Policy Interface

Previous Policy

Policy

Next Policy

Policy Id:

SPR/SPA:

Risk:

1-2-E

Quinte

Significant

Implementing Body

Legal Effect

Policy Tool

Threat Type

Status

Comment

MECP – WDS – Hauled Sewage, Biosolids

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Existing

Implemented

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 - Landfilling and Storage

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Existing

Implemented

If an approved activity is deemed a significant drinking water threat, the ministry will review the activity and the ECA to determine if changes are needed to meet the intent of the source protection policies. The ministry addresses drinking water threat activities that are regulated by ministry approvals and permits on a consistent province-wide basis.

MECP - WDS-Landfilling and Storage Inspections

Strategic

Specify Actions to be taken to implement plan or achieve its objectives

Existing

Implemented: Policy outcome(s) evaluated - No further action(s) required

The following response pertains only to the inspections conducted by the MECP for the reporting calendar year (2023). Summary of Inspections Conducted in 2023: For Quinte, an inspection of the Zwick’s waste disposal site was completed in October 2023. The inspection did not identify any concerns with respect to source water protection at this site. Ministry inspections for 2024-2025 are to be selected using a risk-based approach. Summary of Orders Issued in 2023: The Corporation of the City of Belleville does not have an ECA for the Zwick's Centennial Park Closed Landfill Site. Therefore, a regulatory instrument in the form of a Provincial Officer's Order was issued in February 2018. The Order requires the implementation of an annual environmental monitoring program. Results of the 2022 monitoring program report were reviewed by the ministry and no concerns were identified. The ministry will review the 2023 monitoring program report upon submittal.

MECP – WDS - HS/Biosolids Inspections

Strategic

Specify Actions to be taken to implement plan or achieve its objectives

Existing

Implemented

The ministry prioritizes compliance inspections relying a risk framework which includes source protection considerations. The framework is operationalized by a combination of (i) diagnostics of past compliance activities, (ii) digital records in the ministry's compliance platform, (iii) quantifying risk elements onto locations, facilities, & operators, and (iv) applying localized expertise on activities and trends. As discussed in previous reports, inspection programs are run on a fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) rather than a calendar year basis. All reporting provided in responses reflect this monitoring period. Data provided in this year's report - reflects inspection activities that occurred between Apr 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023. A total of 54 inspections were recorded in the hauled sewage program in this reporting period.

Policy Text:

Where an existing waste disposal site is in an area where this activity is a significant drinking water threat, the Ministry of the Environment shall ensure that the Environmental Compliance Approval that governs the waste disposal site includes appropriate terms and conditions to ensure that the waste disposal site ceases to be a significant drinking water threat. If no Environmental Compliance Approval is in place for the waste disposal site (e.g. closed landfill) an instrument shall be used to identify any monitoring and remedial action measures necessary to ensure the activity ceases to be a significant drinking water threat.

Implementer: Ministry of the Environment

Applicable Areas: This policy applies to the following areas:

a) WHPA A, B and C (vulnerability score of 8 or greater) - Madoc, Tweed, Deloro, Peats Point and Point Anne.

b) IPZ 1 and 2 (vulnerability score of 9 or greater) - Belleville, Picton, Ameliasburgh, Point Anne, Deseronto and Napanee.

Tools: Prescribed Instrument pursuant to Section 43(1) of the Clean Water Act, 2006.

Legal Effect: Must Conform (See Appendix C, List C)

Effective Date: Within three years of the Plan taking effect.

Monitoring Policy (See Appendix C, List F):

The Ministry of the Environment shall prioritize annual compliance inspections based on proximity to drinking water systems where significant threats are being managed through the use of Prescribed Instruments. The Ministry of the Environment shall provide a report to the Quinte Source Protection Authority by February 1st of each year summarizing actions taken on the implementation of this policy, during the previous calendar year.

Monitoring Text:

The Ministry shall prepare an annual summary of the actions it has taken to achieve the outcomes of this Source Protection Plan policy and make that report available to the Quinte Source Protection Authority February 1st each year. The Ministry of the Environment should prioritize annual compliance inspections based on proximity to drinking water systems where significant threats are being managed through Prescribed Instruments.