Part C: Supporting documentation and technical requirements

Part C of this guide explains:

  • That it is your responsibility to specify documents that you consider confidential
  • What makes an application high-quality
  • The specifics - by project type - of what must be included in various technical documents that you must include with your ECA application

Supporting documentation

Part C describes different types of technical requirements that are specific to different project types. The information you present in your technical documents should provide further description and explanation of the activity that is the subject of your application, for example, equipment involved, processes, design, etc.

In general, for any proposed activity, the ministry is interested in contaminants that may be discharged from the activity to the natural environment. This may mean assessing the impact of your proposed activity and taking into account all project type(s), including air, noise and vibration, sewage and waste, in terms of:

  • the quantity and quality of contaminants that are input and discharged;
  • the processes involved that manage or mitigate the contaminants; and
  • the final discharges from your proposed activity.

The ministry has technical requirements that are specific to the different project types. Depending on the type of operation and how it is managed or mitigated, different technical requirements will apply. For example, in order to describe discharges to the atmosphere, an emissions summary dispersion modelling (ESDM) report is required, whereas a different technical assessment is required for stormwater flows. For more information on the specific items required, refer to this guide, the checklist for technical requirements for a complete ECA submission, other relevant guidance documents, and applicable legislation and regulation.

Confidentiality

If you consider any of these technical documents to be confidential, as defined by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) or the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), you must clearly identify in your ECA application the specific information that is to be considered confidential. You must also provide a reason for the confidentiality request, including the specific FIPPA or MFIPPA provision(s) the confidentiality assessment relies on and provide the ministry with a redacted version of the ECA application and supporting information. Only the content that is identified as confidential should be redacted. Please note that items marked confidential may still be requested and disclosed through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request under FIPPA. The FOI process considers issues such as proprietary information, security and public safety. The ministry will handle such requests based on the FOI process requirements.

Applications of high quality

In general, a high-quality application will present the required administrative and technical information in a logical and easy-to-follow manner. The use of clear headings and titles is a helpful way to highlight key information related to your project, its context and the technical aspects.

It is also helpful to employ quality control/quality assurance procedures during the preparation of an application to minimize errors, mistakes and omissions.

A best practice for creating documents and reports is to have one person prepare the document and have a different person verify that the information is correct. Of course, both the preparer and the verifier should have experience and/or training specific to the work being prepared and checked. This practice, usually shown by a dual sign-off may be applied to the entire report, drawings, specific key tables and figures.

A high-quality application will allow the ministry to focus on reviewing the technical aspects of your application and minimize our need to correspond with your technical contact to seek clarification regarding the technical reports.

Attaching files online

When submitting ECA applications, it is important that all required supporting documents are included. The format that best supports our review is PDF files that have been properly indexed for organization and clarity.

1. General

As you complete the ECA application form, the form will identify the supporting documents that are required as part of your application. Some documents are not particular to a specific project type and apply to any proposal.

For example, a detailed project and process description and a site plan are required under Ontario Regulation 255/11: Applications for Environmental Approvals. These requirements are further detailed below.

The need for other information depends on the specific environmental impacts of each project or activity. You may need to submit additional general information and technical reports with your application. For example, you must also include the signed checklist prescribed in Guideline A-10: Procedure for Preparing an Emission Summary and Dispersion Modelling (ESDM) Report if you emit contaminants to air and your application includes an ESDM report.

1.1 Detailed project and process description

You must provide a detailed project and process description as required by Ontario Regulation 255/11: Applications for Environmental Compliance Approvals. This description will provide the context for your proposal and the main details that will impact the scope of review. A summary of this must be provided in the ECA application. The detailed project and process description should be clearly labelled in the application package. The description should include:

  1. A description of the proposed project/activity that is the subject of the proposal. This is a description of the specific activity that is covered by section 9 of the EPA, Part V of the EPA or section 53 of the OWRA. This description should also include the process the proposed activity is a part of.

    Example 1: If your activity is a proposed Industrial Sewage Works that would treat the process water discharge from a planned expansion of an animal feed production line, the description should include the main equipment and processes involved in the sewage works and the animal feed production line because that is the source of the sewage.

    The description should also include a process flow diagram or a schematic, whichever is more appropriate, of the process that the activity is a part of. Such a diagram should visually show the movement of the substance at each stage, for example, how it enters, whether it is created, destroyed, transformed or emitted, how it leaves and final status.

    Example 2: If your proposal is for new pollution control equipment, the process flow should show the process that produces the contaminants, how they are treated by the equipment, and subsequent discharges, not just the processes in the control equipment.

    Note that for municipal and private sewage works, further details on how to describe the works for location and identification are explained in the section Detailed Description of Proposed Works (section 4.10.7).

  2. If your proposed project/activity is part of a larger operation at the same site, include a description of the business and operations at the location of your proposed activity. Often, proposals relate to activities that will take place within larger facilities or sites, for example, the addition of a piece of equipment to an existing manufacturing facility or an expansion of an existing Waste Disposal Site. The description should include an explanation of the general business at the site, for example, the manufacturing facility that builds engines. The description should also identify what is existing and what is planned.

    Example: If you have an engine machining and assembly production facility and you are planning to expand the facility to accommodate a new component casting operation, your description should clearly describe and distinguish the existing business of the site (machining and assembly) and the planned expansion (new casting operation).

  3. The project/activity description should also include specifics of how the activity operates and key information on the operating parameters related to the activity that defines the operating envelope of the activity. These are parameters that define the limitations of the activity in the context of its main function. The specific parameters will depend on the type of activity. Some examples are:
    • manufacturing plant – amount of product that is built; the amount of raw material that can be managed; the amount of contaminant that the control equipment can handle
    • waste disposal site or management system – amount of waste that can be handled, processed, transferred, etc.; amount of land; life expectancy of the site
    • sewage works – type or source of sewage; treatment or receiving capacity of the works
  4. A description of the main discharges to the natural environment and any existing or proposed monitoring programs or emission control equipment or mitigation measures related to the discharges. By discharges, it could be:
    • contaminants to the atmosphere or ground
    • quality and quantity of sewage
    • type, category, class, characteristics and quantity of waste

1.2 Site plan

Under Ontario Regulation 255/11: Applications for Environmental Compliance Approvals, you must provide a site plan for all applications, with exceptions for mobile equipment and Waste Management Systems as noted below.

The site plan may be a set of plans or drawings that collectively show the geographic location of the proposed activity within the property boundary. It should also clearly show geographic and structural features that may affect the activity or the environmental impact from the activity. The site plan must, at a minimum, include:

  • The boundary of the property with adequate geographic coordinates to be able to accurately describe the boundary and locate the property.
  • The location of any buildings, structures, roads, railway tracks, utility corridors, paved areas, bermed areas and site fencing located within the property boundary. Generally, all structures that are on the property. Also note the main access to the property.
  • The location of anything (plants, structures, equipment, pollution control devices, etc.) that is related to a discharge. For example:
    • Plants, structures, equipment, etc., that discharge to the atmosphere (air emissions, noise or vibration)
    • Stationary structures, things, or areas where waste is deposited, disposed, handled, stored, transferred, treated or processed
    • Areas of sewage works
  • If the property crosses a municipal boundary, the site plan should show the municipal boundaries
  • Clear indication of the area of proposed activity (for example a circle, or arrow, or some distinctive marking) relative to the property boundary
  • The distance and relationship between the location of the proposed activity and any of the following, if the distance is 125 metres or less:
    • The portion of the Oak Ridges Moraine area that is subject to the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan
    • The Niagara Escarpment Planning Area
    • The Protected Countryside, that is, the Greenbelt
    • The Lake Simcoe watershed

Additional specifics of what you should include in your site plan depend on the type of project, for example, for a proposed activity with air emissions, the site plan also requires an indication of which buildings and structures contain child care facilities.

A site plan should be drawn to scale and must indicate geographic north and all units of measure should be displayed in metric units.

2. Air

For projects governed by EPA section 9 that have emissions to air you must include with your application specific models and assessments. In the ECA application the ministry has provided a checklist of all the supporting documents required with regard to air emissions. Facilities registered to a technical standard under Ontario Regulation 419/05 may be required to submit information demonstrating compliance with the technical standard, as part of the ECA application. For more information refer to the Checklist for technical requirements for a complete ECA submission, other relevant guidance, and applicable legislation and regulation.

2.1 Emission Summary and Dispersion Modelling (ESDM) report

To obtain approval for an activity described in section 9 of the EPA you must demonstrate compliance with Ontario Regulation 419/05: Air Pollution – Local Air Quality, including compliance with the air standards at points of impingement (POI) which are defined in section 2 of the regulation, through the preparation of an ESDM Report. The ESDM report compiles all air emissions from a facility and assesses their impact on the environment against ministry standards/guidelines using air dispersion models. The Guideline A-10: Procedure for Preparing an Emission Summary and Dispersion Modelling (ESDM) Report (ESDM Procedure Document) provides more information on how to prepare this report. The ESDM report must include everything set out in Ontario Regulation 419/05, section 26.

2.2 Relief when preparing an ESDM report

Subsection 22(2) of Ontario Regulation 419/05 allows you to focus the ESDM report on the contaminants that are relevant to the application for an ECA. You must include an assessment of all other sources that emit contaminants in common with the sources that are the subject of the application itself. Additional information on this topic is included in the ESDM Procedure Document.

Further, subsection 22(3) of the regulation allows the Director to relieve person(s) preparing an ESDM report from obligations associated with any of the specific requirements for an ESDM report under subsection 26(1) where the Director is of the opinion that compliance with the provision is not necessary to understand the impact of the discharges of one or more contaminants. The following are examples of applications where there could be reduced requirements associated with ESDM reports:

  • you are applying for an administrative amendment to an existing ECA (for example, for a business name change)
  • you are applying for an amendment to reduce/eliminate previously assessed and approved sources of emission
  • your project involves subsurface remediation technologies that require an ECA and have no air emissions
  • you are applying for an ECA for a facility that is registered or that is the subject of an application for registration under the Ontario Regulation 419/05 Technical Standard
  • all sources of air emissions at your site meets the eligibility requirements of an EASR and you have registered your activity

For more information contact a client services representative in the ministry’s Client Services and Permissions Branch.

You should identify all sources of air emissions within the ESDM report. As well, you should refer to the ESDM Procedure Document when preparing an ESDM report for instructions with respect to identifying and assessing significant and insignificant sources of air emissions. A report for the site must demonstrate that the facility is capable of operating in compliance with the limits prescribed in Ontario Regulation 419/05.

2.3 Electronic copy of the dispersion modelling input and output files

Ontario Regulation 419/05 sections 6 to 17.1 require that you use an approved dispersion model and prescribe the required inputs for approved dispersion models. Examples of approved dispersion models include AERMOD and ASHRAE.

The dispersion modelling results must be included in an ESDM report per Ontario Regulation 419/05 subsection 26(1). This includes, but is not limited to, the requirement to include an electronic copy of all the modelling files needed to replicate the modelling run(s) (input and output files). Further information on these requirements can be found in the ESDM Procedure Document. In addition, Air Dispersion Modelling Guideline for Ontario provides guidance regarding complying with the requirements of Ontario Regulation 419/05 sections 6 to 17.1 and should be used in conjunction with the ESDM Procedure Document.

2.4 Contaminants with no ministry POI limits

POI Limits are available for contaminants including standards (POI Standards) listed in Ontario Regulation 419/05, Schedules 2 or 3 and POI guidelines. The ministry POI limits are provided in the publication Air Contaminants Benchmarks List (ACB List) available at Ontario.ca.

However, there are many more compounds that meet the definition of a contaminant under the EPA than there are contaminants with ministry POI limits. Persons preparing an ESDM report are accountable for the assessment of all contaminants that are discharged from the facility regardless of whether a ministry POI limit is available.

Maximum ground level concentration (GLC) acceptability request

  1. Applicant identifies contaminant with no ministry POI limits in ESDM reports and provides completed contaminants with no ministry POI limits summary table
  2. EAB submits maximum GLC acceptability request to the Technical Assessment and Standards Development Branch
  3. Technical Assessment and Standards Development Branch review
  4. Technical Assessment and Standards development branch accepts GLC request
    • Yes - Level in ESDM report becomes site-specific performance limit
    • No - Applicant revises ESDM/modifications

The ministry has screening levels in the ACB List to assist in the assessment of contaminants with no ministry POI limits.

If a contaminant does not have a ministry POI limit and does not appear on the ACB List, it requires a separate review by the ministry’s Technical Assessment and Standards Development Branch. The review is initiated when the applicant completes and submits a Supporting Information for a Maximum Ground Level Concentration (GLC) Acceptability Request for Compounds with no Ministry POI Limit: Supplement to Application for Approval EPA section 9 along with the required supplementary material. Please note that there is a specific fee associated with these requests. Further information related to this topic is included in the ESDM Procedure Document.

For additional information on contaminants with no POI limits see Part D: Additional information in support of ECAs with operational flexibility, Projects with Air Emissions section, Contaminants with no ministry POI limits.

3. Noise and vibration

You must assess the noise and/or vibrations from the facility unless your application is for one of the following:

  • an administrative amendment to an existing ECA, such as a correction or name change that does not require technical review.
  • an amendment to an existing ECA for a modification that does not have the potential to change the noise emission from the facility, for example a paint reformulation
  • equipment that does not have the potential to generate noise emissions, for example a storage tank or equipment operating indoors in a building without any vents or openings to the outdoors

The application should provide detailed information on the environmental noise climate surrounding the facility and should:

  • Show the surrounding area on the zoning map. The zoning map should show at least a radius of either 500 metres or 1,000 metres, depending on the type of equipment and nature of the activities taking place at the facility. Note that if no zoning map is available, this information may be included in the site plan.
  • Indicate, if relevant to the calculations, the topography and nature of the neighbourhood surrounding the facility, including the location of adjacent buildings and structures and the nearest Points of Reception (PORs) in all cardinal directions. This may be shown on the scaled area location plan. The scaled area location plan should also cover a radius of either 500 metres or 1,000 metres depending on the type of equipment and nature of the activities taking place at a facility.
  • The location of the nearest POR that may be impacted by the facility in relation to the equipment/facility must be clearly shown on the scaled area location plan. POR include any of the following existing or zoned for future use premises:
    • permanent, seasonal or rental residences
    • hotels/motels
    • nursing/retirement homes
    • hospitals
    • campgrounds
    • noise-sensitive buildings such as schools, day-care facilities and some places of worship

The ministry has developed a series of Noise Pollution Control (NPC) guidelines and two noise screening documents (primary and secondary) that provide information on conducting assessments of noise emissions that are required in order to protect against the potential for adverse effects.

The default requirement of an application where noise is assessed is an Acoustic Assessment Report (AAR). However, you may use the primary noise screening method or the secondary noise screening method (subject to eligibility requirements) to try to screen out the proposed activity. If your proposed activity is not screened out, however, you must then provide an Acoustic Assessment Report (AAR). See below for discussion of these options.

In general, if a facility is closer to a point of reception than 50 metres (property line to property line), noise screening should not be used. Conversely, if a facility is well sited, located more than 1,000 metres from a point of reception, then a detailed noise assessment is not required. However, the EPA gives the ministry Director the authority to request a noise assessment.

3.1 Noise Screening Method

The noise screening method is based on confirming that there is a sufficient separation distance between a facility’s noise sources and nearby points of reception to ensure that the facility’s noise emissions will comply with the ministry’s noise guidelines.

In general, if any point of reception is within 500 metres of the equipment/facility then some form of acoustic assessment is required. This distance, or radius of influence, is 1,000 metres for any equipment or facilities that are identified as, or closely resemble one of the sources within the following list:

  • Arc Furnaces
  • Asphalt Plants
  • Flares
  • Gas Turbines, cogeneration facilities or any other continuous or peak shaving electrical power generation equipment (except wind turbines)
  • High velocity or high pressure atmospheric vents such as gas process blow down devices
  • Individual fans with flow rates in excess of 47 cubic metres per second
  • Individual pressure blowers or positive displacement blowers with static pressures in excess of 1.25 kilopascal
  • Rock, concrete or aggregate crushing operations

Where there is no point of reception within 500 metres or 1,000 metres, as described above, sufficient supporting documentation must be included with the application to demonstrate the separation distance. Such supporting documentation includes, but is not limited to, site and zoning plans, detailed project and process descriptions, a covering letter to describe the approach and rational, etc.

Choosing a noise screening option

  1. Is your activity eligible for Primary Noise Screening (PNS)?
    • Yes - Does your PNS activity screen you out? footnote 1
      • Yes - Attach a form to application
      • No - Is your activity eligible for Secondary Noise Screening (SNS)?
    • No - Is your activity eligible for SNS?
  2. Is your activity eligible for SNS?
    • Yes - Does your SNS activity screen you out? footnote 2
      • Yes - Attach a form to application
      • No - Do Acoustic Assessment Report (AAR)
    • No - Do AAR
  3. When you do the Acoustic Assessment Report (AAR):
    • Does the AAR show applicable limits are met?
      • Yes - Attach AAR to Application
      • No - Do AAR
        • Attach AAR to Application

Acronyms:

PNS
Primary Noise Screening
SNS
Secondary Noise Screening
AAR
Acoustic Assessment Report
NAAP
Noise Abatement Action Plan

Note that if information provided by the local ministry district office indicates that the facility is an ongoing source of noise complaints, the Director may require an acoustic assessment report, even if your application passes (in other words, screens out) based on the screening method.

If significant vibration sources, such as stamping presses or forging hammers, are present at the facility, then neither the primary nor the secondary noise screening method may be used and a detailed noise and vibration impact assessment is required.

3.2 Primary Noise Screening Method

The primary noise screening method is designed so you can complete it without going through detailed calculations.

The primary noise screening method uses conservative assumptions regarding the likely noise sources present at the facility in order to calculate the minimum separation distance required to achieve compliance with ministry guidelines. When conducting primary noise screening you must follow the process detailed in the Primary Noise Screening Method Guide at Ontario.ca.

If the actual distance between the facility and the closest point of reception is greater than the calculated minimum required separation distance, then you need not conduct any further noise assessment (the facility is considered screened out).

If your facility is screened out based on this process all you have to do is include with your ECA application a signed primary noise screening method form that was prepared in accordance with ministry guidance material.

The use of the primary noise screening method is aimed at proposed activities which fall under certain NAICS codes as outlined in the Primary Noise Screening Method Guide. Facilities with different NAICS codes may also be eligible, as indicated in Section B.1 of the Primary Noise Screening Method Guide.

If the closest POR is closer than the minimum required separation distance calculated in the primary noise screening, then further noise assessment is required. Applicants may choose to go through the secondary noise screening method or submit an Acoustic Assessment Report (AAR).

3.3 Secondary Noise Screening Method

The secondary noise screening method is more detailed than the primary noise screening process, but significantly less intensive than preparing an Acoustic Assessment Report (AAR). The secondary noise screening method has been designed to be completed by a competent practitioner with knowledge of acoustics and a basic understanding of applicable ministry noise guidelines, but who is not necessarily an acoustical consultant. When conducting secondary noise screening you must follow the process detailed in the Secondary Noise Screening Method Guide found at Ontario.ca.

The secondary noise screening process takes into account the following site specific information:

  • actual location of noise sources relative to the point of reception
  • effect of barriers breaking line-of-sight
  • effect of tonality
  • background noise from major highways/roadways

If an application is screened out using the secondary noise screening method, then no further noise assessment is required. To satisfy the noise assessment requirements of the ECA application process, a signed secondary noise screening method form that has been completed in accordance with ministry guidance material must accompany the application.

If an application is not screened out by either the primary or secondary noise screening method, then further assessment is required and an Acoustic Assessment Report (AAR) must be submitted with the application.

