| #Q001 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Subsystem Classification Application | drinking water | The owner of a municipal residential subsystem must file an application with the Director to have the type and classification of their subsystem determined. | Applies to owners of municipal residential subsystems | high |
| #Q002 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Certificate of Classification Display | drinking water | The owner must ensure that the certificate of classification is conspicuously displayed at the subsystem or, if this is not practical (e.g. at some distribution systems), the certificate should be displayed at the premises from which the subsystem is managed. | | high |
| #Q003 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Subsystem Reclassification Application | drinking water | If the subsystem is altered or no longer meets the criteria under which it was originally classified, the owner must apply to have the classification re-determined. | If the subsystem is altered or no longer meets the criteria under which it was originally classified | high |
| #Q004 | operational | operational | mandatory | Certified Operator Functions | drinking water | A person must be certified as an operator in order to perform the following functions (also referred to as operating functions): control flow or pressure of drinking water in drinking water subsystems; disinfect or treat water using chemicals and/or through making adjustments to treatment equipment; monitor gauges, meters and control valves related to disinfection, treatment or distribution of drinking water; conduct water tests for the 24 operational parameters listed under O. Reg. 248/03 (e.g. testing for chlorine residual, turbidity, alkalinity, pH, etc.); start and stop pumps, engines and generators to control and adjust flow and treatment; open and close valves and gates, whether done manually or by remote control... add chlorine or other chemicals to the 'distribution' or 'distribution and supply' subsystem; perform wet-taps; flush hydrants; isolate watermains and reconnect isolated watermains; maintain logs (e.g., shift logs) or other forms of record-keeping related to treatment and distribution activities in the subsystem, make entries into such logs/records including meter and gauge readings | | high |
| #Q005 | operational | operational | mandatory | Water Testing Licencing | drinking water | Any other water test (analysis) prescribed by O. Reg. 170/03 must be done by a person or laboratory holding a 'drinking water testing services' licence issued by the ministry. | Applies to water tests other than the 24 operational parameters listed under O. Reg. 248/03. | high |
| #Q006 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Operator Certificate Display | drinking water | The owner or operating authority must clearly display the certificate of every operator they employ at the operator’s workplace, or if this is not practical, such as for a distribution system, at the premises from which the subsystem is managed. | | high |
| #Q007 | operational | operational | mandatory | Operator Training Provision | drinking water | The owner or operating authority must take reasonable steps to ensure that every operator employed in their subsystem completes the required hours of training each year over the three years between certificate renewals. | | high |
| #Q008 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | On-the-Job Training Recordkeeping | drinking water | The owner or operating authority must keep records for five years of all the on-the-job practical training completed by operators in their employ. Such record should include the: name of the operator; date of the training; method used for training; name of instructor(s); duration of each training session taken by such operator; subject(s) covered | | high |
| #Q009 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Continuing Education Training Records | drinking water | Operators must keep records of continuing education training in order to be able to submit such record to the Ontario Water Wastewater Certification Office along with the application for certificate renewal. | | high |
| #Q010 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | WQA Certificate Display | drinking water | The owner or operating authority must ensure that a copy of the WQA's certificate is clearly displayed at the WQA's workplace, or if that is impractical, at the premises from which the workplace is managed. | | high |
| #Q011 | operational | operational | mandatory | Overall Responsible Operator Designation | drinking water | The owner or operating authority must designate an overall responsible operator (ORO) to ensure that a knowledgeable, experienced staff person is available at all times to provide advice to all operators working within the subsystem and to respond immediately and effectively to emergencies. | | high |
