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| Title: Sewer Utilities Services Bylaw Number: | Title: Sewer Utilities Services Bylaw Number: | Fort Macleod |
|-------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|----------------|
| Bylaw 2013 Administered by: | Director of Operations Approval Date: | 2026.01.12 |
| Approved by: | Chief Administrative Officer Effective Date: | 2026.01.01 |
## Contents
8
| 1 Title, Definitions and Interpretation. ..3 | 1 Title, Definitions and Interpretation. ..3 | 1 Title, Definitions and Interpretation. ..3 |
|------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|
| 1.1 | Short Title | .3 |
| 1.2 | Definitions. | ....3 |
| 1.3 | Rules of Interpretation | ...6 |
| 2 | Sewer System Authority... ..6 | Sewer System Authority... ..6 |
| 2.1 | General Sewer Authority. | ...6 |
| 2.2 | Inspection Powers and Access... | ..7 |
| | 3 Administration of Utility and Collections. ...7 | 3 Administration of Utility and Collections. ...7 |
| 3.1 | Application for Utility Service. | ..7 |
| 3.2 | Termination and/or Temporary Disconnection | ...8 |
| 3.3 | Service Disconnection and Demolition | 9 |
| 3.4 | Administration Fees | 9 |
| 3.5 | Disconnection/Reconnection Service Charges... | ..9 |
| 3.6 | Service Call.... | ...9 |
| | 4 Payment of Utility Accounts 10 | 4 Payment of Utility Accounts 10 |
| 4.1 | Administration of Rates and Charges. | ..10 |
| 4.2 | Interim Accounts | ..10 |
| 4.3 | Appeals/Errors | ..10 |
| | 5 General Sewer Provisions. .11 | 5 General Sewer Provisions. .11 |
| 5.1 | Authorizations and Connections. | ..11 |
| 5.2 | Maintenance and Responsibility. | ..11 |
| 5.3 | Sampling and Monitoring. | 12 |
| | Wastewater Facilities on Private Property... 12 | Wastewater Facilities on Private Property... 12 |
| 6.1 | Private Properties Connections.. | .12 |
| 6.2 | Private Property Maintenance.... | . 13 |
| 7 | Wastewater Strength Limits .. 13 | Wastewater Strength Limits .. 13 |
| 7.1 | Storm Sewerage System..... | .13 |
| 7.2 | Sanitary Sewer. | ...14 |
| 7.3 | Sanitary Sewerage System.. | ..14 |
| 7.4 | Discharge Limits. | ..16 |
| 7.5 | Hauled Waste Water and General Prohibitions .. | ..16 |
| | Sampling and Pretreatment. | 17 |
| 8.1 | 8.1 | Pretreatment Requirements . 17 |
|------------------|--------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|
| 8.2 | 8.2 | Sampling.. ...17 |
| 9 | Rates and Fees ...18 | Rates and Fees ...18 |
| 9.1 | 9.1 | Charges and Administration ..18 |
| 10 | Fines and Penalties.. ...18 | Fines and Penalties.. ...18 |
| | | 10.1 Enforcement. ..18 |
| | | 10.2 Responsibilities.. ...19 |
| 11 | Liabilities for Damages 19 | Liabilities for Damages 19 |
| 11.1 | 11.1 | Liability ..19 |
| 12 | Transitional ...20 | Transitional ...20 |
| 12.1 Enactment.. | 12.1 Enactment.. | ...20 |
| 13 | Schedule "A" Sewer Utility Rates ... ...21 | Schedule "A" Sewer Utility Rates ... ...21 |
| 14 | Glossary. ....22 | Glossary. ....22 |
## TOWN OF FORT MACLEOD PROVINCE OF ALBERTA BYLAW NO. 2013
## SEWER UTILITY SERVICES BYLAW
## BEING A BYLAW OF THE TOWN OF FORT MACLEOD, IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, FOR THE PURPOSE OF RESPECTING THE MANAGEMENT AND REGULATION OF SEWERS WITHIN THE TOWN
WHEREAS the Municipal Government Act, Chapter M-26, RSA 2000, as amended, provides for a Municipal Council passing bylaws or resolutions to maintain, manage or conduct any public utility; and
WHEREAS the Town of Fort Macleod has constructed and maintains and operates a sewerage system; and
WHEREAS the Town of Fort Macleod Wastewater Treatment Plants discharges are subject to Provincial Environment license requirements;
NOW THEREFORE the Municipal Council of the Town of Fort Macleod, duly assembled, enacts as follows:
## 1 Title, Definitions and Interpretation
## 1.1 Short Title
This Bylaw shall be cited as the "Sewer Utility Services Bylaw".
## 1.2 Definitions
In this Bylaw, the definitions contained in the Safety Codes Act, R.S.A. 1991, Chapter S-0.5, as amended and regulations adopted thereunder, shall be used in construing the sections of this Bylaw in addition to the definitions which follow:
- 1.2.1 BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (BOD) - is a measure of the oxygen equivalent of the organic matter content of a sample that is susceptible to oxidation by process bacteria.
- 1.2.2 BODY OF WATER means any creek, stream, river, pond, lake, waterway, watercourse, canal or other flowing or standing water.
- 1.2.3 BUILDING DRAIN - means the lowest horizontal piping that conducts clearwater waste, wastewater, storm water or water to a building sewer.
- 1.2.4 BUILDING SEWER - means that part of a drainage system outside a building commencing at the outer face of the wall of the building and connecting the building drain to the main sewer and terminating at the property line or place of disposal of wastewater.
- 1.2.5 CAO - Chief Administrative Officer or designate.
- 1.2.6 CATCH BASIN- is an interceptor or area drain installed to prevent sand, grit, and other materials from passing into a drainage system.
- 1.2.7 CHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (COD) - is a measure of the oxygen equivalent of the organic matter content of a sample that is susceptible to oxidation by a strong chemical oxidant.