3.4 Acoustic Assessment Report (AAR)

For ECA applications that include noise emissions, an AAR that demonstrates compliance with ministry noise guidelines is required, unless the noise emission have screened out using either the primary or secondary noise screening method.

The AAR should be linked with the ESDM Report for consistency in identifying sources of air, noise and/or vibration emissions.

The guidance documents include how to identify and assess significant and insignificant sources of emissions for noise. This also applies to sites that have EASR eligible activities. All sources must be included in the ESDM unless the source is insignificant.

An AAR is based on a detailed assessment of the noise sources at the facility and their impacts on neighbouring points of reception. Detailed design specifications should be provided for all noise control measures that are included in the assessment. An AAR must include sufficient information and analyses to demonstrate compliance with ministry NPC noise guidelines. Generally, conducting a noise assessment and preparing the accompanying AAR requires the assistance of an acoustical consultant.

If the AAR shows that the facility is not capable of operating in compliance with the noise limits set in the Environmental Noise Guideline Stationary and Transportation Sources – Approval and Planning, Publication NPC-300 at Ontario.ca, then the AAR must include a Noise Abatement Action Plan (NAAP) which describes when and how compliance with the governing noise limits will be achieved. The NAAP should include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • details of the required noise control measures (physical, operational and administrative) to reduce the noise emissions from the facility to comply with the limits set in NPC-300; and
  • a proposed timetable for implementation of the noise control measures, including the date for achieving compliance with the limits.

The AAR must be prepared in accordance with:

The ministry has provided an Acoustic Assessment Report Checklist that indicates the minimum required information. Applications that require an AAR must include a signed checklist.

The current version of each referenced document is listed above. Referenced documents may be replaced with updated or amended versions from time to time. Search by title for the latest versions of the referenced documents – and other applicable publications issued by the ministry – at Ontario.ca.

3.5 Vibration Assessment Report

If vibration sources are present at a facility that is included in your application you must include a detailed vibration impact assessment. For example, if your application involves a project that includes significant vibration sources, such as stamping presses, forging hammers, or large rotating equipment, you may have to submit a vibration assessment.

Vibration Assessment Reports must be prepared in accordance with NPC-233: Information to be Submitted for Approval of Stationary Sources of Sound and Appendix A (Supporting Information for an Acoustic Assessment Report or Vibration Assessment Report Required by a Basic Comprehensive C of A) of the Basic Comprehensive Certificates of Approval (Air): User Guide.

The purpose of the detailed vibration assessment is to demonstrate that the vibration levels produced by all sources within the facility under assessment, in combination with any vibration mitigation measures, do not exceed the ministry vibration guidelines at a point of reception.

The ministry has published the following outlining vibration guidelines for impulsive vibration: Publication NPC-207 draft technical publication Impulse Vibration in Residential Buildings, November 1983, as amended, supplementing the Model Municipal Noise Control By-Law, Final Report, August 1978, published by the ministry.

For copies of the above publication, contact the ministry at 416-314-8001 ; toll-free at 1-800-461-6290 ; e-mail enviropermissions@ontario.ca for more information.

For other sources or types of vibration not addressed in Publication NPC-207, you must use best practices. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

4. Sewage

Industrial sewage works are any works involving the collection, transmission, treatment or disposal of sewage generated from industrial activities. This could include projects to handle storm runoff, domestic sewage and process sewage from industrial sites. All other sewage works are referred to either as Municipal Sewage Works or Private Sewage Works.

If you are requesting an Approval in Principle for works where detailed engineering designs have not been finalized, that is, if you are seeking an ECA subject to approval of final plans and specifications, see Part E, Approvals in Principle of this guide.

For projects that include sewage works, because various types of data allow for assessment of impacts to water, the technical information you must provide depends on the type of sewage works involved and the ministry may request additional information, if necessary, to review the application. All engineering design information you provide must be prepared and properly certified by a professional engineer licensed in Ontario.

The chart on the following page summarizes the types of reports and information required concerning different types of sewage works. It should be noted that the content of the same type of report will vary depending on the type of sewage works the report relates to. For example, the contents of a design report for a municipal or private storm sewer project will have different specific requirements from a design report for industrial sewage works.

Details about the minimum information you must provide for the different types of technical reports or technical information listed on the chart below can be found under specific headings after the chart.

Industrial Sewage Works are any works involving the collection, transmission, treatment, or disposal of sewage generated from industrial activities. Industrial Sewage Works include works to handle storm runoff, sewage from industrial sites and sewage from site remediation activities at industrial sites. Industrial sites are facilities located in industrial zones or facilities containing or constructed to be containing industrial operations, but located in areas with undefined zoning or without municipal zoning.

4.1 Pipe Data Form

You must include the Pipe Data Form if the sewage works involves storm sewers, ditches, sanitary sewers, forcemains and/or pumping stations(s). The pipe data form is not applicable to municipal consolidated linear infrastructure ECAs. Read the Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approvals page for more information about how to apply.

4.2 Application requirements for industrial sewage works

In addition to a completed ECA application, you must provide the following additional technical documents, each of which are discussed separately below, when submitting an application for approval of an industrial sewage works:

  • Design Report
  • Stormwater Management Plan
  • Stormwater Management Report
  • Surface Water Impact Assessment
  • Groundwater Impact Assessment
  • Site Plan
  • sewage quantity and quality characteristics
  • engineering drawings and specifications

Depending on the nature of your proposal, you may need to submit additional information specific to the proposal. For example, if chemicals are to be stored on the site, you must include a spill prevention and containment plan as per Ontario Regulation 224/07. Given the variety of proposals, the Director may also ask you to submit additional site-specific information. Remember, all engineering design information you provide must be prepared and properly certified by a professional engineer licensed in Ontario. For more information please refer to the Checklist for technical requirements for a complete ECA submission and other relevant guidance documents and applicable legislation and regulation.

As of January 2018, all surface water impact assessments and hydrogeological studies are expected be submitted to the local district office for Regional Technical Support Section (RTSS) review and concurrence before you submit your ECA application (such as during the pre-submission phase).

Note: The submission and review of these studies by RTSS is not a new requirement for ECA applications. Prior to January 2018, RTSS’ review was undertaken after an ECA application was submitted.

If receiver based effluent discharge criteria is required, it must be developed in accordance with Procedure B-1-5 and include any assimilative capacity studies and associated effluent monitoring requirements.

If groundwater impacts are anticipated, property boundary groundwater quality criteria must be developed in accordance with Guideline B-7 and Procedure B-7-1.

Early engagement with RTSS is highly recommended to determine the scope of hydrogeological studies, surface water studies and associated monitoring plans to avoid delays and help focus the scope of the studies needed.

When you submit your ECA application, you must include written confirmation from RTSS of the appropriate ministry regional office that the required report(s) has/have been reviewed and assessed by technical staff as being sufficient.

4.3 Design report for industrial sewage works

You must provide the basis for design for all sewage works components. You must report the size of the unit, the value of all design variables used to determine that size and the design method or equation. You must support the value of all design variables by bench scale experiments or reliable literature sources. You must use standard design methods, though you may use new design methods if you can justify using them. The design engineer responsible for the basis for design should be familiar with all ministry guidelines relating to the subject.

If the sewage works have potential to impact on other media, such as air, groundwater or land, your basis for design must cover the measures used to prevent or mitigate the impact of the sewage works on that medium. For example, the basis for design of a sewage lagoon must address the water tightness of the lagoon. In such a case you would have to also provide a geotechnical report and describe the design permeability, the construction materials you plan on using, the construction practices you will employ and the impact on groundwater of any residual seepage from the lagoon.

Table 5: Technical requirements for ECA applications involving industrial, municipal and private sewage works
Technical requirement section in guideIndustrial sewage worksMunicipal sewage worksPrivate sewage works
Pipe Data FormIf applicableIf applicableNot applicable
Municipal responsibility agreementNot applicableNot applicableRequired if applicable
Design ReportRequired (the SWM plan and report can suffice as the Design Report if there is no sanitary sewage or process water)RequiredRequired (the SWM plan and report can suffice as the Design Report if there is no sanitary sewage)
Stormwater Management PlanRequiredRequiredRequired unless an exemption applies
Stormwater Management ReportRequiredRequiredRequired unless an exemption applies
Preliminary Engineering ReportNot applicableAs included in the Design ReportNot applicable
Environmental Impact AnalysisIf applicableIf applicableIf applicable
Site PlanRequiredRequired
(see section Final Plans)
Required
(see section Final Plans)
Final PlansNot applicableRequiredRequired
Engineering Drawings and Specifications footnote 3 / Sewage Works – SpecificationsRequired
See Engineering Drawings and Specifications
Required (Either included in Final Plans or as separate section)Required
(Either included in Final Plans or as separate section)
Detailed Description of proposed works (in addition to the detailed project and process description)RequiredRequiredRequired

4.4 Stormwater Management Report for industrial sewage works

If your application involves stormwater management (quantity control, quality control or both), you must prepare a stormwater management report and provide it with your application. The information in your stormwater management report should include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

  1. Identification of the drainage area and the effluent receiver (waterbody, stormwater management pond, sewers/ditch)
  2. Summary of the design criteria (for example, major and minor flows; site-specific target flow rates; land use restrictions, that is, the maximum percentage of imperviousness; minimum watercourse buffer strips; required level of treatment; etc.) and identification of their sources (that is, Master Drainage Plan; Watershed Plan; and/or Subwatershed Plan) or names of the authorities (municipality, conservation authority, ministry) that established or approved the design criteria
  3. Summary of design storms and flows generated for pre-development, uncontrolled post-development and controlled post-development conditions with hydrographs, including the methodology used for calculations (computer models, rational method, runoff coefficients, etc.)
  4. Hydraulic capacity of the receiving watercourse, swale, natural channel or existing storm sewers to accept the design flows, including water balance calculations for determining the receiving stream base flow and assessment of impacts on the receiver
  5. Identification of the type of stormwater detention facility you propose, for example, rooftop, parking lot, underground storage (oversized sewer, detention tank), detention pond (wet and/or dry) or infiltration pond
  6. Identification of the type of stormwater quality control facilities you propose, for example, on-lot source control, infiltration (that is, perforated pipes, trenches, swales, basins, etc.), stormwater ponds (that is, wet, extended wet, extended dry), wetlands, disinfection facilities
  7. Description and design details (including calculations) of the stormwater management works, including minor and major stormwater conveyance systems and stormwater quantity and quality control facilities, together with the discharge control and emergency overflow features and any temporary and permanent erosion and sediment control facilities
  8. Hydraulic routing of the major (that is, 100-year or Regional) storms through the works, including hydrographs
  9. Detailed description of the proposed operation and maintenance procedures for the works

4.5 Environmental Impact Analysis for industrial sewage works

In the Director’s assessment of any proposed sewage works, the most important aspect of the environmental impact is the anticipated impact of the works’ final effluent on the receiver (that is, surface water body, land area, soil and/or groundwater) and its potential users.

When necessary, it is your responsibility to assess the assimilative capacity of the receiver of the effluent from the proposed works and to determine the sensitivity of this receiver based on its actual and potential uses and ecological functions. Through your pre-submission discussions with the local district office and RTSS, as well as from your analysis, you are expected to determine the appropriate effluent criteria, effluent monitoring requirements, and any associated receiver monitoring requirements for the proposed works.

Surface Water Impact Assessment – for new, upgraded or expanded facilities with a direct surface discharge (including direct discharges to wetlands), you must report the present downstream use and assimilative capacity of the receiver. A surface water study is multi-disciplinary, for example you have to look at chemistry, biology and hydrology, and the study requirements may vary from site to site. As part of a complete ECA application, RTSS must provide sign-off on the surface water requirements (final effluent discharge criteria, effluent monitoring requirements and associated receiver monitoring plan).

Groundwater Impact Assessment – you must undertake a groundwater impact assessment for all activities (production related or sewage works) that may impact in any way the groundwater, for example, material storage areas, disposal of sewage on land, seepage from lagoons or tailings basins.

The requirements for the groundwater impact assessment and associated monitoring plans will vary from site to site. As part of a complete ECA application, you must provide RTSS confirmation of sign-off on the groundwater requirements.

When you submit your ECA application, you must provide written confirmation from RTSS of the appropriate ministry regional office that the required report(s) has/have been reviewed and assessed by technical staff as being sufficient.

4.6 Site Plan for industrial sewage works

Site plans should show geographic north and be drawn to a scale of approximately 1:5000 or larger and all dimensions and sizes should be in metric units. Included in the plans you should:

  1. Identify property and municipal boundaries, roads, rail tracks
  2. Identify Waste Disposal Sites and temporary holding areas for waste
  3. Identify manufacturing, process, administrative, office and laboratory buildings and free standing process units
  4. Identify storage areas and loading/unloading areas
  5. Lay out all sewage treatment facilities including lagoons, ponds and tank sumps with clearly labelled incoming streams
  6. Identify all effluent streams, stormwater ditches and conduits; sewer systems (for example, sanitary, storm, process); open channels/ditches; emergency overflows; discharge points to, and intakes from, the local watercourses together with the direction of flow. All separate systems should be labelled clearly and differentiated from one another
  7. For the purposes of stormwater management, show all the catchment areas that drain into any proposed or existing stormwater management facilities, all areas that drain into neighbouring properties without treatment or quality control, the 100-year flood line, existing and proposed building facilities, water well locations, stormwater and other utility pipes, swales and municipal drains on roadways. The ultimate receiver should be shown or indicated, including its size, area and depth
  8. Identify the locations of existing or proposed sewage sampling points, sampling devices, auto-analyzers, and flow measuring devices. Where applicable you should note ministry Municipal/Industrial Strategy for Abatement (MISA) control points

Highlight the areas and components of the works under consideration for approval.

4.7 Sewage quantity and quality characteristics for industrial sewage works

Regarding sewage quantity and quality characteristics, you should provide the following information:

  1. A brief process description of the production operations, including names of raw materials, chemicals used or stored on the site and the finished products.
  2. The characteristics of all main raw sewage streams as they enter the sewage works. In describing the characteristics for process sewage streams you must include the peak and average flow rate, temperature and the concentration of all design parameters that you know are present or for which a limit is prescribed in regulation.
  3. The characteristics of cooling water streams. This information must include the peak and average flow rates, temperature, concentration of all cooling water additives and a list of all contaminants that may enter the stream through leaks or spills from the system. Where possible you should report the expected concentration of those contaminants that might enter the system through leaks and spills.
  4. The characteristics of stormwater streams. This information must include the peak flow rate for the design storm, a list of contaminants that may be present and an expected range in concentration for each of these contaminants.

Note that for existing sources you should report concentrations based on monitoring results; if this is not possible, you may use best estimates.

4.8 Engineering drawings and specifications for industrial sewage works

Your engineering drawings should contain:

  1. a sewage works process flow diagram
  2. piping and instrumentation diagrams
  3. plan and profile drawings for all treatment works

The drawings should show all dimensions and capacities in metric units.

The process flow diagram must include all treatment steps, the direction of flow of all sewage streams, recycle streams and waste streams, as well as the location of all chemical addition points. The process flow diagram must also show the maximum and average flow rates of all streams entering and leaving each component of the works, as well as a mass balance for all design parameters around each treatment component.

The ministry requires piping and instrumentation diagrams for the complete sewage works. Piping and instrumentation diagrams must include all controls, piping arrangements, pumps, valves and equipment capacities.

The ministry requires plan and profile drawings including sections for all major components of the treatment works. Plan and profile drawings must verify that you incorporated all sizing and configuration requirements determined by the process design calculations (the basis for design) into the equipment design. Your plan and profile drawings must contain elevations for inlets, outlets, weirs, etc.

To provide a simplified overview of the works and their function, you should include a block diagram (process flow) showing the various flow linkages. Where the works are additions to existing systems you should highlight the new components on the various diagrams.

4.9 Other information

Depending on the nature of your proposal, you may need to submit additional information specific to the proposal. For example, if chemicals are to be stored on the site, you must include a spill prevention and containment plan as outlined in Ontario Regulation 224/07.

4.10 Application requirements for municipal and private sewage works

The ministry acknowledges that the process of planning and designing sewage works projects varies with the size and complexity of the undertaking and not all documents listed in Section 9 of the online ECA application may be appropriate for a particular project.

For example, the process of planning and designing of complex municipal works such as new sewage treatment plants will involve preparation of several separate documents including a preliminary engineering report, a design report (the basis of detailed engineering design), final plans (engineering drawings) and specifications (construction process, materials and equipment).

This section of this guide includes information about the various types of technical documents and reports that businesses and municipalities normally prepare in the process of the planning and designing complex sewage works. As noted, the exact information you must submit in support of your application may vary, but keep in mind it is your responsibility to provide all pertinent information with your application.

The technical documents relating to applications for municipal and private sewage works are discussed below.

Remember that when requesting an Approval in Principle Subject to Final Plans and Specifications, special rules apply.

4.10.1 Municipal Responsibility Agreement—Private Sewage Works

If your proposal is for private sewage works, you must provide a signed Municipal Responsibility Agreement (MRA) to ensure the long-term viability of sewage services to residents.

MRAS are legal agreements between a municipality and developer which stipulate:

  • the conditions under which communal services will be constructed, operated and maintained
  • the action to be undertaken by the municipality in the event of default

Private communal services may fail unless they are properly maintained. In order to protect the residential users of the services, the municipal responsibility agreement requires the developer and municipality to negotiate what will happen in the event the system(s) fail, and in that instance for the municipality to assume responsibility for them. This also includes some provision of financial assurance to the municipality that would assist them in taking over the system if the ministry requires them to do so.

Refer to Procedure D-5-2 Application of Municipal Responsibility for Communal Water and Sewage Services for more information.

For private sewage works, the ministry requires financial assurance to be provided for works in unorganized areas where there is no MRA or other agreement in place with a local government agency to take over the works in the event of a default. Financial assurance is not meant to take the place of a MRA because the ministry does not have the ability to operate a system in the event of a default. If a default happens, the financial assurance would be used to pay for the works to be operated on an interim basis until proper operations can resume.

For more information about financial assurance, refer to Section 8: Financial Assurance in this ECA guide.

4.10.2 Design reports for municipal or private sewage works

You should submit a design report summarizing the design criteria and presenting the design calculations you used in sizing individual components of the works, along with final plans and specifications.

Where a preliminary report has not been, or is not being, submitted for the project, or where some parts of the information in the earlier submitted preliminary report are no longer valid or applicable, the design brief should include the information outlined under the heading: Preliminary Engineering Report, as well as the applicable information outlined below.

If a preliminary engineering report has been submitted for the proposed sewage works, the design brief for that particular type of sewage works should include the following information.

