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Policy Id:

SPR/SPA:

Risk:

CG-MC-19

Grand River

Significant

Implementing Body

Legal Effect

Policy Tool

Threat Type

Status

Comment

MECP – WDS – Hauled Sewage, Biosolids

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Existing

In progress/some progress made

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 Ministry of the 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). For approvals issued by MECP under the Environmental Protection Act, the ministry does not provide copies of Environmental Compliance Approvals to municipalities. Hauled sewage, processed organic waste, and biosolids Environmental Compliance Approvals issued after April 1, 2020 are available on the ministry's Access Environment website. More information about Access Environment can be found here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/list-environmental-approvals-and-registrations. Otherwise, copies of approvals can be provided upon request by contacting the local District office.

MECP – WDS – Hauled Sewage, Biosolids

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Future

In progress/some progress made

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 Ministry of the 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). For approvals issued by MECP under the Environmental Protection Act, the ministry does not provide copies of Environmental Compliance Approvals to municipalities. Hauled sewage, processed organic waste, and biosolids Environmental Compliance Approvals issued after April 1, 2020 are available on the ministry's Access Environment website. More information about Access Environment can be found here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/list-environmental-approvals-and-registrations. Otherwise, copies of approvals can be provided upon request by contacting the local District office.

OMAFRA - NASM Plans

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Existing

Implemented

No existing NASM plans in 2023

OMAFRA - NASM Plans

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Future

Implemented

One NASM plan in Guelph in WHPA A in 2023. However, NASM application is prohibited in this area already so no additional measures required.

Policy Text:

Where the existing application, or handling and storage of non-agricultural source material in a Wellhead Protection Area A is or where the future application, or handling and storage of non-agricultural source material in a Wellhead Protection Area or where a nitrate issue has been identified would be a significant drinking water threat, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks shall ensure all non-agricultural source material plans (NASM plans) and Environmental Compliance Approvals required under the Nutrient Management Act and Environmental Protection Act include appropriate terms and conditions to ensure the activity ceases to be and/or never becomes a significant drinking water threat.

Monitoring Text:

(CG-CW-1.11) Where the Source Protection Plan policies require a provincial ministry to undertake an action regarding an activity under the Environmental Compliance Approval process or review, issue, amend or create a new Prescribed Instrument, the applicable Ministry shall provide a copy of the amended or approved Prescribed Instrument to the City of Guelph.

The applicable ministry shall provide a written report summarizing the relevant information to the Source Protection Authority by February 1st of each year.