Wastewater Bylaw

The Quality of Wastewater Bylaw accepted by the Alberta Capital Region Wastewater Commission (ACRWC) outlines controls for the discharge of pollutants to the sewer system.

The objectives of the bylaw are to:

• protect the sewer system from corrosion, other damage and obstruction;
• protect the wastewater treatment plant process from upset;
• protect the public, Commission and municipal workers and properties from hazardous conditions (such as explosions);
• protect wastewater Biosolids quality; and,
• protect the environment from contaminants that are not removed by the Alberta Capital Region Wastewater Treatment Plant or the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant.

ACRWC Bylaw No. 8 was created utilizing the CCME (Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment) model sewer use bylaw guidelines which were developed as part of the Canada-wide Strategy for the Management of Municipal Wastewater Effluent to harmonize the management approach for municipal wastewater in Canadian provinces, territories and on federal and Aboriginal lands. The CCME guidelines are intended for the development of sewer use bylaws by municipalities, utilities and other organizations providing wastewater services to communities in Canada.

A significant revision to Bylaw No. 8 was enacted in March of 2016. Key changes include but are not limited to:

• Further prescription for industrial/commercial/institutional facilities to install and properly maintain pre-treatment devices to manufacturers recommendations & keep maintenance records;
• Liquid waste haulers’ requirement to complete and sign a manifest, then deposit in an approved location at the time of discharge;
• Additional restricted parameters added: Flashpoint; Lower Explosive Limit; BTEX; Selenium;
• Reduction to Total Oil & Grease restricted limit;
• New requirement to manage and report spills;
• Provision to require non-compliant dischargers to adopt Compliance Programs;
• Development and adoption of Best Management Practices and Codes of Practices (Oil & Gas and Support Services Sector being the first)