The policy applies in all vulnerable areas where the establishment, operation or maintenance of a septic system is a significant drinking water threat (existing activity).

Municipalities with a sewer line in a vulnerable area or within 100 metres of a vulnerable area shall enact a sewer connection by-law. The by-law shall:

- apply to all properties in vulnerable areas where:

the establishment, operation or maintenance of a septic system is a significant drinking water threat; and
a municipal sewer line is located on a right-of-way that abuts a property; and
the linear distance between the sewer line and the point from which plumbing exits a structure on the property is less than 100 metres; and
sufficient capacity exists in the municipal sewage system to handle the effluent from the property;

require connection to the municipal sewer line;
require decommissioning of the on-site sewage system at the time of connection to the municipal sewer line;
establish a deadline not later than five years after the effective date of the Source Protection Plan for the connection to be completed.

At the discretion of the municipality, the by-law may also contain an exemption for properties where the estimated cost of the sewer connection exceeds three times the estimated cost of an advanced septic system that is sized appropriately for the calculated daily design flow.

The process to enact the by-law shall be initiated within three years of the effective date of the Source Protection Plan and the by-law enacted within five years of the effective date of the Source Protection Plan.

Monitoring policy MP-11 applies.

MP-11: Municipalities shall, within 30 days following the passing of the by-law, provide a copy of the by-law to the Source Protection Authority.