| #Q012 | operational | operational | mandatory | ORO Qualification for Municipal Residential Subsystems | drinking water | The owner or operating authority of each municipal residential subsystem must designate as ORO, an operator who holds a certificate for that type of subsystem and that is of the same class as or higher than the class of that subsystem. | Applies to municipal residential subsystems | high |
| #Q013 | operational | operational | mandatory | ORO Qualification for Limited Subsystems | drinking water | The owner or operating authority of each limited subsystem must designate as ORO, an operator who holds a limited subsystem operator’s certificate for that type of subsystem. | Applies to limited subsystems | high |
| #Q014 | operational | operational | mandatory | Operator-In-Charge Designation | drinking water | The owner or operating authority of each subsystem must designate one or more operators-in-charge (OIC). | | high |
| #Q015 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | OIC Time Recordkeeping | drinking water | The owner or operating authority must ensure that records are maintained of the amount of time each operator works as an OIC. | | high |
| #Q016 | operational | operational | mandatory | Operator-In-Charge Duties | drinking water | The operator-in-charge shall: take all steps reasonably necessary to operate the processes within his or her responsibility in a safe and efficient manner, in accordance with the relevant operations manuals; ensure that the processes within his or her responsibility are measured, monitored, sampled and tested in a manner that permits them to be adjusted when necessary; ensure that records are maintained of all adjustments made to the processes within his or her responsibility; ensure that all equipment used in the processes within his or her responsibility is properly monitored, inspected and evaluated and that records of equipment operating status are prepared and available at the end of every operating shift | | high |
| #Q017 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Watermain Break Inspection and Classification | drinking water | Upon completion of the excavation, the OIC shall conduct a visual inspection to determine the nature of the break. The OIC will assess the evidence of contamination or potential contamination of the watermain before and during the repair procedure, and shall classify the break as a Category 1 or Category 2 as per the Watermain Disinfection Procedure. | During and upon completion of excavation for a watermain break | high |
| #Q018 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Strike or Lockout Plan Submission | drinking water | To assist the Director in making such a determination, at least 14 days prior to the legal strike or lock-out date, the owner or operating authority must submit a strike plan containing specific information. | Prior to a legal strike or lock-out involving operators employed in a subsystem | high |
| #Q019 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Subsystem Operation Log Provision | drinking water | The owner or operating authority must ensure that logs or other forms of record-keeping are available to record information about the operation of the subsystem. | | high |
| #Q020 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Subsystem Log Entry Rules | drinking water | Entries into such records must be made chronologically. Entries can only be made by the ORO, the OIC or by a person authorized to do so by the owner, operating authority, ORO or the OIC. The person who makes the entry must be clearly identified on the record. | | high |
| #Q021 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Subsystem Log Operating Shift Information | drinking water | The OIC or another authorized person must record the following information on each operating shift: date, time of day the shift began and ended, and number or designation of the shift; names of all operators on duty during the shift; any departures from normal operating procedures that occurred during the shift and time they occurred; any special instructions that were given during the shift to depart from normal operating procedures and the person who gave the instructions; any unusual or abnormal conditions that were observed in the subsystem during the shift, any action that was taken and any conclusions that were drawn from the observations; and any equipment that was taken out of service or ceased to operate during the shift and any action taken to maintain or repair equipment during the shift. | During each operating shift | high |
| #Q022 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Subsystem Log Accessibility and Retention | drinking water | The owner or operating authority must ensure that all records are accessible at the subsystem for at least five years after the last entry (in the case of a book type record keeping method) or for at least five years after each entry (in the case of a loose-leaf or electronic record keeping method). Copies or summaries of the records must be given to the Director when requested. | | high |
