Each Water and Sewer System faces capacity restrictions and a limited number of available connections. New connection requests are reviewed following the Utilities Extension and Acquisition Policy. As fees are required at time of application. Prior to submitting a formal application for a new connection please review information below. 

Pre-Approved Connections – Rent Charges 

If you have an existing utility account with the RDEK for a Rent Charges Account, this means the parcel has been pre-approved for a connection to the East Side Lake Windermere Water Service Area. We have the capacity to ensure this parcel can connect to the system. A formal connection application is still required, but only the base connection charge and water meter fees are applicable.

New Connection and Building Permits

As part of the initial building permit review process, staff will assess if the parcel and building permit application meet water and sewer requirements. Including, if the parcel is within an existing service area as outlined in STEP 1. 

STEP 1 – Determine if you are in an existing service area 

Please reach out to our Engineering Services Team to determine if your parcel is within the service area at: [email protected]

When emailing please provide the following information:

1. Parcel Information – Please provide Civic Address or PID
2. Timelines - when you would want to be connected
3. Contact Information – phone numbers and any additional contacts to be looped in 

Once the Engineering Services Team has received the information above, they will pull property information and confirm next steps. Some of the information that the Engineering Team reviews includes:

• If the parcel is already in an existing service area
  • Note: A parcel could be within a Water Service Area but not a Sewer Service Area or vice versa. If the parcel is not within an established service area a petition to add the parcel in is required. (See Step 1A)
• If that parcel has an existing connection or curbstop
• Locations of Water and Sewer Mains in relation to the parcel
• If there are any latecomer agreements or other special fees/obligations
• If the connection meets the Utilities Extension and Acquisition Policy

The Engineering Team is there to ensure that the new connection request is suitable prior to a formal application being submitted. 

STEP 1A – Petition (if not in service area)

If the parcel is not within an existing service area a Petition to join is required before a formal application for a new connection can be submitted. A Service Area Petition requires the:

1. Owner to submit a petition document requesting inclusion in the Service Area (the petition document will be provided by the RDEK by request)
2. Engineering and Corporate Services Staff review the petition document
3. Board to review and approve or deny the inclusion request
4. Utilities Commission for the System (if applicable) to approve the inclusion request

STEP 2 – Formal Application

Applications are available at each RDEK office. Applications include work order documents acknowledging the applicant is responsible for full costs for installation of connection. Signatures are required on all application documents and must be completed in person.

Application for connection are available at our Columbia Valley Office for systems within:

• Windermere (water only no sewer services) East Side Lake Windermere
• Holland Creek 
• Edgewater
• Spur Valley (water only no sewer services)
• Rushmere (water only no sewer services)

Application for new connections at our Cranbrook Office area available for systems within:

• Elko (water only no sewer services)
• Moyie (water only no sewer services)

Once the application is received and fees are paid, the RDEK will start the process of scheduling work. If applying for a new connection as part of a building permit, these are often sent out with the building permit fees. No other action is required by the applicant until contacted by the RDEK. 

STEP 3 – RDEK Processes the New Connection 

The RDEK will schedule work with contractors for the new connection.  The RDEK will:

1. Receive estimates for the new utility connection
2. Schedule the new connection (RDEK hired Contractors)
3. Inspect the new connection (Internal RDEK Staff)
4. If applicable: Water Meter Install Process
   • Provide a water meter. This will be held at the Columbia Valley Office until the owner is ready to install the meter.
   • Require the owner to: hire a plumber to install the water meter and requests an inspection from a RDEK Utility Operator.
5. Turn on Water or Sewer Service connection.
6. Create Utility Account
7. Invoice additional connection fee costs on the first utility bill.

Fees

There are set fees associated with connecting to our water or sewer systems but there may be additional fees based on the specific parcel. Find out more about each type of fee below: