1. When I smell gas or suspect a gas leak, who do I contact?
Immediately contact Terasen Gas at 1-800-663-9911 (24 Hour Toll-Free Line). The White Rock Fire Dept. should also be contacted at 911.

2. There is a power outage or an electrical emergency. Who do I contact to report an emergency or find out information on the power outage?
Contact BC Hydro at 1-888-769-3766 (1-888-POWERON). Individual street light outages and cycling lights can be called in to the Operations Yard at 604-541-2181. The City of White Rock reports these lights to BC Hydro via the Street Light Information Management System (SLIM).

3. I have a boat that I would like to moor at the White Rock Pier. Who do I contact to find out information on boat moorage at the pier?
Please call the City of White Rock - Municipal Operations Department at 604-541-2181 to contact the Harbour Master.

4. As a resident of White Rock how can I dispose of my green waste? What is considered yard waste?
If you live in a single detached home or duplex, White Rock offers curbside pickup for yard waste. Pickups occur on Mondays, and occur bi-weekly during the same week as your recycling collection. There is no additional charge for the service. Residents have the option of putting their yard waste out in kraft bags, or in their own reusable containers (clearly marked with a City-provided decal). Decals are available at any City facility, and bags can be purchased at local retailers, or at any City facility. Containers must not be larger than 110 litres or four cubic feet and should not weigh more than 60lbs when full. Yard waste in plastic bags will NOT be collected. Yard waste (separated from garbage) is also accepted at the Vancouver landfill. For more information, see http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/solidwaste/landfill/yardtrimmings.htm.

Yard waste includes: plant material, leaves, grass clippings, flowers and tree or hedge pruning. Trees and branches will also be collected provided they are tied in bundles and don’t exceed three feet in length. Individual branches must not exceed three inches in diameter. Rocks, dirt, stumps, sod and animal feces will not be accepted.

5. I have just completed a house renovation. Will the City pick up the construction material?
The City of White Rock does NOT pick up construction material. Residents must make their own arrangements to have construction material taken to the following disposal facilities: Vancouver Landfill located at 5400 - 72nd Street, Delta 311
Surrey Transfer Station located at 9770 - 192 Street, Surrey 604-513-2409
Langley Transfer Station 1070 - 272nd Street, Langley 604-856-3225
Please contact the disposal facility to ensure they will accept the items presented for disposal.

6. Does the City of White Rock have a traffic calming policy
Yes. You can download the policy and procedures from here.


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1. Can I get UTM coordinates or LAT/LONG for a property in White Rock?
Contact the Operations Department at (604)541-2181.

2. I need locations of and coordinates for some Integrated Survey Monuments.
Contact the Operations Department at (604)541-2181.

3. Can you come fix a streetlight that is out?
Contact the Operations Department at 604-541-2181. Staff will need the specific location, address pole is in front of, if it is a wooden or metal pole, and pole number if known. Street lights on wooden poles are maintained by BC Hydro. The City of White Rock reports these lights to BC Hydro via the Street Light Information Management System (SLIM).

4. I'm reporting a traffic signal that isn't working.
Depending on their location, traffic signals are the responsibility of either the City of White Rock or the City of Surrey. Contact the Operations Department at (604)541-2181.

5. There's a tree or bush obstructing traffic's views of a certain intersection. Will you come take care of it?
Residents and businesses are responsible for trimming any trees or bushes on their own property. Staff will send the property owner a letter requesting they trim and/or remove the tree or shrub if needed. To report a concern, contact the Operations Department at 604-541-2181.

6. Can I have a driveway to the lane behind my property or access from the street?
Engineering and Municipal Operations staff can assist you with driveway crossings, parking and loading inquiries.

7. How much traffic uses this street?
Contact the Engineering and Municipal Operations Department at (604)541-2181.

8. I'm digging on my property and need to know where my sanitary/storm sewer or water connections are located.
Storm and Sanitary sewer information can be received from the Operations Department at (604)541-2181. Water service inquiries should be directed to White Rock Utilities Ltd. (604)536-6112. Other utilities such as telephone, power or gas should be referred to Telus, BC Hydro or Terasen gas respectively.

9. I want a refund of my damage deposit.
An inspector must inspect the work before a refund can be given. Once all restoration works have been completed (driveway paved and boulevard landscaped) contact the Operations Department at 604-541-2181 to schedule an inspection.

10. I want to report a private contractor and/or resident making changes to the City boulevard, illegal filling or soil removal.
Contact the Operations Department at (604)541-2181.

11. I need to place a construction bin on the City boulevard or at curbside. Do I require a permit?
Yes. A Right-of-Way Use Permit is required. Contact the Operations Department at 604-541-2181 in advance of your bin’s delivery.

12. I want to create a parking area on the boulevard in front of my house. Do I require a permit?
Yes, approval is required for any alterations/improvements to the City boulevard. A Right-of-Way Use Permit is required. Contact the Operations Department at (604)541-2181.

