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Document ID ca-on-dwoc-2026-03-13 Title Drinking water operator certification URL https://www.ontario.ca/page/drinking-water-operator-certification Jurisdiction /ca/on Subdomain(s) none Language Status completed Analyzed at 2026-05-12 04:15:19.478827+00:00 Relevance inventory_targeted_fetch

Q Qualitative Requirements (54)

Req ID Category Intent Legal Status Name Subdomain(s) Context Conditions Confidence
#Q001administrativeoperationalmandatoryValid Certificate Requirementdrinking waterTo work as a drinking water operator in a municipal system or a regulated non-municipal system, you must have a valid certificate.When working as a drinking water operator in a municipal system or a regulated non-municipal system.high
#Q002operationaloperationalmandatoryDuty of Care and Diligencedrinking waterThe 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 systemshigh
#Q003operationaloperationalmandatoryDuty to Act Honestly and Competentlydrinking waterThe Director under Ontario Regulation 128/04 entrusts and expects certified drinking water operators to: [...] act honestly, competently and with integrity, with a view to ensuring the protection and safety of the users of drinking water systemshigh
#Q004administrativeoperationalmandatoryMaintain Appropriate Certificatedrinking waterThe Director under Ontario Regulation 128/04 entrusts and expects certified drinking water operators to: [...] hold a valid operator certificate appropriate to their role and the type of regulated drinking water subsystem(s) in which they operatehigh
#Q005reportingreportingmandatoryLog and Record Maintenancedrinking waterdiligently 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 warranthigh
#Q006operationaloperationalmandatoryCompliance with Legislation and Standardsdrinking watercomply with legislation, regulations, related guidance material, standard operating procedures, directives and any other code(s) of conduct or policies required by law or by my employer, to help ensure effective operationshigh
#Q007reportingreportingmandatoryPublic Display of Certificatedrinking watermake 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 managedhigh
#Q008prohibitionoperationalmandatoryProhibition of Gratuitiesdrinking watersatisfy my duty to act lawfully, including by: [...] not accepting gratuitieshigh
#Q009administrativeoperationalmandatorySystem-Specific Certificate Requirementdrinking waterYou must earn a certificate in the system you want to work in.high
#Q010administrativeoperationalmandatoryOIT Certificate Qualificationsdrinking waterTo 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 feehigh
#Q011administrativeoperationalmandatoryOIT Certificate Issuance Formdrinking waterAfter you’ve passed your exam, you need to complete and submit an OIT Certificate and Licence Issuance form with payment to get your certificate.high
#Q012administrativeoperationalmandatoryEntry-Level Course Requirementdrinking waterYou 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 certificateWhen renewing an expiring OIT certificate or obtaining a Class 1 certificate.high
#Q013administrativeoperationalmandatoryClass I Operator Qualificationsdrinking waterTo 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 examinationApplies when becoming a certified Class I drinking water operator.high
#Q014administrativeoperationalmandatoryCertificate Upgrade Requirementsdrinking waterIf you are a drinking water operator and you want to upgrade your existing certificate, you must meet the requirements for that certificate, including meeting examination, experience and post-secondary education requirements (depending on the Class of certificate).Applies when upgrading an existing drinking water operator certificate.high
#Q015prohibitionoperationalmandatoryCertificate Upgrade Class Limitdrinking waterYou can’t apply for a certificate that is more than one class above your own.high
#Q016administrativeoperationalmandatoryMandatory Certificate Renewal Coursedrinking waterTo renew your certificate (Class I - IV), you are required to complete the Mandatory Certificate Renewal Course offered by the Walkerton Clean Water Centre.Applies when renewing a Class I - IV certificate.high
#Q017administrativeoperationalmandatoryCertificate Renewal Additional Requirementsdrinking waterYou 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 feeApplies when renewing a certificate.high
#Q018administrativeoperationalmandatoryRenewal of Certificate Expired Less Than 1 Yeardrinking waterIf 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 feeIf your certificate expires and you wait less than 1 year to replace it.high
