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Policy Id:

SPR/SPA:

Risk:

RW-MC-12

Grand River

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:

For sanitary sewers and related pipes including pump stations located within the following vulnerable areas and where this activity is or would be a significant drinking water threat, the following policies apply:

a. The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks shall ensure that the Environmental Compliance Approval for existing sanitary sewers and related pipes includes appropriate terms and conditions to ensure that the activity ceases to be a significant drinking water threat within the following areas:

i. In Wellhead Protection Areas A and B where the vulnerability is equal to ten (10);
ii. Where a Nitrate Issue has been identified, in all Issue Contributing Areas where the vulnerability is greater than or equal to six (6).

b. The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks shall ensure that the Environmental Compliance Approval for new sanitary sewer and related pipes including pumping stations includes appropriate terms and conditions to ensure that the activity does not become a significant drinking water threat in the following areas:

i. In Wellhead Protection Areas A and B where the vulnerability is equal to ten (10);
ii. Where a Nitrate Issue has been identified, all Issue Contributing Areas where the vulnerability is greater than or equal to six (6).

The Environmental Compliance Approval shall include contingency plans for responding to spills as appropriate. Within Wellhead Protection Area A, the Environmental Compliance Approval shall also include enhanced construction to reduce likelihood of leaks.

Monitoring Text:

(RW-CW-1.12): Where the Source Protection Plan policies require a Provincial Ministry to undertake an activity under the Environmental Compliance Approval process or review, issue or amend a Prescribed Instrument, the applicable Provincial Ministry should:

a. Provide a copy of the Prescribed Instruments to the Regional Municipality of Waterloo;
b. Provide a written report to the Region of Waterloo and the Source Protection Authority summarizing where Prescribed Instruments have been issued and/or amended and for each instrument a summary of the conditions included for source protection purposes.