Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations Circuit Rider Training Professional Association Vancouver, BC August 24, 2017

Outline Overview of Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations (WSER) Draft Outline Overview of Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations (WSER) Status of reporting for First Nations systems across the country Identification reports Monitoring reports Transitional Authorizations In the event of an inconsistency between this document and the Act and/or the WSER, the Act and the WSER prevail. Individuals with specific legal problems are urged to seek advice from legal counsel. 2

Draft Introduction This presentation will focus on the Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations (WSER) requirements for smaller wastewater systems that deposit an average daily volume of effluent that is less than or equal to 2,500 m³ A guidance document entitled “Guidance Manual for Owners and Operators sf Small Wastewater Systems” is available from Environment and Climate Canada (ECCC) upon request 3

WSER Overview WSER The Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations (WSER) came into force in July 2012 The WSER set national effluent quality standards that are achievable through secondary wastewater treatment All wastewater system owners or operators subject to the WSER are required to monitor, record information and submit reports on effluent quality and quantity

WSER Application WSER Applicable to wastewater systems that collect, or are designed to collect, an average volume of 100 cubic metres/day or more of influent Does not apply to wastewater systems in Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and north of the 54th parallel in Québec and Newfoundland and Labrador due to Arctic climatic conditions There are commitments to develop North standards for WSER in the CCME Strategy and WSER RIAS

Areas covered by WSER WSER WSER applicable WSER not applicable Yukon equivalency agreement in effect

Effluent Quality Requirements Draft Effluent Quality Requirements Since January 2015, wastewater systems are required to meet the following limits and not be acutely lethal, unless issued a transitional or temporary authorization: Carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD) Suspended solids (SS) Total residual chlorine (TRC)* Un-ionized ammonia (NH3) (expressed as nitrogen, at 15°C ± 1°C) average maximum ≤ 25 mg/L ≤ 0.02 mg/L < 1.25 mg/L Averaging periods depend on the typs and size of the wastewater system (for continuous either quarterly or Monthly) *TRC standards come into force January 1, 2021 for systems with annual average daily volume of < 5000 m3 7

Monitoring and Testing Requirements Draft Monitoring and Testing Requirements Monitoring requirements include: Daily volume of influent or effluent Requirements determined by system type and size CBOD and suspended solids Sampling frequency and type determined by system type and size Acute lethality monitoring for systems  only required for systems depositing > 2,500 m3/d EPS 1/RM/13 rainbow trout test, with or without pH stabilization (EPS 1/RM/50) Un-ionized ammonia (NH3) monitoring requirements ended June 30, 2014 No testing requirement for TRC Grab or composite samples can be taken Accredited laboratory required to conduct tests In NL, all continuous systems. For volume of continuous systems (7(2)(b)): If >2500m3 must continuously measure the volume of influent or effluent deposited Any other case, continuous measure or a measure of the flow rate upon which that daily volume may be estimated Estimating volume based on flow rate(7(2)(3)): -measure rate of flow in any chosen unit of volume for any chosen unit of time -calculate that volume based on that rate of flow for the duration of the deposits of effluent made on that day 8

Types of Wastewater Systems Intermittent (lagoons) Hydraulic retention time (HRT) ≥ 90 days and maximum of 4 discharge periods/year Discharge periods must be separated by at least 7 days of no discharge Submit annual monitoring reports Continuous All other wastewater systems Submit quarterly monitoring reports Continuous with a hydraulic retention time > 5 days (continuously discharging lagoons) Submit annual monitoring reports if deposit < 2,500 m3/day

Monitoring Requirements for Intermittent systems depositing < 2500 m3/day Volume The volume of effluent must be determined for each day that effluent is deposited by using monitoring equipment that provides: A continuous measure of the volume of influent or effluent; or A measure of the rate of flow of the influent or effluent upon which the daily volume can be estimated; or A method of estimation based on generally accepted engineering practices Sampling frequency for CBOD and suspended solids Effluent must be sampled every two weeks but at least seven days after any other sample if the discharge period is greater than 30 days. Effluent must be sampled once per period if the discharge period is ≤ 30 days Any SS results > 25 mg/L in July, August, September and October are not to be taken into account If all SS results > 25 mg/L, the average SS is deemed to be 0 mg/L Averaging period Calendar year

Monitoring Requirements for Continuous systems depositing < 2500 m3/day Volume The volume of effluent must be determined for each day that effluent is deposited by using monitoring equipment that provides either: A continuous measure of the volume of influent or effluent; or A measure of the rate of flow of the influent or effluent upon which the daily volume can be estimated Sampling frequency for CBOD and suspended solids Effluent must be sampled monthly but at least 10 days after any other sample Averaging period Quarterly