#Q019administrativeoperationalmandatoryRenewal of Certificate Expired Over 1 Yeardrinking waterIf 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 (if a certificate has been expired for 10 or more years additional training may be required); pay a late renewal fee, as well as the regular renewal feeIf your certificate expires and you wait over 1 year to replace it.high
#Q020administrativeoperationalmandatoryTrained Person Qualificationsdrinking waterTo become a trained person, you must complete and pass the Operation of Small Systems for Trained Persons (O. Reg. 170/03) course.high
#Q021administrativeoperationalmandatoryMaintain Trained Person Statusdrinking waterTo maintain the status of a Trained Person you must complete a course from the list of Director -approved courses for Trained Persons.high
#Q022operationaloperationalmandatorySupervised Person Qualifications and Reporting Dutiesdrinking waterTo 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 resultshigh
#Q023administrativeoperationalmandatoryOutside Ontario Certification Exceptiondrinking waterIf 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 SupplyApplies when holding an applicable certificate from outside Ontario.high
#Q024administrativeoperationalmandatoryCertification Exam Requirementdrinking waterBefore you can apply to become a certified drinking water operator, you must pass a certification exam (pass is 70%).high
#Q025administrativeoperationalmandatoryExam Attempt Progression and Timing Restrictionsdrinking waterYou can only write an exam one class higher than the class of the certificate you now hold and 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.high
#Q026administrativeoperationalmandatoryExam Required Materialsdrinking waterYou 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 addresshigh
#Q027operationaloperationalmandatoryDuty to Seek Guidancedrinking waterseek guidance and information from the Overall Responsible Operator or Operator-in-Charge, as applicable, when needed to help ensure the best course of actionWhen needed to help ensure the best course of action in operational dutieshigh
#Q028administrativereportingmandatoryAdministrative Honesty and Cooperationdrinking watermaintain a professional relationship with the Certification Program Administrator, the Ontario Water Wastewater Certification Office and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, including by: 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 as circumstances dictatehigh
#Q029administrativeunknownmandatoryFacility Classification Fee Responsibilitydrinking waterFacility Classification Drinking Water Systems $475 Paid by ownerApplies to owners of drinking water systemshigh
#Q030prohibitionoperationalmandatoryProfessional Workplace Conduct and Anti-Harassmentdrinking waterinteract with peers, apprentices, tradespeople, members of other professions or occupations, and all other persons I encounter in my place of work in a manner that: demonstrates courtesy, honesty, integrity, good faith, and respect; is professional and civil; shares my knowledge with other operators; abstains from acts of discrimination and harassment; avoids any abusive behavior towards any individualhigh
#Q031administrativeoperationalmandatoryMLAS Registration Requirementotherclaimholders, lessees, patent holders, or prospector licensees must be registered users in MLAS to do business for mining purposes, in Ontario.To do business for mining purposes in Ontariohigh
#Q032administrativeoperationalmandatoryMandatory MAAP CompletionotherYou must complete the MAAP if you: are applying for or renewing an existing prospector's licence; hold a lifetime prospector's licence; are listed as a "qualified supervisor" on an exploration plan or permit; are a private landowner or a member or representative of an Indigenous community that may engage or work with prospectors and the mineral exploration industryApplies to prospector's license applicants/holders, qualified supervisors, and certain landowners/Indigenous community representativeshigh
#Q033operationaloperationalmandatoryEarly Exploration Standards ComplianceotherProvincial Standards for Early Exploration, (PDF) effective April 10, 2018, lists requirements that must be met when carrying out exploration plan or permit activities, including requirements for rehabilitation when the early exploration activities have been completed.When carrying out exploration plan or permit activitieshigh