- 1.2.8 COMBINED SEWER means a sewer that is intended to conduct wastewater and storm water.
- 1.2.9 COMPOSITE SAMPLE - is a sample composed of a number of grab samples which have been collected over a specified period of time, usually 24 hours or the industry's operating day, and combined in proportion to the volume of wastewater discharge they represent.
- 1.2.10 CONVENTIONAL POLLUTANTS - may include non-filterable residue (suspended solids), grease and oils, phosphorus, fecal and total coliform bacteria and substances the exert biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand or that affect pH.
- 1.2.11 FIXTURE - means a receptacle, appliance, apparatus or other device that discharges wastewater or clearwater waste and includes a floor drain.
- 1.2.12 FLOOR DRAIN - means a fixture used to receive water from a floor of a building.
- 1.2.13 GARBAGE - includes the solid waste from the preparation, cooking, and dispensing of food, and from the handling, storage, and sale of produce.
- 1.2.14 GRAB SAMPLE - is a sample collected over a short period of time by taking and combining one or more samples of wastewater flow.
- 1.2.15 HEALTH OFFICER - shall mean the Medical Officer of Health for the Town of Fort Macleod or the duly authorized representative of the Health Officer.
- 1.2.16 HYDROCARBONS OF PETROLEUM ORIGIN - are those materials which absorb onto Silica gel as described in the "hydrocarbon" method.
- 1.2.17 INSPECTOR - is a person authorized by the CAO to make inspections and/or to take samples where required and to otherwise enforce this Bylaw.
- 1.2.18 INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER - is wastewater from industrial processes.
- 1.2.19 MERCAPTANS (THIOLS) - means the sulphur analogs of alcohol and phenols with the general chemical formula RSH where R is the organic portion of the molecule.
- 1.2.20 NATURAL OUTLET - is any outlet from a natural water course into another water course, pond, ditch or lake, or other body of surface or groundwater.
- 1.2.21 NONFILTERABLE RESIDUE & SUSPENDED SOLIDS - means the solid matter suspended in water or wastewater.
- 1.2.22 OIL AND GREASE - means an organic substance recoverable by procedures set forth in "Standard Methods" and includes but is not limited to hydrocarbons, esters, fats, oils, waxes and high molecular carboxylic acids.
- 1.2.23 OWNER - includes the registered owner of a property and the person in charge of the premises.
- 1.2.24 PERSON - shall mean any individual, firm, company, association, society, corporation or group.
- 1.2.25 PH - means the measure of the intensity of the acid or alkaline conditions of a solution determined by the hydrogen ion activity of the solution in accordance with procedures set forth in "Standard Methods."
- 1.2.26 PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS - means hydroxyl derivatives of benzene and its condensed nuclei. Concentrations of phenolic compounds shall be determined using either the 4amino antipyrine method or the gas liquid chromatographic procedure given in Standard Methods.
- 1.2.27 PHOSPHORUS (Total) - includes all orthophosphates and condensed phosphates, both dissolved and particulate, organic, and inorganic released from combination with organic matter by a digestion process as rigorous as or less rigorous than, the Sulfuric acid - nitric acid digestion.
- 1.2.28 POLLUTANT - means a chemical or material that is added to the water that causes an adverse deviation from the mean geochemical composition of the water.
- 1.2.29 Pollutants shall be classified as conventional, non-conventional and priority. Nonconventional pollutants are those not classified as conventional or priority.
- 1.2.30 POLLUTED COOLING WATER - cooling waters to which chemicals have been added for the purpose of inhibiting bacterial growth in the cooling water system.
- 1.2.31 PRIORITY POLLUTANTS - includes chemicals and metals that have a toxic effect on the biological activity of the wastewater treatment processes and/or the receiving stream. These may include phenolic compounds, pesticides, chlorinated hydrocarbons, antimony, arsenic, barium, boron, chromium, copper, cadmium, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium, silver, and zinc.
- 1.2.32 RECEIVING WATERS - means the Oldman River or any other watercourse receiving or ultimately receiving the discharge of wastewater, clearwater waste or storm water,
- 1.2.33 SANITARY SEWER - means a sewer which carries wastewater and to which storm, surface and ground waters are not intentionally admitted.
- 1.2.34 SEWAGE - means any liquid waste from a fixture
- 1.2.35 SEWER - is a pipe or conduit for carrying storm water, clearwater waste, water or wastewater.
- 1.2.36 SEWER SERVICE - means that part of a sewer line from the building to the main line or point of wastewater disposal.
- 1.2.37 SEWERAGE SYSTEM - means a sewer or system of sewers or any plants, structures, equipment, pipes, apparatus or other things for or incidental to the collection, treatment or disposal of wastewater.
- 1.2.38 SEWERAGE PROJECT- means all construction for collection transportation, pumping, treatment and final disposal of wastewater or any part thereof.
- 1.2.39 STANDARD METHODS - means the current edition of "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater," American Public Health Association, Washington, D.C.
- 1.2.40 STORM SEWER - means a sewer that is installed to convey storm water and surface drainage.
- 1.2.41 SURFACE WATER - means water in a watercourse.
- 1.2.42 TOWN means the Town of Fort Macleod or the area contained within its municipal boundaries as the context requires.
- 1.2.43 TRUE COLOUR UNITS - means the measure of the colour of the water from which turbidity has been removed.
- 1.2.44 UNPOLLUTED COOLING WATERS - cooling water to which no chemicals or substances have been added and which have not picked up amounts of pollutants in excess of concentrations allowed in the connection permit.
- 1.2.45 WASTEWATER - means sewage.
- 1.2.46 WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY - is any system or method used to treat wastewater biologically, chemically, electrically, mechanically or otherwise and includes the wastewater collection system, therefore.
