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Policy Id:
SPR/SPA:
Risk:
G-2-TCC
Crowe Valley, Ganaraska Region, Kawartha-Haliburton, Lower Trent, Otonabee-Peterborough
Significant
Implementing Body
Legal Effect
Policy Tool
Threat Type
Status
Comment
MECP – NMA - ASM and NASM Inspections
Strategic
Specify Actions to be taken to implement plan or achieve its objectives
Future & Existing
Implemented
MECP does not issue instruments under the Nutrient Management Act framework. The Ministry undertakes an annual planned inspection program that addresses risk to human and environmental health at Agricultural sites. Inspections target Agricultural Source Material (ASM) and Non-Agricultural Source Material (NASM) as regulated under the Nutrient Management Act. An intentional, core function of the Nutrient Management Act is to keep nutrients, pathogens and contaminants away from wells and surface water which in turn support the objectives of Source Water Protection. Inspections are designed to prioritize operations which could present a higher risk to these features. Each year diagnostics are completed on the results of these various inspections. DWECD inspection programs are run on a fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) rather than a calendar year basis. The IT system used to track inspections under the general agriculture program in FY 2022-23 does not currently include Source Protection information. This issue is expected to be resolved in the future. Given this temporary limitation, we can only provide high-level inspection data. A total of 204 agricultural inspections were completed in fiscal year 2022-23. One or more legal violations were identified in 108 (53%) of the 204 inspections. At the conclusion of 2022-23 fiscal, most non-compliances were resolved with ongoing abatement in only 26 (13%) of the inspections.
MECP – Pesticides
Conform with
Prescribed Instruments
Existing
Implemented
No pesticide permits that are Prescribed Instruments have been issued in this SPR. All pesticide permits undergo a site and pesticide specific evaluation by the ministry's Regional Pesticides Specialists. Conditions are placed on all issued pesticide permits, as required to mitigate potential risks. Additionally, Ontario has a strong and robust legislative and regulatory framework for the sale, use, storage and disposal of pesticides. Summary of reviews completed, inspections conducted and Orders issued is not applicable as no prescribed instruments were issued in this SPR.
MECP – Pesticides
Conform with
Prescribed Instruments
Future
Implemented
No pesticide permits that are Prescribed Instruments have been issued in this SPR. All pesticide permits undergo a site and pesticide specific evaluation by the ministry's Regional Pesticides Specialists. Conditions are placed on all issued pesticide permits, as required to mitigate potential risks. Additionally, Ontario has a strong and robust legislative and regulatory framework for the sale, use, storage and disposal of pesticides. Summary of reviews completed, inspections conducted and Orders issued is not applicable as no prescribed instruments were issued in this SPR.
MECP - Wastewater/Sewage Works
Conform with
Prescribed Instruments
Existing
Implemented
Since May 2015, the Ministry has been screening environmental compliance approval (ECA) applications to determine if the activity is located in an area where the activity could be a significant drinking water threat. This is called the “primary screening”. Based on a set of criteria, an ECA application is flagged for a more detailed ‘secondary screening’ to determine if the activity associated with the application is a significant drinking water threat.
MECP - Wastewater/Sewage Works
Conform with
Prescribed Instruments
Future
Implemented
Since May 2015, the Ministry has been screening environmental compliance approval (ECA) applications to determine if the activity is located in an area where the activity could be a significant drinking water threat. This is called the “primary screening”. Based on a set of criteria, an ECA application is flagged for a more detailed ‘secondary screening’ to determine if the activity associated with the application is a significant drinking water threat.
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 – Hauled Sewage, Biosolids
Conform with
Prescribed Instruments
Future
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
Since May 2015, the Ministry has been screening environmental compliance approval (ECA) applications to determine if the activity is located in an area where the activity could be a significant drinking water threat. This is called the “primary screening”. Based on a set of criteria, an ECA application is flagged for a more detailed ‘secondary screening’ to determine if the activity associated with the application is a significant drinking water threat.
MECP - WDS - Landfilling and Storage
Conform with
Prescribed Instruments
Future
Implemented
Since May 2015, the Ministry has been screening environmental compliance approval (ECA) applications to determine if the activity is located in an area where the activity could be a significant drinking water threat. This is called the “primary screening”. Based on a set of criteria, an ECA application is flagged for a more detailed ‘secondary screening’ to determine if the activity associated with the application is a significant drinking water threat.
OMAFRA - NASM Plans
Conform with
Prescribed Instruments
Existing
Implemented
No existing NASM plans identified in TCC in 2023
OMAFRA - NASM Plans
Conform with
Prescribed Instruments
Future
Implemented
One NASM plan in TCC in 2023. Vulnerable area was removed from the NASM application area so policies did not apply.
