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WASTEWATER BYLAW
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1. TITLE
1.1
This Bylaw may be cited as the Wastewater Bylaw of the Municipality of the County of
Victoria.
1.2
This Bylaw is enacted pursuant to the Municipal Government Act (Nova Scotia) and in
support of the Municipality's obligations under the Environment Act (Nova Scotia).
2. DEFINITIONS
In this Bylaw:
2.1.
"Biochemical Oxygen Demand" or "BOD" means the quantity of oxygen utilized,
expressed in milligrams per litre, in the biochemical oxidation of matter within a one
hundred and twenty (120) hour period at a temperature of twenty degrees centigrade as
determined in procedures set forth in Standard Methods;
2.2.
"Chemical Oxygen Demand" or "COD" means the quantity of oxygen utilized in the
chemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure, expressed in
milligrams per litre, according to Standard Methods;
2.3.
"Composite Sample" means a volume of Wastewater, Uncontaminated Water or Effluent
made up of three or more Grab Samples that have been combined automatically or
manually and taken at intervals during the sampling periods;
2.4.
"Council" means the Council of the Municipality of the County of Victoria;
2.5.
"Cross-Connection" means any actual or potential physical connection between the
Wastewater System and any Stormwater, drainage, or other non-sanitary system that
could allow the introduction of Uncontaminated Water, Stormwater, or other unpermitted
flows to enter or exit the Sanitary Sewer system;
2.6.
"Customer" means a property owner who has a connection to the public Sewer system
and who pays the fee for Sewer access;
2.7.
"Discharger" means the owner, occupant or a Person who has charge, management or
control of Effluent, Wastewater, Uncontaminated Water or any combination thereof which
is discharged to the municipal sewage system;
2.8.
"Domestic Wastewater" means Waste derived principally from residential dwellings;
2.9.
"Dwelling Unit" means one or more habitable rooms designed, occupied, or intended for
use by one or more individuals as an independent and separate housekeeping
WASTEWATER BYLAW
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establishment in which kitchen, sleeping, and sanitary facilities are provided for the
exclusive use of such individual or individuals;
2.10. "Effluent" means treated Wastewater flowing out of a treatment plant;
2.11. "Engineer" means the Engineer for the Municipality and includes a Person acting under
the supervision and direction of the Engineer;
2.12. "Fixture" means a receptacle, appliance, apparatus or other device that discharges
Sewage or clear water Waste and excludes a floor drain;
2.13. "Grab Sample" means a volume of Wastewater, Uncontaminated Water or Effluent of at
least 100 milliliters which is collected over a period not exceeding 15 minutes;
2.14. "Grease" means total fats, oil and grease extracted from aqueous solution or suspension
according to the laboratory procedures set forth in Standard Methods, and includes, but is
not limited to, hydrocarbons, esters, oils, fats, waxes and high molecular fatty acids;
2.15. "Groundwater" means water that has collected beneath the earth's surface and is stored
within soil, sediment, and rock formations;
2.16. "Hazardous Waste" means any solid, liquid, or gaseous Waste that, by reason of its
quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics, may cause or
significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or serious illness, or may pose a
substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when
improperly treated, stored, transported, or disposed of, including but not limited to Waste
designated as hazardous under the Dangerous Goods Management Regulations made
under the Environment Act (Nova Scotia);
2.17. "ICI Customer" means an industrial, commercial, or institutional Customer, including but
not limited to restaurants, lodges, hotels, retail establishments, and institutional facilities;
2.18. "Illegal Connection" means an unauthorized link or hookup that allows Stormwater,
surface water, Groundwater, or Wastewater to enter the Sanitary Sewer system;
2.19. "Industrial or Commercial Premises" means an area of land with or without buildings or
structures on which activities pertaining to industry, manufacturing, commerce, trade,
business, or institutions as distinguished from domestic dwellings;
2.20. "Inspector" means a Person designated by the Chief Administrative Officer to carry out
observations and inspections and to take samples as prescribed by this Bylaw;
2.21. "Lateral" or "Building Service Connection" means the Sewer pipe which conveys
Wastewater from the buildings on any property which extends to the Main Sewer;
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2.22. "Main Sewer" means the Sewer pipe which runs within the Road Right-of-Way or along a
Municipality-owned easement, and is owned and operated by the Municipality, and to
which Customers are connected or are to be connected;