| #Q023 | operational | operational | mandatory | Operation and Maintenance Manuals Access | drinking water | The owner or operating authority of a subsystem shall ensure that operators and maintenance personnel in the subsystem have ready access to the comprehensive operations and maintenance manuals that contain plans, drawings and process descriptions sufficient for the safe and efficient operation of the subsystem. | | high |
| #Q024 | operational | operational | mandatory | Summary of Owner and Operating Authority Responsibilities | drinking water | Responsibilities of owners and operating authorities include: file an application for subsystem classification; ensure the certificate of subsystem classification is displayed in the workplace; ensure that a copy of the certificate of every certified operator and water quality analyst in their employ is conspicuously displayed at the workplace of the operator or the water quality analyst, of if this is not practical, then at the premises from which the workplace is managed; designate an overall responsible operator; designate one or more operators as operators-in-charge; ensure that records are maintained of the amount of time each operator works as an operator-in-charge; ensure that logs or other record-keeping mechanisms are provided to record information concerning the operation of the subsystem; ensure that logs and other record-keeping methods are accessible in the subsystem for: at least five years after last entry was made if a book type record, at least five years after each entry was made if a loose-leaf or electronic record is kept on a continuous basis; ensure that operators and maintenance personnel have ready access to comprehensive operations and maintenance manuals that contain plans, drawings, and process descriptions sufficient for the safe and efficient operation of the subsystem; take reasonable steps to ensure that every operator and water quality analyst in the employ complete the required annual number of hours of training; retain training records for on-the-job training for operators and water quality analysts in their employ for at least five years | | high |
| #Q025 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Spill Reporting Requirement | wastewater, aquatic life | Any spill must be reported immediately to the City via 311, Toronto's 24-hour hotline. A spill report shall be submitted to Toronto Water in accordance with Chapter 681 within 5 days of the spill. | Upon occurrence of a spill | high |
| #Q026 | operational | operational | mandatory | Spill Response Plan Maintenance | wastewater | The owner/operator of a FSE shall: Have an up-to-date spill response plan demonstrating it has provided suitable training on its plan to its employees; Post the spill response plan in a location readily accessible by facility staff; Have an appropriate quantity of clean-up equipment and supplies in stock at all times. | Standard operational requirement for FSEs | high |
| #Q027 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Record Keeping and Retention | wastewater | The owner/operator of a FSE shall keep and maintain accurate and up-to-date records (e.g. service contracts, invoices) on grease, oil and waste oil and grease disposed of offsite. Each of these records shall be retained for a minimum period of seven (7) years. | | high |
| #Q028 | design | treatment | mandatory | Grease Interceptor Installation | wastewater | Chapter 681 - Sewers requires that owners and operators of FSEs properly install, operate, and maintain a grease interceptor in any piping system at its premise that connects directly or indirectly to a municipal sanitary sewer. | Any piping system connecting to municipal sanitary sewer | high |
| #Q029 | operational | operational | mandatory | Servicing Frequency (25% Rule) | wastewater | Except otherwise determined by the General Manager, the grease interceptor shall be serviced before the grease and solids, combined, reach 25% of the interceptor's liquid volume or every four weeks, whichever is earlier. | Standard maintenance interval | high |
| #Q030 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Prohibition of Chemical Agents | wastewater | The owner/operator of a FSE shall not use or permit the use of chemical agents, bleach, enzymes, bacteria, solvents, hot water, or other agents to facilitate the passage of FOG through a grease interceptor (including a gravity grease interceptor). | | high |
| #Q031 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Storm Sewer Protection Prohibition | aquatic life | The owner/operator of a FSE shall not permit wastewater entering catch basins from, but not limited to: Inside the facility (e.g. mop water); Outdoor cleaning (e.g. power washing); Leakage from outdoor waste/oil bins; Exhaust system cleaning. | Applies to all catch basins and storm sewers | high |