OMAFRA - NMS
Conform with
Prescribed Instruments
Existing
Implemented
No existing NMS in 2023 NOTE: OMAFRA does not issue or review Nutrient Management Plans so answer will always be not applicable. However, guidance has been developed for Risk Management Officials, farmers and certified individuals that prepare Nutrient Management Plans to use to help determine if a prescribed instrument conforms to the significant drinking water threat policies. Guidance documents are available on nutrientmanagement.ca under the Resources section. Some training was also delivered by OMAFRA to certified preparers on requirements and responsibilities of incorporating source water protection into prescribed instruments (Nutrient Management Plans included).
OMAFRA - NMS
Conform with
Prescribed Instruments
Future
Implemented
One NMS identified in TCC. Conditions added to approval to limit the establishment of an ASM storage or OCA/livestock yard in the vulnerable area.
MECP - WDS-Landfilling and Storage Inspections
Strategic
Specify Actions to be taken to implement plan or achieve its objectives
Future & 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: The Ministry concluded there are no waste disposal sites identified as significant drinking water threats in Crowe Valley, Ganaraska, Kawartha-Haliburton, Otonabee-Peterborough, or Lower Trent regions. The Ministry continues to review inspection data relative to source protection and adjust inspection targets accordingly to ensure inspections are conducted at least once every 5 years or on a basis deemed appropriate. Summary of Orders Issued in 2023. There are no waste disposal sites in vulnerable areas in these regions, therefore no orders have been issued.
MECP - Wastewater/Sewage Works Inspections
Strategic
Specify Actions to be taken to implement plan or achieve its objectives
Future & Existing
Implemented: Policy outcome(s) evaluated - No further action(s) required
There was one municipal sewage treatment plant identified as being a significant drinking water threat located in the Crowe Valley Source Protection Area. Specifically, the Havelock Water Pollution Control Plant was inspected in July 2021. There were two municipal sewage treatment plants identified as being a significant drinking water threat located in the Ganaraska Region Source Protection Area. Specifically, the Cobourg No 1 Water Pollution Control Plant was inspected by the MECP in 2019, and the Port Hope Sewage Treatment Plant was inspected in 2019. There were four municipal sewage treatment plant identified as being a significant drinking water threat located in the Lower Trent Source Protection Area. Specifically, the Batawa Water Pollution Control Plant was inspected by the MECP in May 2021, Picton Wastewater Treatment Plant inspected in 2017, Hastings Water Pollution Control Plant inspected in 2020, and the Stonecrest Sewage Treatment Plant inspected in 2022. There was one industrial, private, or commercial sewage works inspection in 2023. Specifically, the Robert G. Lake Generating Station was inspected by the MECP in March of 2023. No orders were issued related to sewage works at sites determined to be significant threats in the Trent Conservation Coalition in 2023
MECP – WDS - HS/Biosolids Inspections
Strategic
Specify Actions to be taken to implement plan or achieve its objectives
Future & 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:
Any of the following activities would be an existing or future significant drinking water threat, and a policy in this source protection plan
specifies the use of a Prescribed Instrument:
i. Establishment, operation or maintenance of a waste disposal site
within the meaning of Part V of the Environmental Protection Act;
ii. Establishment, operation or maintenance of a system that collects,
stores, transmits, treats or disposes of sewage;
iii. Application of agricultural source material to land;
iv. Storage of agricultural source material;
v. Application of commercial fertilizer to land;
vi. Application of pesticide to land;
vii. Use of land as an outdoor confinement area or a farm-animal yard;
viii. Application of non-agricultural source material to land; and
ix. Handling and storage of non-agricultural source material.
G-2(1): The prescribed instruments for these activities will include provisions to ensure that the expansion of the activities do not result in significant drinking water threats.
G-2(2): The ministry shall prepare, by February 1 each year, an annual summary of the actions it has taken to achieve the outcomes of the source protection plan policies and make that report available to the applicable Source Protection Authority.
Recommended contents of the report include, but are not limited to:
a) A summary of the reviews completed during the calendar year on the Prescribed Instruments for existing significant drinking water threats, including a summary of the provisions included to ensure that the activity(ies) cease to be significant drinking water threats;
b) A summary of the reviews completed during the calendar year on the Prescribed Instruments for future activities, including a summary of the provisions included to ensure that the activity(ies) will not be significant drinking water threats;
c) A summary of inspections carried out and any orders issued as a result of an inspection during the preceding calendar year; and
d) Other content as specified in clauses S-3(3), A-2(2), and OT-1(7)
Monitoring Text:
G-2(2): The ministry shall prepare, by February 1 each year, an annual summary of the actions it has taken to achieve the outcomes of the source protection plan policies and make that report available to the applicable Source Protection Authority.
Recommended contents of the report include, but are not limited to:
a) A summary of the reviews completed during the calendar year on the Prescribed Instruments for existing significant drinking water threats, including a summary of the provisions included to ensure that the activity(ies) cease to be significant drinking water threats;
b) A summary of the reviews completed during the calendar year on the Prescribed Instruments for future activities, including a summary of the provisions included to ensure that the activity(ies) will not be significant drinking water threats;
c) A summary of inspections carried out and any orders issued as a result of an inspection during the preceding calendar year; and
d) Other content as specified in clauses S-3(3), A-2(2), and OT-1(7)
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