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Codes of Practice

Alberta Environment is working continuously to monitor the success of environmental standards and practices, and to identify any improvements that may be necessary.

The goal is to focus our approvals efforts on activities with higher potential for environmental impact. This will ensure reviews that fit the needs of citizens, municipalities, and industry.

A key aspect of this effort is a shift from individual approvals to registrations or notifications under Codes of Practice. Codes provide province-wide operating rules for an activity and leads to regulatory fairness and consistency.

Stakeholder consultation resulted in the development and update of the following Codes of Practice, which can be obtained from the Queen's Printer:

Effective July 2006:

• Code of Practice for Sawmill Operations
• Code of Practice for Forage Drying Operations

Effective October 2005:

• Code of Practice for Energy Recovery, which replaces the Code of Practice for Production of Alternative Fuel and Burning of Fuel Derived from Waste
• Code of Practice for Exploration Operations (revision)
• Code of Practice for Land Treatment of Soil Containing Hydrocarbons
• Code of Practice for Small Incinerators

Effective November 2004:

• Code of Practice for Pits
• Guide to Requirements to the Code of Practice for Pits

Effective September 2003:

• Code of Practice for Wastewater Systems Consisting Solely of a Wastewater Collection System
• Guide to Requirements for Wastewater Systems Consisting Solely of a Wastewater Collection System
• Code of Practice for Wastewater Systems Using a Wastewater Lagoon
• Guide to Requirements for Wastewater Systems Using a Wastewater Lagoon
• Code of Practice for Waterworks Systems Using High Quality Groundwater
• Guide to Requirements for Regulated Waterworks Systems Using High Quality Groundwater
• Code of Practice for Waterworks System Consisting Solely of a Water Distribution System
• Guide to Requirements for a Waterworks System Consisting Only of a Distribution System
• Code of Practice for Outfall Structures on Water Bodies
• Guide to Requirements for Outfall Structures on Water Bodies

Alberta Environment has also consulted with stakeholders on removing regulations for activities that are jointly monitored by other areas of government. As a result, all fish farms, and food processing facilities that do not release wastewater directly into the environment or release wastewater to an approved wastewater facility, will no longer require an approval or registration from Alberta Environment.

In addition, the Codes of Practice for Small Vegetable Processing Plants, Small Fish Farms and Fish Processing Plants, and Small Meat Processing Plants are no longer in effect. Registrations under these codes are no longer required. Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development will continue to monitor these facilities.

An approval under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act is still required for large food processing operations (including milk, meat and vegetable processing) that release wastewater directly into the environment.

The move to Codes of Practice does not affect the full range of prevention and enforcement response tools available under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act to respond to non-compliance. All operations under a Code of Practice will continue to be inspected by Alberta Environment.

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact your local Alberta Environment office.