| #Q032 | corrective_action | operational | mandatory | Sewer Blockage Flushing Protocol | wastewater | Use a MOECC approved flusher truck to flush any FOG blocked lines and vacuum to suck up the FOG and other contents. FOG and any other contents in blocked lines cannot be flushed to the City sewer system. | When repairing or unclogging a privately owned plumbing/sewer line | high |
| #Q033 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | General Discharge Prohibition | wastewater | The owner and operator of a FSE shall not discharge into a municipal sanitary, storm, or combined sewer any waste or matter that contravenes Chapter 681 - Sewers. | | high |
| #Q034 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Business Licensing Requirement | other | All food service establishments operating in the City of Toronto shall have a business licence issued by the Municipal Licensing and Standards Division. | | high |
| #Q035 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Installation Permitting Requirement | wastewater | All food service establishments operating in the City of Toronto shall have a permit issued by the Toronto Building Division for the installation of a grease interceptor(s). | | high |
| #Q036 | design | treatment | mandatory | Mandatory Connection Fixtures | wastewater | The owner or operator of a FSE shall have the following plumbing fixtures connected to a grease interceptor, grease recovery device, or a gravity grease interceptor: Sinks used for washing pots, pans, dishes, cutlery and kitchen utensils; Drains serving self-cleaning exhaust hoods installed over commercial cooking equipment; Drains serving commercial cooking equipment; Any other fixture that discharges wastewater containing oil and grease. | | high |
| #Q037 | design | operational | mandatory | Prohibited Connection Fixtures | wastewater | The owner/operator of a FSE shall not allow the following plumbing fixtures to be connected to a grease interceptor, grease recovery device, or gravity grease interceptor: Toilets, urinals and hand sinks; Food/garbage grinders, potato peelers and similar equipment discharging solids (unless they discharge to a solids interceptor prior to being connected to the grease interceptor, grease recovery device or gravity grease interceptors). | | high |
| #Q038 | operational | treatment | mandatory | Professional Servicing Requirement | wastewater | Servicing (cleaning) shall be performed by a Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) approved waste carrier. | Standard requirement unless low volume manual servicing criteria are met | high |
| #Q039 | operational | reporting | mandatory | Employee Training Recordkeeping | wastewater | Hold regular employee training on regulations, safety, proper waste management, spill response and record keeping and retention and document the training and keep records on site for 7 years. | | high |
| #Q040 | operational | operational | mandatory | Mobile Vendor Wastewater Management | wastewater | All mobile food vendor owners/operators shall: Store wastewater on site in a separate container from the clean (potable) water and have it labelled dirty water and/or wastewater. | | high |
| #Q041 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Special Event Wastewater Discharge Prohibition | aquatic life | Organizers of special events and festivals shall ensure that: Wastewater is not discharged into the natural environment, roads, ditches, catch basins or directly or indirectly into a municipal storm sewer. | | high |
| #Q042 | operational | treatment | mandatory | Special Event Interceptor Requirement | wastewater | Organizers of special events and festivals shall ensure that: Wastewater from food preparation (e.g. mobile food trucks) shall discharge through a grease interceptor. | | high |
| #Q043 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Record Transfer on Ownership Change | other | If a FSE changes its owner or operator, the departing owner or operator shall transfer to the incoming owner or operator, as the case may be, all records required to be maintained under this provision or Chapter 681 - Sewers. | Upon change of owner or operator | high |
| #Q044 | design | operational | mandatory | Grease Interceptor Flow Direction Marking | wastewater | the inlet and outlet shall be clearly identified to indicate the direction of flow. | During installation of grease interceptors | high |
| #Q045 | reporting | operational | mandatory | Grease Interceptor Drawing Maintenance | wastewater | If the markings are not visible following installation, manufacturer and installation drawings of the grease interceptor must be maintained at the food service establishment and available for inspection on request by the General Manager. | When manufacturer markings are not visible | high |
| #Q046 | design | operational | mandatory | Grease Interceptor Siting Requirements | wastewater | The owner or operator of a FSE is required to locate a grease interceptor (including a gravity grease interceptor) in areas: That provide adequate access for interceptor maintenance and inspection. That provide access for an effluent sampling port when required under Chapter 681 - Sewers. | | high |