2.23. "Maintenance Access Point" means an access point, such as a chamber or manhole, in a
private Sewer connection to allow for observation, sampling and flow measurement of the
Wastewater therein;
2.24. "Municipal Representative" means the employee designated by the Chief Administrative
Officer to administer this Bylaw on behalf of the Municipality;
2.25. "Municipality" means the Municipality of the County of Victoria or the area contained
within its municipal boundaries as the context requires;
2.26. "Pathological/Biomedical Waste" means Waste as defined in the Biomedical Waste
Management Regulations under the Environment Act (Nova Scotia) or, if no such
regulation is in force, Waste as defined in the Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines published
by Health Canada, as amended from time to time;
2.27. "Person" means any individual, firm, company, association, society, corporation or group;
2.28. "Pesticides" includes any substance that is a pest control product within the meaning of
the Pest Control Products Act (Canada) or a fertilizer within the meaning of the Fertilizers
Act (Canada) that contains a pest control product;
2.29. "pH" means the measure of the intensity of the acid or alkaline condition of a solution
determined by the hydrogen ion concentration of the solution in accordance with the
Standard Methods;
2.30. "Phenolic Compounds" means hydroxyl derivatives of benzene and its condensed nuclei,
concentrations of which shall be determined by Standard Methods;
2.31. "Professional Engineer" means a registered member in good standing of Engineers Nova
Scotia;
2.32. "Provincial Regulations" means the requirements and provisions of the Province of Nova
Scotia contained in any Provincial Statute or in any Regulation or Order made pursuant to
the authority of any Statute of Nova Scotia;
2.33. "Public Sewer" means a Sewer owned and operated by the Municipality;
2.34. "Public Works" means the Public Works Department of the Municipality;
2.35. "Road Right-of-Way" means property owned by the Municipality or the Province on which
public roads are constructed, and within which Main Sewer lines may be buried;
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2.36. "Sanitary Sewer" means a Sewer for the collection and transmission of domestic,
commercial and industrial Wastewater or any of them, and to which Uncontaminated
Water, storm, surface, and Groundwater are not intentionally admitted;
2.37. "Sewage" means Wastewater;
2.38. "Sewer" means a pipe, conduit, drain, open channel, or ditch used for the collection and
transmission of Wastewater or Uncontaminated Water;
2.39. "Shredded Garbage" means the Wastes from the preparation, cooking and dispensing of
food and from the handling, storage and sale of produce that has been shredded for the
purpose of disposal into the Sanitary Sewer;
2.40. "Staff" means employees of the Municipality;
2.41. "Standard Methods" means the analytical and examination procedures provided in the
edition current of the jointly published American Public Health Association and the
American Water Works Association, or any other publication by or under the authority of
the Canadian Standards Association as deemed appropriate by the Municipality, at the
time of testing;
2.42. "Stormwater" means water resulting from precipitation events, including rain and
snowmelt, that flows overland or through drainage systems and is not domestic,
commercial, or industrial Wastewater;
2.43. "Suspended Solids" means insoluble matter that can be removed by filtration through a
standard glass fiber filter as provided by "Standard Methods";
2.44. "Uncontaminated Water" means any water, including water from a public or private water
works, to which no organics, materials, or substances have been added as a
consequence of its use, or to modify its use, by any Person, and may include cooling
water;
2.45. "Waste" means any material discharged into the Wastewater System;
2.46. "Waste Radioactive Substances" includes uranium, thorium, plutonium, neptunium,
deuterium, their respective derivatives and compounds and such other substances as the
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission may designate as being capable of releasing
ionizing radiation;
2.47. "Wastewater" means any liquid Waste containing animal, vegetable, mineral, or chemical
matter, materials or substances in solution or suspension carried from any premises;
2.48. "Wastewater System" means any municipal Wastewater system, including all treatment
facilities, collection mains, infrastructure, and appurtenances owned and operated by the
Municipality, as designated by Council from time to time;
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2.49. "Watercourse" means the bed and shore of every river, stream, lake, creek, pond, spring,
lagoon, swamp, marsh, wetland, ravine, gulch or other natural body of water and the
water therein, and any channel, ditch, reservoir, drain, land drainage works or other man-
made surface feature, whether it contains or conveys water or not.
3. CONNECTIONS
3.1.
