ontario regulation 246/26

made under the

Ontario Water Resources Act

Made: July 16, 2026
Filed: July 27, 2026
Published on e-Laws: July 27, 2026
Published in The Ontario Gazette: August 15, 2026

Amending O. Reg. 525/98

(APPROVAL EXEMPTIONS)

1. Ontario Regulation 525/98 is amended by adding the following section:

Early exploration activities

12. (1) In this section,

“early exploration” means activities that fall within section 1 of Schedule 2 or section 1 of Schedule 3 to Ontario Regulation 308/12 (Exploration Plans and Exploration Permits) made under the Mining Act.

(2) Subsections 53 (1) and (3) of the Act do not apply to the use, operation, establishment, alteration, extension or replacement of a sewage works used exclusively for the purpose of carrying out any activity that constitutes early exploration if either of the following circumstances are met:

1.  The person carrying out the activity has submitted an exploration plan under section 78.2 of the Mining Act, the plan is in effect and the activity is carried out in accordance with Ontario Regulation 308/12.

2.  The person carrying out the activity has been issued an exploration permit under section 78.3 of the Mining Act, the permit is in effect and the activity is carried out in accordance with the terms and conditions of the permit and Ontario Regulation 308/12.

(3) It is a condition of the exemption in subsection (2) that the sewage works must not collect, transmit, treat or dispose of sanitary sewage.

Commencement

2. This Regulation comes into force on the later of September 1, 2026 and the day this Regulation is filed.