Uplands Sewer Separation Project - Humber Catchment

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Welcome to the project page for the Uplands Sewer Separation project in the Humber Catchment. This page provide project information and updates on the progress of the project.

Where we are today

The remainder of the storm drain infrastructure on Beach Drive between Ripon Road and Cadboro Bay Road is delayed due to the availability of another crew. Although the contractor may not be on site, this area is still an active construction zone.

The installation of the storm drain infrastructure on Ripon Road, south of Beach Drive, continues. The mainline is expected to be finished the week of October 14th. The installation of storm drain lateral connections and catch basins will follow.

The outfall structure at Humber Road is underway. The storm main is scheduled to follow.

The installation of the water main on Ripon Road adjacent to the Royal Victoria Yacht Club will be completed by the end of October 2024. Interruptions to water service will be minimal.

This is what is planned over the following months:

October & November 2024:

  • Installation of the storm drain on Norfolk Road followed by service lateral connections and catch basins.
  • Installation of storm drain lateral connections on Ripon Road.
  • Installation of the water main on Exeter Road (scheduled for mid-November 2024)
  • Installation of the storm main on Humber Road between the outfall and Beach Drive.

1 - Storm lateral connections on Ripon Road 2 - Location of work on Exeter, Norfolk and Humber Road

Construction Impacts

All work will be within the road right-of-way. Typical hours of work expected are from Monday to Friday between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

  • Traffic control services and signage will be implemented to assist residents, pedestrians, cyclists, and local traffic to homes and businesses. Traffic control is in place for the safety of everyone and is to be obeyed.
  • Local access will be maintained throughout the project.
  • Single lane alternating traffic is expected on Beach Drive, but full road closures can be expected.
  • Delays along Beach Drive with traffic detoured using Lansdowne Road.
  • The gravel area at Cattle Point will be closed to the public.

There is potential for driveways to be inaccessible for short periods of time. The contractor will notify residents in advance and will accommodate any special access requirements. Waste collection services, recycling, Canada Post and other delivery / pickup services will not be impeded. BC Transit stops have the potential to be relocated or closed, please refer to the BC Transit website for updates.

Residents can expect an increase in noise, dust, street parking, and the movement of construction vehicles. The breaking of bedrock for the installation of the storm and water main is necessary, and residents should be aware that the removal will take time and will generate noise.

Disturbance to water or sewer services is not expected. Residents will be notified a minimum 24 hours of any planned disruption.



Welcome to the project page for the Uplands Sewer Separation project in the Humber Catchment. This page provide project information and updates on the progress of the project.

Where we are today

The remainder of the storm drain infrastructure on Beach Drive between Ripon Road and Cadboro Bay Road is delayed due to the availability of another crew. Although the contractor may not be on site, this area is still an active construction zone.

The installation of the storm drain infrastructure on Ripon Road, south of Beach Drive, continues. The mainline is expected to be finished the week of October 14th. The installation of storm drain lateral connections and catch basins will follow.

The outfall structure at Humber Road is underway. The storm main is scheduled to follow.

The installation of the water main on Ripon Road adjacent to the Royal Victoria Yacht Club will be completed by the end of October 2024. Interruptions to water service will be minimal.

This is what is planned over the following months:

October & November 2024:

  • Installation of the storm drain on Norfolk Road followed by service lateral connections and catch basins.
  • Installation of storm drain lateral connections on Ripon Road.
  • Installation of the water main on Exeter Road (scheduled for mid-November 2024)
  • Installation of the storm main on Humber Road between the outfall and Beach Drive.

1 - Storm lateral connections on Ripon Road 2 - Location of work on Exeter, Norfolk and Humber Road

Construction Impacts

All work will be within the road right-of-way. Typical hours of work expected are from Monday to Friday between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

  • Traffic control services and signage will be implemented to assist residents, pedestrians, cyclists, and local traffic to homes and businesses. Traffic control is in place for the safety of everyone and is to be obeyed.
  • Local access will be maintained throughout the project.
  • Single lane alternating traffic is expected on Beach Drive, but full road closures can be expected.
  • Delays along Beach Drive with traffic detoured using Lansdowne Road.
  • The gravel area at Cattle Point will be closed to the public.

There is potential for driveways to be inaccessible for short periods of time. The contractor will notify residents in advance and will accommodate any special access requirements. Waste collection services, recycling, Canada Post and other delivery / pickup services will not be impeded. BC Transit stops have the potential to be relocated or closed, please refer to the BC Transit website for updates.

Residents can expect an increase in noise, dust, street parking, and the movement of construction vehicles. The breaking of bedrock for the installation of the storm and water main is necessary, and residents should be aware that the removal will take time and will generate noise.

Disturbance to water or sewer services is not expected. Residents will be notified a minimum 24 hours of any planned disruption.



  • Project Background

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    This project is the first phase of a sewer separation project in the Uplands neighbourhood, the Humber Catchment. The existing, combined collection system is comprised of two main catchment areas – Humber and Rutland.

    The system was constructed in the 1930’s using a single pipe to collect both sanitary sewage (toilets, showers, and sinks) and storm water (rainwater leaders, foundation drains and catch basins in the roads), discharging into the ocean at the ends of Humber Road and Rutland Road. In the early 1990’s, these combined systems were redirected into the newly constructed Capital Regional District pump stations at Humber and Rutland and pumped into a trunk sewer main on Beach Drive. However, during large storm events, which are becoming more frequent, the flow into the pump stations can at times exceed the capacity of the pumps and the excess effluent discharges through the old outfalls into the ocean. In 2016, six options were developed for separating the combined sewer system into separate sanitary sewer and storm sewer systems. The option selected by Council, after a public consultation process, was a new gravity storm sewer system. The existing combined sewer system will become the new separate sanitary sewer system.

    The Uplands Sewer Separation project is one of Oak Bay’s major infrastructure commitments under the regional Core Area Liquid Waste Management Plan (CALWMP). Once both phases are complete, the project will eliminate sanitary sewer overflows to the nearshore marine environment, thereby significantly improving health and environmental protection. It will also bring the municipality in compliance with provincial and federal wastewater and environmental protection legislation. Notably, the Province of BC has directed that construction of the Humber catchment area must be complete by 2025.

    Physical works that will be undertaken as part of the first phase (Humber catchment construction) include:

    • construction of a new gravity stormwater system (approximately 3.5 km), including mains, manholes, catch basins and leads;
    • installation of new service connections to each house (approximately 120);
    • installation of new streetlights, and
    • construction of two new ocean outfalls.
Page last updated: 11 Oct 2024, 10:37 AM