4.10.2(a) Design report for sanitary sewers
  1. Population served (current and anticipated) and per hectare population densities
  2. Area served (current and anticipated) in hectares
  3. Per capita sewage flows
  4. Infiltration allowances expressed in cubic metres per day per hectare
  5. Industrial and commercial flows
  6. Design flow rates, that is, peak sewage flow, including infiltration and industrial and commercial flows for local, interceptor and trunk sewers
  7. Capacity of the existing downstream sewers, pumping stations and treatment plant to receive the anticipated flow from the proposed sewers
  8. Design data and calculations for individual sewers, including the required capacity, sewer slope, roughness coefficient, pipe capacity, flow velocity when full, depth of flow and actual flow velocity at peak design flow if depth of flow is less than 0.3 of the pipe diameter
  9. Minimum separation distance from watermains
4.10.2(b) Design report for storm sewers
  1. Identification of sub-drainage areas and their runoff coefficients
  2. Anticipated rainfall frequency and intensity
  3. Generated flows and capacity of sewers selected
  4. Capacity of the receiving watercourse or existing storm sewers to accept the anticipated design flows
  5. Design data and calculations for individual sewers, including the required capacity, sewer slope, roughness coefficient, pipe capacity, flow velocity when full, depth of flow, and actual flow velocity at peak design flow if depth of flow is less than 0.3 of the pipe diameter
  6. Minimum separation distance from watermains
4.10.2(c) Design report for sewage pumping stations
  1. Location of the proposed pumping station and identification of the intended receiver of the discharge (sewer, another pumping station or sewage treatment plant).
  2. Population and area (hectares) serviced (current and anticipated)
  3. Per capita sewage flows
  4. Design flow rates, that is, peak sewage flow including infiltration and industrial and commercial flows, for initial and anticipated conditions.
  5. Type of pumping station and facilities provided
  6. Length, size and type of material of the pumping station’s forcemain, flow velocity in the forcemain under initial and anticipated flow conditions, together with calculations of the total dynamic head requirements of the pumps, and evaluation of transient pressure conditions
  7. Number and type of sewage pumps and their individual and combined capacities (capacity ranges for variable speed pumps) at the design dynamic pumping head (pump and system curves should be provided) and the type, power and speed (or speed range) of pump motors
  8. Details on sizing and installation of the standby power generator (where required)
  9. Details of pump control and alarm system and any screening, grit removal or comminution facilities
  10. Number and storage capacity of wet well compartments and the station’s time to overflow under minimum and peak flow conditions
  11. Wet well operating level and its relationship to inlet sewer minimum flow velocity when inlet sewer is submerged
  12. Wet well emergency overflow elevation in relation to basement elevations in the area upstream of the pumping station
  13. Capacity of the station’s emergency overflow and/or bypass facilities and the name of the receiver of emergency overflows, as well as a description of the overflow discharge route
  14. Documented evidence of the capacity of the downstream sewage works’ (receiving sewers, pumping station and/or sewage treatment plant) ability to handle the sewage flow from the proposed pumping station, and if there are any existing overflows within the downstream sewage works, you must show that the addition of flows from the proposed pumping station will not result in any increase in frequency or volume of currently occurring overflows
  15. Description of the flow monitoring and recording equipment and other equipment proposed to be provided, for example, heating and ventilation, sump pumps
4.10.2(d) Design report for stormwater management
  1. Identification of the drainage area and the receiving water body
  2. Summary of the design criteria (for example, major and minor flows, site-specific target flow rates, land use restrictions, that is, maximum percentage of imperviousness, minimum watercourse buffer strips, required level of treatment, etc.) and identification of the design criteria sources (that is, master drainage plan, watershed plan and/or subwatershed plan) or names of the authorities (municipality, conservation authority, ministry) that established or approved the design criteria
  3. Summary of information about anticipated storms and flows generated for pre-development, uncontrolled post- development, controlled post-development conditions with hydrographs, including the methodology used for calculations (computer models, rational method, runoff coefficients, etc.)
  4. Information about hydraulic capacity of the receiving watercourse, swale, natural channel or existing storm sewers to accept the anticipated flows, including water balance calculations for determining the receiving stream base flow
  5. Identification of the type of the proposed stormwater detention facility, for example, rooftop, parking lot, underground storage (oversized sewer, detention tank), detention pond (wet and/or dry) or infiltration pond
  6. Identification of the type of the proposed stormwater quality control facilities, for example, on-lot source control, infiltration (that is, perforated pipes, trenches, swales, basins, etc.), stormwater ponds (that is, wet, extended wet, extended dry), wetlands, disinfection facilities
  7. Description and design details (including calculations) of the stormwater management works, including minor and major stormwater conveyance systems and stormwater quantity and quality control facilities, together with the discharge control and emergency overflow features, and any temporary and permanent erosion and sediment control facilities
  8. Description of hydraulic routing of the anticipated and major (that is, 100-year or Regional) storms through the works, including hydrographs.
  9. Detailed description of the proposed operation and maintenance procedures for the works, including an agreement between the local municipality and the applicant outlining a maintenance program that contains the name of the operating authority or the person responsible for the maintenance and operation
4.10.2(e) Design report for sewage treatment and disposal works
  1. Basic data on the volume and composition of the sewage anticipated from the population and area to be served including:
    • design period
    • anticipated service population and area (hectares), and population density
    • estimated quantities and characteristics of the domestic sewage, industrial sewage (including identification of all major industrial categories and sewage characteristics, especially those contaminants that may affect the sewage treatment process), septage, landfill leachate, inflow and infiltration and stormwater (combined sewer systems)
    • total anticipated sewage flow (minimum, average, peak) and waste concentration and loadings
  2. Summary of the proposed effluent quantity and quality criteria, that is, effluent discharge/application regimen, contaminant concentrations and loadings, objectives and compliance criteria, including identification of the receive
  3. Description (types, number and sizes) of all treatment units and equipment, and effluent disposal facilities; and identification of their process-design parameters (that is, velocities and surface settling rates in grit removal units; surface settling, solids loading, weir overflow rates, and depths and detention times in clarifiers; volumetric and organic loading in septic tanks; anticipated biochemical oxygen demand and suspended solids removals in septic tanks and primary and final clarifiers; organic loading to aeration tanks, lagoons, biological contactors, etc.; aeration rates of aeration systems; capacity of phosphorus removal chemical application system; filtration and backwash rates of effluent filters; capacity of chlorination facilities and detention time provided by chlorine contact tank; irradiation capacity of ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system; outfall diffuser exit velocities at initial and ultimate sewage flow; effluent application rates and schedules for spray irrigation, rapid infiltration, and subsurface disposal system; sludge (primary, chemical and waste activated) volumetric production rates; volatile solids loading rate, detention time, capacity of heat exchangers and mixers, and gas storage capacity in primary anaerobic digesters; sludge retention time and aeration system capacity in aerobic digesters; volume and available storage (months) in sludge holding tanks; capacity of sludge thickening and dewatering equipment and its efficiency; capacity of sludge incineration facilities; etc.).
  4. Detailed process design (or sizing) calculations for all treatment units and equipment and effluent disposal facilities.
  5. Analysis of the process impact of recycling of plant secondary streams, such as sludge thickener and digester supernatant, heat treatment decant liquor, sludge dewatering centrate, etc.
  6. Hydraulic calculations for all process streams within the sewage treatment plant, influent works and the plant outfall sewer and diffuser, and other effluent disposal facilities (spray irrigation, rapid infiltration, subsurface disposal) under minimum and maximum flow rates.
  7. Description of the proposed flow metering, sampling, and monitoring equipment, procedures and schedules, including monitoring of any plant or unit bypasses.
  8. Description of the existing facilities (for expansion or upgrading projects at existing sewage works), including pertinent process and hydraulic design data, and discussion of their adequacy in terms of the new design criteria (existing facilities may need to be de-rated or upgraded).
  9. Identification of all air pollution (including odour and noise) sources (for example, open tankage, boiler stacks, internal combustion engines, incinerators, air blowers) together with the distances from the points of emission to the property lines and the nearest private residence.
  10. Description of the steps you propose to undertake during expansion and upgrading projects at existing treatment facilities, to ensure uninterrupted and adequate treatment of all incoming sewage throughout the construction process.
  11. Where the proposed works incorporate processes that are innovative or in an experimental stage, or that include equipment and materials where the available data from full-scale operation is limited or unreliable, you must also provide the following information:
    • all available data pertaining to the proposed process, equipment or material
    • results of any testing programs that have been undertaken by independent testing agencies, research foundations, universities, etc.;
    • identification of any known full-scale applications of the proposed process/equipment/material, including a description of the type of application and the name and address of the person who could be contacted for technical information about it
    • discussion of the impact of a potential failure of the proposed process/equipment/material; identification of the measures you propose to undertake to preclude any health or environmental hazard or approval non-compliance as a result of such a failure; proposed contingencies to modify or replace the proposed process/equipment/material in case of their failure; and liabilities associated with the proposal
    • description of the monitoring, testing and reporting program you propose to undertake during the experimental period
    • the proposed duration of the experiment

4.10.3 Preliminary engineering report

If you are submitting a preliminary engineering report for a proposed sewage works it should present the following information, where applicable:

  1. Description of the proposal and where applicable, a description of the associated existing sewage works.
  2. Discussion of the assimilative capacity of the receiver (for example, lake, river, groundwater aquifer, soil, vegetation) and the proposed effluent quantity and quality criteria, in other words, effluent discharge/application regimen, and contaminant concentrations and loadings supported by appropriate receiver impact analysis studies or, where applicable, a reference to the environmental study report, if you addressed all these issues in that document.
  3. Extent, nature and anticipated population and population densities of the area to be serviced, facilities proposed to serve the area, and provisions for future expansion of the system to include additional service areas and/or population growth or, where applicable, a reference to the environmental study report if you addressed all these issues in that document.
  4. Itemization and discussion of present and future average and peak domestic, commercial, institutional and industrial sewage, and extraneous flows to the proposed works, or where applicable, a reference to the environmental study report, if you addressed all these issues in that document.
  5. Discussion of raw sewage characteristics and possible effect of any toxic substances that may be present or added (for example, shock loading of hauled septage proposed to be accepted at the plant) and require special treatment. Wherever possible, the variation in sewage strength should be substantiated by data from sampling surveys or treatability studies.
  6. Discussion of adequacy of the proposed sewage treatment and effluent disposal facilities for the anticipated raw sewage quantity and characteristics in terms of the developed effluent quantity and quality criteria. This discussion should include a summary of basic process design parameters of all major components of the treatment and disposal facilities, including operational reliability of key process units, unit redundancy, and backup reliability. Note that you must support your discussion of adequacy of the effluent disposal facilities by appropriate studies, for example, effluent dispersion calculations for outfall diffusers; site topography; vegetative cover and soil assessment for spray irrigation systems; chemical and hydraulic assessment of the unsaturated soil strata of the site for exfiltration and rapid infiltration lagoons; and assessment of the site topography and the chemical and hydraulic characteristics of the unsaturated soil strata for absorption beds (leaching beds and similar subsurface disposal methods).
  7. Discussion of the proposed sludge management, including sludge treatment, storage and utilization or disposal program. If you are proposing off-site sludge utilization or disposal you must provide evidence that such utilization/disposal is available.
  8. Discussion of the proposed flow metering, sampling and monitoring program, including monitoring of bypasses and overflows.
  9. Brief discussion of the location of all significant sewage works structures with respect to the land use in surrounding areas, especially in consideration of noise and odour generation potential and susceptibility to flooding.
  10. Discussion of any wet weather bypass and overflow conditions you anticipate (that is, the possibility, frequency, volumes, quality and impact on the receiving water) and approaches you would use to avoid or minimize bypassing and overflows.
  11. Assessment of the need to provide standby power facilities for the works (sewage treatment plants and pumping stations) in accordance with Design Guidelines for Sewage Works.
  12. Discussion of the design criteria used for the proposed storm and sanitary sewers, including design flows. For combined sewers, in addition to the sewer design criteria and explanation of the method used to estimate the combined sewage flow, the information should include an analysis of the impact of the proposed sewers on the operation of the downstream combined sewer overflows (CSOs). Note that the ministry will not allow any new combined sewer systems or new CSOs within the existing systems, nor will increased volume of overflows at the existing CSOs be allowed. As well, the ministry discourages any extension of the existing combined sewer systems and, wherever feasible, you must provide separate stormwater collection and disposal systems for the extension areas (you must provide justification where you cannot achieve this).
  13. Description of proposed pumping stations, including location of the pumping station and forcemain (including point of discharge), number and capacities of duty and standby pumps, and provision of station bypass and emergency overflow facilities (including identification of the proposed receiver for the station’s emergency overflow), as well as an assessment of the capacity of the downstream sewers, pumping stations, and treatment plant to handle the pumped flows. Note that all sanitary and new combined sewage pumping stations must be designed to handle all incoming flows because the emergency overflow facilities are intended to handle true emergencies only, that is, those resulting from a system failure or upset.
  14. Description of any proposed stormwater management and/or treatment facilities, including analysis of stormwater flows, methods for stormwater source controls, retarding runoff, routing, and regulating flows through and in the collection system; retention and detention of stormwater; proposed methods of treatment; and a description of water quantity and quality targets as documented in the official watershed and/or subwatershed plans. Note that where watershed and/or subwatershed plans have not been developed for the area you should use other guidelines and/or plans, for example, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s Fishery Plans or Guidelines on Erosion and Sediment Control for Urban Construction Sites 1987, or the ministry’s Interim Stormwater Quality Control Guidelines for New Development, 1991. In such cases you should contact the appropriate local municipality or conservation authority to establish the need for any stormwater management and you should contact the technical support section of the ministry’s appropriate regional office to establish the need for any stormwater quality control. You must refer to the recommendations of these authorities in your ECA application information.
  15. Discussion of the planning for any future extensions and/or improvements to the sewage works.
  16. Preliminary design plan(s), all bearing the project title, name of the municipality, name of the development or facility with which the project is associated, name of the design engineer, and preparation date. Where applicable, your plan(s) should show the plan scale, geographic north, land surveying data, and any municipal boundaries within the area shown, providing the following information (where pertinent):
    • general layout of existing and proposed storm and sanitary sewers (including drainage areas), and location of all major components of other existing and proposed sewage works, including all effluent discharge and sewage overflow points
    • all existing and future water works that could be affected by the proposed sewage works (for example, wells, water intakes, watermains)
    • existing and future development in the vicinity of the works (except for sewers)
    • general layout (line diagram) of the works (except for sewers)
    • process flow diagrams for all treatment processes that show all process components, the direction of flow of all processed sewage, recycle and waste streams, the location of all chemical addition points, the maximum and average flow rate of all streams entering and leaving each component of the process, and a mass balance for all design parameters around each process component

4.10.4 Environmental Impact Analysis

In the Director’s assessment of any proposed sewage works, the most important aspect of the environmental impact is the anticipated impact of the works’ final effluent on the receiver (that is, surface water body, land area, soil and/or groundwater) and its potential users.

When necessary, it is your responsibility to assess the assimilative capacity of the receiver of the effluent from the proposed works and to determine the sensitivity of this receiver based on its actual and potential uses and ecological functions. Through your discussions with the local district office and RTSS during the pre-submission phase of the ECA application process, as well as from your analysis, you are expected to determine the effluent quality and discharge regimen criteria for the proposed works.

All proposed undertakings that may result in any change in the quality and/or quantity of effluent from existing sewage works must be assessed in terms of the receiver’s assimilative capacity and uses. In the case of an existing sewage treatment plant where the receiver assimilative capacity has been previously established, any proposed works that may affect the performance of the treatment plant must be assessed in terms of the previously established effluent compliance criteria and the approved rated capacity of the treatment plant. Expansions of existing sewage treatment and disposal works would usually require re-assessment of the receiver’s assimilative capacity and development of new effluent criteria. The need for such a re-assessment of the assimilative capacity of the receiver should be established by the applicant in consultation with the district and regional staff of the ministry.

The assessment of the assimilative capacity of the receiver must be done at the beginning of the planning and design process as part of the problem identification phase of the project. The effluent requirements based on the assessment should serve as one of the criteria for comparison of alternative solutions to the identified problem. Established effluent quality and quantity criteria are especially essential in the development of design alternatives for the contemplated sewage treatment and/or disposal works. If the eventually established sewage works are to meet the established effluent criteria on a consistent basis, the criteria must be available before the commencement of design and must form the basis of design.

Surface Water Impact Assessment – for new or expanded sewage treatment works and for water works sewage disposal, you must assess the assimilative capacity and existing and potential downstream use of the receiver. A surface water study is multi-disciplinary (such as chemistry, biology, hydrology) and the requirements will vary from site to site. As part of a complete ECA application, RTSS must provide sign-off on the surface water requirements (final effluent discharge criteria and associated monitoring plans).

Groundwater Impact Assessment – you must undertake a groundwater impact analysis for works with sewage effluent disposal on land and into the ground (spray irrigation systems, exfiltration/infiltration lagoons, leaching beds and deep injection wells) that may have any impact on the groundwater. The requirements for the groundwater impact assessment and associated monitoring plans will vary from site to site. As part of a complete ECA application, RTSS must provide sign-off on the groundwater requirements. When you submit your ECA application, you must provide written confirmation from the RTSS of the appropriate ministry regional office that the required report(s) has/have been reviewed and assessed by technical staff as being sufficient.

4.10.5 Final plans

All final plans submitted in support of applications for approval of sewage works must bear, at a minimum, the project title, name of the municipality, name of the development or facility with which the project is associated, and name of the design engineer, including a signed and dated imprint of his/her registration seal. Where applicable, the plans must include the plan scale, geographic north, land surveying data and any municipal boundaries within the area shown.

Detailed engineering plans should include plan views, elevations, sections and supplementary views which, together with the specifications and general layout plans, would provide the working information for finalizing of the construction contract for the works. These drawings should show dimensions and relative elevations of structures, the location and outline of equipment, location and size of piping, ground elevations and liquid/water levels at the minimum and maximum flow conditions.

4.10.5(a) Final plans – sanitary sewers
  1. General plan – for projects involving new sewage collection systems or substantial additions to existing systems you should include a comprehensive general plan of the existing and proposed sewage works. This plan should show:
    • all major topographic features including existing and proposed streets, contour lines at suitable intervals, drainage areas, watercourses, municipal boundaries, land surveying data used (or assumed bench mark), etc.
    • location and size of existing and proposed sewers
    • location and nature of all existing and proposed sewage works associated with the proposed sewers, including any existing sewer overflows
    • for the purposes of stormwater management, show all the catchment areas that drain into any proposed or existing stormwater management units, all areas that drain into neighbouring properties without treatment or quality control, the 100-year flood line, existing and proposed building facilities, water well location, stormwater and other utility pipes, swales and municipal drains on roadways. The ultimate receiver should be shown or indicated including its size, area and depth
  2. Engineering drawings and specifications – you should provide detailed plan and profile drawings for the proposed and adjacent existing sewers. The profiles should have a horizontal scale of not more than 1:1000 and a vertical scale of not more than 1:100. The plan view should be drawn to a corresponding horizontal scale. Detailed engineering drawings should show:
    • location of streets and sewers
    • existing and proposed ground surface, shape, size, slope, material and class of pipe, pumping stations, manholes, overflows and other appurtenances
    • location of all known existing structures that might interfere with, or be affected by, the proposed sewers, especially any watermains and other water works
    • details of sewer bedding and anchoring, manholes and manhole connections, service connections, bridge crossings, stream crossings, support structures for existing structures in the path of construction, trench bracing, etc., and for sewage forcemains, thrust blocks, air and vacuum release valves, connection to the terminal manhole, surge suppressor, special connections, etc.
    • any additional descriptive specifications and information not included in a separate specifications document that would be necessary to inform the contractor of all project requirements regarding the type and quality of construction materials and prefabricated components, quality of workmanship, testing of structures and materials to meet design standards, and operating tests for the completed works and component units (for example, pressure testing of sewers and forcemains)
4.10.5(b) Final plans – major sewage works

For projects involving municipal or private sewage treatment, disposal facilities, stormwater management facilities or pumping stations, the final plans you include with your ECA application should include the following:

  1. General plan – you should include a comprehensive general plan of the existing and proposed sewage works for any project involving new major sewage works. This plan should show:
    • location of the proposed works and the area to be serviced by the works
    • all major topographic features including drainage areas; existing and proposed streets, watercourses, contour lines at suitable intervals, municipal boundaries, land surveying data used (or assumed bench mark), etc.
    • location and nature of all proposed sewage works and existing sewage works associated with the proposed works, including: pumping stations, treatment plant, effluent discharge points, together with their individual geo-reference coordinates (UTM Easting and Northing), and identification of the main point of reference whose geo-reference coordinates you provided in the ECA application
    • For the purposes of stormwater management, show all the catchment areas that drain into any proposed or existing stormwater management units, all areas that drain into neighbouring properties without treatment or quality control, the 100-year flood line, existing and proposed building facilities, water well location, stormwater and other utility pipes, swales and municipal drains on roadways. The ultimate receiver should be shown or indicated including its size, area and depth.
  2. Site plans – you must provide individual site plans for all proposed major sewage works and modifications/upgrades of such facilities. Each site plan should show:
    • the entire property where the facility is to be (or is) located, including the property lines and identification of the nature of the adjoining lands
    • topographic features of the property and adjoining lands, including: existing and proposed streets, contour lines at suitable intervals, drainage areas, watercourses, the elevation of the highest known flood level, municipal boundaries and the land surveying data (or assumed benchmark) used
    • layout, size and nature of the existing, proposed and future structures on the property showing distances from property lines, private residences and other structures on adjoining properties
    • test borings and groundwater elevations within site limits
  3. General layout and detailed engineering drawings – you should provide the following general and detailed engineering layout drawings for all proposed new major sewage works and modifications/upgrades of existing major sewage works:
    • process flow diagrams showing all process components (including: type, size, pertinent features and rated capacity of process units and major equipment, that is, tanks, reactors, pumps, chemical feeders, blowers, etc.); direction of flow of all process, recycle and waste streams (including bypass and overflow lines); the location of all points of chemical addition and treated sewage sampling and monitoring; an indication of the minimum, maximum and average flow rates of all streams entering and leaving each process component; and a mass balance for all design parameters around each process component;
    • accurate hydraulic profiles through treatment plants, pumping stations, etc., prepared for minimum and maximum flow conditions to a vertical scale adequate to clearly show the elevations of tank tops, channel and trough inverts, weirs and other features directly affecting the hydraulic gradient (for pumping stations, minimum, maximum and overflow liquid levels in the wet well should be shown);
    • general layout plans for all major facilities of the works (for example, layout of all aeration tanks together) including all associated process flow channels and piping (showing direction of flow), process and ancillary equipment, air and chemical feed lines, points of chemical addition, etc.;
    • construction scale plan and profile drawings (with dimensions and elevations) of all facilities proposed to be constructed or modified, including any additional descriptive specifications and information not included in a separate specifications document;
    • process and instrumentation diagrams showing the inter-connection and operation control arrangements for all process and ancillary equipment and appurtenances.

