Why is the City of Saskatoon proposing a new Sewer Use Bylaw?

• To ensure that the City of Saskatoon will be compliant with pending changes to federal legislation;
• To address the high level of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), which is indirectly the measure of the amount of organics entering the Wastewater Treatment Plant;
• To address maintenance and backup issues from excessive restaurant grease entering the wastewater system;
• To address the potential for trucked liquid waste to bring wastewater loads that contain excessively high concentrations of inappropriate substances;
• To address elevated zinc levels in the biosolids;
• To address high wastewater strength that results in corrosion of the wastewater collection system, lift stations, and treatment plant equipment; and
• To improve the environmental quality of the treated wastewater discharged into the South Saskatchewan River.

When will the new Sewer Use Bylaw come into effect?
The proposed implementation date for the new Sewer Use Bylaw is July 1, 2013.  This means the new regulations, permits and the limits and prohibited substances will be effective on July 1, 2013.

What are the changes in the new Sewer Use Bylaw?
The new bylaw is more specific about what substances can be discharged into the wastewater system and how wastewater system users have to manage their discharge.

Does Saskatoon currently have a sewer bylaw?
The Sewage Works Bylaw, 5115, dates back to 1971 and does not address current environmental standards.  The new Sewer Use Bylaw will clarify wastewater discharge standards in terms of potential hazardous substances and required onsite treatment.

Who will be most impacted by the new Sewer Use Bylaw?
The proposed bylaw changes will have the greatest impact on larger industries and businesses, and industries that are required to use pre-treatment equipment to alter their wastewater.  Specific details on the conditions for wastewater discharge will be set through permits and regulations.

Are Residents impacted by the new Sewer Use Bylaw?
The City’s residential focus will be providing educational information on how to properly use the wastewater system.  This education will support an understanding of total waste management to ensure that wastes end up in the proper stream. 

What are Limits and Prohibited Substances?
These are substances that have restrictions and prohibitions on the type and amount that can be discharged into the sewer system.  These substances include metals, chemicals and high quantities of organic material.

What sewer dischargers will be governed by Regulations?
Regulations will apply to businesses and institutions that are required to have pre-treatment facilities.  The regulations set specific requirements for the pre-treatment facilities, including the type and size of treatment equipment; the equipment maintenance frequency; and monitoring and record keeping requirements.  Regulations apply the same rules to all dischargers within a grouping.  These regulations would apply to the following businesses and institutions:

• Food Sector Operations;
• Equipment and Vehicle Wash Operations;
• Fermentation Operations;
• Carpet Cleaning Operations;
• Dental Operations;
• Dry Cleaning Operations;
• Automotive Repair Operations; and
• Photographic Imaging Operations.

What sewer dischargers will be governed by Permits?
Permits would generally apply to higher-risk wastewater system users and would specify conditions that dischargers must meet, including sampling, monitoring, and reporting.  Each Permit is unique to the individual discharger and can specify specific conditions that would only apply to that discharger.  The following permit types are proposed:

• Special Use Permits – Apply to wastewater system discharges of prohibited or restricted waste into the sewer system.
• High Volume Discharge Permits – Apply to non-domestic wastewater discharges that meet or exceed 10 cubic metres per day, or 300 cubic metres per month.  Users that are also under a regulation may be exempt from this permit.
• Trucked Liquid Waste Hauler Permit – Apply to haulers responsible for the collection and transportation of waste from a site, other than human sewage, to be discharged at a City disposal facility.
• Pre-Treatment Facility Permit – Apply to regulated businesses and institutions that can demonstrate the ability to comply with the Sewer Use Bylaw’s effluent standards, even though their equipment does not meet the applicable regulation standard.

Are there fees associated with Regulations?
Currently there are no fees being applied to regulated businesses and institutions.

Are there fees associated with Permits?
Permits will have associated fees commencing July 1, 2013.  The fees will apply to a permit application – $500; a permit amendment – $250; and an annual permit - $1,000.  Permits fees are not required until July 1, 2013; therefore, permits issued in advance of this date will be exempt from the application fee and the first annual fee (saving $1,500).  The annual permit fee will be due upon renewal.

How will the City assist businesses and institutions during the implementation period, from Bylaw approval to the July 1, 2013 effective date?
The City will work to identify those that may be under a regulation or permit and offer free informational inspections to assist them with understanding how to comply with the new bylaw.

What if my business or institution does not comply with the appropriate regulation or permit on the July 1, 2013 Sewer Use Bylaw effective date?
Compliance is expected by the July 1, 2013 effective date.  The City will work cooperatively with anyone requiring assistance during the implementation period.  Cases where a business or institution is not compliant by the effective date will be dealt with on an individual basis.  Demonstrated effort toward reaching compliance may mitigate some bylaw enforcement actions.

Additional Information
Additional information related to bylaw implementation and voluntary inspections will be available following the approval of the new Sewer Use Bylaw.  For more information on the proposed new Sewer Use Bylaw, refer to the City of Saskatoon website at www.saskatoon.ca, and look under “S” for the Sewer Use Bylaw.

How does Saskatoon treat wastewater?
Every time you flush the toilet, take a shower or wash the dishes, you send wastewater down the drain to an underground network of pipes. These pipes, through a series of pumping stations, carry the wastewater to the Wastewater Treatment Plant on Whiteswan Drive. The wastewater goes through an extensive treatment process to ensure that when it re-enters the South Saskatchewan River, it is safe for people living downstream and for the environment.