13. I want to install or rebuild a retaining wall along a City boulevard. Do I require a permit?
Yes, approval is required for any alterations/improvements to the City boulevard. A Right-of-Way Use Permit is required. Contact the Operations Department at (604)541-2181.

14. I'm a contractor needing specifications for installation of off site services.
Construction specifications - Master Municipal Construction Documents (MMCD) - can be obtained from Support Services Unlimited, #302, 1107 Homer Street, Vancouver, V6B 2Y1, 604-681-0295. Supplementary specifications and detailed drawings may be obtained at the Operations Department 604-541-2181.

15. What is the right-of-way on my property for?
For specific details and/or copies of legal documents contact the New Westminster Land Titles Office. The Land Titles Office is located at 88 - 6th Street, New Westminster, phone (604)660-8141. For general information contact the Operations Department at (604)541-2181. Rights-of-ways are areas where the City has the right to construct and maintain City services on private property. Easements pertain to agreements between 2 private landowners.

16. My servicing is now completed and I want a refund of my bond or reduction on the letter of credit (releases of holdbacks and reductions on bonds).
Contact the Engineering and Municipal Operations Department at (604)541-2181 to schedule an inspection.

17. I'm looking at subdividing my lot. Can you give me some rough, ballpark estimates on servicing costs?
All services are estimated individually. We CANNOT provide figures before an application is made to the Planning Department. For further assistance call the Operations Department at (604)541-2181.

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1. I have a backed up toilet or sink. What should I do?
Try a plunger. If plunger doesn't work, you need to check and see if the sewer line is plugged or damaged. You are responsible for clearing the line from property to the sewer main in the street. You can do this yourself or call a plumber. If a plumber is unsuccessful in clearing the line to the main, contact the Engineering and Municipal Operation Department at 604-541-2181. The Engineering and Municipal Operations Department can also provide information on the location of the sanitary sewer connection.

2. I need a new storm and/or sanitary sewer connection installed.
Contact the Operations Department (604)541-2181 to confirm location, cost and scheduling. The base connection fee is $1,250 each. Additional charges may apply when a main extension is required.

3. Will you do something about the noisy manhole cover in front of my house?
We can have a crew person come out and check. Call (604)541-2181

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1. Where do I get a new Blue Box, Blue Bag and/or Yellow Bag?
City recycling receptacles can be picked up at any one of the following locations: City Hall (15322 Buena Vista Avenue), the Municipal Operations Yard (877 Keil Street), Centennial Arena (14600 North Bluff Road), and the Kent Street Seniors Activity Centre (1475 Kent Street). These items are free of charge to White Rock residents. Multi-family complexes with 7 or more units are required to purchase recycling roll-outs at a cost of $122/each in order to participate in the City’s recycling program. For more information, please contact the Engineering and Municipal Operations Department at 604-541-2181.

2. My recycling wasn't picked up on my regular garbage day - who should I call?
Call the Operations Department at (604)541-2181

3. What do I do with used paint and other hazardous substances?
Leftover paint can be dropped off at the Semiahmoo Bottle Depot, 15515 24th Avenue, Surrey, 604-531-7669. For information on disposal of solvents and other hazardous waste, please call the BC Recycling Hotline at 604-732-9253. Never dump chemicals in storm drains, creeks, on the road, or in your yard.

4. Why can't we recycle more plastics?
The City of White Rock's recycling contract was designed to collect only #1 (PET), #2 (HDPE), #4 (LDPE) and #5 (PP) plastic containers, mostly due to market conditions - there just simply are not stable local markets for other types of plastics (e.g. plastic bags).

5. Where can I refund my refundable beverage containers?
Please take your refundable beverage containers to the Semiahmoo Bottle Depot, 15515 24th Avenue, Surrey, 604-531-7669. You can visit the Encorp website at www.encorpinc.com for additional locations.

6. What kinds of containers are returnable for refund?
Call Encorp Pacific at 1-800-330-9767 or (604)473-2400 or visit their site www.encorpinc.com.

7. Do I need to wash and squash the plastics and metal containers I put in my Blue Box?
Rinsing or washing the containers before recycling them will help reduce odour and pests. Squashing the containers frees up more space in the truck, enabling more houses to be serviced before unloading, thereby saving the municipality money, fuel, truck maintenance costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

8. What does 'contamination' mean?
This is when unacceptable material is placed in a recycling container or bin. For example, window glass placed with glass bottles. The window glass is a different type of glass and is considered a contaminant resulting in contamination that increases the program cost and ultimately the cost to the taxpayer.

9. What does 'commingled' mean?
Commingled means that recyclables are placed together in the blue box (eg. newsprint is mixed with the containers). Your recyclables must be separated in to the appropriate receptacles before they can be collected by a municipal crew.

10. Is it true that all of the recyclables collected are just thrown in the landfill?
Absolutely not. All recyclables collected through your municipal program are sorted and only the contaminants (materials not accepted for recycling in that program) are removed and sent to landfill (about 2% by weight). The City of White Rock and Metro Vancouver make every effort to ensure that recyclable materials are not land filled or incinerated. This is carried out through disposal bans, assistance and endorsement of local recycling markets and an integrated approach to solid waste management (reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, etc.).

