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Policy Id:

SPR/SPA:

Risk:

OC-2.18

Upper Thames River

Significant

Implementing Body

Legal Effect

Policy Tool

Threat Type

Status

Comment

MECP – WDS – Hauled Sewage, Biosolids

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Existing

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 Agribusiness, 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 may apply additional site restrictions. The ministry’s review and approval process is included in the Standard Operating Procedure (see Environmental Registry No. 012-2968) and continues to be available.

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 Agribusiness, 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 may apply additional site restrictions. The ministry’s review and approval process is included in the Standard Operating Procedure (see Environmental Registry No. 012-2968) and continues to be available.

OMAFA - NASM Plans

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Existing

Implemented

No existing NASM plans were required to have conditions to address this SWP policy in this area in 2024.

OMAFA - NASM Plans

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Future

Implemented

One new NASM plan for Operation Identifier 61669 was approved in an area where the application of NASM would be a significant drinking water threat in the Upper Thames River Source Protection Area in 2024. The vulnerable area was excluded from the NASM application area.

Policy Text:

For any new or existing application of non-agricultural source material to land where this activity is, or would be, a significant drinking water threat, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs or the 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 ceases to be or 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.