Municipal Sewage Regulation Undergoing Revision
The BC Ministry of Environment intends to review and revise the Municipal Sewage Regulation (MSR) brought into force in July 1999. This regulation provides for the treatment, reuse and discharge of domestic sewage, wastewater or municipal liquid waste, and applies to all discharges of domestic sewage within provincial jurisdiction except those addressed by the Sewerage System Regulation (under the Health Act) and discharges from individual single-family or duplex dwellings.
The revision of the Municipal Sewage Regulation will take place in three phases. The first stage focuses on reclaimed water and registration requirements; the second stage will address discharges to ground and water, and harmonizing the regulation with the Municipal Waste Water Effluent Strategy of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. The third stage will consider design, commissioning, management, operations, environmental impact studies and security. This stage will also address implementation and compliance strategies.
A ministry policy intentions paper addressing proposed “stage 1” revisions was released with a January 29, 2010 deadline for comments. The ministry welcomed comments with respect to potential changes discussed in the intentions paper, or other aspects of the regulation of municipal sewage and liquid waste management.
In consultation with senior practitioners in wastewater management, APEGBC submitted its comments to the ministry. As part of its submission APEGBC recommended the development of professional practice guidelines by the appropriate professional regulatory bodies whose members work in this area.
More information is available on the Ministry of Environment’s website at www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/codes/msr/mun_sew_reg.htm.