#Q034reportingreportingmandatoryAssessment Work Reporting RequirementsotherTechnical Standards for Reporting Assessment Work (PDF), effective April 10, 2018, lists the minimum requirements for Assessment Work reports for the different work types and costs and expenses that are eligible under Ontario Regulation 65/18.Applies to different work types and costs under O. Reg. 65/18high
#Q035administrativeoperationalrecommendedMAAP Platform RecommendationotherIf you are completing MAAP to conduct business with the ministry and/or to satisfy a mandatory requirement under the Mining Act, you should complete MAAP through MLAS.When completing MAAP for ministry business or mandatory requirementshigh
#Q036operationaloperationalmandatoryEnvironmental Assessment Requirement for Class EA ActivitiesotherA Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) describes a planning and decision-making process for groups (or classes) of activities where a proponent must conduct an environmental assessment.Applicable to classes of activities subject to the Class EA under the Mining Act, including discretionary tenure decisions and discretionary mine hazard rehabilitation activities.high
#Q037operationaloperationalmandatoryOIT Supervision Requirement (Water Treatment)drinking waterOIT water treatment certificate allows you to operate a limited surface water or limited groundwater system under the supervision of an overall responsible operator or operator-in-chargeApplies to OITs operating limited surface or groundwater systemshigh
#Q038operationaloperationalmandatoryOIT Supervision Requirement (Water Distribution)drinking waterOIT water distribution/water distribution and supply certificate allows you to operate a limited groundwater system under the supervision of an overall responsible operator or operator-in-chargeApplies to OITs operating limited groundwater systemshigh
#Q039administrativeoperationalmandatoryAverage Annual Training Hours Requirementdrinking waterif you operate in a Class 2 system, you must complete an average of 35 hours of training every year.Specifically applies to Class 2 systems; training can be averaged over 3-year certificate periodhigh
#Q040administrativereportingmandatoryLabour Mobility Documentation Requirementdrinking waterEligible operators and WQAs from Canadian jurisdictions can work in Ontario for up to 6 months if they provide the required documentation.Required for 'As of Right' (Deemed Certification) pathwayhigh
#Q041administrativeunknownmandatoryInternational Certificate Contact Requirementdrinking waterIf you hold a certificate from a jurisdiction outside of Canada, please contact the Certification Office for details on obtaining an Ontario certificate.high
#Q042administrativereportingmandatoryFee Payment with Application Requirementdrinking waterPlease include payment of any applicable fee(s) when you submit your application form.high
#Q043administrativeoperationalguidanceConsultation for System Applicabilitydrinking waterIf you are not sure whether your system is affected, contact your local public health unit.When a business owner is uncertain if their facility is classified as a small drinking water systemhigh
#Q044administrativereportingmandatorySmall Drinking Water System Reopening Notificationdrinking waterThe Small Drinking Water System Identification form is to be used by owners of small drinking water systems to notify in writing the medical officer of health in the health unit where their system is located before supplying drinking water to users of the system following construction or alteration of the small drinking water system or following a shut-down of the system that lasts longer than 7 days.Before supplying drinking water following construction, alteration, or a shut-down lasting longer than 7 dayshigh
#Q045administrativereportingmandatoryLaboratory Services Notificationdrinking waterThe Laboratory Services Notification (LSN) form is to be used by small drinking water system owners/operators to notify the local public health unit in writing as to which licensed laboratories will test drinking water samples for their small drinking water systems.When identifying or changing the licensed laboratory used for testinghigh
#Q046reportingreportingmandatoryAdverse Water Quality Incident Notificationdrinking waterThe Notice of Adverse Test Results and Issue Resolution form is to be used by licensed laboratories and owners/operators of small drinking water systems to support required written notifications pertaining to small drinking water system adverse water quality incidents (AWQI).Upon discovery of adverse water quality test resultshigh