- 1.2.47 WATER COURSE - means: (a) the bed and shore of a river, stream, lake, creek, lagoon, swamp, marsh or other natural body of water; or (b) a canal, ditch, reservoir or other manmade surface feature, whether it contains or conveys water continuously or intermittently.
## 1.3 Rules of Interpretation
- 1.3.1 Nothing in this Bylaw relieves a Person from complying with any provision of any Provincial or Federal legislation or regulation, other bylaw or any requirement of any lawful permit, order or licence.
- 1.3.2 The headings in this Bylaw are for guidance purposes and convenience only.
- 1.3.3 Every provision in this Bylaw is independent of all other provisions, and if any provision of this Bylaw is declared invalid for any reason by a Court of competent jurisdiction, all other provisions of this Bylaw shall remain valid and enforceable.
## 2 Sewer System Authority
## 2.1 General Sewer Authority
- 2.1.1 Except as otherwise provided in this Bylaw, no person shall discharge into any water course any wastewater or waste.
- 2.1.2 The provisions of this Bylaw shall apply to all persons using the Town's sewerage system both in and outside the Town, and regardless of whether any person using this system has a contract for sewerage service with the Town.
- 2.1.3 The CAO is hereby authorized to administer and enforce the provisions of this Bylaw. In addition to those duties, without limiting them, the CAO may make binding contracts with customers for sewerage service and may levy charges and fines in accordance with this Bylaw.
- 2.1.4 The CAO shall have the discretion to discontinue sewerage service in the event of noncompliance herewith.
- 2.1.5 Any owner or occupier of property connected, or required to be connected, to the sewerage system shall, upon request of the CAO, provide information regarding the type, quantity, and chemical composition of pollutants that are or may be handled, stored, or used on the property, or discharged into the sewerage system, with notification also provided to Public Works and the Plants.
- 2.1.6 Those persons desiring sewerage system service must apply in writing to the Town of Fort Macleod CAO and with notification provided to Public Works.
- 2.1.7 Rates to be charged for sewerage service shall be as per Schedule "A" and set from time to time by Town Council.
## 2.2 Inspection Powers and Access
- 2.2.1 The Inspector shall be permitted reasonable access upon all property in the Town for the purpose of inspection, measurement, sampling and testing in accordance with this Bylaw.
- 2.2.1.1 If such inspection discloses any act or omission contrary to the provisions of this Bylaw or the inspection discloses any defect or insufficiency in the location, construction, design or maintenance of any equipment in connection with the wastewater discharge, the Inspector may direct the owner or occupier of the premises to correct the act or omission or any defect or insufficiency.
- 2.2.1.2 No person shall obstruct or interfere with the Inspector in the discharge of his duties under this Bylaw.
## 3 Administration of Utility and Collections
## 3.1 Application for Utility Service
- 3.1.1 The utility services shall be under the general supervision and control of the CAO.
- 3.1.2 The CAO shall exercise the powers and perform the duties with respect to the utility services conferred and placed upon them by this and any other Bylaw of the Town applicable thereto and any order or direction the CAO or Council with respect thereto.
- 3.1.3 Any person who requires any utility services shall apply to the Town Office on a form provided by the Town, such form may be changed from time to time by the Chief Financial Officer. Accounts may not be changed or transferred under circumstances other than those described above and pay a non-refundable application fee as per Schedule "A".
- 3.1.4 An application shall be supported by such identification and legal authority of the Applicant as the Chief Financial Officer may require.
- 3.1.5 The utility account shall be set up in the name of the property owner as per Land Titles notification. Any owner desiring to have a copy of the Town utility billing forwarded to a tenant at a tenant's mailing address may direct the Town to do so by making application at the Town Office on the printed forms provided by the Town. The application must be signed by both the property owner and the tenant. The property owner is ultimately responsible for any outstanding charges, arrears and penalties from utility billings.
- 3.1.6 The property owner is responsible to ensure the payment is received in the Town's bank account by the due date. Owners must consider the bank's timing to process a payment. If a payment is received after the due date the responsibility for the late payment falls to the owner. Allowance for bank processing time of electronic funds transfer (EFT) is the responsibility of the property owner.
- 3.1.7 Upon making application, providing all information required by the Town, and paying the application fee and any other sums herein required, there shall thereupon be a binding agreement between the Consumer and the Town, for the utility service applied for, and the provisions of the application and this Bylaw shall constitute the terms and conditions of such agreement.
- 3.1.8 Provision, agreement, term, condition, or representation not contained in an application for utility service or in this Bylaw shall form any part of the Contract between the Town and a consumer for utility service.
- 3.1.9 The Town shall not be obligated to provide utility services until access has been provided to the premises (if necessary) to enable the Town to obtain an initial meter reading for each utility service which is metered.
- 3.1.10 Where the Applicant is indebted to the Town for any utility services previously provided, the Town may refuse to provide any utility services until such amount is paid in full or until arrangements for payment are made satisfactory to the Chief Financial Officer.
- 3.1.11 The Contract for utility service is not transferable and shall remain in full force and effect until the consumer notifies the Town Utility Office in writing prior to the termination or transfer date, of his desire to terminate the Contract or until the said Contract shall have been terminated by the Town.
- 3.1.12 The Town does not guarantee the continuous uninterrupted supply of any utility, and the Town, its officers, employees or agents shall not be liable for any damages of any kind due to or arising out of a failure to supply a utility.
- 3.1.13 All Schedules attached and form part of this Bylaw may be amended from time to time by simple resolution of Council.
## 3.2 Termination and/or Temporary Disconnection
- 3.2.1 Upon notification by the consumer in writing prior to the disconnect date, to the Town to terminate his Contract, the Town shall obtain a final reading of any meter as soon as reasonably practical and the consumer shall be liable for and pay all of the rates and charges payable hereunder until the time of such final meter reading.
