GFL Environmental Inc. - Environmental Compliance Approval (waste)

Hauled sewage, commonly known as septage, is the waste material removed from portable toilets, sewage holding tanks and septic systems. Untreated hauled sewage from holding tanks and septic tanks may be disposed of on land in accordance with an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) issued under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA).

This proposal is for the issuance of an Environmental Compliance Approval for a hauled sewage disposal site.

Site details

• application type: renewal
• total useable area: 1 hectares
• type of disposal: dewatering trench
• number of trenches: # 3

Highlights of proposed approval requirements

• prior to operating at the site, the company shall develop written procedures covering:
  • procedures for reporting to the ministry, and municipal authorities as required, in the event a spill occurs at the site
  • a list of the personnel responsible for operations at the site
• the company shall ensure that all personnel involved in the operation of this hauled sewage disposal site are aware of the requirements of this approval and are trained in spill prevention
• spills of a pollutant that cause or may cause an adverse effect are to be reported to the Ministry's Spills Action Centre and the company shall take appropriate remedial action to limit the impact
• the company must ensure that no unnecessary off-site effects, such as vermin, vectors, odour, dust, litter, noise or traffic, result from the operation of this site
• written records must be maintained in a log book that documents daily operations as well as any spills that occur and any complaints received
• the # 3 dewatering trenches must be designed and constructed according to specified standards set out in the approval
• the dewatering trenches must be operated in accordance with specified standards set out in the approval which include:
  • maximum volumes that can be put in a trench
  • rotating the use of the trenches
  • ensuring trenches have a rest period
  • cleaning residuals from the trenches on a regular basis
• a closure plan shall be developed for the site and the site must be closed in accordance with the plan
• surface or ground water monitoring conditions may be required

Other

Prior to the spreading of hauled sewage, the operator is responsible for ensuring that all necessary approvals, licences or permits that may be required from other authorities, such as the local municipality, conservation authority, Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry and OMAFRA, have been acquired.