#Q047administrativeoperationalmandatorySewage Works Approval Requirementwastewatersection 53 of the OWRA requires approval prior to using, operating, establishing, altering, extending or replacing new or existing sewage worksPrior to using, operating, establishing, altering, extending or replacing new or existing sewage workshigh
#Q048administrativereportingmandatoryEASR Registration for Storm Water WorkswastewaterYou must register your storm water management works in the EASR when they meet all the following criteria: the works are not owned by a municipality or will not be assumed by a municipality in the future; any processing, repair or maintenance of goods and materials at the property where the works are located are conducted indoors; the works or any part of the works does not and will not receive any discharge of process water, cooling water, wash water or sanitary sewageWhen works meet specific criteria regarding ownership, indoor processing, and lack of process/sanitary dischargehigh
#Q049operationaloperationalmandatoryECA Condition CompliancewastewaterYou must comply with all the conditions listed in any ECA issued to you by the ministry.Applies to holders of an Environmental Compliance Approvalhigh
#Q050designoperationalmandatoryLEP Retention for EASR UpdateswastewaterIf you have registered your storm water management works in EASR, you must retain a LEP to update your storm water management works report or prepare an addendum and upload it into the registry before you make any changes.Before making changes to storm water management works registered in EASRhigh
#Q051operationaltreatmentmandatoryHauled Sewage Transport and Disposal DutywastewaterIt is your responsibility to ensure all hauled sewage removed from your sewage works is: transported by a carrier with an approved waste management system; deposited at an approved waste disposal site or dedicated septage treatment works, for example, composting, alkaline stabilization, dewatering trenchesWhen removing hauled sewage (septage) from sewage workshigh
#Q052reportingreportingmandatorySpill Reporting RequirementwastewaterPart X of the EPA requires spills to be reported forthwith by the person having control of the pollutant that is spilled and any person who causes or permits a spill of a pollutant.Upon the occurrence of a spill as defined by the EPAhigh
#Q053corrective_actiontreatmentmandatorySpill Cleanup and Environmental RestorationwastewaterPart X also requires the owner of the pollutant spilled, and the person who had control of the pollutant spilled to promptly clean up and restore the environment if the spill causes or is likely to cause an adverse effect.If the spill causes or is likely to cause an adverse effecthigh
#Q054operationaloperationalmandatorySpill Prevention and Contingency PlanningwastewaterUnder section 91.1 of the EPA, a regulated person shall develop and implement plans to prevent or reduce risk of spills of pollutants, and to prevent, eliminate or ameliorate any adverse effects that result or may result from spills of pollutants.Applies to regulated persons under O. Reg. 224/07high

P Quantitative Requirements (32)

Req ID Category Intent Legal Status Name Subdomain(s) Limit Type Limit Value Context Conditions Confidence
#R001operationaloperationalmandatoryMaximum Gravity Penalty (Most Serious Violations)wastewaterrequirement<= 100000 $/dayGravity component for the most serious violations, such as a spill with a significant impactApplicable to facilities in the nine MISA industrial sectorshigh
#R002operationaloperationalmandatorySerious Violation Gravity Penaltywastewaterrequirement10000 $/dayGravity component for serious violations such as samples failing acute toxicity testshigh
#R003operationaloperationalmandatoryMinimum Gravity Penalty (Less Serious Violations)wastewaterrequirement1000 $/dayGravity component for less serious violations such as failure to submit a required quarterly reporthigh
#R004operationaloperationalmandatoryStandard Penalty Reduction Limitwastewaterrequirement<= 35 %Reductions for actions taken to prevent or mitigate the violation and for having an environmental management systemRequested within 15 days of notice of intentionhigh
#R005operationaloperationalmandatorySettlement Agreement Reduction (Discharge Violations)wastewaterrequirement<= 75 %Reduction of the gravity penalty amount for discharge related violations under a settlement agreementAgreement to take steps beyond those required by law for pollution prevention/reductionhigh