| #Q047 | corrective_action | treatment | mandatory | Grease Interceptor Replacement Order | wastewater | If the Toronto Water General Manager determines that an existing grease interceptor is detrimentally affecting the municipal sewage works or any part of it (e.g. a municipal sewer connection or sewer), such as by interfering with water flow or drainage, a new grease interceptor shall be installed in accordance with Chapter 681 - Sewers. | Upon determination of detrimental effect by General Manager | high |
| #Q048 | design | treatment | mandatory | Commercial Dishwasher Connection | wastewater | The owner/operator of a FSE shall connect a commercial dishwasher to an appropriately sized grease interceptor (as per the Ontario Building Code). | Unless a pre-rinse sink is used at the dishwasher inlet discharging to a grease interceptor | high |
| #Q049 | operational | treatment | mandatory | Solids Interceptor Daily Service | wastewater | Solids interceptor with a built-in container to collect solids shall be serviced as indicated above but the solids and liquids from the strainer and vessel will be removed on a daily basis. | | high |
| #Q050 | operational | treatment | mandatory | Grease Recovery Device Daily Maintenance | wastewater | A grease recovery device shall be maintained in the following manner: As per the manufacturer's recommendation. Remove solids and liquids from strainer and vessel on a daily basis. | | high |
| #Q051 | operational | treatment | mandatory | Manual Interceptor Servicing Protocol | wastewater | The FSE performing this manual cleaning shall: Perform a weekly surface bailout where surface FOG and solids are removed. Perform a monthly vacuuming where FOG, solids and water are removed and the grease interceptor thoroughly cleaned, including pieces of the grease interceptor that can be removed. | Only permitted where an FSE generates a low volume of FOG and has no stove or fryer | high |
| #Q052 | operational | treatment | mandatory | Manual Cleaning Waste Storage | wastewater | Where manual cleaning of the grease interceptor is done by the FSE... the liquid waste must be stored in a designated waste bin until it can be picked up by a MOECC approved waste carrier. | During manual cleaning procedures | high |
| #Q053 | operational | operational | mandatory | FOG Warning Signage | wastewater | Post signs that state 'NO FOG DOWN THE DRAIN' throughout the kitchen. | | high |
| #Q054 | design | operational | mandatory | Sink Strainer Requirement | wastewater | Place strainers on all sink drains to capture solids and dispose of solids in the green bin. | | high |
| #Q055 | operational | operational | mandatory | Scraping and Pre-washing Protocol | wastewater | Scrape food and grease from plates, pots/pans and utensils into food recycling bin (green bin) before washing. | | high |
| #Q056 | operational | treatment | mandatory | Indoor Cleaning Wastewater Interception | wastewater | The wastewater from any indoor cleaning operations (e.g. kitchen exhausts/ducts) shall go through a grease interceptor. | | high |
| #Q057 | design | operational | mandatory | Outdoor Oil Receptacle Standards | wastewater | Use watertight outdoor receptacles of adequate size that are not easily tipped over. | | high |
| #Q058 | operational | operational | mandatory | Outdoor Oil Container Security | wastewater | Recycling barrels and containers for transporting oil shall be covered and secured from spillage and tipping over. | | high |
| #Q059 | design | treatment | mandatory | New Interceptor Requirement on Operational Change | wastewater | A new grease interceptor shall be required where there has been a significant change in the operation of the FSE (e.g. re-organization of infrastructure or expansion) or where a new business commences activity at the premises and/or a new building on the lands is built. | Upon significant operational change, new business commencement, or new building construction. | high |
| #Q060 | operational | treatment | mandatory | Cleaning Agent Phosphate Limit | wastewater | The owner/operator of an FSE shall: Use low-phosphate content, water-based cleaners. | | high |
| #Q061 | operational | operational | mandatory | FOG Spill Absorption | wastewater | The owner/operator of an FSE shall: Use absorption material to soak up FOG spills on the kitchen floor and under fryer baskets and FOG from exhaust system filters and hoods. | During FOG spill occurrences or maintenance of exhaust systems. | high |
| #Q062 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | General Bleach Discharge Prohibition | wastewater | Do not pour bleach down any drains. | | high |
| #Q063 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Exhaust Cleaning Wastewater Management | aquatic life | At no time is the wastewater allowed to be left on the roof or allowed to escape down the gutter and into a municipal storm sewer connection or storm sewer in any way. | During and after cleaning of fans and duct systems (exhaust systems). | high |
