State of the Utilities: Water, Wastewater & Gas
At Big White Utilities, we believe in transparency and proactive communication with our customers. This update provides a clear picture of the current condition and performance of our water, wastewater, and gas systems, and explains how future expansion is funded
All three utility systems are right‑sized for the community’s current needs, and each is operating efficiently and reliably. When additional capacity or new infrastructure is required to support future development, those investments are paid for by the development community, not existing ratepayers. Over time, however, all utilities require investment to replace aging assets, enhance system performance and resilience, and meet evolving regulatory and environmental standards.These types of improvements—such as interconnections between water systems or upgrades to wastewater treatment processes—benefit the entire community and are funded transparently through the utility rate‑setting process in a manner that is fair and appropriate for all customers.
Our Team
Big White Utilities is comprised of nine full‑time employees dedicated to the seamless operation, rehabilitation, renewal, and expansion of utility services to meet the needs of our customers and stakeholders. Five staff members are based on the mountain, completing daily rounds, required sampling, and inspections to ensure systems are operating as intended.
Our commitment is to provide exceptional quality, reliability, and service at reasonable rates.
Water Utility: Reliable, Efficient, and Right‑Sized
Our water system is designed to reliably meet the community’s needs both now and into the future. From source supply to treatment and distribution, all components operate well within their intended capacities and are aligned with the Big White Master Plan.
Water Sources and Treatment
Rhonda Lake, located at the base of the Cliff Chair, has been the community’s primary water source for decades. Lake Paul, located at the base of the Powder Chair, was later developed to supply approximately 30 percent of system demand. Each source is supported by a water treatment plant that provides ultraviolet treatment and chlorination in compliance with Interior Health Authority requirements.
Distribution System and Monitoring
The water distribution system includes three treated‑water concrete reservoirs, five pressure‑reducing stations, approximately 16 km of watermain, and 94 fire hydrants serving the community. Water quality and system performance are continuously monitored through SCADA, with daily inspections conducted by operations staff.
What the Water Utility Maintains
The Water Utility owns, operates, and maintains the shared infrastructure that delivers safe, reliable drinking water throughout the community. This includes watermains, valves, hydrants, pressure‑reducing stations, reservoirs, and other system‑wide facilities. Our focus is on maintaining infrastructure that serves everyone and ensures dependable water service up to each property.
Customer‑Owned Infrastructure
As is standard practice, the Water Utility’s responsibility generally extends to the property lot line. Infrastructure beyond this point—such as private service connections, internal plumbing, pressure‑boosting equipment, or other on‑site systems—is owned and maintained by the property owner.
This clear division of responsibility allows the Utility to focus on system‑wide reliability and water quality, while property owners maintain control over infrastructure located on their own property.
If you have questions about where responsibilities change or need help identifying customer‑owned equipment, our team is happy to assist.
Seasonal Water Quality and Freshet
Water quality naturally changes throughout the year as environmental conditions evolve. During spring freshet, runoff can introduce nutrients and organic matter into the Powder Basin source. This is a well‑understood, seasonal condition.
During freshet, Big White Utilities closely monitors water quality, adjusts treatment processes as required, and enhances watershed protection efforts to maintain safe and reliable drinking water. When temporary changes in colour or aesthetics occur, we communicate proactively with customers so they understand the cause and duration of these conditions.
Key Strengths
- System capacity comfortably meets current residential, commercial, seasonal, and fire‑flow demands
- Stable source water supply and efficient treatment processes
- Continuous monitoring, maintenance, and optimization to maintain reliability
Planned Improvements
To further strengthen resilience and performance, the water utility will advance several important projects:
- Construction of a new concrete reservoir and addition of filtration for the Powder Basin system.
This project will reduce reliance on the existing on‑demand configuration, provide storage time to improve water colour, and deliver more consistent pressure for fire‑flow requirements. - Installation of an upper pressure zone inter‑connect line.
This connection will provide additional redundancy and hydraulic balance between the Rhonda Lake and Powder Basin sources, improving overall system reliability and operational flexibility.
How Future Growth Is Funded
When new developments require system extensions or increased capacity, Development Cost Charges (DCCs) are collected from the developer. These funds are dedicated exclusively to water infrastructure that supports new growth—never paid for by existing customers.