- 3.2.2 When the premises to which utility service is provided becomes vacant and no new application for service has been made the owner will continue to be responsible for the monthly basic charge and any consumption charges as indicated in Schedule "A",
- 3.2.2.1 A tenant or owner may request a temporary discontinuance of a service in which case the tenant or owner shall be responsible for the monthly basic charge as indicated in Schedule "A". If there is any consumption over and above the basic charge during this temporary discontinuance, the owner/tenant will be responsible for its payment.
- 3.2.2.2 Nothing herein shall prevent the owner from requesting that the Town disconnect such utility service provided the owner pays the service charge prescribed in Schedule "A".
The owner shall be responsible for a minimum monthly basic charge as indicated in Schedule "A".
- 3.2.3 The Town may discontinue the supply of all utility service for any of the following reasons:
- 3.2.3.1 Non-payment of any utility accounts, or inability of the Town to obtain access to a residential premises to read, repair or replace any meter for a period of six months, or to a non-residential premises to read, repair or replace any meter for a period of three months, or
- 3.2.3.2 Failure by, or refusal of, a consumer to comply with any provision of this Bylaw, or
- 3.2.3.3 Failure by, or refusal of, a consumer to comply with any provisions of any Provincial Acts, the Building Code, or any regulations thereunder, or
- 3.2.3.4 In any other case provided for in this Bylaw, and
- 3.2.3.5 In such event the Town, its officers, employees or agents shall not be liable for any damages of any kind from such discontinuance of service.
## 3.3 Service Disconnection and Demolition
- 3.3.1 No permit for the demolition or removal of a building shall be issued by the Town nor shall any person cause, permit or allow to be demolished or removed a building connected to a utility service line or main until there has been paid to the Town the cost of disconnecting the utility service in the amount required under this Bylaw, including costs of meter and appurtenances and such utility services have been disconnected. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Public Works Foreman may, in circumstances which he considers appropriate, permit the service to remain connected to the utility service line or main.
- 3.3.2 Request for permit for demolition or removal of a building shall be given a minimum of twenty (20) working days prior to commencement of said work.
## 3.4 Administration Fees
- 3.4.1 Every consumer shall at the time of application for a utility service, pay an administration fee as per Schedule "A".
## 3.5 Disconnection/Reconnection Service Charges
- 3.5.1 A consumer shall pay a disconnection service charge as per Schedule "A", which may be added to his account for any service call which is made for the purpose of discontinuing a utility service, pursuant Section 3.3.2 of this Bylaw, or at the owner's request, for whatever reason, to have services discontinued.
- 3.5.2 Where a service call is made for the purpose of restoring services a reconnection service charge as per Schedule "A" may be assessed to the consumer's account where utility services were previously discontinued pursuant to Section 3.3.2 of this Bylaw or to the owner's account where utility services were previously discontinued at the owner's request.
## 3.6 Service Call
- 3.6.1 When a consumer requests that a Town employee attend at his premises with respect to any matter relating to the supply of utility services or the servicing of the same, and for any reason whatsoever the Town employee is unable to enter the said premises, or if the
call is for failure of service not attributable to the Town Utility service, the consumer shall pay a fee as per Schedule "A".
## 4 Payment of Utility Accounts
## 4.1 Administration of Rates and Charges
- 4.1.1 All rates and charges payable hereunder shall be paid to the Town within the time prescribed by this Bylaw.
- 4.1.1.1 The entire utility account is due and payable when rendered and if not paid by the penalty date stated on the utility bill is deemed to be in arrears. Failure to receive a utility bill does not relieve the customer of liability.
- 4.1.1.2 A consumer who has not paid the full utility account rendered on or before the penalty date stated in the utility account may have the supply of all or any utility services discontinued without notice. The Town reserves the right to disconnect utility services to any consumer whose utility account falls into arrears if the utility account remains unpaid after 7 days of being notified of such arrears by letter. The utility service will not be reinstated until all arrears and charges owed to the Town are paid
- 4.1.1.3 In the event that such utility bill for water and wastewater services remains unpaid thirty (30) days following the due date, the said due date considered to be the date of receipt and the said date of receipt considered to be four (4) days after the date of mailing, there shall be added thereto by way of a penalty, an amount which shall be two and one half percent (2.5%) of the then unpaid utility bill. If the principal and initial penalty remain unpaid, compounding can occur at the same rate every thirty days from the imposition of the initial penalty.
## 4.2 Interim Accounts
- 4.2.1 In any case in which the Town has rendered an account based upon an estimate of utility consumption, the Town shall, upon reading the meter in respect of which the estimate was made, render an account for such utility service since the time the meter was last read by the Town, after crediting all amounts received from the consumer in respect of such estimated accounts.
- 4.2.2 Where any service rate or charge is designated by reference to a certain time, the charge for a lesser period of time shall be calculated on a proportionate basis.
- 4.2.3 The Chief Financial Officer may enforce payment of all accounts rendered hereunder by whatever means he/she considers appropriate in accordance with the Municipal Government Act.
## 4.3 Appeals/Errors
- 4.3.1 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Bylaw or the rate schedules forming part hereof, any consumer who feels himself aggrieved in respect of rate charged to him under this Bylaw on the ground that such rates are unfair, unreasonable or discriminatory may, by notice in writing delivered to the Town Public Works Foreman, CAO or Town Chief Financial Officer, specifying the grounds of his complaint, appeal such rates. Such appeal shall in the first instance be heard and determined by the Town
Public Works Foreman, CAO or Town Chief Financial Officer, provided that if such consumer is not satisfied with such determination he may, by notice in writing to be delivered to the CAO within 30 days of the date of such determination, further appeal the matter of Council.
- 4.3.2 In the event an error has occurred in the utility billing:
- 4.3.2.1 And the town is responsible; the account will be adjusted for 3 billing periods plus the current period.
- 4.3.2.2 If the consumer is responsible, it shall be adjusted on the date notification is received.
