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Policy Id:

SPR/SPA:

Risk:

RW-MC-27

Grand River

Significant

Implementing Body

Legal Effect

Policy Tool

Threat Type

Status

Comment

MECP – WDS – Hauled Sewage, Biosolids

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Existing

Implemented

The application and storage of non-agricultural source materials (NASM) is regulated by the Nutrient Management Act. NASM Plans requiring approval are reviewed by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, not by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. Since May 2015, the ministry screens all (including new and existing) hauled sewage, processed organic waste, and biosolids disposal site Environmental Compliance Approval applications in accordance with Source Water Protection Plans. This includes consideration of whether the proposed activity would be a drinking water threat as outlined in the relevant Source Water Protection Plan under the Clean Water Act. The ministry will not issue an Environmental Compliance Approval for a site deemed as a significant drinking water threat. For sites deemed as a low or moderate drinking water threat, the ministry will consider the application, but additional site restrictions may apply. The ministry’s review and approval process is included in the Standard Operating Procedure that can be found in Environmental Registry No. 012-2968 (https://ero.ontario.ca/archive/012-2968).

MECP – WDS – Hauled Sewage, Biosolids

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Future

Implemented

The application and storage of non-agricultural source materials (NASM) is regulated by the Nutrient Management Act. NASM Plans requiring approval are reviewed by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, not by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. Since May 2015, the ministry screens all (including new and existing) hauled sewage, processed organic waste, and biosolids disposal site Environmental Compliance Approval applications in accordance with Source Water Protection Plans. This includes consideration of whether the proposed activity would be a drinking water threat as outlined in the relevant Source Water Protection Plan under the Clean Water Act. The ministry will not issue an Environmental Compliance Approval for a site deemed as a significant drinking water threat. For sites deemed as a low or moderate drinking water threat, the ministry will consider the application, but additional site restrictions may apply. The ministry’s review and approval process is included in the Standard Operating Procedure that can be found in Environmental Registry No. 012-2968 (https://ero.ontario.ca/archive/012-2968).

Policy Text:

To ensure that existing and/or future off-farm application or handling and storage of non agricultural source material as processed organic waste (i.e. biosolids) do not become or cease to be a significant drinking water threat where these activities are or would be a significant threat, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks shall review and, if necessary, amend, existing and approve new Environmental Compliance Approvals with the conditions set out below, as appropriate, for the following:

a. Existing:

i. Application;
i. In Wellhead Protection Area B where the vulnerability is equal to ten (10);
ii. In Wellhead Protection Area E where the vulnerability is greater than eight (8);
iii. Where a Nitrate Issue has been identified in all Issue Contributing Areas except in Wellhead Protection Area A.

ii. Handling and Storage;
i. In Wellhead Protection Area B where the vulnerability is equal to ten (10);
ii. In Wellhead Protection Area E where the vulnerability is greater than eight (8);
iii. Where a Nitrate Issue has been identified in all Issue Contributing Areas except in Wellhead Protection Area A.

b. Future:

i. Application;
i. In Wellhead Protection Area B where the vulnerability is equal to ten (10);
ii. In Wellhead Protection Area E where the vulnerability is greater than eight (8);
iii. Where a Nitrate Issue has been identified in all Issue Contributing Areas except in Wellhead Protection Area A.

ii. Handling and storage;
i. In Wellhead Protection Area B where the vulnerability is equal to ten (10);
ii. In Wellhead Protection Area E where the vulnerability is greater than eight (8);
iii. Where a Nitrate Issue has been identified in all Issue Contributing Areas except in Wellhead Protection Area A.

For the application of non-agricultural source material, the Approval should include measures to ensure application rate, timing and location are appropriate for uptake of nitrogen on an annual basis and that reduce potential for surface water run-off and groundwater infiltration.

For the handling and storage of non-agricultural source material, the Approval should include measures to minimize, contain and respond to spills and 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.