| #Q001 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | GNF Strategy and Registration Preparation | agricultural water, wastewater | These are the instructions for the determination of NUs reasonably expected in the GNF generated at the greenhouse operation as required for registration and the preparation of a GNF strategy submitted at the time of registration under O. Reg. 300/14 made under the Nutrient Management Act, 2002. | When registering and preparing a GNF strategy | high |
| #Q002 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Method 1 Applicability | agricultural water, wastewater | Use this method if generation of GNF is expected from one of the listed greenhouse crops and if the portion of leachate not reused in the closed circulation system is between 3.13 per cent and 50 per cent inclusive. | Generation of GNF is expected from one of the listed greenhouse crops and the portion of leachate not reused in the closed circulation system is between 3.13 per cent and 50 per cent inclusive | high |
| #Q003 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Method 1 Table Selection | agricultural water, wastewater | Choose the line in the Table most representative of the crop and the portion of leachate not reused in the closed circulation system. | When using Method 1 | high |
| #Q004 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Method 1 Intermediate Value Interpolation Constraint | agricultural water, wastewater | If your operation falls in between two values in the column entitled "Portion of Leachate not Reused in Closed Circulation System (GNF)" you must use the higher value. | If the operation falls in between two values in the specified column | high |
| #Q005 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Method 1 Area Determination | agricultural water, wastewater | Determine the greenhouse production area in ha for this crop and circulation system | When using Method 1 | high |
| #Q006 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Method 1 Volume Calculation | agricultural water, wastewater | To obtain the volume of GNF generated in a calendar year, multiply greenhouse production area by the value found in the column 'Volume of GNF Generated in a Calendar Year Per Unit Area of Greenhouse Crop Production' | When using Method 1 | high |
| #Q007 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Method 1 Nutrient Unit Calculation | agricultural water, wastewater | To obtain the number of nutrient units of GNF generated in a calendar year, multiply greenhouse production area by the value found in the column 'Number of Nutrient Units in GNF Generated in a Calendar Year Per Unit Area of Greenhouse Crop Production' | When using Method 1 | high |
| #Q008 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Method 2 Applicability | agricultural water, wastewater | Use this method only if the crop grown is not listed in method 1 or if the portion of leachate not reused in the closed circulation system is less than 3.13 per cent or greater than 50 per cent. | If the crop grown is not listed in method 1 or if the portion of leachate not reused in the closed circulation system is less than 3.13 per cent or greater than 50 per cent | high |
| #Q009 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Method 2 Volume Estimation | agricultural water, wastewater | Determine the volume (m3) of GNF that you estimate could be generated by a greenhouse in a calendar year | When using Method 2 | high |
| #Q010 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Method 2 Nutrient Unit Calculation | agricultural water, wastewater | To obtain the number of nutrient units in GNF generated in a calendar year, multiply the estimated volume of GNF generated in a calendar year by the value found in the column 'Nutrient Units per Volume of Expected GNF Generation in a Calendar Year' | When using Method 2 | high |
| #Q011 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Operation Level Aggregation | agricultural water, wastewater | Using either method as appropriate, repeat this process for all GNF expected to be generated at each greenhouse operation on the farm unit and add the NUs for each greenhouse operation. | When determining NUs for multiple greenhouse operations on the farm unit | high |
| #Q012 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Farm Unit Level Aggregation | agricultural water, wastewater | Add the NUs for all greenhouse operations on the farm unit to determine the number of nutrient units in the GNF generated on the farm unit in a calendar year. | When finalizing the total number of nutrient units generated on the farm unit | high |
| #Q013 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Mandatory EASR Registration | other | You must register your activity in the EASR through the ministry’s online services for environmental permissions. | For businesses undertaking specific activities or operating in sectors subject to registration | high |
| #Q014 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Registration Information Requirements | other | To complete the registration, you will be required to fill in mandatory information that includes: business name and contact information, physical location, details on activity, region-specific land use plans, existing approval numbers, verification of accuracy, and supporting materials. | | high |
| #Q015 | operational | operational | mandatory | Proof of Registration | other | Your electronic confirmation of registration is your proof of registration and is required before starting or continuing your activity. | | high |
| #Q016 | operational | operational | mandatory | Compliance with Activity and Record Keeping Requirements | other | Once registered, you must follow certain activity requirements and record keeping requirements for that activity. | | high |