11. Why are the materials collected in my Blue Box not the same across other municipalities in the Lower Mainland?
In February 1996, Metro Vancouver municipalities committed to the same minimum recycling collection standards by implementing Metro Vancouver’s Solid Waste Management Plan. In order to meet the needs of local residents, however, and to work with differing tax bases, municipalities require some autonomy in how they provide those services. Exact services across all municipalities are not always practical. If you have specific questions regarding this issue, please give us a call at 604-541-2181.

12. Why is corrugated cardboard not collected through the curbside recycling program?
Due to truck capacity, time constraints, logistics and volume, it is not realistic to collect the same materials at curbside as are collected at the recycling depot.

13. Do I need to remove the label from metal cans?
Yes, please. Paper labels on metal cans are relatively easy to remove. If paper is included in the metal stream, it is considered a contaminant. The problem is that during the recycling process, the metal is melted at high temperatures, and if enough paper is present, flash fires can erupt in the furnace, endangering the workers and producing impurities in the end product. These impurities cause the metal to be downgraded, thereby reducing the revenue received for the material by the program.

14. Do I need to remove the label from glass bottles?
No, you do not need to remove the label from glass bottles. First, the labels are often very difficult to remove. Second, the process for recycling the glass bottles has developed to enable the label to be removed prior to the heating phase. The recycling process for glass bottles involves smashing the glass into particles and then screening the pieces. The screens remove metal and paper.

15. Why can't I recycle light bulbs, window panes and Pyrex with my glass?
These glass products all have different physical properties and therefore different melting points, making it impossible to make glass bottles or other glass products from the recycled material without imperfections.

16. Can I put broken glass bottles and jars in my Blue Box?
No. Broken glass is a handling hazard for the recycling truck operators. As well, once glass is broken it is very difficult to determine what type of glass it is, thereby creating the possibility of contamination and necessitating its disposal as garbage.

17. Do I need to remove the windows from my envelopes in order to recycle them?
No. Most window envelopes are now made of water soluble paper fibre instead of the plastic that was once used.

18. Do I need to remove staples before recycling paper?
It is preferable but not mandatory. During the paper recycling process, the pulp passes through numerous screens to remove staples and other contaminants (many of which are then recycled). You should definitely remove large metal fasteners from corrugated cardboard boxes, as well as bulldog and paper clips from files and papers.

19. Can I include Post-It Notes with my mixed paper for recycling?
If you are a resident using the curbside, multi-family or depot program, Post-It Notes can be included with your mixed paper/yellow bag.

20. Can I recycle Styrofoam (polystyrene)?
Styrofoam is a trade name for the material made from polystyrene, a type of plastic (#6). In order for this material to be recycled, it needs to be clean and in sufficient quantity. Polystyrene used for take out foods, etc. is contaminated with food waste and is therefore not recyclable. Other polystyrene used for packing and so forth is not generated in sufficient quantity to warrant an official recycling program at this time. If you are interested in recycling your Styrofoam, please contact the BC Recycling Hotline at 604-732-9253.

21. What kinds of plastics can I recycle?
In theory, all plastics are recyclable. The difficulty is that in order for plastics to be recycled, there must be an end market for the materials and they must be separated into the same resin type. Each different type of plastic is indicated with a number stamped on the bottom of the container (inside a recycling triangle). Plastic containers with the numbers 1, 2, 4 & 5 on the bottom have the strongest markets and can be recycled with the City’s municipal curbside collection program.

22. Where can I purchase a composter?
Composters can be purchased at the Municipal Operations Department at 877 Keil Street, White Rock at a cost of $55.72. These are also available at many local hardware and home improvement stores, such as Rona Revy and Home Depot.

23. I would like to learn more about composting.
Call the Metro Vancouver Compost Hotline at (604)736-2250.

24. Why is some of the garbage from the Lower Mainland hauled to Cache Creek?
The Cache Creek Landfill accepts garbage from the City of White Rock. In the mid 1980s, there was an identifiable need for additional landfill capacity. A public process was held, stakeholders were consulted and the result was the Metro Vancouver Solid Waste Management Plan, approved in 1985. This Plan identified additional landfill capacity as a requirement. A tender was issued and the result was Cache Creek Landfill. In early 2000, Metro Vancouver purchased additional land near Cache Creek for future landfill expansion.

25. Do the waste hauling trucks come back to the Lower Mainland empty?
The siting of the Cache Creek landfill also included an agreement with another company to construct a wood chip facility in Cache Creek. During normal lumber market conditions, the waste hauling trucks haul the garbage to Cache Creek and then return full of wood chips.

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1. Calls regarding water supply. i.e.: why is the water dirty; what are the sprinkling restrictions; the water pressure is low; I think I have broken the water line.
Residents should contact White Rock Utilities (Epcor) at (604)536-6112.

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Copyright © 2006 The City of White Rock