4.10.6. Sewage works – specifications

Regardless of the type of sewage works, you must provide detailed technical specifications for all sewage works projects. The specifications should include all other information that a third-party contractor would be required to know to conform to the project’s requirements and/or as stipulated under a current ECA.

In the case of minor works, such as minor storm or sanitary sewer extensions, you can generally note these specifications on the final plans. For more extensive works you will generally have to provide separate specifications documents.

The specifications should include all construction and installation information not shown on the drawings, such as:

  1. Type and quality of construction materials and prefabricated components
  2. Quality of workmanship
  3. Type, size, rating, operating characteristics and quality of mechanical and electrical equipment and installations (for example, process and ancillary equipment and appurtenances, valves, piping and pipe joints, electrical apparatus, wiring, metering and monitoring equipment, laboratory fixtures and equipment, special tools)
  4. Type and quality of process materials (for example, filter media) and chemicals
  5. Testing of structures, materials and equipment necessary to meet design standards
  6. Operating tests for the completed works and component units (for example, pressure testing of sewers, forcemains and other piping)
  7. Maintenance of operation of existing works within the requirements of current ECA during the construction of new works (unless otherwise approved by the ministry)

4.10.7. Detailed description of proposed works

It is the ministry’s current practice to describe approved projects (also referred to as works) in the ECA in sufficient detail so that someone can locate and identify the works in the field without the use of engineering drawings. Having this type of detailed description of the ECA application facilitates and expedites the ministry’s preparation of the ECA.

Therefore, in addition to the project description executive summary you must provide in the Summary Section of the ECA application itself, the ministry recommends you also include a detailed technical description of the proposal clearly identifying all components of the proposed works.

With the exception of sewers, such a detailed description must specify the locations, names, types, number, sizes and capacities of all vital structures and pieces of equipment in the proposed works, and must identify the role of the individual components in the process flow. You should describe the individual components of the works in separate paragraphs in the order of their appearance in the process flow.

For storm sewers and sanitary sewers the description should take the form of a table that shows the street on which the works are to be located and their location on that street with respect to the nearest intersecting streets. Separate tables should be prepared for storm sewers and sanitary sewers.

In the following pages are some examples of detailed descriptions of various types of sewage works.

4.10.7(a) Example of detailed description: Subdivision A expansion storm and sanitary sewer
StreetFromTo
Sanitary sewersN/AN/A
Tap CourtCul-de-sacBing Avenue
Storm sewersN/AN/A
Moore CrescentApprox. 25 m south of Roseland Drive (east intersection)Roseland Drive (west intersection)
4.10.7(b) Example of detailed description: sewage pumping station

A 3.0 m diameter precast concrete wet well sanitary sewage pumping station, located on the south side of Maple Street approximately 55 m west of Oak Street, equipped with two (2) submersible pumps, each rated at 10.3 L/s at a TDH of 10.4 m, connected to the below described 100 mm diameter sanitary forcemain on Maple Street.

4.10.7(c) Example of detailed description: sanitary forcemain

A 100 mm diameter sanitary forcemain from Maple Street P.S. to the sanitary sewer on Oak Street, as follows:

StreetFromTo
Maple StreetApprox. 55 m west of Oak Street (Maple Street P.S.)Oak Street
Oak StreetMaple StreetApprox. 120 m north of Maple Street (sanitary sewer discharge)
4.10.7(d) Example of detailed description: stormwater management facilities
  • A 2.2 hectare rooftop providing a detention volume of approximately 896 m3 with 35 rooftop drains restricting the peak release rate during the 1:100 year design storm to 20 L/s each, discharging into the site storm sewer system draining into the pond described below
  • A 1.3 hectare parking lot providing a total detention volume of 75  m3 at a maximum ponding depth of 0.22 m, with five (5) catchbasins equipped with orifice control devices restricting the peak discharge rate during the 1:100 year design storm to 215 L/s each, discharging into the site storm sewer system draining into the pond described below
  • A 0.15 hectare extended detention pond receiving stormwater runoff from a total drainage area of 9.8 ha (including the above-described rooftop and parking lot), having a total storage volume of 1650 m3 at a maximum pond elevation of 93.4 m, a 450 mm diameter inflow pipe and headwall, and an outlet well with an overflow inlet weir restricting the maximum discharge rate during the 1:100 year design storm to 240 L/s, discharging into a 300 mm diameter 120 m long outlet sewer to the municipal drain
4.10.7(e) Example of detailed description: sewage treatment plant
Plant building

A building housing the below-described sewage treatment facilities and the associated office, staff, and laboratory facilities, including two (2) independent negative pressure ventilation systems for the high and low odour process areas, one equipped with a bio-filter and the other with an activated carbon filter installed on the respective system’s discharge to the atmosphere for the purpose of odour control.

Influent works
  • A plant influent channel system consisting of a 600 mm wide 850 mm deep plant inlet channel splitting into two (2) screen inlet channels, each 300 mm wide and 1000 mm deep
  • two (2) 350 mm wide and 850 mm deep screen channels, each equipped with a mechanically raked bar screen with 15 mm openings rated at 4450 m3/d
  • two (2) circular vortex grit removal units installed downstream of the bar screens, each having a diameter of 2.0 m and a side water depth of 3.1 m, each rated at a peak flow of 4450 m3/d, and each with an air lift grit removal system, a 300 mm diameter inlet and a 600 mm diameter outlet port, discharging into individual outlet channels leading to the secondary treatment facilities' inlet channel
  • one (1) screw conveyor grit classifier serving both vortex grit removal units, with drain connections to both screen outlet channels
  • two (2) flow metering Parshall flumes in the two vortex grit removal units' outlet channels, including ultrasonic level indicators and transmitters
Secondary treatment facilities

Two (2) parallel continuous inflow sequential batch reactors (SBR), operated on a time cycle basis adjustable in the time range of 2.4 to 4 hours and set up in such a way that at no time effluent is discharged from the two reactors simultaneously, each reactor consisting of a tank 26.0 m long × 7.3 m wide × 4.0 m maximum side water depth, operated in the depth range of 2.9 m to 4.0 m, and each equipped with the following facilities:

  • a system of inflow distribution piping connected to the SBR influent splitter box designed to distribute the influent sewage evenly throughout the bottom of the reactor
  • a system of fine bubble diffusers with associated distribution piping designed to provide aeration for biological oxidation and mixing, connected to the compressed air supply system described below
  • one (1) submersible centrifugal waste activated sludge pump rated at 150 L/min at a TDH of 6.1 m, with a discharge line to the waste activated sludge holding tank described below
  • one (1) motorized effluent decanter rated at 57.9 L/s, equipped with a pivoting float scum guard, and discharging into a channel feeding the UV disinfection channel described below

Three (3) (two duty, one standby) positive displacement air blowers serving as the compressed air supply for the SBR aeration system, each rated at 9.3 m3/min standard air (329 SCFM) at a discharge pressure of 44.8 kPa, and each equipped with an inlet air filter, inlet and outlet silencers, flexible connectors, pressure relief valve, discharge check valve and isolation valves.

Phosphorus removal chemical application facilities

One (1) 18,000 L capacity alum solution storage tank, together with two (2) (one duty, one standby) diaphragm type chemical metering pumps rated at 30 to 300 L/hr, with an alum solution feed line to the SBR influent splitter box.

Effluent disinfection facilities

A 9.5 m long × 610 mm wide × 1220 mm deep UV disinfection channel, equipped with a 5810 mm long fixed serpentine weir on the outlet to the plant effluent outfall sewer, designed to maintain the liquid level in the channel at a depth of 624 mm, and a low pressure mercury vapour ultraviolet irradiation lamp system having 65% of the radiation output at the wave length of 253.7 nm, providing a UV irradiation density of 3.35 watts per litre at the design instantaneous peak effluent flow rate of 61.0 L/s, consisting of 128 UV lamps in sixteen (16) independently removable lamp modules arranged in two (2) banks in series.

Plant effluent outfall sewer

A 500 mm diameter plant effluent outfall sewer extending from the Plant Building into the St. Lawrence River approximately 200 m offshore, equipped with three (3) 100 mm diameter diffuser ports installed on the end section of the outfall sewer.

Sludge digestion and storage facilities
  • One (1) 45 m3 capacity waste activated sludge holding tank, equipped with one (1) progressive cavity type thickener feed pump, capable of pumping sludge at a rate of 100 to 500 L/min at a discharge head of 3.0 m and a suction lift of 3.5 m
  • One (1) 1 m wide gravity belt thickener capable of thickening waste activated sludge at a sludge feed rate of 200 to 500 L/min, including a liquid polymer feed system
  • One (1) 10 m3 capacity thickened sludge holding tank
  • One (1) two-stage autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion system located outside of the Plant Building, consisting of
    • two (2) insulated 2.9 m diameter and 3.0 m high batch feed and discharge sludge digestion reactors, each reactor equipped with one (1) adjustable nozzle induced suction jet type air injector installed on the digester feed/recirculation pipe, one (1) propeller type foam cutter, all associated sludge feed and removal piping and appurtenances, and a reactor venting system, including a foam trap, discharging to the air intake pipe of the SBR aeration blowers described above
    • four (4) (two duty, two standby) screw type centrifugal sludge pumps, each rated at 20.0 L/s at a TDH of 7.0 m, together with an integrated system of piping and appurtenances for transfer of sludge from the thickened sludge holding tank to the digestion reactors, between the reactors and from the reactors to the digested sludge storage tanks
    • a standby heat supplementing system serving the ATAD system, consisting of a tube heat exchanger installed on the ATAD system’s sludge recirculation piping, supplied with hot water at 93°C from four (4) hot water boilers serving also the plant’s heating system
  • one (1) two-chamber 712 m3 capacity digested sludge storage tank, equipped with a progressive cavity type sludge recirculation and tanker truck transfer pump, rated at 1000 L/min at a discharge head of 7.0 m and a suction lift of 2.5 m, together with the associated sludge suction, recirculation and transfer piping
Emergency power supply system

A diesel engine standby power generator rated at more than 700 kW, together with two (2) 200 L capacity fuel tanks.

4.10.7(f) Example of detailed description: sewage lagoon and effluent spray irrigation
  • A sewage stabilization and storage lagoon system consisting of two (2) cells operated in series, as follows:
    • a clay lined settling cell (Cell "A"), receiving sewage via an existing forcemain in Side Road 20, having a total area of 1.6 ha, a total depth of 3.1 m (including a 0.3 m sludge storage bottom zone and a 0.66 m freeboard), and an effective storage capacity of 21,600 m3, including a forcemain inlet structure with a 200 mm diameter valved connection (valve normally open) to the forcemain in Side Road 20, a 250 mm diameter valved cell outlet pipe to the storage cell (Cell "B"), and a 300 mm diameter cell overflow pipe to Cell "B" with a rip-rap berm protection at both (Cell "A" and Cell "B") ends of the pipe
    • a clay lined storage cell (Cell "B"), receiving settled sewage from the above-described Cell "A", having a total area of 6.2 ha, a total depth of 3.1 m (including a 0.3 m sludge storage bottom zone and a 0.66 m freeboard), and an effective storage capacity of 109,925 m3, including a forcemain inlet structure with a 200 mm diameter valved connection (valve normally closed) to the forcemain in Side Road 20, and a 1.5 m deep reinforced concrete lagoon effluent intake sump in the bottom of the cell, having walls extending 0.3 m above the bottom of the cell with stop log guides for extension of the walls up to 0.6 m above the bottom of the cell
  • A lagoon effluent pumping station consisting of a 3.0 × 3.6 m wood frame building located adjacent to the lagoon, housing one (1) 75 hp electric motor driven centrifugal sewage pump rated at 132 L/s at a TDH of 38.0 m with a 250 mm diameter suction pipe to the above-described lagoon effluent intake sump in Cell "B" with a self-cleaning rotating intake strainer, and a 300 mm diameter discharge pipe to the below-described South Field effluent distribution system, equipped with a magnetic flowmeter;
  • A 23.0 ha effluent spray irrigation field (South Field), located immediately to the north and east of the above­described sewage lagoon, consisting of four (4) spray irrigation sites equipped with independently operated systems of sprinkler heads serviced by dedicated systems of distribution mains and laterals with valved connections to the above-described pumping station’s discharge pipe, with the individual spray irrigation sites sized as follows:
    • Site A1: 65,293 m2
    • Site B2: 26,855 m2
    • Site C2: 36,506 m2
    • Site C3: 11,382 m2
  • An 18.6 ha effluent spray irrigation field (North Field), located northwest of the above-described South Field, consisting of three (3) spray irrigation sites equipped with independently operated systems of sprinkler heads serviced by dedicated systems of distribution mains and laterals with valved connections to an approximately 630 m long 250 mm diameter transmission forcemain from the above-described pumping station’s discharge pipe at the north end of the South Field, with the individual spray irrigation sites sized as follows:
    • Site B1: 37,643 m2
    • Site C1: 65,564 m2
    • Site D1: 16,312 m2
4.10.7(g) Example of detailed description of septic tank and subsurface disposal system
  • A 500 L capacity prefabricated concrete box grease trap overflowing to the septic tank described below
  • A 20,000 L capacity prefabricated concrete two-cell septic tank, equipped with a 3 mm slot 250 mm diameter tube screen on inlet to the tank overflow pipe discharging to the pump chamber described below
  • A 5,000 L capacity prefabricated concrete pump chamber equipped with a 1.0 hp submersible sewage pump, together with pump control and alarm level switches, and an above-ground control panel, feeding the leaching bed distribution system
  • A 750 m2 leaching bed, together with a pressure-tight distribution box and 300 m of 32 mm diameter perforated distribution pipe arranged in ten (10) 30 m long parallel runs independently connected to the distribution box, spaced at centre line distance of 2.0 m and placed in 0.8 m deep × 0.6 m wide gravel trenches
4.10.7(h) Additional guidance relating to the design of sewage works

The following publications prepared by the ministry, or with the participation of the ministry, provide useful information relating to the design of sewage works:

The ministry is a member of the Great Lakes-Upper Mississippi River Board of State and Provincial Public Health and Environmental Managers (GLUMRB), and participates in the development of, and ascribes to, the GLUMRB's recommendations for sewage and water works standards known as the Ten States Standards.

4.11 Municipal Consolidated Linear Infrastructure

The Municipal Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approval (CLI ECA replaces the numerous pipe-by-pipe ECAs that were previously issued for components of municipal sewage collection systems and municipal stormwater management systems.

A CLI ECA does not apply to:

  • municipal sewage treatment plants
  • privately owned residential, commercial and industrial sewage collection
  • stormwater management systems

Conditions in Schedule D of a municipal CLI ECA may pre-authorize alterations to the system, including changes, additions and extensions to existing sewage works. A pre-authorization means that the ministry does not need to review and approve the alteration before it is initiated.

The conditions in your CLI ECA identify the specific works that are pre-authorized and the requirements that must be followed in accordance with ministry guidance titled: Design Criteria for Sanitary Sewers, Storm Sewers and Forcemains for Alterations Pre-authorized under CLI ECA. Email us at enviropermissions@ontario.ca to request a copy. 

If the proposed alteration is not pre-authorized under Schedule D of your CLI ECA, an application to amend the CLI ECA is required, known as a Schedule C amendment. A Schedule C amendment to the CLI ECA is needed before the change or alteration is initiated. Visit the Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approvals page to learn how to apply.

Supporting Documents CLI ECAs

System Infrastructure

The following supporting documentation must accompany a CLI ECA application or an application to amend a CLI ECA. Provide information on the type of sewers, which can be categorized as follows:

  1. Combined Sewer: A sewer that is intended to function as a storm sewer and a separate sewer but does not include nominally separate sewers. An interval of twelve hours or greater separating the Combined Sewage Overflow (CSO) from the last prior CSO at the same location is considered to separate one overflow event from another.
  2. Nominally Separate Sewer: Separate sewers that also have connections from roof leaders and foundation drains and are not considered to be combined sewers.
  3. Partially Separated Sewer: Combined sewers that have been retrofitted to convey sanitary sewage while roof leaders or foundation drains still contribute stormwater inflow to the separated sewer.
  4. Separate Sewer: A sewer for the collection and transmission of residential, commercial, institutional or industrial sanitary sewage, or any combination of these.
  5. Storm Sewer: A sewer for the collection and transmission of stormwater drainage.

Note that an addition of new combined sewers is not included in pre-authorized alterations under Schedule D of your CLI ECA. Changes that include new combined sewers require an application for a Schedule C amendment to the CLI ECA to be submitted for review by the ministry.

Infrastructure Map

The CLI ECA application must include an infrastructure map that reflects sewers and other system components as of the date of the application. You are not required to submit this map to the ministry every time the map is updated, however, you may be asked to provide a copy as part of an application to amend or an application to review and renew your CLI ECA

A map for a municipal sewage collection system is generally required to include the following items:

  • the type of sewers in the municipal sewage collection system
  • pumping stations and storage structures, including asset IDs
  • sanitary sewer overflow and/or combined sewer overflow locations, including asset IDs
  • small bore systems, if any
  • areas with development restrictions, including:
      • source protection vulnerable areas
      • areas of development control under the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act
      • areas to which the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan applies
      • areas identified as Protected Countryside in the Greenbelt Plan
      • areas within the Lake Simcoe watershed

A map for a municipal stormwater management system is generally required to include the following items:

  • Existing stormwater management sewage works, including but not limited to storm sewers, ditches, swales, culverts, outlets, manufactured treatment devices (MTD) oil and grit separators, MTD filter units, Low Impact Development (LID) and end of pipe control, third pipe collection systems and pumping stations. Information on storm sewers should include the location of sewers relative to street names or easements and sewer diameters.
  • Identification of the main tributaries and receiving water bodies to which the sewage works discharge.
  • Asset IDs, for each stormwater management facility, pumping stations and outlets identified on the map.
  • Delineation of municipal, watershed and subwatershed boundaries, as available.
  • Identification of the storm sewersheds for each outlet: this is the total catchment area of the outlet and not the individual catchment for each pipe segment.
  • Areas with development restrictions, including source protection vulnerable areas, areas of development control under the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act, areas to which the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan applies, areas identified as Protected Countryside in the Greenbelt Plan, and areas within the Lake Simcoe watershed.