| #Q064 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Mobile Vendor Wastewater Labeling | wastewater | All mobile food vendor owners/operators shall: Store wastewater on site in a separate container from the clean (potable) water and have it labelled dirty water and/or wastewater. | | high |
| #Q065 | operational | operational | mandatory | Special Event Oil Collection | other | Organizers of special events and festivals shall ensure that: Waste cooking oil shall be collected for proper disposal. | Applies to special events and festivals. | high |
| #Q066 | design | treatment | mandatory | Special Event Connection Interceptor | wastewater | Organizers of special events and festivals shall ensure that: For each permitted direct connection to the sanitary or combined sewer, the wastewater shall pass through a grease interceptor. | Applies to direct connections at special events. | high |
| #Q067 | operational | unknown | mandatory | Fisheries Act Obligations | aquatic life | The Act places obligations on any person who owns or has the charge, management or control of a deleterious substance, or undertaking or activity that resulted in the deposit of a deleterious substance to take all reasonable measures consistent with public safety and with the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat to prevent the occurrence or to counteract, mitigate or remedy any adverse effects that result from the occurrence or might reasonably be expected to result from it. | Upon deposit or potential deposit of deleterious substances | high |
| #Q068 | corrective_action | operational | mandatory | Spill Containment and Restoration | wastewater | Do everything reasonably possible to contain the spill (e.g. use sorbents to absorb and prevent spilled material from entering the sewer system), protect the health and safety of persons, animals and aquatic life, protect the natural environment, minimize damage to property, clean up the spill and contaminated residue and restore the affected area to its condition prior to the spill. | In the event of a spill to the municipal sewage works | high |
| #Q069 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Waste Carrier Servicing Information | wastewater | The owner/operator of a FSE shall obtain from the MOECC approved waste carrier the following servicing information: i. Level of FOG and solids estimate. ii. Proper maintenance frequency estimate. iii. Condition of the grease interceptor. iv. Waste destination. | When professional servicing is performed | high |
| #Q070 | design | operational | mandatory | Manual Servicing Maintenance Access Hole | wastewater | Installation of a maintenance access hole or alternative device approved by the Toronto Water General Manager may also be required for FSEs performing manual servicing (cleaning). | If determined necessary by the Toronto Water General Manager | high |
| #Q071 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Intercepted Oil and Grease Disposal Prohibition | wastewater | Oil and grease removed from grease interceptors shall not be disposed in the regular garbage. | | high |
| #Q072 | operational | operational | recommended | Pre-rinse Spray Valve Efficiency | wastewater | Use an efficient pre-rinse spray valve to reduce water and energy consumption. | | high |
| #Q073 | operational | operational | mandatory | Outdoor Cleaning Wastewater Management | wastewater | Any outdoor cleaning (e.g. power washing) shall have the wastewater contained, collected and hauled away. | | high |
| #Q074 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Mobile Vendor Operator Cleaning Logs | wastewater | If cleaned by an operator, cleanings shall be logged, log sheets shall be kept on site at all times and the FOG disposed of properly (e.g. green bin). | If the grease interceptor is cleaned by the mobile operator rather than a waste carrier | high |
| #Q075 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Domestic Wastewater Exclusion | wastewater | Domestic wastewater (e.g. from toilets) shall not pass through a grease interceptor. | Applies to special events and festivals | high |
| #Q076 | operational | operational | mandatory | OPHS Implementatio n Accountability | drinking water, wastewater, recreational water, other | Board s of health/public health unit s are accountable for implementing the OPHS including the protocol s and guideline s that are reference d within. | | high |
| #Q077 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Alternative Forma t Reques t Acknowledgemen t Timeline | other | acknowledge your reques t within three busines s day s | If you require thi s informatio n in an alternative format, pleas e contac t OPHS.Protocols.moh@ontario.ca. | high |
| #Q078 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Alternative Forma t Conten t Provisio n Timeline | other | provide you with the conten t within 15 busines s day s | If you require thi s informatio n in an alternative format, pleas e contac t OPHS.Protocols.moh@ontario.ca. | high |