## 5 General Sewer Provisions
## 5.1 Authorizations and Connections
- 5.1.1 No person shall uncover, make any connection with or opening into, use, alter, or disturb any public sewer or appurtenance thereof without prior written authorization from the CAO, and Public Works must be consulted and notified prior to any such activity.
- 5.1.2 No person shall connect private sewer lines to sanitary, combined, or storm sewers without a permit, and Public Works must be consulted and notified prior to any such connection.
- 5.1.3 No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into any sewer system or watercourse within, or entering the Town sewerage system, any wastewater, clearwater waste or storm water without obtaining written approval to do so from the CAO. No such approval shall be given by the CAO until:
- 5.1.4 Such person has made application in writing for permission to discharge wastewater, clear water waste or storm water into a sewer within, or entering the Town system;
- 5.1.5 Such applicant, if requested, has given the chemical and physical analysis, quantity and rate of discharge of sewage proposed to be so discharged, any other detailed information that is required, including all pertinent information relating to any proposed pretreatment before discharge;
- 5.1.6 Such person has given assurance that the discharge into the sewerage system will at all times meet the criteria set out in Section 7.1 or Section 7.3 whichever is applicable; and
- 5.1.7 Such person has provided for facilities to control the rate of discharge into the sewerage system as directed by the CAO.
- 5.1.8 In order for the Town to construct sewer services from the sewer main to the property line, the property owner requesting the service shall supply the Town with the size and accurate location of all sewer services, and Public Works shall be consulted, notified, and provided with records of all new sewer locations.
## 5.2 Maintenance and Responsibility
- 5.2.1 The Town shall maintain the sewer service from the main to the property line and assume responsibility for blockages caused by collapsed service lines, otherwise it shall be the responsibility of the property owner, to correct any blockage. The cost of any work done by the Town may be charged back to the property owner.
- 5.2.2 The proper care and maintenance of the sewer service connection line from the main to the users point of entry shall be the responsibility of the owner or the occupant. Where the sewer line becomes plugged the owner or occupant must first call a qualified plumber and attempt to clean the line or establish the probable cause at his own expense. The Town will be responsible for the cost of excavation and repair only if it is found that the cause of the stoppage is the result of faulty material or construction on the Town's portion of the service line.
- 5.2.3 In the event that any sewer service or private sewer system is abandoned, the owner or occupier, at his expense, shall effectively cap the sewer at a suitable location within his property in order to prevent wastewater and storm water from backing up into the soil and to prevent soil or dirt from being washed into the sewer, and the capping must be inspected and recorded by Public Works prior to final acceptance.
## 5.3 Sampling and Monitoring
- 5.3.1 Where required by the CAO, the owner or occupier of property serviced by a sewer shall install a suitable sampling manhole in the sewer service for determining the wastewater quality, temperature, rate of flow and other measurements. Such manhole shall be:
- 5.3.1.1 Located and constructed in accordance with plans approved by the Inspector, and;
- 5.3.1.2 Installed and maintained at all times by the owner at his own expense.
## 6 Wastewater Facilities on Private Property
## 6.1 Private Properties Connections
- 6.1.1 The owner of property used for employment, recreation or other purposes, situated within the Town and abutting on any street, lane or right of way in which there is a public sanitary or combined sewer shall install, at his own expense, suitable toilet facilities therein and shall connect such facilities with the proper sewer in accordance with the provisions of regulations under the Safety Codes Act, R.S.A. 1991 Chapter S- 0.5, within sixty (60) days of the Health Officer notifying him to do so.
- 6.1.2 Where a public sanitary sewer or combined sewer is not available, the owner of property described in Section 6.1.1 above shall connect the building sewer to a private wastewater disposal system which shall comply with the provisions of this Bylaw, the Safety Codes Act and the regulations of the Provincial Board of Health.
- 6.1.3 At such time as a public sewer becomes available to a property served by a private wastewater disposal system, the provisions of Section 6.1.1 shall then apply to the property and a direct connection shall be made to the public sewer and any septic tanks, cesspools or similar private wastewater disposal facilities shall be abandoned and filled with suitable material.
- 6.1.4 Any sewer service on private property shall be constructed by the owner at his expense in conformity with this Bylaw and The Safety Codes Act and regulations passed thereunder.
- 6.1.5 Permits for building sewers on private property shall be obtained from the Development Officer. Permit applications shall be supplemented by any plans, specifications, or other
information considered necessary by the Plumbing Inspector, and Public Works and the Plants shall also be consulted, notified, and provided with relevant information.
- 6.1.6 The owner shall, at his own expense, maintain the building sewer from his property line to the building.
- 6.1.7 The owner shall, at his own expense, operate and maintain his private wastewater disposal facilities in a sanitary condition.
## 6.2 Private Property Maintenance
- 6.2.1 Grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be provided on private property by the owner for all garages, gasoline service stations and vehicle and equipment washing establishments.
- 6.2.2 Interceptors will be required for other types of business if the Manager determines they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid waste.
- 6.2.2.1 All interceptors shall be:
- of a type and capacity approved by the CAO,
- located to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection, and
- maintained by the owner or occupier at his expense.
- 6.2.3 Catch basins shall be maintained on private property by the owner or occupier at his expense.