No Person shall make any opening or openings to uncover any Public Sewer or make
any Building Service Connection therewith without first obtaining all permits and
approvals required by the Municipality. For new subdivisions, saddle connections shall be
supplied and installed by the developer.
3.2.
No Person shall connect any private Sewer or building Sewer to a municipal Sewer
without first obtaining permission in writing from the Engineer or Municipal
Representative.
3.3.
No connection to a municipal Sewer shall be made except under the supervision of the
Engineer or Municipal Representative.
3.4.
No connection shall be covered until it has been inspected and approved by the Engineer
or Municipal Representative.
3.5.
No connection of a recreation vehicle or travel trailer to a municipal Sewer shall be
permitted.
3.6.
No Person shall injure, break, tamper with, or remove any portion of the Public Sewer
system or its associated accessories or make or permit any Illegal Connection or Cross-
Connection to the Wastewater System.
3.7.
Every Person connecting to a Wastewater System shall construct the Lateral and building
plumbing systems according to the requirements of the Canadian Building and Plumbing
Codes, the Building Code Act (Nova Scotia), the Nova Scotia Sewerage Collection and
Disposal Regulations, and municipal standards.
3.8.
No Person shall connect any storm Sewer, Stormwater drain, or Cross-Connection to any
Sanitary Sewer.
3.9.
Where a building has been connected to the Municipal Wastewater System or Council
has ordered a building to be so connected, Council may by resolution order the owners of
outhouses and septic tanks to remove such outhouses and to destroy or fill such septic
tanks.
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3.10. Each property owner is liable for the entire cost of construction and maintenance of the
Building Service Connection from their property to the Main Sewer.
3.11. Charges for Sewer connections are set out in the Wastewater Rates and Charges Bylaw.
3.12. Drains for cellar or subsoil, or rain leaders, shall not be laid in the same trench as the
Building Service Connection for Sewer and water Laterals.
3.13. The owner of any building connected to the Sewer system that contains fixtures or floor
drains below the crown of the road or street must install backwater valves to be owned
and maintained by the private-property owner.
3.14. The Municipality may refuse to authorize connection to the Wastewater System, or may
withhold approval of an inspection, where the proposed connection does not comply with
the requirements of this Bylaw, the Canadian Building and Plumbing Codes, the Building
Code Act (Nova Scotia), the Nova Scotia Sewerage Collection and Disposal Regulations,
or municipal standards. No connection shall be made until all identified deficiencies have
been corrected to the satisfaction of the Engineer or Municipal Representative.
3.15. Where a low-pressure, pressurized, or decentralized Wastewater System is installed or
required by the Municipality, the following shall apply:
3.15.1. The property owner shall be responsible for installation, operation, and
maintenance of all private-side components up to the connection point designated
by the Municipality, including pumps, tanks, controls, valves, and alarm systems.
3.15.2. The property owner shall ensure continuous power supply to any Wastewater
pumping equipment and shall maintain any required backup systems as specified
by the Municipality.
3.15.3. The property owner shall maintain all alarm systems in working order and shall
immediately report pump failure or alarm activation that may affect Wastewater
discharge.
3.15.4. The Municipality may establish design standards, approved equipment lists, and
inspection requirements for all such systems.
4. LATERAL INSTALLATION COSTS
4.1.
The property owner seeking connection to the Wastewater System shall be responsible
for the cost of supplying and installing the Sewer Lateral from their building to the Main
Sewer line, including connection to the Main Sewer line. Municipal Staff shall be present
for inspection of the saddle installation and require the following notice and requirements:
WASTEWATER BYLAW
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4.1.1. A site review of the proposed connection scope of work is completed between the
contractor and the Engineer or Municipal Representative. The Municipality must be
given a two (2) week range from the contractor for options of when the site review
can happen in conjunction with other municipal work;
4.1.2. The installation should be completed in a combined trench with water when
technically feasible, with the cost of the trench and excavation to be the sole
responsibility of the property owner. This includes the costs for gravels, asphalt,
sidewalk, curb, gutter, grass, traffic control and full reinstatement;
4.1.3. Bonds, deposits, permit fees and Sewer pipe costs are the responsibility of the
property owner and are not subject to cost sharing; and
4.1.4. No trench shall be backfilled until the Sewer Lateral installation has been inspected
and approved by the Engineer or Municipal Representative. The contractor shall
provide a minimum of forty-eight (48) hours notice prior to backfilling to allow for
inspection.