#R006operationaloperationalmandatorySettlement Agreement Reduction (Non-discharge Violations)wastewaterrequirement<= 100 %Reduction of the gravity penalty amount for non-discharge violations under a settlement agreementAgreement to take steps beyond those required by law for pollution prevention/reductionhigh
#R007operationalreportingmandatoryEnvironmental Penalty Notice Review Periodwastewaterrequirement15 daysTimeframe for a regulated party to submit a written request for review after receiving a notice of intentionFrom the date of the noticehigh
#R008operationaloperationalmandatoryStatute of Limitations for Penalty Issuancewastewaterrequirement<= 1 yearTime limit for the ministry to issue an environmental penalty orderLater of the date the violation occurred or the date evidence first came to the ministry's attentionhigh
#R009operationaloperationalmandatoryEnvironmental Penalty Appeal Windowwastewaterrequirement15 daysTimeframe to appeal an issued order to the Environmental Review TribunalUnless the party agreed not to appeal as part of a settlement agreementhigh
#R010operationalreportingmandatoryMandatory Program Review Frequencywastewater, otherrequirement5 yearsThe Minister shall cause a report to be prepared and published on the operation of the environmental penalty program.At least once every five yearshigh
#R011operationaltreatmentguidelinePrimary Treatment BOD5 Removal (Without TP)wastewaterrequirement30 %Interim guidelines for primary treatment plants remaining in servicePrimary treatment without total phosphorus removalhigh
#R012operationaltreatmentguidelinePrimary Treatment SS Removal (Without TP)wastewaterrequirement50 %Interim guidelines for primary treatment plants remaining in servicePrimary treatment without total phosphorus removalhigh
#R013operationaltreatmentguidelinePrimary Treatment BOD5 Removal (With TP)wastewaterrequirement50 %Interim guidelines for primary treatment plants remaining in servicePrimary treatment with total phosphorus removalhigh
#R014operationaltreatmentguidelinePrimary Treatment SS Removal (With TP)wastewaterrequirement70 %Interim guidelines for primary treatment plants remaining in servicePrimary treatment with total phosphorus removalhigh
#R015chemicaltreatmentguidelineConventional Activated Sludge BOD5 Effluent Guidelinewastewaterrequirement25 mg/LCriteria which the average annual effluent quality should not exceedhigh
#R016physicaltreatmentguidelineConventional Activated Sludge SS Effluent Guidelinewastewaterrequirement25 mg/LCriteria which the average annual effluent quality should not exceedhigh
#R017chemicaltreatmentguidelineContinuous Discharge Lagoon BOD5 Effluent Guidelinewastewaterrequirement30 mg/LCriteria which the average annual effluent quality should not exceedhigh
#R018physicaltreatmentguidelineContinuous Discharge Lagoon SS Effluent Guidelinewastewaterrequirement40 mg/LCriteria which the average annual effluent quality should not exceedhigh
#R019chemicaltreatmentguidanceAdvanced Treatment (CAS with TP and filtration) TP Design Objectivewastewatertreatment_goal0.3 mg/LPerformance level achievable under optimum conditionsWith TP removal and filtrationhigh
#R020chemicaltreatmentguidanceAdvanced Treatment (CAS with Nitrification) Ammonia Nitrogen Objectivewastewatertreatment_goal< 1.0 mg/L(NH3+NH4+)-N design objective for nitrification processExpected warm weather effluent concentrationhigh
#R021chemicaltreatmentguidanceConventional Activated Sludge BOD5 Effluent Design Objectivewastewatertreatment_goal15 mg/LLevel of performance achieved under optimum conditions for normal strength municipal sewage.high
#R022physicaltreatmentguidanceConventional Activated Sludge SS Effluent Design Objectivewastewatertreatment_goal15 mg/LLevel of performance achieved under optimum conditions for normal strength municipal sewage.high
#R023chemicaltreatmentguidanceSecondary Treatment TP Effluent Design Objectivewastewatertreatment_goal1.0 mg/LDesign objective for processes with total phosphorus removal (CAS, Contact Stabilization, EA, Lagoons, etc.).With TP removalhigh
#R024chemicaltreatmentguidanceAdvanced Treatment (EA with TP and filtration) BOD5 Design Objectivewastewatertreatment_goal5 mg/LPerformance level achievable under optimum conditions for advanced treatment.Extended Aeration with TP removal and filtrationhigh
#R025chemicaloperationalguidanceInfluent Raw Sewage BOD5 Concentrationwastewaterrequirement170 mg/LAssumed raw sewage strength for effluent quality expectations under optimum conditions.Raw sewage treating conditionshigh
