Engineering Requirements and System Plans
Engineering Requirements
Engineering requirements and standards help Vancouver Public Works ensure that water, sewer, surface water/stormwater, garbage and recycling and transportation systems are planned, designed and constructed properly to meet the needs of our community. We provide and maintain these essential services for residents, organizations and businesses throughout the City of Vancouver.
The City’s Engineering and Construction Services and Traffic Engineering division of the Department of Public Works work closely with staff from the Community and Economic Development Department to provide design guidelines, requirements and oversight for the development and installation of these systems, which are vital to our community.
Water Design and Construction Requirements
The Water Utility System Planning and Design team provides engineering, standards and reviews to support a water supply distribution system that is safe, reliable, durable and maintainable. Privately funded water mains are reviewed for compliance with city standards and requirements prior to connection. See Water Design and Construction Requirements page.
General Requirement Standards and Details for Water, Sanitary Sewer and Stormwater
Proper planning, design and construction of water, sewer and surface water/stormwater systems are essential for providing and maintaining effective service to residents, organizations and businesses throughout the City of Vancouver and the greater Utility service areas.
- Water Design and Construction Requirements
- Sewer Design and Construction Requirements
- Surface Water/Stormwater Design and Construction Requirements
Transportation Development Review
The Public Works Department provides mobility to the community by managing and maintaining the existing transportation system, including streets, traffic signals, street lighting and sidewalks. Proper planning, design and construction of our street network are essential for providing and maintaining effective services to residents, organizations and businesses throughout the City of Vancouver. See Transportation Development Review page.
Solid Waste Development Review
Applicants pursuing plan review for new developments can find Solid Waste standards and guidelines for use in plan design. This includes information about common receptacle footprints and solid waste collector access, including truck turning radius requirements (like those for garbage/recycling vehicles).
System Plans
The City of Vancouver’s Public Works Department supports the community’s quality of life and economic vitality by planning for future water, sewer, surface water (stormwater and drainage) and transportation system plans and programs. Public Works coordinates with numerous other departments within the city and agencies in our service area when planning for future community needs.
Transportation Improvement Program
Traffic is an essential part of how we move around Vancouver. The City’s six-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) helps to improve our overall transportation system and includes projects such as planning studies and street, bicycle, pedestrian and traffic signal improvements.
Water, Sewer and Surface Water Capital Improvement Program
Water, sewer and surface water (stormwater and drainage) are vital to our community’s quality of life and economic vitality. The Water, Sewer and Surface Water Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) looks closely at the Utility’s capital infrastructure needs.
Comprehensive Water System Plan
The City of Vancouver’s Comprehensive Water System Plan evaluates the existing system and its ability to meet anticipated requirements for water source, quality, transmission, storage, and distribution over a 20-year planning period. Water system improvements have been identified to meet changes in regulatory impacts, and population growth, as well as infrastructure repair and replacement. The plan also identifies planning level costs of the improvement projects and provides a financial plan for funding the projects. Historically, the plan has been updated every six years. When viewing the plan and its appendices, below, please note that additional time may be needed for these very large files to load. You may also see the Drinking Water page for more details about the plan, amendment, Vancouver’s drinking water and water quality reports.