## 7 Wastewater Strength Limits
## 7.1 Storm Sewerage System
- 7.1.1 Unpolluted water shall be discharged to the storm sewerage system or to a natural watercourse where available. Water, including storm water, surface water, clearwater waste and sub-surface drainage (except foundation drainage) shall be considered to be unpolluted if:
- 7.1.1.1 It does not contain conventional, non-conventional, or priority pollutants in measurable concentrations other than those identified below in less than or equal to the concentrations listed:
Conventional Pollutants
- B.O.D. - 20 mg/L
- C.O.D. - 40 mg/L
- Grease and Oils - 5.0 mg/L
- Non-Filterable Residue - 20 mg/L
- Nitrogen (ammonia plus organic) - 1.0 mg/L
- Total Phosphorus - 0.05 mg/L
- Copper - 0.02 mg/L
- Fluoride - 1.5 mg/L
- Iron - 0.3 mg/L
- Manganese - 0.05 mg/L
- Sulfide - 0.5 mg/L
- Zinc - 0.05 mg/L
- Total Coliform density 5,000 per 100 ml in 90% of samples
- Fecal Coliform density 1,000 per 100 ml in 90% of samples
## Priority Pollutants
- Arsenic - 0. 1 mg/L
- Barium - 1.00 mg/L
- Boron - 0.5 mg/L
- Cadmium - 0.05 mg/L
- Chromium - 0.05 mg/L
- Cyanide - 0.01 mg/L
- Lead - 0.05 mg/L
- Mercury - 0.0001 mg/L
- Phenolic - 0.005 mg/L
- Selenium - 0.01 -mg/L
- Silver - 0.05 mg/L
- Pesticides (total) - 0.01 mg/L
- 7.1.1.2 Its pH is greater than 6.5 and less than 9.0;
- 7.1.1.3 It has a colour less than 30 true colour units;
- 7.1.1.4 Its temperature is lower than 65 °C.
- 7.1.1.5 These lists shall not be limited to the above materials. They include any materials citec in Provincial and Federal Legislation and amendments thereto, including priority pollutants listed in the Federal Environmental Contaminants Act.
## 7.2 Sanitary Sewer
- 7.2.1 No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any surface water, sub-surface drainage (except foundation drainage) or unpolluted clearwater waste to any sanitary sewer. The CAO may, on application, authorize such discharge where exceptional conditions prevent compliance with the foregoing provision.
## 7.3 Sanitary Sewerage System
- 7.3.1 Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall discharge or cause or permit to be discharged any of the following described water or wastes to any sanitary sewerage system;
- any liquid or vapour having a temperature higher than 75°C;
- any tar or other viscous material of mineral origin;
- any gasoline, solvents or similar products;
- any garbage that has not been shredded so as to pass through a 6mm screen;
- any water or wastes which contain material that will solidify or become viscous at temperatures between 5°C and 80°C;
- any ashes, cinders, wood, wood-shavings, sawdust, rags, sand, mud, straw, metal, glass, fiberglass, plastics, eggshells, feathers and improperly shredded paper or other solids;
- 7.3.1.1 animal parts or wastes including; but not limited to:
- any manure or intestinal contents from horses, cattle, sheep, swine or poultry,
- hooves or toenails,
- intestines or stomach casings or animal body parts,
- bones
- bristles and hair,
- hides or parts thereof,
- fat or flesh particles larger than will pass through a 6mm screen,
- fleshings and hair resulting from tanning operations,
- 7.3.1.2 any wastewater having a pH lower than 6.0 or above 10.0;
- 7.3.1.3 wastewater which is in or is capable of being transformed into, two or more separate layers;
- 7.3.1.4 wastewater containing substances in concentrations exceeding the following:
- Antimony - 1.0 mg/L
- Arsenic - 1.0 mg/L
- Barium - 3.0 mg/L
- Boron - 1.0 mg/L
- Cadmium - 0.05 mg/L
- Chromium - 1.0 mg/L
- Chlorinated hydrocarbons0.02 mg/L
- Copper - 0.5 mg/L
- Cyanide - 1.0 mg/L
- Lead - 1.0 mg/L
- Manganese - 1.0 mg/L
- Mercury - 0. 1 mg/l
- Nickel - 0.5 mg/L
- Total Pesticides - 0.1 mg/L
- Phenolic Compounds - 0.1 mg/L
- Selenium - 1.0 mg/L
- Silver - 1.0 mg/L
- Sulfide - 1.0 mg/L
- Zinc - 1.0 mg/L
- 7.3.1.5 Pollutants other than those listed in Section 7.3.1.4 from being discharged under Federal or Provincial legislation and amendments thereto;
- 7.3.1.6 Any noxious or malodorous gas or substance capable of creating public nuisance including, but not limited to, hydrogen sulphide, mercaptans (thiols), carbon disulphides, other reduced sulphur compounds, amines, and ammonia;
- 7.3.1.7 Wastewater containing substances in concentrations exceeding the following:
- 300 mg/L nonfilterable residue (suspended solids), and/or
- 300 mg/L B.O.D. and/or
- 300 mg/L chemical oxygen demand (C.O.D.) and/or
- 100 mg/L grease and oils and/or
- 100 mg/L hydrocarbons of petroleum origin and/or
- 100 mg/L total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and/or
- 25 mg/L total phosphorus
- 7.3.1.8 Lime slurry and residues;
- 7.3.1.9 Any substance which, in the opinion of the CAO, is or may become harmful to any recipient water course or sewer system or part thereof, may interfere with the proper operation of
the sewer system, may impair or interfere with any treatment process, or may become a hazard to persons, property or animals.
## 7.4 Discharge Limits
- 7.4.1 If a person discharges, or allows to be discharged, clear water waste or wastewater to a sewer within or entering the Town exceeding any of the following characteristics and limits:
- B.O.D. - 300 mg/L
- C.O.D. - 300 mg/L
- non-filterable residue - 300 mg/L
- grease and oils - 100 mg/L
- hydrocarbon of petroleum origin - 50 mg/L,
- TKN - 80 mg/L
- total phosphorus - 20 mg/L
- 7.4.1.1 Then such persons shall pay a surcharge computed as set out from time to time by resolution of Town Council, and the cost of clean-up and damages caused by the discharged substances.
## 7.5 Hauled Waste Water and General Prohibitions
- 7.5.1 The following regulations apply to wastewater hauled for disposal to the Town's sewer system:
- 7.5.1.1 Pursuant to the Business License Bylaw of the Town, and any changes and amendments thereto, persons hauling wastewater such as septic tank sludge and other water for discharge into the Town's sewer system shall obtain a license.
