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Communal Systems in Ontario Obstacles & Opportunities

Explore the evolution of decentralized wastewater treatment systems in Ontario, from policies to industry statistics, showcasing the benefits, obstacles, and opportunities for communal systems. Get involved and help shape Ontario's approach to wastewater management.

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Communal Systems in Ontario Obstacles & Opportunities

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  1. CommunalSystems in Ontario Obstacles & Opportunities Trish Johnson OOWA ACE March 2019

  2. U.S. context: Onsite/decentralized systems • Considered an important part of the country’s infrastructure • Include a range of individual and cluster treatment systems that process household and commercial sewage • Treat wastewater at source, keeping it in the local watershed *Changing • Ideal pretreatment method for STPS and projects with land constraints • Feature a wide variety of flows from 500-160,000 GPD (and more) Source: National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NORWA), 2014

  3. 20+ year policy context • 1997 Response to Congress on Use of Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems • Cost-effective, long-term option for meeting public health and water quality goals • Integral component of the national water infrastructure • 2005 MOU between EPA and partner organizations • Collaboratively improve decentralized system performance & management • Reaffirmed in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017; pursuant to Sec. 104 of the Clean Water Act and Sec. 1254 & 1442 of the Safe Drinking Water Act • 19 partners collaborate on training, data collection, materials development, public awareness, and fostering job growth Source: Decentralized Wastewater Management MOU Between the USEPA and Partner Organizations, 2017

  4. U.S. promotes benefits • Operating flexibility, scalable • Very small footprint: <1/3 acre • No (or limited) operator required • No operations building required • Easily integrates with other technologies • Lower carbon footprints • Little to no energy use • High quality effluent • Effluent recharges local aquifers Source: NOWRA, 2014

  5. Industry statistics • Cost-effective wastewater for 30M families • Generates >$5 billion/year in economic activity • 150,000 small business jobs • Scalable, ideal choice for small towns Source: NOWRA, 2014

  6. Obstacle: No Canada/Ontario Management Structure or Support Management levels for onsite/ decentralized based on risk Source: USEPA - Handbook for Managing Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems, 2005

  7. Obstacle: No Policies To Support Decentralized/ Communal Systems Indigenous Services Canada 2010: Protocol for Decentralized Water and Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities

  8. Ontario Policy Context • Provincial Growth Strategy • Increased densities • Focus on hamlets and villages • Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) • Hierarchy • Municipal Systems • Communal systems • Individual onsite; only as infill or partial

  9. Obstacles & Opportunities • Mecp d-5-2 Guideline (MRA) 1995 old Past Due For Update! Discard? • MECP F-15 Guideline (FA) 2011 Newer But Can We Use it? Why not? -------------------------------------------------------- • MAH Policy (PPS) 2014 NEWEST But Obstacles with the MECP Approvals

  10. Opportunity!IMPROVING APPROVALS MRA FAQ Municipal Responsibility Agreements for Communal Wastewater Systems in Ontario Frequently Asked Questions Sign up today to get on the list !

  11. OPPORTUNITY: Help Ensure Ontario IS Open for Business! • SIGN the OOWA Petition! • MECP/OOWA - March Meeting This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

  12. Seeking Opportunities Work with MECP on Approvals issues • Modernization of D-5 guidelines • MRA FAQ Assess stakeholder interest and methods to: • Develop sector economic indicators for Ontario • Develop management options • Increase public awareness of sector potential This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

  13. Strong partnerships are critical Thank You! TRISH JOHNSON trishjohnson.Canada@gmail.com 613 263 3608

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