Every five years, Big White Water Utility Ltd. prepares and submits tariff and rate plans to the Province for review and approval. The latest tariff came into effect in January 2026, with rates adjusted annually for inflation.
Wastewater Utility: Efficient Operation and Responsible Management
Our wastewater treatment system is performing effectively and is appropriately sized for current wastewater flows across the community. The system is designed and constructed to accommodate the Big White Master Plan and is currently operating at approximately 60% of its rated capacity.
The wastewater collection system comprises approximately 24 km of gravity-based sanitary sewer mains and a treatment facility that includes a headworks building—continuously monitored and alarmed 24/7 through an automated call-out system—four treatment lagoons, a polishing pond, and rapid infiltration basins. The system is inspected daily and includes routine effluent testing, sampling, and downstream monitoring of wells and creeks to ensure compliance with the Ministry of the Environment Authorization.
Key Strengths
- Treatment processes operating safely within regulated parameters
- Collection system matched to the current service area and development footprint
- Ongoing upgrades to maintain efficiency, compliance, and reliability
Planned Improvements
To enhance treatment performance and meet evolving standards, the utility is preparing for several initiatives:
- Continued maintenance of collection systems, including flushing and video inspection
- Replacement of the existing settling‑pond treatment system with a high‑performance treatment process. This will significantly improve effluent and discharge water quality, ensuring enhanced environmental protection and system reliability
How Future Growth Is Funded
As with water, future wastewater system expansion is funded through DCCs collected from new development, ensuring that growth pays for growth and existing ratepayers are protected.
Big White Wastewater Utility Ltd. regularly prepares and updates its tariff and rate plans. The latest tariff came into effect in January 2024, with rates adjusted annually for inflation.
Gas Utility: Safe and Dependable Service
Our gas distribution system provides reliable propane service to the community for heating, cooking, and commercial needs throughout the year. The system is designed and constructed to accommodate the Big White Master Plan.
The gas system includes storage tanks, vaporizers, and approximately 13 km of gas mains serving much of the mountain. The system is inspected daily in compliance with permitting requirements.
Key Strengths
- Infrastructure appropriately sized for current customer demand
- Rigorous inspection and safety protocols
- Dependable operation in challenging mountain weather
- Distribution system safely buried underground, reducing the risk of damage from vehicles, snow‑removal equipment, or other external impacts
Planned Improvements
- Service extension to currently unserviced areas (intent).
The utility’s goal is to extend gas service to the remaining areas of the community. This would improve reliability, enhance safety, and eliminate the need for large propane delivery trucks operating in neighbourhoods.
At this time, there is no approved funding model for this expansion. Options continue to be evaluated, and any future growth‑related infrastructure will follow the principle that growth pays for growth, ensuring existing customers do not subsidize expansion.
How Future Growth Is Funded
When new developments require gas system expansion, developers contribute gas system DCCs or connection fees. Existing customers do not subsidize growth‑driven infrastructure.
Every five years, Big White Gas Utility Ltd. submits tariff and rate plans to the BC Utilities Commission for review and approval. The latest tariff came into effect in June 2021 and is being renewed in Spring 2026.
Building Our Future
- Resiliency Analysis: Evaluating critical system components to inform emergency response and long‑term planning
- Preventative Maintenance: Asset management, renewal planning, and replacement reserves to keep infrastructure in strong operating condition
- Customer Communication: Direct emails, website updates, and published information
- Construction Standards: Adoption of standardized specifications and drawings for all civil works. All utility construction must be reviewed and approved by Big White Utilities and comply with current MMCD standards. Watermains must be ductile iron with 1.8 m cover. Road approvals are coordinated with MOTI or Strata as applicable.
Our Commitment to Fairness and Transparency
We want to reassure customers that:
- All utility systems—water, wastewater, and gas—are right‑sized for today’s demand and operating efficiently.
- Infrastructure required for future growth is paid for by the development community, not existing ratepayers.
- DCCs are used exclusively to fund growth‑related infrastructure.
- We invest responsibly in maintenance, regulatory compliance, and system reliability.
If you have questions about our utilities or funding approach, please contact utilities@bigwhite.com or 250‑491‑6167.