- 7.5.1.2 The license is subject to cancellation for any violation of this Bylaw.
- 7.5.1.3 Persons hauling wastewater or other waters for treatment shall discharge the wastewater or other waters into the Town's sewer system only at sites designated for such disposal.
- 7.5.1.4 Wastewater and other waters discharged shall meet the limits established in Section 7.3.
- 7.5.1.5 Treatment of wastewater or other waters so discharged shall be paid for in accordance with fees set from time to time by resolution of Town Council.
- 7.5.1.6 Any person discharging water or wastewater to the sewer system at the designated sites shall allow the material being discharged to be sampled and shall provide information on the wastewater being discharged. This information shall include, but not be limited to, source of wastewater, quantity of wastewater, trucking firm name, and truck license number.
- 7.5.2 No person shall place or deposit or permit to be deposited in any manner that is unsanitary in the opinion of the Health Officer upon public or private property within the Town of Fort Macleod or in any area under the jurisdiction of the Town, any human or animal excrement, garbage or other objectionable waste.
- 7.5.3 No person shall discharge to any natural outlet within the Town or any area under the jurisdiction of the Town, any sanitary wastewater, industrial wastewater or other polluted water except where pretreatment has been approved in accordance with the provisions of this bylaw and the concentration of pollutants has been reduced to or below the levels indicated in Section 7.1-Storm Sewerage System.
## 8 Sampling and Pretreatment
## 8.1 Pretreatment Requirements
- 8.1.1 Where the municipality or person using the sewerage system must provide pretreatment of wastewater, clearwater waste or stormwater to bring it within the limits established in this bylaw, that pretreatment facility shall be provided at the expense of the user.
- 8.1.2 Where pretreatment facilities are required, they shall be maintained continuously in satisfactory and effective operation by the owner at his expense.
- 8.1.3 All measurements, tests, and analyses of the characteristics of industrial waste, wastewater or water to which reference is made in this Bylaw shall be determined in accordance with:
- 8.1.4 Standard Methods;
- 8.1.4.1 Methods Manual for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, Alberta Environment Environmental Protection Services, Pollution Control Division, Pollution Control Laboratory;
- 8.1.4.2 Annual book of A.S.T.M. Standards - American Society for Testing and Materials; or
- 8.1.4.3 Other methods consistent with, or promulgated in, the professional literature. The measurements, tests and analyses shall be determined from aliquots of samples collected from the sampling manhole or other sampling points approved by the Manager.
- 8.1.5 No statement contained in this Bylaw shall be construed as preventing any special agreement or arrangement between the Town and any industrial concern whereby an industrial waste of unusual strength or character may be accepted by the Town for treatment subject to payment thereof by the industrial concern.
## 8.2 Sampling
- 8.2.1 Sampling shall be conducted and decisions regarding sampling will be made by the Inspector. The procedure for taking individual and composite samples for the purpose of determining surcharges, evaluating the need for pre-treatment, and conducting tests is outlined below.
- 8.2.2 Monitoring to determine pollutant concentrations may be performed on one or more grab samples obtained at any time from an approved sampling points.
- 8.2.3 Monitoring to determine wastewater overstrength surcharge assessment shall be performed on daily composite samples obtained from approved sampling points and combined using a method identified below. The following is the standard procedure for this sampling:
- 8.2.3.1 Grab samples of approximately equal volumes will be taken at random time intervals during the customer's operating day or over a 24-hour period.
- 8.2.3.2 The Town's water meter or the industry's effluent flow meter will be read when they are readily accessible and the reading recorded each time a grab sample is collected.
- 8.2.3.3 Where the meter is not readily accessible, the sampler may observe the flow in the sewer line being sampled and estimate the rate of flow.
- 8.2.3.4 The series of grab samples collected will be combined into a composite sample for analysis. The grab samples may be combined in proportion to the volume of water used or discharged during the sampling period, in proportion to the estimated flow, or where neither actual nor the estimated flow is available, the grab samples may be combined on
an equal volume basis. Any combination of the above may be used in the appropriate circumstances.
## 9 Rates and Fees
## 9.1 Charges and Administration
- 9.1.1 The Town levies wastewater service charges on all lands served by or connected to the sewerage system of the Town, which are to be paid monthly and can be found in Schedule "A", the rates are set from time to time by Town Council.
- 9.1.2 Collection of the revenue derived from the sewage system, the payment of disbursements connected therewith, and the supervision of all accounts and records shall be under the immediate control and direction of the CAO. The Public Works Foreman shall promptly notify the CAO of all connections made so that the proper charges may be made against all properties connected to the system.
## 10 Fines and Penalties
## 10.1 Enforcement
- 10.1.1 If the owner or occupier of a building, for which a sewer connection has been required pursuant to Sections 6.1.1 and 6.1.2 of this Bylaw, neglects or refuses to comply with the notice within sixty (60) days of receipt thereof, the Town may make or repair or cause to be made or repaired the said connection at the expense of the said owner or occupier.
- 10.1.2 When the occupant is the owner of a building or lot or part of a lot, the sum payable by him for the sewer service supplied by the Town to him or for his use and all rates, costs and charges imposed by this Bylaw are a preferential lien and charge on the building or lot or part of a lot and on the personal property of the debtor and may be levied and collected in a like manner as municipal rates and taxes are recoverable.
- 10.1.3 When the occupant to whom the sewer service has been supplied is a person other than the owner of a building or lot, the sum payable by the occupant is a debt due by him and is a preferential lien and charge on his personal property and may be levied and collected with costs by distress.
- 10.1.4 Any person who contravenes any provision of this bylaw is guilty of an offence and is liable upon summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,500 exclusive of costs for each contravention of this bylaw.
- 10.1.5 Any person who contravenes Sections 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 of this Bylaw is guilty of an offense and upon summary conviction is liable to a minimum fine of $500 for each contravention of this bylaw.