#R026physicaloperationalguidanceInfluent Raw Sewage SS Concentrationwastewaterrequirement200 mg/LAssumed raw sewage strength for effluent quality expectations under optimum conditions.Raw sewage treating conditionshigh
#R027designoperationalmandatorySewage Works Design Capacity Permission Threshold (Single)wastewater, agricultural water, otherrequirement> 10000 litres per dayCriteria for requiring an environmental permission for new or existing sewage works.Applies to use, operation, establishment, alteration, extension, or replacement.high
#R028designoperationalmandatorySewage Works Total Design Capacity Permission Threshold (Combined)wastewater, agricultural water, otherrequirement> 10000 litres per dayTotal design capacity when more than 1 sewage works is located on a lot or parcel of land.Total combined capacity across multiple works on the same lot.high
#R029designoperationalmandatoryClosed-loop System Rated Capacity for Approval Exception Exclusionwastewaterrequirement> 10000 liters a dayApproval exception for sewage works not discharging to waterbodies does not apply to closed loop systems of this capacity.Relates to ground water or closed loop systems.high
#R030designoperationalmandatoryAgricultural Subsurface Septic System Design Capacity Thresholdagricultural water, wastewaterrequirement> 10000 litres per dayThreshold for requiring an ECA for larger subsurface (septic) systems at agricultural operations.Can apply to 1 or more systems on the same property or systems crossing property boundaries.high
#R031designoperationalmandatoryOn-site Sewage Works Design Flow (Single)wastewaterrequirement> 10000 litres per dayECA requirement for on-site sewage works or communal sewage works discharging below ground.Specific to large subsurface disposal systems.high
#R032designoperationalmandatoryOn-site Sewage Works Total Design Flow (Multiple)wastewaterrequirement> 10000 litres per dayCombined design flow for multiple sewage works on a single lot or parcel.Specific to large subsurface disposal systems.high

D Definitions (62)

Req ID Category Name Context Confidence
#D001AbatementAn action that is taken by a facility to achieve compliance that includes education, outreach, warnings and issuance of control documents.high
#D002Adverse effectImpairment of the quality of the natural environment for any use that can be made of it; injury or damage to property or to plant or animal life; harm or material discomfort to any person; an adverse effect on the health of any person; impairment of the safety of any person; rendering any property or plant or animal life unfit for human use; loss of enjoyment of normal use of property; or, interference with the normal conduct of business.high
#D003BypassFlows that are diverted from a part of the sewage treatment process but are discharged to the environment through the final effluent outfall of the sewage treatment plant.high
#D004Combined sewer systemA collection system designed to convey both sanitary and storm water runoff through a single pipe to a sewage treatment works.high
#D005ComplianceA state achieved when a person who is bound by a provision of an act, regulation, control document or authorizing document acts in accordance with applicable provisions of ministry legislation, regulations and any control or authorizing documents.high
#D006Control document (orders, direction, or notice)An authority under ministry legislation to require a person to deal with a violation or other types of incidents. Ministry legislation authorizes Provincial Officers, directors, the minister or a court to issue control documents, and they include orders, directions, reports and notices. A control document imposes legal obligations on the person as opposed to allowing the person to deal with the incident voluntarily.high
#D007DirectorA person appointed as a director in writing by the minister under section 5 of the Environmental Protection Act or the Ontario Water Resources Act, or other relevant legislation.high
#D008EffluentWaste or wastewater that flows out from a treatment plant or individual treatment process.high
#D009EnforcementProsecuting alleged violators for the purpose of punishing wrongdoing and deterring further non-compliance. Prosecutions are commenced and conducted under the Provincial Offences Act (POA) and include issuing a Certificate of Offence (ticket) or summons under Part I of the POA, as well as the laying of charges under Part III of the PO.high
#D010Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR)The Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR) is an online self-registration system. It replaced the approvals process for specific activities and sectors prescribed in regulations that are considered routine, standard, or well-understood. A person engaging in these activities registers the activity on the EASR.high
