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Policy Id:

SPR/SPA:

Risk:

OC-2.20

Upper Thames River

Significant

Implementing Body

Legal Effect

Policy Tool

Threat Type

Status

Comment

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

Future

Implemented

No NASM plans were approved in areas where the handling and storage of NASM would be a significant drinking water threat in the Upper Thames River Source Protection Area in 2023.

Policy Text:

For any new handling and storage of non-agricultural source material, where this activity would be a significant drinking water threat, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs or Ministry of the Environment, as applicable, shall prohibit this activity through the Non-Agricultural Source Material (NASM) Plan process in accordance with the Nutrient Management Act, or through the Environmental Compliance Approval process in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act, so that this activity never becomes a significant drinking water threat.

Monitoring Text:

(OC-5.06): Where the Source Protection Plan policies prohibit an activity that results in the denial of a prescribed instrument, the applicable Ministry shall summarize the actions taken the previous year to implement the policies and provide a written report summarizing this information to the Source Protection Authority and the County by February 1st of each year.