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Policy Id:

SPR/SPA:

Risk:

02-03

Grey Sauble, Northern Bruce Peninsula, Saugeen Valley

Significant

Implementing Body

Legal Effect

Policy Tool

Threat Type

Status

Comment

MECP - Wastewater/Sewage Works

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Future

Implemented

Where a source protection plan policy outcome is to manage a significant threat to drinking water sources through the prescribed instrument for sewage works, the ministry is meeting the policy’s obligations by including design and operational measures in an Environmental Compliance Approval. To assist in the implementation of this approach, anyone subject to policy requiring management of a significant drinking water threat is required to include in their application a description of the measures necessary to protect drinking water and submit a ‘Source Protection Supplementary Report’ to outline how the activity for the sewage works will be managed so that the activity will not become a significant drinking water threat.

Policy Text:

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

The policy applies to approvals from the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change related to the establishment, operation or maintenance of an on-site sewage system as regulated under the Ontario Water Resources Act.

A. Installation of an on-site sewage system is not permitted in locations where a municipal by-law made pursuant to Policy Text ID 02-01 applies.

B. Installation of a treatment unit and associated leaching bed system, or alternative, is permitted provided that the approval contains appropriate terms and conditions and requires adequate measures to be in place to ensure that the on-site sewage system never becomes a significant drinking water threat. It is recommended that:
a) the system contain design standards that provide reductions in the level of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in the treatment unit effluent;
b) the conditions include requirements for an emergency plan in the event of a failure of the system; and
c) the conditions include requirements for onsite monitoring to ensure that the system is functioning as designed and require the proponent to have the system inspected regularly using a standard equal to or greater than the inspection protocols of the “On-Site Sewage Maintenance Inspection” document dated March 2011 as amended from time to time, developed by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

C. A class 5 on-site sewage system, i.e. a holding tank, may only be permitted in cases where:

a) the Ministry:
i. deems that an approval is necessary to address a temporary or otherwise unsafe situation; and
ii. provides an approval for a one-time period of use; and
iii. sets an approval period that does not exceed 12 months; or

b) the Ministry:
i. determines that other treatment options cannot be utilized because the footprint of the principal building does not allow adequate space for siting of other treatment options on the property; and
ii. ensures that the holding tank installation meets all applicable requirements; and
iii. ensures that the approval contains appropriate terms and conditions and requires adequate measures to be in place so that the holding tank never becomes a significant drinking water threat.

Monitoring Text:

(MP-03): The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change should, by February 15 each year, provide to the local Source Protection Authority, a summary report for the preceding calendar year that gives information on the number of occasions where: a) approvals were provided in the affected vulnerable areas and b) approvals were denied as a result of these policies.