| #Q017 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Mandatory Update for Inaccurate Information | other | You are required to update inaccurate information in your registration within 30 days of making a change or discovering an inaccuracy (for example, if you have changed your contact information). | When information in a registration is inaccurate | high |
| #Q018 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Activity Expansion or Change Registration Update | other | If you are changing or expanding your activity, you may be required to update any required reports and update your registration prior to making the changes, if applicable. | When changing or expanding a registered activity | high |
| #Q019 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Mandatory Request for Registration Removal | other | You are required to request removal of your registration from the EASR if you are no longer operating or no longer require your EASR registration. | When activity ceases or registration is no longer required | high |
| #Q020 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | New Owner Registration Requirement | other | EASR registrations are non-transferable. This means that if a facility or equipment is sold or otherwise transferred to a new owner, the registration does not transfer with the sale. The new owner will need to complete their own registration for the activity. | Upon sale or transfer of facility/equipment | high |
| #Q021 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Registration Applicability Determination | other | Review the following associated regulation and applicable guidance to determine whether your activity must be registered in the EASR based on the activity or sector-specific criteria. | Prior to registration or starting an activity | high |
| #Q022 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Information Disclosure Upon Request | other | you may be asked to make information available to the ministry upon request. | Upon request by the ministry during a registration review | high |
| #Q023 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Registration Removal Procedure | other | To have it removed, you must submit a request through your ministry account: select the 'Remove Service' option under the 'Manage Permissions' tab [and] provide the reason for the removal request | When requesting removal of registration | high |
| #Q024 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Ministry Approval of Chain of Custody Forms | drinking water | the content of the chain of custody form must be approved by the ministry. | Under the Drinking Water Testing Services regulation (Ontario Regulation 248/03) | high |
| #Q025 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Traceability of Chain of Custody Forms | drinking water | They must be traceable as to the origin of the sample. | | high |
| #Q026 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Minimum Chain of Custody Fields | drinking water | They must contain, at minimum, the following fields: identification of the laboratory, including name, address, telephone number; Drinking Water System (DWS) name, number, physical address and contact information; identification of the regulation that applies to the sample(s); name and signature of person who collected the sample; name and signature of person submitting the samples; sample type (raw, treated, distribution, plumbing); sample location name; date and time the sample was collected; chlorine residual (where applicable); requested parameters (i.e., E. coli, metals); person who received the samples at the laboratory — signature, date, time | | high |
| #Q027 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Chain of Custody Identification | drinking water | They must have a unique identifier and version number (example: form 1, version 1). | | high |
| #Q028 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Client-Generated Chain of Custody Approval | drinking water | If the laboratory agrees to use a client-generated chain of custody form, it must: 1. Review and pre-approve the chain of custody form as being fit for the laboratory’s use for drinking water samples. 2. Retain documentation of having done so. | When using a chain of custody form not generated by the laboratory | high |
| #Q029 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Identification of Reporting Exemptions | drinking water | The laboratory client (for example, DWS owner/operator) must identify and document any applicable reporting exemptions for regulated drinking water samples. | For regulated drinking water samples being submitted as non-reportable | high |
| #Q030 | operational | operational | mandatory | Sample Drop-off Depot Requirements | drinking water | Laboratories must ensure that drinking water samples... left at sample drop-off depots are: traceable to a particular sample drop-off depot; accompanied by a chain of custody or submission form; protected against degradation and/or chemical or biological changes; secured against loss and tampering | Samples collected for the purpose of the SDWA and/or HPPA | high |
| #Q031 | operational | reporting | mandatory | Adverse Result Release Procedure | drinking water | Laboratories must have a written procedure for authorization of an adverse test result for release | | high |
| #Q032 | operational | operational | mandatory | Staff Training and Protocol Adherence | drinking water | Laboratory staff... must: adhere to documented training requirements and policies for determining/comparing test results against the Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards (Ontario Regulator 169/03) and/or limits specifically cited in drinking water legislation; develop, document, and adhere to, laboratory policies/procedures relating to the business processes described in Table 1 | Analyzing drinking water samples | high |