If you have questions about a CLI ECA, please contact us at enviropermissions@ontario.ca.

5. Waste disposal sites

If your project involves handling, treatment, processing, disposal, storage or transferring of waste and is subject to approval requirements for a waste disposal site under EPA section 27, to review the impacts associated with collecting and managing waste on a site, the ministry requires various studies and reports.

Note that for each type of waste disposal site there are minimum requirements regarding the type of information that you must include with your application. For more information refer to the checklist for technical requirements for a complete ECA submission, other relevant guidance documents and applicable legislation and regulation.

For information about minimum ECA application requirements for a Hauled Sewage (Septage) Disposal Site or a Processed Organic Waste (Biosolids) Land Application Site, please refer to Part C, sections 9 and 10.

In addition to the minimum requirements, depending on site-specific or project-specific characteristics, the Director may require additional information from you. The chart below summarizes the types of reports required concerning different waste disposal sites.

It should be noted that the content of the report will vary depending on the type of waste disposal site that the report relates to.

5.1 Waste disposal site application information requirements

In the sections following table 6 you can find specific information about the content requirements for the different required forms for each type of waste disposal site.

Table 6: Application requirements for waste facilities
Waste disposal siteDesign and Operations ReportStormwater Management Report
(if site includes outside storage of waste)
Hydro-geological Report or Assessment or Physical and Water Use ConditionsWaste Analysis PlanOdour Impact Assessment (OIA)Odour Management and Control Plan
Landfill siteRequiredN/ARequiredN/AAn Odour Impact Assessment OIA and Odour Management and Control Plan should be considered for any waste disposal site. If you decide odour is not an issue and you believe an assessment and plan are not necessary, please describe on your application the reasoning for the decision.An Odour Impact Assessment OIA and Odour Management and Control Plan should be considered for any waste disposal site. If you decide odour is not an issue and you believe an assessment and plan are not necessary, please describe on your application the reasoning for the decision.
Thermal treatment siteRequiredN/AN/AN/AAn Odour Impact Assessment OIA and Odour Management and Control Plan should be considered for any waste disposal site. If you decide odour is not an issue and you believe an assessment and plan are not necessary, please describe on your application the reasoning for the decision.An Odour Impact Assessment OIA and Odour Management and Control Plan should be considered for any waste disposal site. If you decide odour is not an issue and you believe an assessment and plan are not necessary, please describe on your application the reasoning for the decision.
Waste transfer stationsRequiredRequiredN/AN/AAn Odour Impact Assessment OIA and Odour Management and Control Plan should be considered for any waste disposal site. If you decide odour is not an issue and you believe an assessment and plan are not necessary, please describe on your application the reasoning for the decision.An Odour Impact Assessment OIA and Odour Management and Control Plan should be considered for any waste disposal site. If you decide odour is not an issue and you believe an assessment and plan are not necessary, please describe on your application the reasoning for the decision.
Waste processing siteRequiredRequiredN/ARequiredAn Odour Impact Assessment OIA and Odour Management and Control Plan should be considered for any waste disposal site. If you decide odour is not an issue and you believe an assessment and plan are not necessary, please describe on your application the reasoning for the decision.An Odour Impact Assessment OIA and Odour Management and Control Plan should be considered for any waste disposal site. If you decide odour is not an issue and you believe an assessment and plan are not necessary, please describe on your application the reasoning for the decision.
Composting siteRequiredRequiredRequired
(if site is outdoors on a natural base including concrete or asphalt pad)
N/ARequiredRequired
  • If your project involves the destruction of PCB waste you should contact the ministry for the appropriate form.

5.2 Landfill sites

The ministry’s regulation for landfill sites (Ontario Regulation 232/98) applies to new and expanded landfill sites that receive municipal waste and that have a final capacity greater than 40,000 cubic metres. This regulation also imposes specific requirements and standards on the design and operation of the site, as well as requirements for financial assurance. When applying for an ECA you must show that you have met the requirements of Ontario Regulation 232/98. For additional guidance on this regulation and approval guidelines, refer to Landfill standards: A guideline on the regulatory and approval requirements for new or expanding landfilling sites.

Under Ontario Regulation 347 R.R.O. 1990 and Ontario Regulation 232/98, landfill sites with a final capacity of greater than 1.5 million cubic metres are required to collect, capture and flare landfill (there are some exemptions for sites that do not generate landfill gas of significant quantity). For additional guidance on these regulatory requirements and how they relate to approva Landfill gas capture: A guideline on the regulatory and approval requirements for landfill gas capture facilities.

Ontario Regulation 347 R.R.O. 1990 section 5.2 prescribes approval requirements for service area changes to landfill sites.

In addition to the specific information related to landfill sites that you provide in the ECA application, for a landfill site you must include the following technical documents:

  • Design and Operations Report
  • Hydrogeological Assessment Report

5.3 Design and Operations Report for landfill sites

A design and operations report for landfill sites describes the site design and development, environmental control measures, daily operations and maintenance, contingency measures, site closure, and post-closure monitoring and maintenance. If you operate a landfill site your design and operations report must be current at all times. If you submit an application to amend an ECA you must include an updated version reflecting changes to the operations report. At a minimum, design and operations reports for landfill sites must include:

  1. Site plan/location map showing:
    • topography
    • total area of the site and zoning of the site
    • land use, official plan designation and zoning of the surrounding area including:
      • the nearest residence
      • the proximity of residential areas
      • the nearest well
      • the nearest occupied industrial or commercial building
    • location and dimensions of all buildings, bermed areas, on-site roads, access routes, unloading areas, loading areas and tanks, site fencing, paved areas, pollution control devices, property lines, etc.
  2. Details of the site preparations for:
    • landfilling
    • daily operation
    • environmental control measures
    • site development and closure
    • post-closure monitoring and maintenance
  3. Designed capacity of the proposed landfill area.
  4. Waste types, quantities, characteristics and origin of the incoming material.
  5. The maximum quantity of each type of waste to be received on an annual and daily basis.
  6. Emergency operation and contingency plans including, at a minimum:
    • the preparation for, prevention of, response to and recovery from an environmental emergency such as spills, potential fire, explosions, flooding and other possible emergencies
    • requirements for staff training related to emergency procedures
    • emergency equipment requirements and availability
    • company and ministry notification procedures in case of emergency
  7. Procedures for:
    • record-keeping, including waste classifications and the rates and volumes of waste landfilled at the site
    • reporting to the ministry, including any monitoring results, spills, volumes and types of wastes received and landfilled
    • vehicle routes within the site
    • monitoring program and procedures
    • how the design and operations report will be maintained to ensure it is current at all times
    • suitable document control procedures and records that indicate appropriate document approval and that track all changes that have been made to the previously approved versions
  8. Details about the security, hours of operation, days of operation and the number of days to be open per year.
  9. Details about facility maintenance and inspection, staff training and the qualifications of senior staff supervising operations at the site.
  10. Assess noise impacts and mitigation (facility and truck traffic), including anticipated truck traffic volume.
  11. Monitoring and control programs for, at a minimum:
    • noise
    • odour
    • litter
    • dust
    • vector and vermin
  12. Decommissioning plan for eventual closure, addressing procedures related to equipment and buildings, dismantling and demolition, site restoration and final residue disposal.

5.4 Hydrogeological Assessment Report for landfill sites

The Hydrogeological Assessment Report for landfill sites describes the existing hydrogeological conditions and assesses potential impacts on ground and surface water from the proposed waste disposal activities. At a minimum, the Hydrogeological Assessment Report for landfill sites must include:

  • a description of site topography and drainage
  • soil characteristics and site stratigraphy
  • groundwater conditions and flow
  • an assessment of the potential impacts of leachate from the waste on the groundwater and surface water on areas of potential impact

The hydrogeological assessment report is expected to be discussed with the Regional Technical Support Section (RTSS) of the appropriate ministry regional office during a pre-submission meeting.

When you submit your ECA application, you must provide written confirmation from RTSS of the appropriate ministry regional office that the required report(s) has/have been reviewed and assessed by technical staff as being sufficient.

5.5 Thermal treatment facilities

Thermal treatment facilities include incineration, gasification, pyrolysis and plasma arc treatment. The approval requirements for thermal treatment facilities depend on the type and amount of waste to be thermally treated, and other specific requirements described in Ontario Regulation 347 R.R.O. 1990. For information on incinerator design and operation, see:

In addition to requirements related to waste management sites, when seeking an ECA for a thermal treatment facility you should keep in mind that there could also be issues that fall under the EPA section 9 related to air and noise emissions.

Incinerators associated with veterinary hospitals and with crematoria are exempt from EPA Part V by Ontario Regulation 347 R.R.O. 1990 section 5. (Note that the exemption only applies with regard to veterinary hospitals burning their own waste.)

Waste that meets the ministry’s waste derived fuel criteria, as established in Ontario Regulation 347 R.R.O. 1990 is considered to be waste derived fuels (WDF). Ontario Regulation 347 R.R.O. 1990, section 28 sets out the criteria for exemption from the approvals process for WDF sites. Note that the ministry does not consider waste that does not meet the ministry’s waste derived fuel criteria to be liquid industrial or hazardous waste in situations where you intend to use it as a fuel.

Ontario Regulation 347 R.R.O. 1990, subsection 28(1) exempts on-site thermal treatment equipment from the requirements of EPA section 27 as long you do not incinerate any hazardous waste or liquid industrial waste at the thermal treatment facility. If you operate a hazardous or liquid industrial waste facility, however, you do need an ECA.

Thermal treatment equipment treating wood waste, as defined in Ontario Regulation 347 R.R.O. 1990, is exempt from the requirements of EPA Part V under certain conditions. Ontario Regulation 347 R.R.O. 1990 subsection 28.1(1) and 28.1(2) describe the requirements for thermal treatment of wood waste and list the exempting criteria.

Facilities that undertake activities related to the combustion of alternative fuels under Ontario Regulation 79/15 are not subject to a separate waste disposal site approval, but would require to obtain and comply with ECAs for air emissions.

Refer to Ontario Regulation 101/07: Waste Management Projects, to determine how the requirements of the EAA may apply to the proposed thermal treatment facility.

In addition to the specific information related to thermal treatment facilities that you provide in the ECA application, you must also include the following:

  • Design and Operations Report for thermal treatment facility

5.6 Design and Operations Report for thermal treatment facilities

This report describes the site design, environmental control measures, monitoring, daily operations and maintenance, contingency measures, and site closure and includes an assessment of all aspects of the thermal treatment facility and its potential for environmental impacts. If your proposed thermal treatment facility is exempt from the requirements of EPA section 9 (which relates to air and noise), you must include detailed plans and specifications regarding the combustion equipment with the application. If you operate a thermal treatment facility your design and operations report must be current at all times and if you submit an application to amend an ECA you must include an updated version of the report if the report changes as a result of the application. At a minimum, design and operations report for thermal treatment facilities must include:

  1. Site plan/location map that shows:
    • topography
    • total area of the site and zoning of the site
    • land use, official plan designation and zoning of the surrounding area including
      • the nearest residence
      • the proximity of residential areas
      • the nearest well
      • the nearest occupied industrial or commercial building
    • Location and dimensions of all buildings, waste storage areas, bermed areas, on-site roads, access routes, unloading areas, loading areas and tanks, site fencing, paved areas, thermal treatment unit(s), pollution control devices, property lines, etc.
  2. A description of the waste types, quantities, characteristics and origin of the incoming material.
  3. The maximum quantity of each type of waste to be thermally treated on an annual and daily basis.
  4. A detailed description of the thermal treatment process to be used, including a description of the equipment and technology to be used.
  5. Details of the thermal treatment unit design, including:
    • the design capacity of the proposed facility
    • technical specification of the thermal treatment equipment and description of the end use of the heat produced, that is: steam boiler, air heater, etc.
    • the proposed maximum:
      • continuous waste material firing rate
      • frequency, if intermittent
      • clean fuel firing rate, if co-fired with waste material
      • chemical analysis of a representative sample, including, at a minimum, the parameters listed in the ministry’s waste derived fuel criteria (Ontario Regulation 347 R.R.O. 1990)
    • Emission controls, including:
      • pollution control equipment
      • expected emissions
      • impact modeling and compliance with Ontario Regulation 419/05 standards
      • emergency stack operations
  6. Details of all residual waste generated at the proposed facility, including:
    • quantity of each waste stream
    • type and classification of each residual waste stream
    • waste unloading, handling and feed system
    • waste storage provisions
    • handling and disposal procedures
  7. Emergency operation and contingency plans including, at a minimum:
    • the preparation for, prevention of, response to, and recovery from, an environmental emergency such as spills, potential fire, explosions, power outages, flooding and other possible emergencies
    • requirements for staff training related to emergency procedures
    • emergency equipment requirements and availability
    • company and ministry notification procedures
  8. Procedures for:
    • recordkeeping, including waste classifications and the rates and volumes of waste treated
    • reporting to the ministry, including any monitoring results, spills, volumes and types of wastes received and treated
    • labelling of storage containers, areas and vehicle routes within the site
    • monitoring programs and procedures
    • site and waste handling, including:
      • how waste is transported/managed on the site, stored, or otherwise managed on-site and during shipment off-site
      • on-site storage method, capacity and processing details
      • a process schematic and a material balance
      • types and quantities of process residues
  9. Details about the site fencing, security, hours of operation, days of operation and the number of days to be open per year.
  10. Details about facility maintenance and inspection, staff training and the qualifications of senior staff supervising operations on site.
  11. Assessment of noise impacts and mitigation (facility and truck traffic), including the anticipated truck traffic volume.
  12. Monitoring and control programs for, at a minimum:
    • noise
    • odour
    • litter
    • dust
  13. Decommissioning plan for eventual closure, addressing procedures for equipment/buildings, dismantling and demolition, site restoration and final residue disposal.

5.7 Waste transfer stations

A waste transfer station is defined as a waste disposal site used for the purpose of transferring waste from one vehicle to another for transportation to another Waste Disposal Site. At a waste transfer station, only waste of the same type may be bulked/consolidated.

Under Ontario Regulation 101/07 of the EAA, you must comply with an environmental screening process if more than 1,000 tonnes of residual waste per day (on an annual average) is transferred from a proposed waste transfer station for final disposal. For more information, see the regulation and Guide to environmental assessment requirements for waste management projects.

In addition to the specific information related to waste transfer stations that you provide in the ECA application, you must include the following:

  • Design and Operations Report
  • Stormwater Management Report

5.8 Design and Operations Report for waste transfer stations

A design and operations report for waste transfer stations describes the site design, environmental control measures, monitoring, daily operations and maintenance, contingency measures, and site closure and includes an assessment of all aspects of the facility and its potential for environmental impacts. If you operate a waste transfer station site your design and operations report must be current at all times and if you submit an application to amend an ECA you must include an updated version of the report if the report changes as a result of the application. At a minimum, a design and operations report for waste transfer stations must include:

  1. Site plan/location map that shows:
    • topography
    • total area of the site and site zoning
    • land use, official plan designation and zoning of the surrounding area including:
      • the nearest residence
      • the proximity of residential areas
      • the nearest well
      • the nearest occupied industrial or commercial building
    • location and dimensions of all buildings, waste storage areas, bermed areas, on-site roads, access routes, unloading areas, loading areas and tanks, site fencing, paved areas, pollution control devices, property lines, etc.
  2. Details of the site fencing, security, hours of operation, days of operation and the number of days to be open per year.
  3. Details of facility maintenance and inspection, staff training and the qualifications of senior staff supervising operations on site.
  4. A description of the type and origin of the waste to be accepted and, for subject waste (defined in Ontario Regulation 347 R.R.O. 1990) the description must include the waste class(es) and characteristic(s). Subject wastes will require registration in accordance with Ontario Regulation 347 R.R.O. 1990.
  5. A schematic diagram showing the flow of waste through the site.
  6. A description of the waste screening procedures, including waste inspection and analytical testing.
  7. The maximum amount of waste that will be received at, and transferred from, the site on a daily and annual basis.
  8. The maximum amount of waste to be stored on-site at any one time, the maximum storage duration, a description of the method of storage and the design of the storage facility.
  9. A detailed calculation justifying the maximum on-site storage.
  10. A list of sites where you will dispose of waste, including confirmation that the receiving site is approved to accept the waste.
  11. Assessment of noise impacts and mitigation (facility and truck traffic), including the anticipated truck traffic volume.
  12. Monitoring and control programs for, at a minimum:
    • noise
    • odour
    • litter
    • dust
  13. Decommissioning plan for eventual closure, addressing procedures related to equipment/buildings, dismantling and demolition, site restoration and final residue disposal.
  14. Emergency operation and contingency plans including, at a minimum:
    • the preparation for, prevention of, response to, and recovery from an environmental emergency such as spills, potential fire, explosions, power outages, flooding and other possible emergencies
    • requirements for staff training related to emergency procedures
    • equipment requirements and availability
    • company and ministry notification procedures
  15. Procedures for:
    • recordkeeping, including waste classifications and the rates and volumes of waste managed at the site
    • how waste is transported/managed onto the site, stored, or otherwise managed on-site and during shipment off-site
    • reporting to the ministry, including any monitoring results, spills, volumes and types of wastes received and processed
    • labelling of storage containers, areas and vehicle routes within the site
    • monitoring programs and procedures
    • suitable document control and records that indicate appropriate document approval and that track all changes that have been made to the previously approved versions

If the waste transfer station will receive and store liquid industrial waste or hazardous waste you must include the following additional requirements in your design and operations report:

  1. Details of the design of the drums, storage tanks and other storage areas including:
    • specific tank locations
    • identification of tanks for each ministry-prescribed waste class number and description
  2. Storage tank specifications including:
    • tank dimensions
    • maximum volume
    • volume monitoring device
    • venting
    • type and gauge of material
    • type of assembly
    • tank foundation
    • piping and coating to prevent chemical leakage and corrosion
  3. Detailed identification of the waste segregation program on the site plan, including:
    • A description of the waste segregation program and explanation of how the storage tanks and storage areas are situated to prevent incompatible waste from coming in contact through a spill or other means.
  4. Details of piping layout and pump locations.
  5. A calculation showing that the design and capacity of the berms required around the tanks, the containment area surface design, and the drainage sump capacity are consistent with the ministry’s Guidelines for environmental protection measures at chemical and waste storage facilities.
    • The details of the berms and base of the storage area must be provided, including dimensions, material and permeability, taking into consideration the nature of the waste material.
    • A written statement from a professional engineer indicating the storage facility complies with the above guideline. Any variation from the guideline must be specified and justified by the engineer.

5.9 Stormwater Management Report for waste transfer stations

A stormwater management report for waste transfer stations is required for those waste transfer stations that include provisions for the outside storage of waste or discharge from inside the building to outside. This information will be used to assess potential impacts offsite, for example, on the nearest waterbody. At a minimum, this must include a detailed plan of stormwater management, including:

  • a description of the nature of the interaction of the waste with rainwater, which should include considerations of volumes of stormwater runoff and storage;
  • surface elevations indicating the direction of drainage and a description of all discharge locations;
  • impact prevention and monitoring plans, which should include a discussion of management of rainwater contaminated with liquid industrial or hazardous wastes; and
  • an assessment of the need for approval as an activity under OWRA section 53, or reference to an existing approval or application for approval for such an activity.

