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Policy Id:

SPR/SPA:

Risk:

HR-MC-5.1

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).

OMAFRA - NASM Plans

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Existing

Implemented

No existing NASM plans in 2023

OMAFRA - NASM Plans

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Future

Implemented

4 new NASM plan in Grand River, 2 are only E&O policies, 1 had the vulnerable area excluded from the NASM plan, and 1 had land application best management practices added as conditions.

Policy Text:

To ensure the application, or handling and storage of non-agricultural source material where such an activity would be a significant drinking water threat, ceases to be and/or never becomes a significant drinking water threat, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and/or the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks shall:

a. Prohibit Non-Agricultural Source Material (NASM) Plans for existing and future activities in Wellhead Protection Area A (WHPA-A) with a vulnerability score of 10; and
b. Review and, if necessary, amend any Non-Agricultural Source Material (NASM) Plan to ensure terms and conditions are included that reduce the risk to drinking water sources for the following area for existing and future activities in Wellhead Protection Area B (WHPA-B) with a vulnerability score of 10.

Monitoring Text:

HR-CW-1.11: Where the Source Protection Plan policies require a provincial ministry to amend a Prescribed Instrument or issue a new Prescribed Instrument, the applicable Ministry shall provide a summary of the actions taken including documenting the number and locations where such instruments were reviewed and/or amended and any actions taken and/or terms and conditions imposed. The applicable ministry shall provide a written report summarizing this information to the Source Protection Authority by
February 1st of each year.

(HR-CW-1.12) Where the Source Protection Plan policies require a provincial ministry to deny an activity within a Prescribed Instrument, the applicable Ministry shall document the number and locations where such instruments were denied and provide a summary of the actions taken to the Source Protection Authority by February 1st of each year.