#D011Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA)The name of the approval that is issued in respect of section 9 and 27 activities under the Environmental Protection Act and section 53 activities under the Ontario Water Resources Act as of October 31, 2011. An ECA replaces a Certificate of Approval (CofA); as such, a CofA will automatically be treated as an ECA as of October 31, 2011. It is not required to be replaced. ECAs are also referred to as approvals, or ministry approvals throughout this document.high
#D012Financial assuranceThe provision of financial security by a regulated party. It can be required to ensure compliance with environmental objectives; ensure that requirements are achieved by a specified deadline; or ensure that funds are available for future clean-up and remediation of landfills and other contaminated sites which require long-term care and monitoring.high
#D013Hauled sewage (septage)Contents removed from septic tanks, portable toilets, privy vaults and holding tanks serving houses, schools, motels, mobile home parks, campgrounds and small commercial endeavors, all receiving sewage from domestic sources. Septage is raw and untreated.high
#D014MinistryMinistry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, ministry or MECP, unless otherwise stated.high
#D015Non-complianceFailure to meet a provision of an act, regulation, control document or authorizing document.high
#D016Onsite sewage disposal systemsSewage systems, such as septic systems or holding tanks, which do not discharge or discharge below the ground surface and are regulated under the Building Code Act.high
#D017Onsite sewage disposal worksSewage works, such as septic systems or holding tanks, which discharge below the ground surface or do not discharge and are regulated by the ministry.high
#D018OverflowsA combined sewer overflow is a discharge to the environment from a combined sewer system. A sanitary sewer overflow is a discharge to the environment from a sanitary sewer system. A sewage treatment plant overflow is a discharge to the environment from a sewage treatment works at a location other than the final effluent outfall or downstream of the sampling point in the final effluent outfall.high
#D019Owner of a pollutantThe owner of the pollutant immediately before the first discharge of the pollutant, whether into the natural environment or not, in a quantity or with a quality abnormal at the location where the discharge occurs.high
#D020Person having control of a pollutantThe person and the person’s employee or agent, if any, having the charge, management or control of a pollutant immediately before the first discharge of the pollutant, whether into the natural environment or not, in a quantity or with a quality abnormal at the location where the discharge occurs.high
#D021PollutantA contaminant other than heat, sound, vibration or radiation.high
#D022Pollution Prevention Control Plan (PPCP)A plan outlining the nature, cause, and extent of pollution problems associated with combined sewer overflows. The PPCP examines alternatives, proposes remedial measures, and provides recommendations for implementation.high
#D023Provincial OfficerAny person designated as such under section 5 of the Environmental Protection Act or the Ontario Water Resources Act, or other relevant legislation. A Provincial Officer is a peace officer for the purpose of enforcing the legislation they are designated under.high
#D024Pre-application consultationA dialogue between the proponent, the ministry, and possibly the public, prior to the submission of an application for approval. Pre-application consultation is meant to assist proponents in defining the environmental objectives for the project. Examples of these objectives are: effluent requirements, determining the requirements regarding characterization of the source of raw water, establishing general acceptability of the proposed technology, identifying any special approval related requirements, and determining the need for public consultation or notification.high
#D025Regulated personPersons who are or were members of the class of persons described in subsection 3 (1) of the Environmental Penalties Regulation (Ontario Regulation 222/07) made under the Environmental Protection Act.high