| #Q033 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Chemical vs Microbiological Reporting Timeframes | drinking water | Laboratory staff... must: document and adhere to the same immediate adverse test result reporting timeframes for chemical testing as are in place for microbiological testing | | high |
| #Q034 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Adverse Reporting and Uncertainty | drinking water | Adverse results must be reported as required without any regard to calculated uncertainty estimations. | | high |
| #Q035 | prohibition | reporting | mandatory | Prohibition of Averaging Duplicate Data | drinking water | ensure that duplicate analyses are not averaged for the purpose of notification and reporting under the SDWA | When laboratories analyze drinking water samples in duplicate | high |
| #Q036 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Adverse Reporting for Duplicate Samples | drinking water | ensure that an Adverse Water Quality Incident is reported to the required authorities if found in either the first or second aliquot of a duplicate drinking water analysis | | high |
| #Q037 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Provisional Adverse Result Reporting Protocol | drinking water | Where a laboratory reasonably believes that an adverse result may be erroneous due to laboratory sample interference/contamination... the laboratory shall: 1. Document all details... 2. Report the adverse result... indicating that the result is provisional... 3. If the issue is not resolved within 24 hours, a written report is required... 4. Immediately take and document steps to investigate... 5. Keep SAC/PHU/DWS client updated... 6. If the result is confirmed as adverse, notify all parties... 7. If the result is not adverse, instruct SAC to discard... 8. Record all steps taken. | Reasonable belief of error due to interference/contamination (not QC failure) | high |
| #Q038 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | NDOG Reporting Requirement | drinking water | Where an observation of “over-crowding/confluent/non-identifiable microbial growth” is detected on a plate relating to analyses under the SDWA, licensed laboratories are required to report the results to the required parties as no data overgrown (NDOG) results. | | high |
| #Q039 | operational | operational | mandatory | Accredited Methods for Client Reporting | drinking water | Data reported to the laboratory’s clients... must: be produced by properly licensed and accredited analytical methods | Samples collected for analysis in accordance with the SDWA or HPPA | high |
| #Q040 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Numerical Identity of Reported Data | drinking water | Data reported to the laboratory’s clients... must: be numerically identical to any data reported to SAC/PHU /MOH/DWS owner/operator and uploaded to DWIS/LRMA | | high |
| #Q041 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | RDL Adherence in Client Reports | drinking water | Data reported to the laboratory’s clients... must: meet the ministry’s reporting detection limit (RDL) requirements, where applicable | | high |
| #Q042 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Chemical Data Significant Figures | drinking water | Data reported to the laboratory’s clients... must: be expressed to two to three significant figures for the expression of chemical data | | high |
| #Q043 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Reporting to Detection Limits | drinking water | Analytical results must be reported down to the ministry’s RDL, where no RDL exists, the results must be reported to the licensed method’s method detection limit (MDL). | | high |
| #Q044 | operational | operational | mandatory | Data Transfer Error Checks | drinking water | The ministry requires that laboratories have procedures in place to ensure that data transfer mechanisms and routines, both manual and electronic, are checked for errors. | | high |
| #Q045 | operational | operational | mandatory | MDL and RDL Relationship for Specific Parameters | drinking water | licensed laboratory must be able to achieve MDL at least equal to the RDL | For organic parameters Benzene, Terbufos, and Benzo[a]pyrene | high |
| #Q046 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Ministry Data Upload Deadline | drinking water | Results must be uploaded within 10 days of them being authorized for reporting. | To DWIS (SDWA) or LRMA (HPPA) | high |
| #Q047 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Aggregated Parameter Reporting | drinking water | the ministry requires that the “total” sum of the aggregate be reported, not individual parameters. | In the case where aggregated parameter data are to be reported to DWIS | high |
| #Q048 | operational | operational | mandatory | Aggregated Analysis Location Requirement | drinking water | the SDWA requires that the “total” analyses must be conducted at one laboratory. | For aggregated parameters | high |
| #Q049 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Data Error Correction Protocol | drinking water | When a laboratory identifies an error in their data reporting, the laboratory shall: 1. Document all details... 2. Contact the required parties... 3. If the data has already been uploaded to the ministry databases... Request the removal of the erroneous data... Upload correct results | Upon identification of error in data reporting | high |
| #Q050 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Adverse Result Error Retraction | drinking water | If the erroneous result was reported as an adverse water quality Incident, verbally contact SAC, DWS owner/operator and PHU and retract the erroneous result. Provide details about the error and the correct result. Provide written notification... directly on the ministry’s “Notice of Adverse Test Results and Other Problems and Notice of Issue Resolution at Drinking Water Systems” form. | When erroneous data was previously reported as an adverse result | high |
