Proposed Regulations Amending the Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations under the federal Fisheries Act, would allow eligible owners and operators of wastewater systems (regulatees) another opportunity to receive an extension (transitional authorization) to upgrade their system.
The proposed Amendments would also expand temporary bypass authorizations to apply to all planned releases in the wastewater infrastructure, at treatment plants and within the collection system, and apply a risk-based approach to the planning, evaluating and authorization of these releases. Amendments are also proposed to address administrative and operational challenges.
The Regulations apply to wastewater systems that collect, or are designed to collect, 100 cubic metres (m3) or more of wastewater per day (which typically corresponds to a population of approximately 200 to 250 people) and discharge to waters frequented by fish or to any place, under any condition, where it may enter water frequented by fish.
It is estimated that approximately 1,600 owners and operators of wastewater systems collect and treat sewage primarily from household activities. The regulated community is primarily made up of municipalities and Indigenous communities; however, some wastewater systems are owned or operated by federal departments, provincial governments and other entities.
Comment deadline: July 26, 2023. Access the Gazette Notice at: https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2023/2023-05-27/html/reg2-eng.html
Environment and Climate Change Canada will be presenting these proposed amendments during our Lunch and Learn webinar series, so interested member should be sure to join us:
https://cwwa.ca/events/#windowwebinar
Canadian Water and Wastewater Association