#D026Responsibility agreementLegal agreements between a municipal authority and developer which stipulate the conditions under which communal sewage services will be constructed, operated and maintained, as well as, the action to be undertaken in the event of owner default. Responsibility agreements require up-front secured funds for any remedial measures that may be necessary in the event of default.high
#D027Sanitary sewageIncludes domestic, commercial and industrial sewage.high
#D028SewageSewage is defined to include drainage, storm water, commercial wastes and industrial wastes and such other matter or substance as is specified by the regulations in the Ontario Water Resources Act.high
#D029Sewage systemDefined in the Ontario Building Code (Regulation 350 under the Building Code Act) as: a chemical toilet, an incinerating toilet, a recirculating toilet, a self-contained portable toilet and all forms of privy including a portable privy, an earth pit privy, a pail privy, a privy vault and a composting toilet system; a greywater system; a cesspool; a leaching bed system; a system that requires or uses a holding tank for the retention of hauled sewage at the site where it is produced before its collection by a hauled sewage system, where these: have a design capacity of 10,000 litres per day or less, have, in total, a design capacity of 10,000 litres per day or less, where more than one of these are located on a lot or parcel of land, and are located wholly within the boundaries of the lot or parcel of land on which is located the building or buildings they serve.high
#D030Sewage worksAny works for the collection, transmission, treatment and disposal of sewage or any part of such works but does not include plumbing to which the Building Code Act, 1992 applies.high
#D031SpillWhen used with reference to a pollutant, means a discharge into the natural environment from or out of a structure, vehicle or other container; and, that is abnormal in quality or quantity in light of all the circumstances of the discharge, and when used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.high
#D032Storm waterRain, melted snow or any other form of precipitation that has come into contact with the ground or any other surface. This water seeps into the ground, is absorbed by vegetation, evaporates or runs off the land into storm sewers, streams and lakes.high
#D033MunicipalityMunicipality is within the meaning of the Municipal Act, 2001, and includes any of the following bodies that is established for the purpose of managing public utilities on behalf of or for a municipality: a public utility commission that is deemed to be a municipal service board; a municipal service board established under the Municipal Act; a corporation established under the Municipal Acthigh
#D034Spillsthe discharge of pollutants into the natural environment originating from a structure, vehicle or other container, and that are abnormal in quality or quantity in light of all the circumstances of the discharge.high
#D035Beyond compliance measure or best management practicea plant-based pollution prevention or reduction project that aims to benefit human health or the environment beyond the requirements of the law.high
#D036MECPMinistry of the Environment, Conservation and Parkshigh
#D037LEPlicensed engineering practitionerhigh
#D038NASMnon-agricultural source materialshigh
#D039L/dlitres per dayhigh
#D040POAProvincial Offences Acthigh
#D041POProvincial Offences Acthigh
#D042OWRAOntario Water Resources Acthigh
#D043EPAEnvironmental Protection Acthigh
#D044Vfivehigh
#D045IXninehigh
#D046XIItwelvehigh
#D047ESAREnvironmental Activity and Sector Registryhigh
#D048CWAClean Water Acthigh
#D049St.Sainthigh
#D050Xtenhigh
#D051etc.et ceterahigh
#D052Ionehigh
#D053IIIthreehigh
#D054CofACertificate of Approvalhigh
#D055SewageSewage includes everything that you flush down your toilet or rinse down the drain; water that has been used by industries, businesses, institutions such as hospitals; and rainwater and runoff (storm water) that go down street gutters or flows into surface water.high
#D056Class X SpillA Class X Spill under Ontario Regulation 675/98: Classification and Exemption of Spills and Reporting of Discharges is one addressed in a spill contingency plan that meets certain standards for relatively small and manageable spills.high
#D057ECAEnvironmental Compliance Approvalhigh
#D058ECAsEnvironmental Compliance Approvalshigh
#D059EASREnvironmental Activity and Sector Registryhigh
#D060PPCPPollution Prevention Control Planhigh
#D061SSASole Source Aquiferhigh
#D062SSA programEPA's SSA program enables the Agency to designate an aquifer as a sole source of drinking water and establish a review area.high