| #Q051 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | LRMA Data Correction Protocol | drinking water | Log onto LRMA and toggle the 'ignore' button to “true”. Upload the correct result under a new sub-mission ID. | Correcting erroneous data in the Laboratory result management system application (LRMA) | high |
| #Q052 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Mandatory Operator Certification | drinking water | To work as a drinking water operator in a municipal system or a regulated non-municipal system, you must have a valid certificate. | To work as a drinking water operator in municipal or regulated non-municipal systems | high |
| #Q053 | operational | operational | mandatory | Operator Standard of Care | drinking water | The Director under Ontario Regulation 128/04 entrusts and expects certified drinking water operators to: exercise care, diligence and skill in respect of the operations and maintenance of drinking water systems; act honestly, competently and with integrity, with a view to ensuring the protection and safety of the users of drinking water systems | As required under O. Reg. 128/04 | high |
| #Q054 | operational | operational | mandatory | Diligence in Record Keeping | drinking water | diligently maintain logs and records that are legible, accurate and that reflect the regulatory work I have conducted, so they can be relied upon by other operators, employers, regulators, and others as circumstances may warrant | Part of the required attestation for certification | high |
| #Q055 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Certificate Display Requirement | drinking water | make available to the owner or operating authority of the subsystem where I work a valid certificate of qualification so that it can be conspicuously displayed at my workplace or at the premises from which the subsystem is managed | Part of the required attestation for certification | high |
| #Q056 | administrative | operational | mandatory | OIT Certificate Prerequisites | drinking water | To obtain an OIT certificate, you must: have your Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent; pass the Operator-in-Training or Class I exam; pay the exam and certificate fee | To obtain an initial OIT certificate | high |
| #Q057 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Entry-Level Course Requirement | drinking water | You must take the Entry-Level Course for Drinking Water Operators to: renew an expiring OIT certificate for another 36 months; or obtain a Class 1 certificate | For renewal of OIT or upgrade to Class 1 | high |
| #Q058 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Class I Certification Prerequisites | drinking water | To become a certified Class I drinking water operator, you must: hold, or have previously held, an Operator-in-Training certificate; complete the entry-level drinking water operator course; work at least 1 year in a municipal drinking water system; pass the applicable Class I examination | To obtain a Class I certificate | high |
| #Q059 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Standard Certificate Renewal Requirements | drinking water | To renew your certificate (Class I - IV), you are required to complete the Mandatory Certificate Renewal Course offered by the Walkerton Clean Water Centre. You must also: complete the annual continuing education and on-the-job training requirements; have 3 months of experience in the past 3 years working as a drinking water operator — or related experience; pay the fee | To renew Class I - IV certificates every 3 years | high |
| #Q060 | operational | operational | mandatory | Supervised Person Prerequisites | drinking water | To become a supervised person, you must: be trained by a certified drinking water operator, who documents your training; work under the supervision of a certified drinking water operator; immediately advise the certified drinking water operator of all test results | To test chlorine residual and turbidity in designated systems | high |
| #Q061 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Exam Minimum Passing Score | drinking water | Before you can apply to become a certified drinking water operator, you must pass a certification exam (pass is 70%). | | high |
| #Q062 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Exam Level Progression Constraint | drinking water | You can only write an exam one class higher than the class of the certificate you now hold | When registering for certification exams | high |
| #Q063 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Exam Mandatory Identification | drinking water | You must also bring the following items to the exam or you will not be allowed to write it on your scheduled date: the confirmation letter from the Certification Office; a signed Water and Wastewater Operator Certification and Exam Code of Conduct; a government-issued photo ID; a document with your address | Mandatory for writing the scheduled certification exam | high |
| #Q064 | operational | operational | mandatory | Duty to Seek Guidance | drinking water | seek guidance and information from the Overall Responsible Operator or Operator-in-Charge, as applicable, when needed to help ensure the best course of action | When needed during operational work within a drinking water system | high |
| #Q065 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Workplace Conduct and Anti-Harassment | drinking water | abstains from acts of discrimination and harassment; avoids any abusive behavior towards any individual | Interaction with peers, apprentices, tradespeople, and others in the workplace | high |
| #Q066 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Prohibition of Gratuities | drinking water | not accepting gratuities | Relevant to employment as a drinking water operator | high |