As well, you must include with your ECA application for a waste transfer station written approval from the local municipality for any discharges to the sanitary sewer and you must indicate the predicted effluent quantity and quality for this discharge.

5.10 Waste processing sites

A waste processing site is a site that manages or prepares waste for subsequent reuse or disposal. Waste processing sites include any waste disposal sites (other than final disposal sites) where the waste received is altered so that it no longer exists in the form in which it was received.

Under Ontario Regulation 101/07 made under the EAA you must comply with an environmental screening process if more than 1,000 tonnes of residual waste per day (on an annual average) is transferred from a proposed waste processing site for final disposal. For more information, see the regulation and Guide to environmental assessment requirements for waste management projects.

In addition to the specific information related to waste processing sites that you provide in the ECA application, you must include the following:

  • Design and Operations Report
  • Drainage Report
  • Waste Analysis Plan for subject waste only

5.11 Design and Operations Report for waste processing sites

A design and operations report for waste processing sites describes the site design, environmental control measures, monitoring, daily operations and maintenance, contingency measures, and site closure and includes an assessment of all aspects of the facility and its potential for environmental impacts. If you operate a waste processing site your design and operations report must be current at all times and if you submit an application to amend an ECA you must include changes to the operations report. At a minimum, the report must include all of the information (items 1 to 15 in Section 5.8) required to be included in a design and operations report for a waste transfer station, as well as the following additional information:

  1. A detailed description of the processes, equipment and technology to be used.
  2. A list of processing parameters to be monitored and the monitoring procedures.
  3. Record keeping details, including waste classifications, rates and amounts of waste processed, including any reagents used in the process.
  4. A schematic diagram showing the flow of waste through the site, including waste receiving, storage, and processing areas and showing a mass balance.
  5. The maximum quantity of each type of waste to be processed annually, including calculations to support the design capacity of the proposed facility.
  6. A description of the types and quantities of any waste that will be generated and/or materials that will be recovered at the site, and a description of how you will manage, store and disposed of it.
  7. Details of inspection and testing requirements for outgoing wastes.
  8. Details of any requirements and procedures that are mandatory under the land disposal restrictions in Ontario Regulation 347 R.R.O. 1990.
  9. A decommissioning plan for eventual closure, addressing procedures for equipment/buildings, dismantling and demolition, site restoration, and final residue disposal.

If your site will receive and store liquid industrial waste or hazardous waste you must include the following additional information in your design and operations report for waste processing sites:

  1. Details of the design of the drums, storage tanks and other storage areas including:
    • specific tank locations
    • identification of tanks for each ministry-prescribed waste class number and description
  2. Storage tank specifications including:
    • tank dimensions
    • maximum volume
    • volume monitoring device
    • venting
    • type and gauge of material
    • type of assembly
    • tank foundation
    • piping and coating to prevent chemical leakage and corrosion
  3. Detailed identification of the waste segregation program on the site plan, including:
    • A description of the waste segregation program and explanation of how the storage tanks and storage areas are situated to prevent incompatible waste from coming in contact through a spill or other means.
  4. Details of piping layout and pump locations.
  5. A calculation showing that the design and capacity of the berms required around the tanks, the containment area surface design, and the drainage sump capacity are consistent with the Guidelines for environmental protection measures at chemical and waste storage facilities. As well, the details of the berms and base of the storage area must be provided, including dimensions, material and permeability, taking into consideration the nature of the waste material.
  6. A written statement from a professional engineer indicating the storage facility complies with the above guideline. Any variation from the guideline must be specified and justified by the engineer.

5.12 Stormwater Management Report for waste processing sites

A stormwater management report is required for waste processing sites that include provisions for outside storage of waste. The information that must be included is the same as what must be included in a stormwater management report for a waste transfer station.

5.13 Waste Analysis Plan for waste processing sites

A waste analysis plan for waste processing sites is required for all waste processing sites that are subject to land disposal restrictions under Ontario Regulation 347 R.R.O. 1990. A waste analysis plan documents chemical and physical testing of representative samples requiring treatment in accordance with Ontario Regulation 347 R.R.O. 1990 subsection 75 to 79, 82 and 83.

5.14 Composting sites

Composting is the treatment of organic waste by aerobic decomposition of organic matter by bacterial action for the production of stabilized humus (Reg. 347 R.R.O. 1990).

The guidance described here applies only to centralized composting facilities processing non-hazardous organic materials for the purpose of producing compost. It does not address:

  • some composting operations (such as backyard composters and on-farm composting of agricultural wastes);
  • management of excess soil from construction activities;
  • composting of “regulated dead animals” under the Food Safety and Quality Act, and the Nutrient Management Act;
  • processes that are not aerobic (such as anaerobic digestion and fermentation);
  • biological treatment of hazardous wastes; and
  • processes to produce products that are not intended for use as a soil conditioner (such as the production of animal feed).

You must include with your ECA application for a composting site confirmation from the local municipality that the proposed composting facility meets all zoning by-laws.

You should ensure that you carried out the public notice/consultation in accordance with the requirements of the EBR and include the entire area surrounding the composting facility that has the potential to be adversely affected by odours from the facility.

Centralized composting sites receive organic waste, for example, leaf, yard and food waste, from various sources (residential and business, etc.). Composting facilities are considered waste processing sites but given the potential for odour impacts that may be produced at these sites, the ministry has separated them into their own category.

Sites which generate and compost their own waste within their own boundaries do not require Part V, EPA approval.

Central composting requires an ECA under EPA subsection 27 unless exempted by regulation. Ontario Regulation 101/94 exempts sites for composting leaf and yard waste under prescribed conditions. Also, the compost generated at these sites is exempt from the requirements of EPA Part V if it complies with the applicable criteria in Ontario Regulation 101/94. For more information on municipal leaf and yard waste composting requirements see Ontario Regulation 101/94.

Central composting sites that are not required to obtain an ECA under section 9 of the EPA or section 53 of the OWRA will likely be required to submit documentation normally required by these approvals as part of their waste processing site ECA.

For additional information refer to the Guideline for the production of compost in Ontario.

Under Ontario Regulation 101/07 of the EAA you must comply with an environmental screening process if more than 1,000 tonnes of residual waste per day (on an annual average) is transferred from a composting site to a location for final disposal.

  • For composting sites you must include the following:
    • Design and Operations Report
    • Drainage Report
    • Hydrogeological Assessment Reports
    • Odour Impact Assessment
    • Odour Management and Control Plan

5.15 Design and Operations Report for composting sites

This report describes the site design, environmental control measures, monitoring, daily operations and maintenance, contingency measures, and site closure plan. It includes an assessment on all aspects of the facility and its potential for environmental impacts. If you operate a composting site your design and operations report must be current at all times. If you submit an application to amend an ECA you must include an updated version of the operations report to reflect any changes as a result of the application. At a minimum, the design and operations report for composting sites must include the following:

  1. Site plan/location map that shows:
    • topography,
    • total area of the site location and zoning,
    • land use, official plan designation and zoning of the surrounding area including:
      • the nearest residence,
      • the proximity of residential areas,
      • the nearest well,
      • the nearest occupied industrial or commercial building
    • location and dimensions of all buildings, bermed areas, on-site roads, access routes, unloading areas, loading areas, pre-processing areas, processing areas and waste storage areas, site fencing, paved areas, pollution control devices, property lines, etc.
  2. Details regarding site fencing, security, hours of operation, days of operation and the number of days to be open per year.
  3. Designed capacity of proposed facility.
  4. Waste types, quantities, characteristics and origin of the incoming material.
  5. The maximum quantity of each type of waste to be processed annually.
  6. A detailed description of the process, equipment, facilities and technology to be used, including (as applicable):
    • waste pre-processing
    • waste composting and mixing, including a description of the recipe, how the material will be blended, the resulting range of C:N ratio and bulk density of the mix and methods of aeration and irrigation
    • the curing process for unfinished compost (including the location and duration)
    • proposed monitoring arrangements,
    • process quality sampling and testing,
    • exhaust handling and control systems,
    • leachate management.
  7. The maximum amount of waste to be stored on-site at any one time, the maximum storage duration and a description of the method and the design of the storage facility.
  8. Emergency operation and contingency plans including, at a minimum:
    • the preparation for, prevention of, response to, and recovery from, an environmental emergency such as spills, potential fire, explosions, power outages, flooding, and other possible emergencies, including the release of foul odours to the environment and air exhaust control equipment malfunctions.
    • requirements for staff training related to emergency procedures.
    • equipment requirements and availability.
    • company and ministry notification procedures.
  9. Procedures for:
    • waste acceptance;
    • tracking wastes that will result in the production of different categories of compost;
    • cross-contamination prevention;
    • recordkeeping, including waste classifications and the rates and volumes of waste processed;
    • final end use of the product and quality assurance (for example, meeting compost quality standards);
    • responding to complaints;
    • reporting to the ministry, including any monitoring results, spills, volumes and types of wastes received and processed;
    • labelling of storage containers and areas;
    • monitoring programs and procedures;
    • how the design and operations report will be maintained to ensure it is current at all times;
    • suitable document control and records that indicate appropriate document approval and that tracks all changes that have been made to the previously approved versions.
  10. Details about facility maintenance and inspection and the qualifications of senior staff supervising operations on site, and an assessment of noise impacts and from (facility and truck traffic).
  11. Monitoring and control programs for, at a minimum:
    • noise;
    • odour;
    • litter;
    • vectors;
    • vermin;
    • dust.
  12. Contingency plans to handle operational upsets such as; for material management: if the final product does not meet the intended quality standards or process objectives.
  13. Decommissioning plan for eventual closure, addressing procedures for equipment/buildings, dismantling and demolition, site restoration and final residue disposal.

5.16 Stormwater Management Report for composting sites

The stormwater management report is required for composting sites that include provisions for the outside storage of waste. This information will be used to assess potential impacts offsite, for example, on the nearest waterbody.

At a minimum this must include a detailed plan of stormwater management including:

  • a description of surface water hydrology (for example, existing topography, natural versus artificial surfaces, drainage patterns, proximity to surface waters, extent of local floodplains, local precipitation patterns);
  • a description of the nature of the interaction of the waste or compost with rainwater. This should include calculations of volumes of stormwater runoff based on an appropriate rainfall intensity curve and volume of available stormwater;
  • surface elevations indicating the direction of drainage and a description of all discharge locations;
  • impact prevention and monitoring plans, which should include a discussion of management of rainwater that comes into contact with waste or compost; and
  • an assessment of the need for approval as an activity under OWRA section 53, or reference to an existing approval or application for approval for such an activity (See additional detail in this guide on stormwater management in 4.6 Site Plan for Industrial Sewage Works).

Composting facilities should be designed and operated with the objective of minimizing the production of leachate and preventing its release to the environment. Leachate production can be controlled by reducing contact between precipitation and feedstock or compost. Stormwater that does not come into contact with waste, compost or leachate should be separately controlled.

5.17 Hydrogeological Assessment Report for composting sites

This report is required if the composting operation is to occur outdoors on a natural base. Locating a composting facility on a concrete or asphalt pad does not preclude groundwater contamination due to the potential cracking of the pads. This report must describe the existing hydrogeological conditions and must include information about the estimated impact on surface and groundwater from the proposed operations. At a minimum, the Hydrogeological Assessment Report for composting sites must include:

  1. Local geology, including soil composition and stratigraphy.
  2. Local hydrogeology, such as the depth to the water table, current groundwater quality and direction of groundwater flow.
  3. Identification of wells, water takings and other water uses.
  4. An assessment of potential impacts on groundwater and surface water at the property boundaries.
  5. Monitoring and contingency plans, where deemed appropriate, to detect and if necessary, mitigate impacts.

The hydrogeological assessment report is expected to be discussed with the Regional Technical Support Section (RTSS) of the appropriate ministry regional office during a pre-submission meeting.

As part of your ECA application, you must provide written confirmation from the RTSS of the appropriate ministry regional office that the required report(s) has/have been reviewed and assessed by technical staff as being sufficient.

5.18 Odour Impact Assessment for composting sites

An odour impact assessment for composting sites is an assessment of the anticipated effects of odours generated at the facility. An odour impact assessment should be carried out using an approved air dispersion model (for example, AERMOD) to assess impacts from all odour sources (including fugitive sources) under various weather scenarios using the most representative meteorological data.

The assessment should identify those conditions that are most likely to result in an adverse odour impact. Predicted odour levels should be assessed at the property boundary, the nearest receptors and at the most impacted sensitive receptor.

The purpose of an odour impact assessment is to estimate the emission of odours from the site and assess whether the proposed facility siting and design can adequately control odours or assess whether future odour controls requiring approval under section 9 of the EPA are required to avoid adverse effects.

5.19 Odour Management and Control Plan for composting sites

An odour management and control plan for composting sites should provide a detailed description of the following:

  1. Procedures and best management practices to be followed at the facility to alleviate odour impacts during normal operations.
  2. Procedures for operation of the composting site under less than optimal conditions (for example, frozen feedstock, prolonged rain events or receipt of feedstock in an anaerobic state). The plan should also discuss specific weather conditions under which odour generating activities, such as windrow turning, should not be undertaken.
  3. The odour management and control plan should also identify the anticipated problems that might occur and should include detailed contingency procedures for actions to take when an odour problem occurs.

5.20 Guidance related to biomedical waste

The term biomedical waste is defined in Guideline C-4: The management of biomedical waste in Ontario. Your application must show compliance with this guideline. The guideline provides information for effective management of biomedical waste through appropriate packaging, segregation, treatment, storage and disposal methods. The guideline identifies acceptable technologies for various types of biomedical waste (for example, anatomical and cytotoxic waste must be incinerated).

Biomedical waste can be disposed of through incineration or by non-incineration. For information about incineration of such waste, refer to Guideline A-1: Combustion, Air Pollution Control and Monitoring Requirements for Biomedical Waste Incinerators in Ontario. For information about non-incineration of such waste, refer to Guideline C-17: Non-Incineration Technologies for Treatment of Biomedical Waste (Procedures for Microbiological Testing).

Biomedical waste that has been successfully treated by a technology acceptable to the ministry is considered treated biomedical waste and may be disposed of directly in a municipal landfill.

5.21 Guidance related to waste containing PCBs

The information here deals with waste containing monochlorinated or polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) at a concentration greater than 50 mg/kg. Every site containing PCB waste and PCB-related waste, but not containing other wastes, is classified as a PCB storage site. These sites may operate under Director’s Instructions under Ontario Regulation 362 R.R.O. 1990 or under an ECA.

The disposal and management options for PCB waste are: storage sites, processing sites, thermal treatment sites or mobile processing. For more information regarding mobile PCB processing or thermal treatment facilities refer to: Details Document, Mobile PCB Destruction Facilities (April 1986), Ontario Regulation 352 R.R.O. 1990.

6. Waste management systems

With regard to an ECA application for a waste management system, in addition to the specific information related to waste management system that you provide in the ECA application, there are only two cases where you must provide additional technical requirements:

  • If you are transporting biomedical waste, or
  • If you are transporting PCB waste.

For more information refer to the checklist for technical requirements for a complete ECA submission.

6.1 Transporting biomedical waste

You must include the following additional information with your ECA application for a wastemanagement system if you will be transporting biomedical waste:

  1. A description of the physical location where you will disinfect and wash the vehicles.
  2. A copy of the driver and waste management personnel training manual you use when training drivers and personnel. The manual must confirm that all personnel handling biomedical waste have been trained as required by Ontario Regulation 347 R.R.O. 1990 and trained specifically in the handling and management of biomedical waste. The manual must conform to Guideline C-12-1: An Outline of the Essential Components of Training Programs for Drivers of Liquid Industrial and Hazardous Waste Transportation Vehicles.
  3. A copy of your operations manual. The manual must include detailed information relating to packaging and biomedical waste handling methods, as well as vehicle disinfection procedures. Specifically, the manual must:
    • identify the types of biomedical waste transported;
    • indicate how the waste is to be packaged;
    • detail your procedures with respect to training drivers;
    • identify the driver’s responsibility for waste handling, specifically that the driver knows:
      • emergency handling procedures,
      • safe and secure waste loading procedures,
      • attendance with the waste load at all times is required,
      • decontamination of waste transportation vehicle procedures.
  4. A detailed spill contingency and emergency response plan that includes emergency management procedures and a contingency plan for various accident and spill scenarios including notification protocols, spill containment, cleanup and decontamination procedures. The plan must describe all spill containment equipment, that will be used to cleanup and repackage spills, and identify where it will be stored.

6.2 Transporting PCB waste

You must include the following additional information with your ECA application for a waste management system that includes the transportation of PCB waste:

  1. A copy of your operations manual. The operations manual must include detailed information relating to packaging and PCB waste handling methods, as well as vehicle decontamination procedures. Specifically, the manual must:
    • Clearly state the purpose of the intended PCB transport.
    • Identify each type of PCB waste intended for transport, for example: full transformers (and whether they are large or small); empty transformers (and whether they are large or small); liquids; small capacitors; large capacitors; leaking capacitors; hydraulic equipment; etc.
    • For each type of PCB waste specified, the plan should include detailed packaging methods.
    • Specify drivers’ responsibilities with respect to handling PCB waste, specifically that drivers know:
      • safe handling procedures,
      • that they are required to check the integrity of the vehicle and waste load during transportation (a circle check every 200 km/two hours),
      • safe waste loading procedures,
      • the requirements for secure loading of the waste for transport,
      • safe unloading procedures,
      • that drivers must be in attendance at all times with the waste load and that the vehicle must be locked.
    • Identify vehicle decontamination procedures in the event of a spill inside the vehicle.
    • Indicate whether the vehicle is used to transport any other type of waste.
  2. A detailed spill contingency and emergency response plan. The plan must include emergency management procedures and contingencies for various accident and spill scenarios. Each of the following must be described in detail:
    • With regard to your spill kit:
      • identify items included for cleaning up and repackaging spills,
      • indicate where the spill kit is kept,
      • indicate how personnel who might have to use the equipment have been trained.
    • List protective equipment/clothing to be used or worn during cleanup.
    • Identify how spill containment will be conducted in relation to the PCB waste type transported (solids/liquids).
    • Identify which parties/agencies are to be notified and the notification order in the event of a spill (for example: head office of company, ministry Spill Action Centre, ministry local district office, etc.);
    • Indicate specifically how spill cleanup is conducted:
      • inside the vehicle,
      • on soil/hard surfaces.
      • Repackaging of spilled and contaminated material:
      • identify the types of containers in which repackaged waste or contaminated material will be collected,
      • indicate how the waste will be disposed after repackaging.
      • Decontamination of equipment used in spill cleanup.

7. Mobile waste processing

The ministry has developed a self-registration process the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR) for certain types of non-hazardous waste transportation systems. Eligible businesses are required to register on the EASR as opposed to submitting an ECA application. Refer to Ontario Regulation 351/12 to determine if you are eligible to register your non-hazardous waste transportation system on EASR.

For ECA applications for general waste processing and for contaminated site cleanup waste processing you must include additional technical requirements with your application. For more information refer to the Checklist for technical requirements for a complete ECA submission.

