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Policy Id:

SPR/SPA:

Risk:

5.5.5-HR

Cataraqui

Low

Implementing Body

Legal Effect

Policy Tool

Threat Type

Status

Comment

MECP - Wastewater/Sewage Works

Have Regard to

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:

The Ministry of the Environment, when reviewing applications for the establishment, operation or maintenance of a system that collects, stores, transmits, treats or disposes of sewage should incorporate available source protection information in its decision-making process, and require the incorporation of appropriate risk management measures to protect the source of drinking water as part of any environmental compliance approval.

The action identified in a. applies to the following types of sewage works where they would be low drinking water threats in the highly vulnerable aquifers and significant groundwater recharge areas:

discharge of stormwater from a stormwater retention pond
sanitary sewers and related pipes
septic systems or holding tanks
sewage treatment plant effluent discharges (including lagoons)
storage of sewage (e.g., treatment plant tanks)

Items to consider include enhanced level of quality control for stormwater, strict monitoring requirements and annual reporting.

Monitoring Text:

(5.5.6-NB): In order to monitor the implementation of policies 5.5.3-HR and 5.5.5-HR the Ministry of the Environment should publish information to demonstrate implementation in a timely manner and in a location that is readily accessible to the Cataraqui Source Protection Authority.