Wastewater and Storm Drainage Regulation
(AR 119/93)
Wastewater and Storm Drainage (Ministerial) Regulation
(AR 120/93)
January 1997
The Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) deals
with the release of substances into the environment, including releases
into water. The Act also gives powers to Alberta Environment for the
regulation of stormwater drainage and wastewater systems.
Background
Municipal stormwater drainage and wastewater systems have been
regulated by Alberta Environment primarily through the use of the Clean
Water Act and related regulations. This legislation sets out
requirements for the construction and operation of municipal plants for
handling of stormwater drainage and wastewater.
Overview
Alberta's environmental laws have been consolidated and updated by
EPEA. Part 4, Division 1 of the Act deals with the release of substances
into the environment, regulating releases and creating general
prohibitions with respect to substance release, and also provides the
necessary powers to regulate the handling of storm drainage and
wastewater. The Wastewater and Storm Drainage Regulation and the
Wastewater and Storm Drainage (Ministerial) Regulation enable the
Department to regulate the operation of storm drainage and wastewater
systems and establish standards for such facilities and their operators.
These regulations replace the following legislation:
- Clean Water Act;
- Clean Water (General) Regulations; and
- Clean Air Act.
Regulatory Details
References to "municipal sewer systems" used in previous
legislation have been changed in these regulations to clarify Alberta
Environment's approval mandate in areas where other departments also
have responsibilities. Specific definitions have been included for
various owners of storm drainage and wastewater systems, as follows:
- municipalities;
- municipal developments (unincorporated, multi-owner co-op
developments);
- regional services commissions;
- privately owned developments (includes single owner developments
but excludes single family dwellings or farms);
- private utilities; and
- industrial developments (municipal wastewater systems serving
industrial plant sites, owned by the industry for the use of on-site
staff).
Certain activities previously requiring approval under the Clean
Water Act have been exempted. These include:
- sewer extensions and replacements;
- trial wastewater irrigation and land application of sludge
projects;
- pumping stations;
- chemical additions to the wastewater system;
- certain operations of wastewater systems; and
- wastewater systems servicing small developments that meet criteria
specified under the definition section of the Designation of
Activities Regulation.
These regulations have updated references to standards and guidelines
for specific design and operating criteria, referring to the most recent
edition of the Standards and Guidelines for Municipal Waterworks,
Wastewater and Storm Drainage Systems (published by Alberta
Environment).
As well, these regulations have modified requirements for the
certification of operators of storm drainage and wastewater systems.
Operators of most systems require a certificate as set out in the Water
and Wastewater Operators's Certificate Guidelines (published by
Alberta Environment).
For more information, please call:
Alberta Environment
Environmental Assessment Division
(780) 427-6270
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