- 10.1.6 The CAO may authorize discontinuation of sewer service and may plug or seal off the sewer line discharging unacceptable sewage, when provisions of this Bylaw are not complied with.
- 10.1.7 The sewage may be prevented from being discharged into the sewerage system until evidence satisfactory to theCAO has been produced that no further breaches of the provisions of this Bylaw will occur or are likely to occur.
## 10.2 Responsibilities
- 10.2.1 All persons who by themselves, their servants or agents, by act, default, neglect or omission, occasion any loss, damage or injury to the sewerage system are liable to the Town for or in respect thereof.
- 10.2.2 The expense incidental to the laying, connecting, disconnecting or repairing as herein provided of service pipes of sewers when the work is done by the Town on private property, is payable by the owner on demand by the Town.
- 10.2.3 If the cost referred in sub-section 10.2.2 of this section is not paid within ninety (90) days of notification thereof, the cost shall be levied and collected as a municipal tax.
- 10.2.4 Any person not complying with this Bylaw shall be responsible for all fines, penalties, and costs resulting from that act.
- 10.2.5 The costs imposed on the owner or occupier referred to in sub-section 10.2.4 also include fines imposed upon the Town by the Federal or Provincial Government as a result of the said owner or occupier non-compliance with this Bylaw.
- 10.2.6 Where the owner of land with a sewer connected to the sewerage system allowed more than one person, either by lease or by other arrangement, to use the land or a portion thereof, and there is discharge to the sewerage system substances prohibited by this Bylaw, the owner, whether or not one or more of the persons occupying the land is prosecuted in respect thereof, is guilty of an offence and is liable to be prosecuted therefore.
- 10.2.7 If, in the CAO's opinion, there is evidence that oversized solids are entering the Town sewer system from any sewer connection, then the Town may install a screen between the connection and the Town sewer system at the owner's expense. The above screen will have a minimum size of 20mm square openings and shall be removable but locked in place with the key in the possession of the Manager.
- 10.2.8 It shall be the responsibility of the person contributing waste through that connection to remove any solids collected on the screen and dispose of these solids in an approved manner. The Town will not be responsible in any way for any disruption of service which may occur due to blockage of the screen by solids.
- 10.2.9 Nothing in this Bylaw relieves any persons from complying with any provision of Federal or Provincial legislation or any other bylaw of the Town.
## 11 Liabilities for Damages
## 11.1 Liability
- 11.1.1 The Town of Fort Macleod is not liable for damages:
- 11.1.1.1 Caused by the breaking of any water service mains, water service pipe or attachment,
- 11.1.1.2 Caused by the breaking, plugging or stoppage of any sanitary sewer main, or storm sewer main,
- 11.1.1.3 Caused by the interference with the supply of any water service necessary in connection with the repair or proper maintenance of the water service,
- 11.1.1.4 Caused by the interference with the supply of any sewer service necessary in connection with the repair or proper maintenance of sewers,
- 11.1.1.5 Generally, for any accident due to the operation of the waterworks system or the sewerage disposal system of the Town unless such an accident is shown to be directly due to the negligence on the Town or its employees.
## 12 Transitional
## 12.1 Enactment
- 12.1.1 This Bylaw shall come into force and effect when it has received third reading and has been duly signed.
- 12.1.2 This Bylaw repeals Bylaw No. 1991 all amendments thereto.
- 12.1.3 If any provision of the bylaw is declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the invalid provision shall be severed, and the remainder of the bylaw shall remain in full force and effect.
READ a first time this
9th day of December 2025
READ a second time this 124h day of January, 2024
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READ a third time and finally PASSED this 12th day or January, 2026.
MAYOR
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
## 13 Schedule "A" Sewer Utility Rates
## Sewer Flat Rates
## Residential Sewer Flat Rates
| | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|---------|---------|---------|
| Homes | $50.36 | $51.37 | $52.39 | $53.44 |
| Residential Apartment (per month/per unit) | $34.93 | $35.63 | $36.34 | $37.07 |
| Commercial Sewer Flat Rates | | | | |
| | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
| ingle Commercia mices, Banks, Retall Stores, Theatre Barber Shop, Bakery, Elevators, Churches, Halls, Service Stations | $50.36 | $51.37 | $52.39 | $53.44 |
| Multi-Commercial (per month/per unit): Offices, Banks, Retail Stores, Theatres, Barber Shop, Bakery, Elevators, Churches, Halls, Service Stations | $34.93 | $35.63 | $36.34 | $37.07 |
| Garages, Funeral Home, Clinics, Assisted Living Homes, Doctor, Dentist, Veterinarian | $119.75 | $122.15 | $124.59 | $127.08 |
| Restaurants, Legion, Dry Cleaners | $150.36 | $153.37 | $156.43 | $159.56 |
| Industrial Plants | $200.69 | $204.70 | $208.80 | $212.97 |
| Hospital, Nursing Home, Lodges, Schools, Coin Laundry | $250.57 | $255.58 | $260.69 | $265.91 |
| Hotels, Motels - Basic Rate | $103.03 | $105.09 | $107.19 | $109.34 |
| Hotels, Motels - per unit rate | $10.18 | $10.38 | $10.59 | $10.80 |
| Car and/or Truck Wash - per bay | $100.51 | $102.52 | $104.57 | $106.66 |
| Vacuum Truck Waste Dumping | $209.68 | $213.87 | $218.15 | $222.51 |
Note: Rates for 2026-2028 reflect an annual 2% increase from the prior year.
## 14 Glossary
## Abbreviation
| ASTM | American Society for Testing and Materials |
|--------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
| BOD | Biochemical Oxygen Demand |
| CAO | Chief Administrative Officer |
| COD | Chemical Oxygen Demand |
| EFT | Electronic Funds Transfer |
| pH | Potential of Hydrogen. Specifying acidity or basicity of solutions |
| RSA | Revised Statutes of Alberta |
| | Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen |
## Description