Specifically, in addition to the information related to mobile waste processing that you provide in the ECA application you must provide:

  • Design and Operations Report for mobile waste processing of general waste
  • Design and Operations Report formobile waste processing of liquid waste

7.1 Design and Operations Report for mobile waste processing of general waste

A design and operations report for mobile waste processing of general waste describes the mobile waste processing equipment, processing technology and the types of waste to be treated. It also describes the operational control measures, monitoring requirements, contingency plans and equipment maintenance requirements. If you carry out mobile waste processing of general waste, your design and operations report must be current at all times and if you submit an application to amend an ECA, you must include an updated version of the report if the report changes as a result of the application. At a minimum, the design and operations report for mobile waste processing of general waste must include the following:

  1. The area to be served by the mobile waste processing equipment, expected days and hours of operation and the physical location where the mobile waste processing equipment will be stored when not in use.
  2. A description of the types of waste to be processed. For liquid industrial waste and hazardous wastes you must identify each of the waste classes and characteristics. For non-hazardous waste types you must identify the categories of waste to be processed, such as wood waste, used tires, construction and demolition waste, etc.
  3. The number of mobile waste processing units to be operated as part of the Waste Management System.
  4. For each mobile waste processing unit you must identify and provide a clear description of the mobile waste processing equipment (including equipment make, model and serial number). If you rent generic equipment for the mobile unit on an as-needed basis you must provide a general description of the equipment (for example, rubber tire backhoe, excavator).
  5. For each mobile waste processing unit you must provide a detailed description of the processing method (technology) to be used, including a flowchart illustrating the sequence of steps involved in the process for each type of waste or waste class from the time the waste stream enters the mobile unit to the point at which all processing/treatment operations are complete.
  6. The processing capacity of each of the mobile units.
  7. Drawings (preferably a plan and elevation drawing) indicating the dimensions, separation distances, location of various equipment and the overall dimensions of each mobile unit.
  8. Identification of any additives or reagents used in processing of waste, including the relevant Material Safety Data Sheets.
  9. A description of the waste screening program to be used to initially characterize the wastes, if applicable.
  10. A list of process parameters to be monitored and monitoring procedures (including the frequency of monitoring), if applicable.
  11. A description of all residual waste streams generated by processing equipment including, as applicable, relevant ministry waste classes and amounts. If there are variations between the different mobile processing units, describe each unit separately and clearly identify the differences between the units.
  12. Identify how the residual waste and processed waste are to be managed or disposed of. Describe who will be responsible for disposal of the residual waste.
  13. Provide a detailed sampling and analysis program, if applicable, for the waste to be processed, the processed waste and any residual waste streams the mobile units generate.
  14. Provide site preparation and planning details, as well as procedures to be followed when operations are completed and the mobile unit is moved off-site.
  15. Provide details about waste and processed waste stockpiling procedures, if applicable, including the handling procedures, types of liners used, runoff containment system design, runoff handling, etc.
  16. Describe the contingency measures for spills, fires and other emergency situations including: the equipment to be used, the procedures to be followed and the chain of responsibility in handling such situations. You should also include procedures for handling of waste generated as a result of emergency situations.
  17. Describe site security arrangements, such as fencing, gates, supervision and a description of the signs, including the information to be displayed.
  18. A general description of any air/noise emissions resulting from the operation of the mobile unit(s).
  19. Proposed procedures for mobile unit equipment cleaning and handling of any waste generated though cleaning.
  20. A description of the maintenance requirements for the mobile unit equipment.
  21. Staff training requirements.
  22. A description of procedures for:
    • recordkeeping, including waste classifications and the rates and volumes of waste that are to be managed at the site;
    • how waste is transported/managed onto the site, as well as how it is stored, or otherwise managed, on-site and during shipment off-site;
    • reporting to the ministry, including any monitoring results, spills, volumes and types of wastes received and processed;
    • labelling of storage containers, areas and vehicle routes within the site;
    • a monitoring and analytical program.

7.2 Design and Operations Report for mobile waste processing of liquid waste

  1. A design and operations report for mobile waste processing of liquid waste must include the following additional information if you use the mobile waste processing equipment for processing liquid waste: Specification(s) for all tanks or vessels that are part of the mobile unit including:
    • tank dimensions;
    • maximum volume;
    • volume monitoring devices;
    • venting;
    • type and gauge of material;
    • type of assembly;
    • tank foundation;
    • piping and coating to prevent chemical leakage or corrosion.
  2. Details of the containment system for any tanks or vessels that are a part of the mobile unit, including the design of the containment system, its holding capacity, methods of cleanup of any spills contained within, etc.
  3. A description of any liquid discharges related to operating the mobile unit and its disposal site destinations.
  4. A description of liquid level monitoring procedures.

8. Cleanup of contaminated sites

If your proposal includes activities for the purpose of cleaning a site of existing contaminants you need to include the following information in your application (this type of activity may be either a mobile activity or a site-specific, stationary activity). The following specifies what information is needed in either case.

For more information refer to the checklist for technical requirements for a complete ECA submission.

8.1 Detailed project and process description for cleanup of contaminated sites

  1. The detailed project and process description for cleanup of contaminated sites should contain, in addition to what is described in Part C, Detailed Project and Process Description, the following: A detailed description of the sampling and analysis program you will follow, including a list of process monitoring/testing parameters and the frequency of the monitoring you will conduct. The description should include identifying responsibilities related to sampling and testing and should include the following:
    • the initial assessment and characterization of the contaminated media, for example, soil, water, etc.;
    • the monitoring of contaminated media undergoing treatment;
    • the assessment of media that has been processed by the mobile equipment; and
    • the testing requirements for any residual waste streams generated by the process.
  2. A description of the range of contaminants and the discharges that result from operating the cleanup equipment. The discharges may include:
    • All residual waste streams generated by way of the processing equipment, including the identification of relevant waste classes, characteristics and amounts.
    • A description of all sewage effluent generated by way of the processing equipment, including the quantity and quality of the effluent.
    • Contaminated material and processed material stockpiling/storage/disposal procedures where material is soil, water, residual waste.

8.2 Design report for cleanup of contaminated sites

A Design Report for Cleanup of Contaminated Sites is required for both site-specific and mobile cleanup activities. This report describes, in detail, the equipment and processes that will be used to treat the contaminants on-site and to manage the discharges and by-products from the cleanup process. It also describes the operational control measures, monitoring requirements, contingency plans and equipment maintenance requirements. At a minimum, the design report must include the following:

  1. Site preparation and planning details, as well as procedures followed when operations are completed.
  2. Specification of treatment system with the basis of design for all components. In general, this will include:
    • the sizing of the unit, with the design variables used to determine the size;
    • the maximum capacity of the unit or system including the degree of contamination that the unit or system is capable of treating

    The details of your design will be heavily dependent on the type of process you propose. You may be required to also complete the application requirements described in Part C for air emissions, noise and vibration, sewage or waste. Please contact the district office for more information. For example, the following may be required if your proposal is to clean contaminated soil:

    • The identification of any additives or reagents you will use in processing waste, including the relevant Material Safety Data Sheets.
    • Specification of all tanks or vessels that are part of the mobile unit, if applicable, including:
      • tank dimensions,
      • maximum volume,
      • volume monitoring devices,
      • venting,
      • type and gauge of material,
      • type of assembly,
      • tank foundation,
      • piping and coating to prevent chemical leakage or corrosion.
    • Details on the waste and processed waste stockpiling procedures, including: handling procedures, types of liners used, runoff containment system design (berms, liners, etc.), proposed handling of collected leachate, etc.
  3. Details of the containment system for any tanks or vessels that are a part of the processing unit including, but not be limited to, its holding capacity and methods of cleanup of any spills contained within. Also include a description of the methods used to control and monitor the liquid levels in the tanks. If applicable, the details should show that the design meets: Guidelines for Environmental Protection Measures at Chemical and Waste Storage Facilities.
  4. For all residual waste streams described in the detailed project and process description, describe how the residual waste will be managed or disposed of and identify who will be responsible for its disposition (that is, the processing unit owner or the property owner/tenant).
  5. For all sewage effluent identified in the detailed project and process description, describe how the effluent will be managed or disposed of and identify who will be responsible for its disposition (that is, processing unit owner or the property owner/tenant).
  6. A description of any by-product generated by way of the activity. Describe the characteristics of the by-product and how it will be managed or disposed of and identify who will be responsible for its disposition (that is, the processing unit owner or the property owner/tenant).
  7. If the project will be removing soil (ex-situ soil cleanup), identify the proposed end use of the soil that has been treated by the processing unit, including the details of the proposed end use criteria if the soil is to be reused at the site.
  8. Description of the preparation for, prevention of, response to and recovery from an environmental emergency such as spills, potential fire and other possible emergencies including:
    • the equipment to be used;
    • the procedures to be followed and the chain of responsibility in handling such situations. Procedures for handling of waste generated by the emergency situations should also be included;
    • company and ministry notification procedures in case of emergency;
    • requirements for staff training related to emergency procedures.
  9. Description of the site security arrangements, that is, fencing, gates, supervision and description of the signs, including the information to be displayed.
  10. Proposed processing unit equipment decontamination procedures, if applicable.
  11. Maintenance requirements for the processing equipment.
  12. Staff training requirements based on the technology being used.
  13. Procedures for:
    • Recordkeeping, including waste classifications and the rates and volumes of waste that are managed at the site.
    • Describing how waste is stored or otherwise managed on-site and during shipment off-site.
    • Reporting to the ministry, including any monitoring results, spills, volumes and types of wastes received and processed.
    • Labelling of storage containers, storage areas and vehicle routes within the site.

    If your proposal is for use or operation of mobile equipment to clean up contaminated sites, also include the following in the design report:

  14. Equipment information for each unit in order to clearly identify the equipment, including:
    • the unit type, process description, equipment type, make, model, serial number;
    • where applicable, describe any pipes and their layout, any liners and their use, tanks and their storage capacities, blowers, compressors, pumps, equipment used for pile construction, soil turning, mixing, etc.;
    • if you rent generic equipment for the mobile unit on an as-needed basis you must provide a general description of the equipment (for example, rubber tire backhoe, excavator).
  15. The area to be served by the mobile unit, days and hours of operation anticipated, and the physical location of where the mobile unit will be stored when not in use.
  16. The number of mobile waste processing units to be operated.
  17. Proposed mobile unit equipment cleaning procedures and handling of waste generated by the cleaning procedures.

9. Hauled sewage (septage) disposal sites

You will need an ECA for a hauled sewage disposal site if you intend to accept hauled sewage, as defined by Ontario Regulation 347, General Waste Management Regulation(also commonly referred to as septage) at a site where it will be stored, land applied or otherwise deposited as a waste material. This includes disposal of hauled sewage in dewatering trenches that meet specified standards, as well as by other less common forms of disposal (for example semi-permeable geotextile membranes, reed beds or filter beds).

Not all sites that receive hauled sewage are considered to be a hauled sewage disposal site.  For example, if the hauled sewage is accepted for treatment at a sewage works with subsequent effluent discharge to the natural environment, then that receiving site requires an ECA as a sewage works. This would include municipal wastewater treatment facilities that accept hauled sewage for treatment, as well as dedicated hauled sewage treatment lagoons that discharge to the environment through a pipe.  Please refer to Part C, section 4 for more information about ECA application requirements for sewage works.

If you are proposing one of the following types of proposed hauled sewage disposal activities, please refer to the noted subsection for details on the technical information you are required to include with your ECA application:

  • surface spreading (refer to subsection 9.1)
  • standard dewatering trenches (refer to subsection 9.2)
  • exfiltration lagoon or non-standard dewatering trench (refer to subsection 9.3)
  • existing hauled sewage storage (with no discharge to the environment) (refer to subsection 9.4)
  • other means of disposing of hauled sewage (refer to subsection 9.5)

9.1 Surface spreading

If your project involves the surface spreading (land application) of hauled sewage, you are required to provide the following technical information with your ECA application for a new site, or for a renewal of an existing site:

9.1.1 Site plans/drawings

  1. A site plan (prepared to scale) that accurately illustrates the location of the proposed useable spreading area(s) relative to the site boundary.  The site plan must also identify the following features within the proposed useable spreading area(s):
    • where the soil depth is less than 30 centimetres and/or where rock outcrops exist
    • where the slope of land is 0-3% (flat), 3-6% (gentle), 6-9% (moderate) and/or greater than 9% (steep).  Please note that the maximum sustained slope in any part of the proposed useable spreading area(s) must not exceed 9%
    Where these features do not exist, a statement to that effect is to be provided.
  2. A topographic map (preferred scale = 1:10,000) or equivalent mapping information that accurately illustrates the location of the site in relation to local topographic features and surface water bodies.
  3. A map (prepared to scale) that accurately illustrates the proposed useable spreading area(s) and the location of the following features within 500 metres of the site boundary (where these features do not exist, a statement to that effect is to be provided):
    • roads (include road names)
    • surrounding land uses
    • all residences/residential area(s)
    • all known private wells
    • all municipal drinking water wells
    • all municipal surface water intakes
    • all permanent and ephemeral surface water bodies (such as lakes, ponds, and wetlands)
    • all permanent and intermittent watercourses (such as creeks, rivers, flow paths)
    • location of all drainage tile inlets within the site boundary (and within 500 metres, if known)

9.1.2 Soil evaluation/analysis

The ECA application must also include information demonstrating that the soils within the proposed useable area(s) are suitable for hauled sewage disposal and that disposal will not present undue risk to groundwater or surface water resources.  If hauled sewage infiltrates too quickly, the risk of groundwater contamination is increased. Soils with poor drainage may result in run-off which increases the risk of surface water contamination.

To allow an evaluation of the suitability of the soil within the proposed useable area(s), you must provide an estimate of both the soil percolation footnote 4 rate and permeability footnote 5 .

The percolation rate, or drainage characteristics for soils in the proposed useable area(s) may be determined by performing a percolation test, also known as a “perc test” or a “t-test”.  This can be completed by field testing of soils or by another equivalent method, such as laboratory testing of soil samples from the field (for example grain size analysis).  For a site to be suitable, you must demonstrate that the soils within the proposed useable area(s) have a t-time greater than 1 min/cm but less than 50 min/cm.  For existing sites where the t-times fall outside this range, a more detailed technical assessment of potential impacts to surface water and/or groundwater is required.

The permeability of soils in the proposed useable area(s) must also be estimated through field or laboratory testing. The soils must be characterized as: slow, moderate, moderately rapid, or rapid (or some combination thereof).

The following table provides a rough approximation of the relationship between the percolation rate and soil permeability; however, it is important that you rely on a qualified professional to appropriately determine the percolation rate and permeability of the soils in the proposed useable area(s).

Percolation rate (t-test) (minutes/cm)Permeability classification
Less than 10Rapid
10 to 25Moderately rapid to moderate
26 to 50Moderate to slow
Greater than 50Slow

The soil evaluation provided in support of the ECA application must include the following:

  • a description of the soil evaluation methodology (for example field testing, laboratory testing of samples collected from the proposed useable area(s))
  • description of the number of field tests performed/number of samples collected along with a map showing the location of testing/sampling footnote 6
    • if you elect to complete field percolation testing, no less than three t-tests should be completed at selected locations suitably spaced to reflect soil conditions across the proposed useable area(s)
  • for larger sites, more than three percolation tests may be required

Through field testing at the site, or based on a reliable alternative information source, you must also confirm the:

  • depth of soil from the to the bedrock is at least 1.5 metres
  • depth of soil from the ground surface in the spreading area(s) to the seasonal high-groundwater table is at least one metre

9.1.3 Generic criteria

As part of your ECA application, you should consider if the proposed useable spreading area(s) meet certain generic criteria, as outlined in Tables 7 - 9.

Where a site does not meet these criteria, or there are other unique site conditions, additional information may be required (for example surface water and/or ground water impact assessment, mitigative odour control measures) to support your ECA application. In these instances, input from the ministry’s RTSS is required to determine what information may be necessary to address possible impacts to water resources resulting from the proposed project.

Prior to submitting an ECA application, you are required to consult with your local district office, who will also engage the RTSS, to discuss the site-specific requirements.  Early engagement with RTSS, such as during the planning phase of the project and/or prior to the collection of baseline data, is highly recommended to avoid delays and help focus the scope of studies needed.  When you submit your ECA application, you must provide written confirmation from the RTSS confirming that the required report(s) has/have been reviewed and assessed by technical staff as being sufficient.

Table 7 identifies generic, minimum separation distance criteria from proposed useable spreading area(s) to surface water features, based on slope, soil permeability and method of hauled sewage application.

Table 7
Maximum sustained slopeSites with rapid to moderately rapid soilsSites with moderate or slow soilsSites where hauled sewage is injected or incorporated
0 - 3%60 metres120 metres60 metres
3 - 6%120 metres240 metres120 metres
6 - 9%180 metres360 metres180 metres
greater than 9%No HS to be appliedNo HS to be appliedNo HS to be applied

Table 8 identifies generic, minimum separation distance criteria related to wells.

Table 8
Minimum separation distance criteriaDescription of receptor
90 metresFrom outer edge of useable spreading area(s) to any private water well
100 metresFrom outer edge of useable spreading area(s) to any municipal drinking water well

Table 9 identifies generic, minimum separation distance criteria from sensitive receptors.

Table 9
Surface applicationIncorporation within 24 hours or injectionDescription of odour receptor
90 metresMay be reduced (e.g. 50 metres)A dwelling
450 metresMay be reduced  (e.g. 100 metres)Residential area footnote 7 or other "sensitive use" footnote 8 area
30 metres15 metresPublic roadway

9.2 Standard dewatering trenches

A dewatering trench is a long, narrow, shallow, gently sloped trench, excavated in permeable soils for the purpose of dewatering hauled sewage prior to final disposal.

A dewatering trench site is considered “standard” when:

  • it includes two or more dewatering trenches,
  • each individual trench is no longer than 75 metres, no wider than three metres and no deeper than one metre, and
  • is generally consistent with other key elements described in subsections 9.2.3 and 9.2.4.

If your project involves the disposal of hauled sewage in standard dewatering trenches, you are required to provide the following technical information with your ECA application:

9.2.1 Site plans/drawings

  1. A site plan (prepared to scale) that accurately illustrates the location of each individual dewatering trench relative to the site boundary. The site plan must also identify:
    • within 250 metres of an individual dewatering trench, areas where the soil depth is less than 30 centimetres and/or where rock outcrops exist;
    • within the dewatering trench area, where there is a sustained slope between 9-12% and/or greater than 12%.
    Where these features do not exist, a statement to that effect is to be provided.
  2. A topographic map (preferred scale = 1:10,000) or equivalent mapping information that accurately illustrates the location of the site in relation to local topographic features and surface water bodies.
  3. A map (prepared to scale) that accurately illustrates the individual dewatering trenches and the location of the following features in relation to the site boundary (where these features do not exist, a statement to that effect is to be provided):
    • roads (include road names) within 500 metres
    • surrounding land uses within one kilometre
    • all residences within one kilometre
    • all known private wells within 500 metres
    • all municipal drinking water wells within one kilometre
    • all municipal surface water intakes within one kilometre
    • all permanent and ephemeral surface water bodies (such as lakes, ponds, and wetlands) within one kilometre
    • location of all drainage tile inlets within the site boundary (and within 500 metres, if known)

9.2.2 Soil evaluation/analysis

Similar to ECA applications for hauled sewage spreading sites, you must provide an estimate of the soil t-time based on field testing of soils or by another equivalent method, such as laboratory testing of soil samples from the field, and a description of the sampling and methodology (please refer to subsection 9.1.2 for more information).  For a site to be considered a suitable standard dewatering trench site, you must demonstrate that the soils within the trenches have a t-time greater than 1 min/cm but less than 50 min/cm.

Through field testing at the site, or based on a reliable alternative information source, you must also confirm the:

  • depth of soil from the bottom of the dewatering trench to the bedrock is at least 3 metres, and
  • depth of soil from the bottom of the dewatering trench to the seasonal high-groundwater table is at least 1.5 metres.

9.2.3 Design and operations report

For renewal of existing sites, you must submit information on the current standard dewatering trench design.  For new or expanding sites, design and construction information must be provided.  In any case, a description of the site operations and the maintenance and inspections program should also be provided with your ECA application.