| #Q067 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Administrative Honesty and Cooperation | drinking water | being honest when completing and submitting any application form, information or documents to support the assessment of my application(s), evaluation(s), or examination process(es); responding to any communications promptly, completely, and in the form requested; cooperating with the Certification Program Administrator | Communication with Certification Program Administrator, OWWCO, and Ministry | high |
| #Q068 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Certificate Upgrade Class Constraint | drinking water | You can’t apply for a certificate that is more than one class above your own. | When seeking to upgrade existing certification | high |
| #Q069 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Renewal of Expired Certificate (< 1 Year) | drinking water | If your certificate expires and you wait less than 1 year to replace it, you must: meet the regular requirements to renew your certificate; pay a late renewal fee, as well as the normal renewal fee | Certificate expired for less than one year | high |
| #Q070 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Renewal of Expired Certificate (> 1 Year) | drinking water | If your certificate expires and you wait over 1 year to replace it, you must: meet the qualifications in Regulation 128/04 for that type of class – this includes passing the certification exam; complete the Mandatory Certificate Renewal Course... pay a late renewal fee, as well as the regular renewal fee | Certificate expired for more than one year | high |
| #Q071 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Trained Person Certification | drinking water | To become a trained person, you must complete and pass the Operation of Small Systems for Trained Persons (O. Reg. 170/03) course. | To operate drinking water systems serving designated facilities as a 'trained person' | high |
| #Q072 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Class I Reciprocity Training Requirement | drinking water | If you hold any of the following 3 certificates, you must complete the required Entry Level Course — or training considered equivalent — before being issued a Class I Ontario certificate: Class I Water Treatment; Class I Water Distribution; Class I Water Distribution and Supply | For operators certified outside Ontario holding specific Class I certificates | high |
| #Q073 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Mandatory Exam Wait Period | drinking water | must wait a minimum of 90 days from the date you write your exam to take the next class level exam or to re-write an exam, after failure. | Prior to re-writing an exam or taking the next class level exam | high |
| #Q074 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Ministerial Environmental Penalty Program Review | wastewater, aquatic life, other | At least once every five years, the Minister shall cause a report to be prepared and published on the operation of this section, including the effect of this section on prosecutions under this Act and including recommendations on the contraventions to which and circumstances in which orders should be issued under subsection (1). | Every five years in accordance with section 182.1(20) of the EPA and section 106.1(20) of the OWRA | high |
| #Q075 | operational | operational | mandatory | Incident Evaluation Duty | wastewater, aquatic life, other | Each spill or non-compliance incident is evaluated by ministry staff on a case-by-case basis to determine an appropriate response. | Upon discovery or reporting of a spill or non-compliance incident | high |
| #Q076 | operational | operational | mandatory | Risk-Based Response Initiation | wastewater, aquatic life, other | Staff initiate a response to an environmental incident using a risk-based approach and applying their professional judgement. | Responding to an environmental incident | high |
| #Q077 | administrative | reporting | guidance | Notice of Intention Review Request Window | wastewater, aquatic life, other | A regulated party that has received a notice of intention may submit a written request within 15 days of the date of the notice that the ministry review information about the incident. | Upon receiving a notice of intention to issue an environmental penalty order | high |
| #Q078 | operational | operational | mandatory | Settlement Agreement Project Requirements | wastewater, aquatic life, other | These agreements require the regulated person to take steps beyond those required by law to complete a pollution prevention or reduction project including facility-based pollution prevention or pollution reduction projects that aim to yield human health or environmental benefits beyond those required by environmental laws. | When a regulated person enters into a settlement agreement to reduce the gravity component of a penalty | high |
| #Q079 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Environmental Penalty Order Appeal Deadline | wastewater, aquatic life, other | A regulated person that has been issued an order has the right to appeal it to the Environmental Review Tribunal within 15 days of the order, unless it has agreed not to appeal as part of a settlement agreement. | Following the issuance of an environmental penalty order | high |
| #Q080 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Environmental Penalty Order Issuance Timeline | wastewater, aquatic life, other | The ministry has one year from the later, of the date on which violation occurred, or the date on which evidence of the violation first came to the attention of the ministry to issue an environmental penalty order. | Statutory limitation period for issuing orders | high |
| #Q081 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Penalty Fund Deposit Requirement | wastewater, aquatic life, other | All funds collected from environmental penalty orders are deposited into the Ontario Community Environment Fund. | Upon collection of penalty payments | high |