New Vault Toilet at Grafton Lake

A new Vault Toilet is being installed at Grafton Lake! Got questions? Read on. 

What is a Vault Toilet? 

All of our municipal park and beach toilets are vault systems. They consist of a concrete container buried in the ground with a concrete lid sealed around the top. The toilet and building are then installed on top of the concrete pad.  

How does a vault toilet work? 

A vault toilet system is waterless. Waste is deposited in the sealed vault that is periodically pumped out and collected in a pumper truck. This usually takes place twice per year.  

How close is the vault toilet to Grafton Lake? 

The vault toilet is at least 30 metres (or about 100 feet) from the high-water mark of any part of the Lake or surrounding wetlands.  

Is it safe to put a vault toilet that close to a drinking water source? 

Yes. The waste is contained within the sealed vault and does not come into contact with the Lake or surrounding environment. Vancouver Coastal Health, who has authority over drinking water safety, has confirmed that they have no concerns with the installation of the vault toilet.   

Was any special permitting required? 

A development permit was required. The project was reviewed by a Qualified Environmental Professional, and their report was reviewed by municipal staff before the permit was issued. 

Were any other sites considered? 

Yes, but because the land must be municipally owned, accessible, and at least 30m from a stream, wetland or Lake, there were only two possibilities. This site was chosen so that it can serve users of the Multi-Use Pathway as well as people using the trail around Grafton Lake. 

Why are we installing a vault toilet at Grafton Lake? 

To prevent human waste from entering the Lake. Toilet paper and human waste along trails are becoming more of an issue all over the Island but the popularity of this trail and the sensitivity of Grafton Lake as a drinking water resource made it a high priority for toilet installation.     

Why are people allowed to recreate around Grafton Lake? 

The land around Grafton Lake was once privately owned and at risk of being developed. In 2018, Council approved a rezoning that included a donation of the land around the Lake to create a park in exchange for increased density across Grafton Road.    

Shouldn’t the Lake be fenced to protect the drinking water quality?  

Fencing can’t keep pollution out of the lake because the lake is only a small part of a much larger watershed. Pollution enters the lake through rainwater and streams that collect contaminants from across the entire watershed, including sources like leaking septic systems upstream.

Aren’t most drinking water reservoirs fenced in British Columbia?  

No, some are fenced, but most are not. A fully fenced and protected watershed would be ideal but it’s not possible to keep people out of the Grafton Lake watershed. Many people live in the watershed, and many more drive through it every day; around 150 residential homes, several businesses, and multiple roadways lie within the Grafton Lake watershed.  

What can we do to protect the watershed? 

The Municipality is currently developing a management plan for the Grafton Lake watershed, which will include strategies to protect the watershed and guidelines for different uses within it.  

In the meantime, residents are encouraged to help protect the Island’s watersheds by preserving natural riparian buffers, safely disposing of unused medications at local pharmacies, and ensuring septic systems are regularly maintained. 

Who do I contact with questions? 

Contact the Manager of Environment and Parks Planning, Carla Skuce, cskuce@bimbc.ca, or 604-947-4255 ext. 244, with any questions.