For a site to be considered a “standard” dewatering trench site, your ECA application should demonstrate that the design, construction and operations are reasonably consistent with the key elements listed below:

  • Dewatering trenches should be no longer than 75 metres, no wider than 3 metres and no deeper than 1 metre;
  • Each dewatering trench should be excavated with the long axis approximately perpendicular to the interpreted groundwater flow direction;
  • A minimum separation distance of 1.5 metres should exist between the high groundwater table and the lowest point of the bottom of the dewatering trench;
  • A minimum separation distance of 3.0 metres should exist between the bedrock and the lowest point of the bottom of each dewatering trench;
  • The bottom of all dewatering trenches should be graded to slope away from the location where hauled sewage is discharged into the trench.  The dewatering trench slopes must not exceed 1 (vertical) to 75 (horizontal);
  • Individual dewatering trenches should be a minimum of 5 metres apart.  Where possible, natural vegetation between trenches should be preserved, and the growth of vegetation between trenches should be promoted;
  • The ground in the vicinity of the dewatering trenches should be graded in a manner to prevent surface water from entering the trench;
  • Dewatering trenches  should be used in rotation (one at a time), with each trench given a “rest” period of several months to dry out;
  • Hauled sewage should be screened during or prior to unloading to a dewatering trench;
  • Hauled sewage should be discharged into the dewatering trench at the shallow end of the trench, with a splash plate or chute to dissipate the energy of the liquid entering the trench.

You may be required to provide additional construction or operational information to support your ECA application, and/or additional requirements may be imposed as part of the ECA.

A contingency plan that describes the actions you would take in the event of a spill, leak or other incident must also be prepared, as part of the design and operations report.  Finally, the report should also include a closure plan which describes for example, how you would dispose of dried sludge or solids residue remaining in the dewatering trenches, your plan to rehabilitate the dewatering trenches, and your plan for the proper abandonment of any groundwater monitoring wells that exist at the site.

9.2.4 Generic criteria

In addition to the key elements of a standard dewatering trench site described above, you should be prepared to identify in your ECA application if your proposal meets certain generic criteria, outlined below:

  1. The site has an area of at least eight hectares;
  2. You can demonstrate ownership or control of all land within a 500-metre radius of the dewatering trenches (new sites only);
  3. Dewatering trenches are located a minimum of 100 metres (accompanied by a surface water impact assessment report) or 200 metres from the nearest water course or surface water body;
  4. No tile drains within a 200-metre radius of the dewatering trenches;
  5. No drinking water wells within a 500-metre radius of the dewatering trenches;
    • If this criterion cannot be met, you should:
      • Provide the known or inferred groundwater flow direction in the vicinity of the trenches, along with a description of how this information was determined (for example based on in-situ water level measurements or water well records),
      • Demonstrate that there are no drinking water wells on lands located 500 metres downgradient of the dewatering trenches (if your proposal is for a new site, you should demonstrate ownership or control of these downgradient lands),
      • Demonstrate that there are no drinking water wells on lands located 100 metres cross-gradient and upgradient of the dewatering trenches (if your proposal is for a new site, you should demonstrate ownership or control of these cross-gradient and upgradient lands), and
      • Demonstrate the site has an area of at least 12 hectares;
  6. The total volume of hauled sewage to be discharged to the trenches is less than 700 cubic metres per year
  7. No public roadway within 30 metres of the dewatering trenches, and no residences or other sensitive receptors within 900 metres of the dewatering trenches. These setbacks may be reduced if you propose mitigative measures to address potential odour impacts.

You must also provide an estimate for financial assurance, supported by calculations and a minimum of two third-party quotes (for example to dispose of dried sludge or solids residue remaining in the trenches).  Refer to Part B, Section 8: Financial Assurance in this ECA guide  for further information.

Additional information may be required to support your ECA application, such as a surface water and/or groundwater impact assessment, or a plan for mitigative odour control measures.  Input from the ministry’s RTSS is required to determine what information may be necessary to address possible impacts to water resources resulting from the proposed project.  Prior to submitting an ECA application, you should consult with your local district office, who will also engage the RTSS, to discuss the site-specific requirements.  Early engagement with RTSS, such as  during the planning phase of the project and/or prior to the collection of baseline data is highly recommended to avoid delays and help focus the scope of studies needed.  When you submit your ECA application, you must provide written confirmation from the RTSS confirming that the required report(s) has/have been reviewed and assessed by technical staff as being sufficient.

Where a site does not meet the criteria for a standard dewatering trench site, or there are other unique site conditions, the proposal may be reclassified as a non-standard dewatering trench site, an exfiltration lagoon site or other sewage works.

9.3 Exfiltration lagoon or non-standard dewatering trenches

An exfiltration lagoon is a lagoon that is designed to allow the liquids portion of the hauled sewage  to seep into the subsurface soils, namely exfiltration.  A non-standard dewatering trench site is one that does not meet the standardized elements or criteria (as identified in Section 9.2).

If you are proposing a new exfiltration lagoon site or a non-standard dewatering trench site with designed discharge to the environment, you must apply for a sewage works ECA (please refer to Part C, Section 4 of this guide).

If you have an existing hauled sewage disposal site ECA for an exfiltration lagoon or non-standard dewatering trench site, you are required to provide the following technical information with your ECA application:

9.3.1 Site plans/drawings

  1. A site plan (prepared to scale) that accurately illustrates the location of the existing exfiltration lagoon or non-standard dewatering trenches relative to the site boundary.  The site plan must also identify:
    • within 250 metres of the useable area(s) where the soil depth is less than 30 centimetres and/or where rock outcrops exist
    • within the useable area(s), where there is a sustained slope greater than 9%
    Where these features do not exist, a statement to that effect is to be provided.
  2. A topographic map (preferred scale = 1:10,000) or equivalent mapping information that accurately illustrates the location of the site in relation to local topographic features and surface water bodies.
  3. A map (prepared to scale) that accurately illustrates the existing useable area(s) and the location of the following features within 1 kilometre of the lagoon/trenches (where these features do not exist, a statement to that effect is to be provided):
    • roads (include road names)
    • surrounding land uses
    • all residences
    • all known private wells
    • all municipal drinking water wells 
    • all municipal surface water intakes
    • all permanent and ephemeral surface water bodies (such as lakes, ponds, and wetlands)
    • all permanent and intermittent watercourses (such as creeks, rivers, flow paths)
    • location of all drainage tile inlets within the site boundary (and within 500 metres, if known)

9.3.2 Soil evaluation/analysis

Similar to ECA applications for hauled sewage spreading and standard dewatering trench sites, you must provide an estimate of the soil t-time based on field testing of soils or by another equivalent method, such as laboratory testing of soil samples from the field, and a description of the sampling and methodology (please refer to subsection 9.1.2 for more information).

Through field testing at the site, or based on a reliable alternative information source, you must also confirm:

  • depth of soil from the bottom of the dewatering trench to the bedrock is at least 3 metres, and
  • depth of soil from the bottom of the dewatering trench to the seasonal high-groundwater table is at least 1.5 metres.

9.3.3  Design and operations report

As part of a design and operations report, you must submit:

  • the current exfiltration lagoon or non-standard dewatering trench design (design drawings should be provided, if available).  This includes the year of construction and size of each lagoon/trench,
  • a basic description of the site operations,
  • confirmation if any groundwater or surface water monitoring is undertaken at the site (and submission of groundwater or surface water monitoring data, if available),
  • a contingency plan that describes the actions you would take in the event of a spill, leak or other incident,
  • a closure plan which describes for example, how you would dispose of dried sludge or solids residue remaining in the dewatering trenches, your plan to rehabilitate the dewatering trenches, your a plan for the proper abandonment of any groundwater monitoring wells that exist at the site.

You must also provide an estimate for financial assurance, supported by calculations and a minimum of two third-party quotes (for example to dispose of dried sludge or solids residue remaining in the trenches). Refer to Part B, Section 8: Financial assurance in this ECA guide for further information.

9.3.4  Other reports

Additional information may be required to support your ECA application, such as a surface water and/or groundwater impact assessment, more detailed hydrogeological assessment or a plan for mitigative odour control measures.  Input from the ministry’s RTSS is required to determine what information may be necessary to address possible impacts to water resources resulting from the proposed project.  Prior to submitting an ECA application, you are required to consult with your local district office, who will also engage the RTSS, to discuss the site-specific requirements.  Early engagement with RTSS, such as during the planning phase of the project and/or prior to the collection of baseline data, is highly recommended to avoid delays and help focus the scope of studies needed.  When you submit your ECA application, you must provide written confirmation from the RTSS confirming that the required report(s) has/have been reviewed and assessed by technical staff as being sufficient.

9.4 Existing hauled sewage storage facilities with no discharge to the environment

If you are applying for approval of a new dedicated hauled sewage storage facility, you must apply for a waste transfer/processing site ECA (please refer to Part C, Sections 5.7 and 5.10 of this guide).

For older hauled sewage storage sites that were previously approved as hauled sewage disposal sites, it is recommended that you contact the local district office to discuss your proposal to determine if you should apply for a waste transfer/processing site ECA, or a hauled sewage disposal site ECA.

If you are applying to renew or amend an existing ECA for a hauled sewage storage (such as earthen lagoons) that meets all of the following conditions:

  • storage does not discharge to the environment
  • ECA was previously issued by a ministry district office;
  • storage is not located at your truck yard
  • storage is located at your truck yard but is not in-transit storage (short-term storage of 14 days or less at a truck yard, in accordance with ministry requirements, is considered “in-transit storage” and is approved as part of a hauled sewage waste management system ECA)

You are required to provide the following technical information with your ECA application:

9.4.1 Site plans/drawings

  1. A site plan (prepared to scale) that accurately illustrates the location of the storage facility relative to the site boundary. The site plan must also identify, within 250 metres of an earthen storage facility, areas where the soil depth is less than 30 centimetres and/or where rock outcrops exist. Where these features do not exist, a statement to that effect is to be provided.
  2. A topographic map (preferred scale = 1:10,000) or equivalent mapping information that accurately illustrates the location of the storage facility in relation to local topographic features and surface water bodies.
  3. A map (prepared to scale) that accurately illustrates the storage facility and the location of the following features in relation to the site boundary (where these features do not exist, a statement to that effect is to be provided):
    • roads (include road names) within 500 metres
    • surrounding land uses within one kilometre
    • all residences and residential area(s) within one kilometre
    • all known private wells within 500 metres
    • all municipal drinking water wells within 500 metres
    • all municipal surface water intakes within 500 metres
    • all permanent and ephemeral surface water bodies (such as lakes, ponds, and wetlands) within 500 metres
    • location of all drainage tile inlets (within the site boundary)

9.4.2  Soil evaluation/analysis

For an earthen storage facility, you must provide an estimate of the soil t-time based on field testing of soils or by another equivalent method, such as laboratory testing of soil samples from the field, and a description of the sampling and methodology (please refer to subsection 9.1.2 for more information).

Through field testing at the site, or based on a reliable alternative information source, you must also confirm the:

  • depth of soil from the bottom of the earthen storage to the bedrock is at least 2 metres, and
  • depth of soil from the bottom of the earthen storage to the seasonal high-groundwater table is at least 2 metres.

9.4.3  Design and operations report

As part of a design and operations report, you must submit:

  • the current storage design, including:
    • engineered design documents
    • a statement that indicates if the construction was completed in accordance with the design
    • the year of construction and size of storage
    • for uncovered storage, a description of the freeboard (such as minimum 0.5 metres)
    • for earthen storage, a description if the storage was constructed with a liner (for example clay or synthetic)
  • a basic description of the site operations, including a description of maintenance and inspections programs
  • a description of the type of hauled sewage to be received and storage at the site
  • estimate of the total quantity of hauled sewage to be received and stored at the site each year
  • confirmation if any groundwater or surface water monitoring is undertaken at the site (and submission of groundwater or surface water monitoring data, if available)
  • a contingency plan that describes the actions you would take in the event of a spill, leak or other incident and the alternative destination that you would take the hauled sewage in the event that the storage facility is unavailable
  • a closure plan which describes for example, how you would empty and decommission the storage facility and fill, grade and restore the site

You must also provide an estimate for financial assurance, supported by calculations and a minimum of two third-party quotes (for example  to remove the hauled sewage from the storage facility). Refer to Part B, Section 8: Financial assurance in this ECA guide for further information.

9.4.4  Other reports

Additional information may be required to support your ECA application, such as a surface water and/or groundwater impact assessment, more detailed hydrogeological assessment or a plan for mitigative odour control measures.  Input from the ministry’s RTSS is required to determine what information may be necessary to address possible impacts to water resources resulting from the proposed project. 

Prior to submitting an ECA application, you are required to consult with your local district office, who will also engage the RTSS, to discuss the site-specific requirements.  Early engagement with RTSS, such as during the planning phase of the project and/or prior to the collection of baseline data, is highly recommended to avoid delays and help focus the scope of studies needed.  When you submit your ECA application, you must provide written confirmation from the RTSS confirming that the required report(s) has/have been reviewed and assessed by technical staff as being sufficient.

9.5 Other hauled sewage disposal methods

If your disposal method does not fit into the categories described in Section 9.1 to 9.3 above, it is recommended that you contact your local district office to discuss your proposal. For example, your method includes a proposal to use semi-permeable geotextile membranes, lime stabilization or other technology as a means of hauled sewage disposal.

Please note that if the proposed system is designed to discharge to the environment using a method other than land application (surface spreading) or a standard dewatering trench, you must apply for a sewage works ECA.

10. Processed organic waste (biosolids) land application sites

If your ECA application involves the land application of processed organic waste onto non-agricultural land for a beneficial use (for example, mining site reclamation), you must apply for an ECA and include technical information with your submission, as detailed in this section.

“Processed organic waste” means waste that is predominantly organic in composition and has been treated by aerobic or anaerobic digestion, or other means of stabilization.  It also includes sewage residue from sewage works that are subject to the provisions of the OWRA. Some benefits of using processed organic waste include improving existing soil health and promoting the growth of vegetative cover.

If any of the processed organic waste will be land applied at an agricultural operation, this activity is regulated by the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 (NMA) and typically requires a non-agricultural source material (NASM) plan. For information on NASM plans, refer to the Nutrient Management Protocol for Ontario Regulation 267/03.

10.1 Site map/plan

All processed organic waste land application site ECA applications must include one or more maps and site plans to fulfill these requirements:

  1. A site plan (prepared to scale) that accurately illustrates the location of the proposed processed organic waste land application area relative to the site boundary, and the following features (where these features do not exist, a statement to that effect is to be provided):
    • the location of any proposed long-term (such as greater than 14 days) on-site storage(s) must be shown
    • areas where the soil depth is less than 30 cm and/or where rock outcrops exist
    • areas where the slope of land is 0-3% (flat), 3-6% (gentle), 6-9% (moderate) or greater than 9% (steep)
  2. A topographic map (preferred scale = 1:10,000) or equivalent mapping information that accurately illustrates the location of the site in relation to local topographic features and surface water bodies.
  3. A map (prepared to scale) that accurately illustrates the processed organic waste land application area, and the location of the following features within 500 metres of the site boundary (where these features do not exist, a statement to that effect is to be provided):
    • all residences
    • all private wells
    • all municipal drinking water wells
    • the known or inferred groundwater flow direction in the vicinity of the site 
    • all permanent and ephemeral surface water bodies (such as lakes, ponds, and wetlands)
    • all permanent and intermittent watercourses (such as  creeks, rivers, flow paths)
    • all municipal drinking water system surface water intakes
    • the location of drainage structures (catch basins, tile drains, tile inlets and outlets, etc.) within the site boundary

10.2 Soil evaluation/analysis

Similar to ECA applications for hauled sewage spreading sites, you must provide information on soil characteristics in the proposed useable spreading area(s).  Where soil is present in this area(s), an estimate of the soil t-time based on field testing of soils or by another equivalent method, such as laboratory testing of soil samples from the field, and a description of the sampling and methodology (please refer to subsection 9.1.2 for more information).  If processed organic waste is proposed to be spread on bare rock or another surface area, for example on tailings area, a description of the surface should be provided with your ECA application.

Through field testing at the site, or based on a reliable alternative information source, you must also identify if the:

  • depth of soil from the ground surface in the land application area(s) to the bedrock is at least 1.5 metres, and
  • depth of soil from the ground surface in the land application area(s) to the seasonal high-groundwater table is at least one metre.

10.3 Processed organic waste analysis

As part of your ECA application you must include an analysis of the processed organic waste material(s) that you intend to land apply.  Sampling and analysis procedures should be consistent with the procedures contained in the Sampling and Analysis Protocol for Ontario Regulation 267/03 made under the NMA or other procedures acceptable to the ministry.  You may wish to consult with your local district office to confirm the required analysis.

10.4 Other technical information

Any proposal to utilize processed organic waste on land must demonstrate that its use will be of benefit to existing soil quality or promote the growth of ground cover or other vegetation at the site. The proposal must demonstrate that its use poses a minimal risk to plant growth, soil health, public and animal health, and the overall quality of the environment.

Your ECA application should include the following technical information:

  1. A waste/process description – a description of the specific components of the processed organic waste and the industrial or manufacturing process that generated the processed organic waste.
  2. Historical use of land application site – a description of the current site use, historical site use and whether the site has been used previously for waste application or disposal.
  3. Comments and recommendations to support beneficial use - all the analytical data for the processed organic waste and receiving site soils must be reviewed by a qualified person, like a  agronomist, acceptable to the ministry.  The qualified person must include comments on the beneficial use of the material. As part of this, you must:
    • confirm that the processed organic waste will supply plant nutrients, or has value as a soil amendment or growth media 
    • describe how the material will be used to support growth of ground cover or other vegetation (for example nutrient content, pH, organic content)
    • identify the presence of any contaminants in the processed organic waste that may be of concern, as well as any by-products that may result from the breakdown of the material through mixing with other materials or through land application
    • demonstrate that any contaminants of concern will be managed in such a way that risks to the natural environmental are low.
  4. Waste storage (if applicable) - a description of any proposed on-site waste storage activities (for example  lagoon, stockpile), including the proposed duration and location of the storage and the quantity of material to be stored at the site. 
  5. A description of the proposed processed organic waste land application methods.
  6. Groundwater and surface water protection – a description of the general controls and management methods that will be put in place to protect groundwater and surface water from land application activities.
  7. Odour control – a description of the measures that will be taken to control odours resulting from the land application or storage of the processed organic waste, and contingency procedures that will be taken should odour problems arise.
  8. Contingency plan – a description of actions that will be taken in the event of a spill, leak or other incident.

You may wish to consult with your local ministry district office to discuss the general ECA submission requirements and to confirm if any additional ministry guidance is available.


Footnotes

  • footnote[1] Back to paragraph Is the actual separation distance greater than the minimum separation distance?
  • footnote[2] Back to paragraph Do the predicted sound levels comply with the noise level limits for all PORs
  • footnote[3] Back to paragraph The drawings and specifications may be provided as stand-alone documentation or as part of another document. See the sections below for more details. Select all the appropriate items in Section 9 of the online ECA application regardless of how the drawings and specifications are submitted.
  • footnote[4] Back to paragraph Percolation describes the filtering or seepage of water through soil where there is no definite channel (e.g. macropore). Percolation rate is a measure of the rate of vertical seepage of water through a soil.
  • footnote[5] Back to paragraph Permeability describes the relative ease of movement of water through a porous medium such as soil.
  • footnote[6] Back to paragraph The number of field tests required depends on the size of the spreading area, the homogeneity of the soils in the spreading area and other site conditions.
  • footnote[7] Back to paragraph “Residential area” should be understood to be an area where there are 3 or more lots of not more than one hectare that are adjacent to each other or not separated by anything other than a road allowance or right of way and where each lot has a least one residential building.
  • footnote[8] Back to paragraph "Sensitive use" should be understood to mean residential, commercial, recreational or institutional uses, and locations at which people regularly congregate.