ask for it.
- Does the CVRD rebate cover septic maintenance for your property?
- If your property is in CVRD Electoral Area A, B or C, the CVRD's 2026–2028 rebate covers 75% of eligible maintenance work — up to $500 for an inspection, $400 for a riser, $200 for a distribution box or $100 for an effluent filter. Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland addresses aren't eligible — it's an electoral-area program, not a municipal one. We can tell you which category your job falls into before you book it.
- If you live in Royston or Union Bay, do you still need a septic system?
- For now, yes. The CVRD has a sewer extension planned into Royston and Union Bay, partly paid for by a provincial grant. Construction hasn't started yet, so there's no confirmed date. Until your property is actually connected, your septic system is still what Island Health holds you responsible for. We keep servicing systems in both communities through the extension.
- What is a riser, and why would you need one on your septic tank?
- A riser brings your tank's access lid up to ground level, so it doesn't need digging up for every pump-out or inspection. If yours is buried, we can install one in a single visit.
- How do you know if your system needs a repair instead of a full replacement?
- Slow drains, wet patches over the field, or a tank that needs pumping more often than it used to are the usual signs something's wrong — not necessarily that the whole system is done. We inspect before we quote either way, so you're not paying for a replacement a repair would have fixed.
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