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1. How should I deal with a sewer back-up?

For your own safety, be aware of electrical hazards. If possible, move your property or home contents to prevent further damage. Keep the damaged property for possible future inspection. If the service is plugged, the homeowner will often require the services of a plumbing professional to clear the system.

2. Should I call my insurance company?

Yes. Insurance policies typically carry sewer back-up coverage and this may be the quickest way to get repairs made. Please refer to your homeowner’s insurance policy or contact your insurance broker and/or home insurer.

3. Should I contact the City?

Please be aware that property owners are responsible for all sanitary, sewer and drainage pipes located on their side of the property line. If it is determined that the source of the sewer back-up is located outside of your property and is on the City’s side, please phone the Engineering and Public Works 24 hour Customer Service line at 604-927-3500. Alternatively, you can send an email to Engineering. Please note, the Customer Service email is monitored only during regular business hours. Please call if you have an emergency.

4. Will the City pay for my damage?

The law in British Columbia does not make a municipality, including the City of Coquitlam, legally responsible to ensure that its sewer systems never experience a breakdown or malfunction. Section 744 of the Local Government Act, R.S.B.C. 2015, c.1 provides that a municipality is not legally liable for damages that arise from a breakdown or malfunction of a sewer system. The municipality must be negligent in its maintenance of the system to be liable. The City cannot entertain claims for compensation in a case where there is an absence of negligence. Additionally, your right to make a claim against a municipality is time limited and you must provide written notice of a claim within two months from the date of the incident (Section 736 of the Local Government Act, R.S.B.C. 2015, c.1).