Register a Municipal Sewage Discharge

Compliance with the Municipal Wastewater Regulation (MWR) provides authorization for a discharge of municipal effluent or use of reclaimed water in B.C.

The registration guidance below is to assist with, and simplify, the Municipal Wastewater Regulation’s registration process for wastewater facility owners, operators and consultants.

This guidance does not replace the Environmental Management Act (EMA) or its regulations. It does not list all provisions relating to municipal wastewater discharges. If there are differences or omissions in this document, the EMA and regulations apply. 

Is the Municipal Wastewater Regulation applicable?

As a first step, you should review the information below and retain a qualified professional to determine if the Municipal Wastewater Regulation (MWR) is applicable to your discharge.

To determine if the proposed discharge is covered under the MWR please review the application section of the MWR (Section 4). A qualified professional will be able to determine the wastewater design flow requirements for your site. The Ministry of Health’s Sewerage System Standard Practice Manual may be used as a guide to determine the design flows for smaller systems.

Please note that for discharges to ground less than 22.7m3/day, the Public Health Act’s Sewerage System Regulation may apply.

If the MWR applies, a qualified professional will be able to evaluate your site, conduct the required studies, produce the appropriate plans, complete the required design work, and assist with, or complete the MWR registration process.

Prior to the pre-registration meeting, it is recommended that dischargers:

• Become familiar with the guidance information below;
• Become familiar with the content of the MWR. You may wish to obtain legal advice for more information about the Environmental Management Act (EMA) and the MWR and how they apply to you;
• Ensure their proposal will meet the requirements of the MWR;
• Be aware of and satisfy any local government, other provincial ministries and federal government requirements. For example, local governments generally have land use authority and the appropriate land use approvals for the project should be sought prior to registering a discharge;
• Determine if a Liquid Waste Management Plan will apply to the facility or discharge. 

Pre-registration Activities

The ministry recommends that a pre-registration meeting between the discharger and the Regional Environmental Protection Director (the director) be held prior to the formal registration of a discharge. The meeting should be held at least 60 days before you intend to register. 

Please review and familiarize yourself with the Municipal Wastewater Regulation and the registration guidance contained on this page prior to arranging the pre-registration meeting with the director. 

The pre-registration meeting is intended to provide an opportunity for dischargers to: 

• Describe the proposed discharge to the director;
• Confirm the requirements of the MWR;
• Confirm the appropriate level of detail required for the environmental impact studies, operating plans, operator requirements and monitoring;
• Confirm whether security applies to the discharge and, if so, consider which option to select; and
• If required, obtain direction from the director regarding contact with other agencies.

The pre-registration meeting is an opportunity for the director to: 

• Identify any concern with the proposal;
• Determine whether additional requirements or more stringent standards are likely; and
• Provide input into the terms of reference for the environmental impact study.

Registration

This section is intended to be a guide to assist with the completion and submission of the documents that make up the registration package. Please keep copies of all documents submitted for your records.  

Registration Document Checklist

The optional Registration Document Checklist can be used to help prepare the registration package and prevent unnecessary delays in the registration process. The checklist can be used for new registrations, or when revising or transferring an existing registration. The checklist contains a brief description of each document required for registration, and a reference to the applicable section of the MWR.

• Registration Document Checklist (XLS) (optional)

Forms & Fees

For registration form(s), fee information and additional guidance, see how to apply for a waste discharge authorization.

Technical Information Summary Sheet

The Technical Information Summary Sheet (summary sheet) must be submitted with the registration package.

The purpose of the summary sheet is to satisfy Section 12 of the MWR and to provide ministry staff and facility owners with a quick reference to key registration information. The summary sheet will also allow ministry staff to conduct compliance activities with greater efficiency. The summary sheet is also a valuable reference tool for wastewater treatment facility owners and operators.

• Technical Information Summary Sheet (DOC)

Certification by Qualified Professionals Sheet

The Certification by Qualified Professionals Sheet (signoff sheet) must be submitted with the registration package. The purpose of the signoff sheet is to satisfy Section 15 of the MWR and to provide a consistent template for professionals to use. 

The intent of the signoff sheet is to provide assurance to the regulator that the design of the facility and associated documentation meets the requirements of the regulation or requirements imposed by the director. The signoff sheet does not replace any other professional signoff that would normally be required for individual documents, such as design drawings or environmental impact studies.

• Certificate by Qualified Professionals Sheet (PDF)

Registration Effective Date

Registration takes effect on the date the director notifies the person that all of the required information has been received in the form and manner acceptable to the director. 

You should expect to receive a written notification of registration, or that additional information is required prior to registration. 

Please note that notification by the director of registration is not evidence that the requirements of the Environmental Management Act or MWR have been met. 

Updating or Transferring an Existing Registration

The optional Registration Checklist (see above) will guide you through the process of updating or transferring an existing registration. Once the required documents are completed, submit the revised package according to the above instructions.

Please note that the MWR includes specific timelines that must be adhered to when updating or transferring a registration (see below). You must also include the application processing fee for updates or transfers.

Transfer of registration

• The discharger must notify the director of an intent to transfer the registration at least 30 days before the transfer.
• A transfer of registration (from a developer to a strata corporation for example) would typically only require submission of a revised registration form. Please refer to section 16 of the MWR to determine if additional information is required. 
• Any changes to registration information must be reported to the director within 30 days, along with any revised documentation, if applicable.  
• The documents to be submitted depend on the extent of revision. If only administrative information is being updated (updating contact or landowner information for example) then only a revised registration form would be required. 
• If the revision is required due to a change in the registered discharge or because of updated documentation (plans, drawings, studies, etc.) then the revised documentation must be submitted along with a revised registration form. Please refer to section 16 of the MWR.

E.g. updated information could include an updated operational plan with finalized operation and maintenance information and sealed as-constructed drawings, which reflect changes made during construction.

Financial Security Requirements

If the discharger is an individual, company or strata corporation, the MWR requires one the following be established:

• a capital replacement fund and provision of security or,
• an assurance plan acceptable to the director.

This requirement is intended to assure reasonable operation and maintenance of wastewater facilities so that the occupancy of principal residents, public health, and the environment are not jeopardized. 

Under special circumstances, contributions from the capital replacement fund and/or security may be accessed by the director and used for repair, operation, maintenance, replacement and/or improvement of a wastewater facility as specified in Section 30 of the MWR.  

The requirements for establishing a capital replacement funds, security and assurance plans are specified in the MWR in Division 5 – Security and Assurance Plans. 

Note: The security requirements do not apply if the discharger is a municipality, or if the discharge is from a service area defined and governed by a local service area bylaw.