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Policy Id:

SPR/SPA:

Risk:

RW-MC-12

Grand River

Significant

Implementing Body

Legal Effect

Policy Tool

Threat Type

Status

Comment

MECP - Wastewater/Sewage Works

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Existing

Implemented

The ministry continues to identify and review existing Environmental Compliance Approvals as a result of source protection plan amendments on an annual basis. For those existing instruments that are screened by the Ministry and subject to existing threat prescribed instrument policies, the existing instruments will be reviewed to determine if the Standard Operating Policy can be applied or if amendments are needed to protect municipal drinking water sources.

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. Where a municipality is constructing preauthorized sewage collection or storm water management works under a Consolidated Linear Infrastructure ECA, conditions of the ECA require municipalities to evaluate proposed works for significant drinking water threats and where a significant threat is identified, implement risk management measures according to the ministry's Standard Operating Policy and applicable source protection plan policies.

Policy Text:

For sanitary sewers and related pipes including pump stations located within the following vulnerable areas and where this activity is or would be a significant drinking water threat, the following policies apply:

a. The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks shall ensure that the Environmental Compliance Approval for existing sanitary sewers and related pipes includes appropriate terms and conditions to ensure that the activity ceases to be a significant drinking water threat within the following areas:

i. In Wellhead Protection Areas A and B where the vulnerability is equal to ten (10);
ii. Where a Nitrate Issue has been identified, in all Issue Contributing Areas where the vulnerability is greater than or equal to six (6).

b. The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks shall ensure that the Environmental Compliance Approval for new sanitary sewer and related pipes including pumping stations includes appropriate terms and conditions to ensure that the activity does not become a significant drinking water threat in the following areas:

i. In Wellhead Protection Areas A and B where the vulnerability is equal to ten (10);
ii. Where a Nitrate Issue has been identified, all Issue Contributing Areas where the vulnerability is greater than or equal to six (6).

The Environmental Compliance Approval shall include contingency plans for responding to spills as appropriate. Within Wellhead Protection Area A, the Environmental Compliance Approval shall also include enhanced construction to reduce likelihood of leaks.

Monitoring Text:

(RW-CW-1.12): Where the Source Protection Plan policies require a Provincial Ministry to undertake an activity under the Environmental Compliance Approval process or review, issue or amend a Prescribed Instrument, the applicable Provincial Ministry should:

a. Provide a copy of the Prescribed Instruments to the Regional Municipality of Waterloo;
b. Provide a written report to the Region of Waterloo and the Source Protection Authority summarizing where Prescribed Instruments have been issued and/or amended and for each instrument a summary of the conditions included for source protection purposes.