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.
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:
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:
The pre-registration meeting is an opportunity for the director to:
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.
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.
For registration form(s), fee information and additional guidance, see how to apply for a waste discharge authorization.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Event | Notification/Submission | Timeline |
---|---|---|
Change to registration information on file | Notify director, submit revised information | 30 days prior |
Transfer of registration | Notify director of intended transfer. Submit revised information, if applicable. | 30 days prior |
Providing reclaimed water | Notify the applicable health officer in writing. Provide proof of the above notification to the director. | Notify Health Officer at least 60 days before registering the proposed use of reclaimed water. |
Provide audited financial statements of capital replacement fund for the previous year. | Submit financial statements to the director. | Within 90 days from the end of the discharger’s fiscal year. |
Prior to begining of discharge | Notify the director that discharge will begin and submit sealed as-constructed design drawings of the facility. | Within 30 to 60 days before beginning of discharge. |
Just after begining of discharge |
Notify the director that discharges have started. |
Not more than 7 days after beginning to discharge. |
Prior to bypass which may cause the discharge to fail any requirement of the MWR. | Notify director of intent to bypass. Receive authorization to bypass. Comply with bypass conditions imposed by the director. | At least 30 days before start of bypass. |
Unauthorized bypasses, overflows or spills. | Report in accordance with the Spill Reporting Regulation. | Report in accordance with the Spill Reporting Regulation. |
System malfunction which may cause the discharge to fail any requirement of the MWR. | Notify director and health officer. | Immediately. |
Failed routine toxicty test. | Notify director. | Immediately. |
Assurance plan coverage ending. | Notify director. | Within 30 days of coverage ending. |
Annual report for discharges serving populations greater than or equal to 10,000 or for use of reclaimed water. | Submit annual report to director. | Prior to May 1 of each year for discharges serving greater populations. |
If the discharger is an individual, company or strata corporation, the MWR requires one the following be established:
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.