Policy Interface

Previous Policy

Policy

Next Policy

Policy Id:

SPR/SPA:

Risk:

SWG-17

Central Lake Ontario, Credit Valley, Toronto

Significant

Implementing Body

Legal Effect

Policy Tool

Threat Type

Status

Comment

MECP - Wastewater/Sewage Works

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Existing

Implemented

Since May 2015, the Ministry has been screening environmental compliance approval (ECA) applications to determine if the activity is located in an area where the activity could be a significant drinking water threat. This is called the “primary screening”. Based on a set of criteria, an ECA application is flagged for a more detailed ‘secondary screening’ to determine if the activity associated with the application is a significant drinking water threat.

MECP - Wastewater/Sewage Works

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Future

Implemented

Since May 2015, the Ministry has been screening environmental compliance approval (ECA) applications to determine if the activity is located in an area where the activity could be a significant drinking water threat. This is called the “primary screening”. Based on a set of criteria, an ECA application is flagged for a more detailed ‘secondary screening’ to determine if the activity associated with the application is a significant drinking water threat.

Policy Text:

1) Future sewage works shall be prohibited where the establishment, operation and maintenance of sewage works would be a significant drinking water threat, where the sewage works discharge is to surface water from:

a) Combined sewer discharge from a stormwater outlet to surface water; and
b) Sewage treatment plant bypass discharge to surface water, in any of the following areas:

WHPA-E (VS = 8) (future); or
In any WHPA-E in an Issue Contributing Area for Nitrates or Pathogens (future).

c) Industrial effluent discharges, in any of the following areas:

WHPA-E (VS = 8) (future); or
In any WHPA-E in an Issue Contributing Area for Nitrates, Pathogens or Chloride (future).

d) Sewage treatment plant effluent discharges (includes lagoons), in any of the following areas:

WHPA-A (future); or
WHPA-B (VS = 10) (future); or
WHPA-E (VS = 8) (future); or
In any WHPA-E in an Issue Contributing Area for Nitrates or Pathogens (future).

2) Where sewage works are in an area where the activity is a significant drinking water threat, the Environmental Compliance Approval that governs the activity shall be reviewed to ensure appropriate terms and conditions are included so that the activity ceases to be a significant drinking water threat, where the sewage works discharge is to surface water from:
a) Combined sewer discharge from a stormwater outlet to surface water; and
b) Sewage treatment plant bypass discharge to surface water, in any of the following areas:

WHPA-E (VS = 8) (existing); or
In any WHPA-E in an Issue Contributing Area for Nitrates or Pathogens (existing);

c) Industrial effluent discharges, in any of the following areas:

WHPA-E (VS = 8) (existing); or
In any WHPA-E in an Issue Contributing Area for Nitrates, Pathogens or Chloride (existing).

d) Sewage treatment plant effluent discharges (includes lagoons), in any of the following areas:

WHPA-A (existing); or
WHPA-B (VS = 10) (existing); or
WHPA-E (VS = 8) (existing); or
In any WHPA-E in an Issue Contributing Area for Nitrates or Pathogens (existing).

Timelines:
T-1: Prescribed Instruments (existing) shall be reviewed (and amended, as necessary) within 3 years of the date the Source Protection Plan takes effect, or such other date as the Director determines.
T-3: The relevant Ministry shall comply with the Prescribed Instrument policy (future) immediately upon the date the Source Protection Plan takes effect.

Monitoring Text:

(MON-4) The provincial ministry shall, by February 1 of each year, prepare and submit a report to the Source Protection Authority on the actions taken in the previous calendar year to achieve the outcomes of the source protection policy. Reporting shall include information related to the effectiveness of the policies in ensuring a threat ceases to be, or does not become significant, and any actions required to respond to a drinking water threat during the reporting period.