Monitoring Requirements for Continuous systems with HRT > 5 days and depositing < 2500 m3/day Volume The volume of effluent must be determined for each day that effluent is deposited by using monitoring equipment that provides: A continuous measure of the volume of influent or effluent; or A measure of the rate of flow of the influent or effluent upon which the daily volume can be estimated Sampling frequency for CBOD and suspended solids Effluent must be sampled quarterly but at least 60 days after any other sample Any SS results > 25 mg/L in July, August, September and October are not to be taken into account If all SS results > 25 mg/L, the average SS is deemed to be 0 mg/L Averaging period Calendar year

Reporting Requirements Draft Reporting Requirements Identification report First reporting requirement; identifies system as part of regulated community Were due May 15, 2013 if system is in operation on January 1, 2013 or within 45 days after system comes into operation, in any other case Monitoring reports Due 45 days after end of calendar year or quarter, depending on type of system Calendar year Intermittent systems ≤ 17500 m3/d Continuous systems with HRT ≥ 5 days ≤ 2500 m3/d A quarter Any other case Ongoing data reporting to assess compliance with effluent quality standards Reports submitted electronically to the authorization officer using the Effluent Regulatory Reporting Information System (ERRIS) 13

Record-keeping Requirements Dates of deposits and daily volumes Dates of no deposit Average annual daily volume deposited Information on monitoring equipment (continuous systems only) Results of laboratory analyses Types of samples taken and dates of sampling All records must be kept for 5 years

Transitional and Temporary Authorizations Draft Transitional and Temporary Authorizations Effluent from the final discharge point that does not meet the effluent quality standards may be deposited if the deposit is made in accordance with an authorization Types of Authorizations: Transitional authorization to achieve secondary wastewater treatment Temporary authorization to deposit un-ionized ammonia when effluent is acutely lethal due to un-ionized ammonia Temporary authorization to bypass 15

Transitional Authorization Could apply from January 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014, if average CBOD and/or SS exceeded 25 mg/L in the effluent deposited from the final discharge point for specified period(s) Authorization period began January 1, 2015 until December 31, 2020, 2030, or 2040 Allows time for system upgrades to meet effluent quality standards First Nations issued a transitional authorization: Ahousaht First Nation – December 2020 Gingolx Village Government – December 2020 Kitasoo First Nation – December 2030

Temporary Authorization to Deposit Un-ionized Ammonia (NH3) Draft Temporary Authorization to Deposit Un-ionized Ammonia (NH3) May apply if effluent is acutely lethal because of NH3, and if: NH3 concentration 100 m from the point of entry, is ≤ 0.016 mg/L N, and Acute lethality of effluent is primarily due to NH3 Application must be submitted within 30 days after determination of acute lethality due to NH3 Issued for 3-year period, renewable for successive 3- year periods Allows deposit of effluent that meets CBOD, SS and TRC standards but is acutely lethal due to NH3 Compliance obligations include Effluent monitoring & reporting, with NH3 monitoring at same frequency as CBOD and SS Determine NH3 concentration in receiver once during August 17

Temporary Bypass Authorization Application for a temporary bypass authorization May be made for construction work or maintenance on the system, or in response to an anticipated event beyond owner or operator control Bypass must be designed to minimize the volume of effluent and the concentration of the prescribed deleterious substances deposited Must be submitted electronically to the authorization officer at least 45 days before the bypass is to occur Content of application Information on location, period, duration, estimated volume of effluent Explanation of how the impact of the bypass will be minimized

WSER Status – First Nations systems Estimate of 220 Indigenous communities subject to the WSER 132 identification reports submitted and approved in ECCC’s electronic reporting system (60%) Of the systems that submitted approved identification reports, many of them are not submitting on-going monitoring reports. 19

WSER - Submission of Identification Reports by First Nations systems

First Nations systems with an approved ID report, the number submitting monitoring reports in 2016

Additional Information The Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations are available online at: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2012-139/FullText.html Additional information may also be obtained at EC’s website: www.ec.gc.ca/eu-ww Questions? email ec.eaux-usees-wastewater.ec@canada.ca telephone 819-420-7727

Effluent Regulatory Reporting Information System (ERRIS) Demonstration of Effluent Regulatory Reporting Information System (ERRIS)

Effluent Regulatory Reporting Information System (ERRIS) The Effluent Regulatory Reporting Information System (ERRIS) was developed to collect reports and applications required under the WSER Web-based application allowing regulatees to submit regulatory reporting data and applications to the authorization officer Regulatees use ERRIS to submit: Identification Report Effluent Monitoring Reports Temporary Authorizations applications can be submitted: Deposit Un-ionized Ammonia (NH3) Bypasses at final discharge point

EC Single Window and the Effluent Regulatory Reporting Information System (ERRIS) Initial Set-up Process Creation of user account and password via CGKey Enter the Wastewater Owner (Organization) and Wastewater System (Facility) contact information in the EC Single Window system Create permissions that can allow access to the system for multiple staff within an organization to enter reporting data Complete WSER Identification report Complete ongoing reports as required SWIM/ERRIS Manual – available on EC Wastewater web site at http://www.ec.gc.ca/eu-ww

ERRIS Link https://ec.ss.ec.gc.ca