4.2.
All ICI Customers shall install and maintain a Maintenance Access Point on their Building
Service Connection at a location approved by the Engineer or Municipal Representative,
prior to connection to the Wastewater System. The Maintenance Access Point shall be
accessible at all times for inspection and sampling by the Inspector.
5. DISCHARGES TO SANITARY SEWERS
5.1.
No Person shall release or permit the release of any matter into the Sanitary Sewer
system except:
5.1.1. Domestic Wastewater that complies with the requirements of this Bylaw; and
5.1.2. Industrial, commercial, or institutional Wastewater that complies with the
requirements of this Bylaw.
5.2.
No Person shall discharge or permit the discharge of any matter into the Wastewater
System that the Person knows or reasonably ought to know may negatively impact the
health or safety of Staff, damage the Wastewater System, cause the Wastewater System
Effluent to exceed allowable limits of Federal or Provincial legislation, interfere with the
proper operation of the Wastewater System, impair or interfere with any aspect of the
Wastewater treatment process, or pose a risk to any Person, animal, property, or
vegetation.
WASTEWATER BYLAW
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5.3.
Except as otherwise provided in this Bylaw, no Person shall discharge or cause to be
discharged into any Sanitary Sewer, public or private connections to any Sanitary Sewer,
any of the following, unless by special written agreement with the Municipality:
5.3.1. Matter of a type or quantity that has or may emit a toxic or poisonous vapour or a
chemical odour that may interfere with the proper operation of the Municipality's
Wastewater System, constitute a hazard to humans, animals or property, or create
any hazards or become harmful in the receiving waters of the Wastewater System;
5.3.2. Noxious or malodorous gases or substances capable of creating a public nuisance
except human Wastes, including, but not limited to, hydrogen sulphide,
mercaptans, carbon disulphide, other reduced sulphur compounds, amines and
ammonia;
5.3.3. Ashes, cinders, sand, potters clay, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, wipes
of any kind including those labelled as "flushable" or "biodegradable", feathers, tar,
plastics, wood or other solid or viscous substances capable of causing obstruction
to the flow of sewers or other interference with the proper operation of the
Wastewater System;
5.3.4. Wastewater which consists of two or more separate liquid layers;
5.3.5. Paunch manure or intestinal contents from horses, cattle, sheep or swine, hog
bristles, pig hooves or toenails, animal intestines or stomach casings, bones, hides
or parts thereof, manure of any kind, poultry entrails, heads, feet or feathers,
eggshells, fleshing and hair resulting from tanning operations;
5.3.6. Animal fat or flesh in particles larger than will pass through a one-quarter (1/4) inch
(6 mm) screen;
5.3.7. Gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil or other combustible, flammable or explosive
matter or Wastewater containing any of these in any quantity;
5.3.8. Waste which, either by itself or upon the reaction with other material, becomes
highly coloured;
5.3.9. Wastes containing herbicides, Pesticides or xenobiotics including, but not limited
to, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs);
5.3.10. Waste Radioactive Substances, except as may be permitted under the Nuclear
Safety and Control Act (Canada) and regulations made thereunder by the
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission;
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5.3.11. Wastewater or Uncontaminated Water at a temperature that may adversely affect
the biological treatment process or the physical integrity of the Wastewater
System, including:
5.3.11.1. Wastewater or Uncontaminated Water having a temperature in excess of
40 degrees Celsius at the point of discharge to the Wastewater System;
or
5.3.11.2. Wastewater discharged in volumes or at sustained temperatures that, in
the opinion of the Engineer, may cause the temperature at the inlet to the
treatment facility to exceed 35 degrees Celsius or fall below 10 degrees
Celsius.
5.3.12. Wastewater having a pH less than 6.5 or greater than 8.5 or having any other
corrosive or scale forming properties capable of causing damage or hazards to the
Wastewater System or Staff;
5.3.13. Wastewater that will create tastes or odours in drinking water supplies, making
such waters unpalatable after conventional water purification treatment;
5.3.14. Matter of any type or at any temperature or in any quantity which may cause the
sludge from the Wastewater System to fail to meet the criteria relating to
contaminants for spreading the sludge on agricultural lands, under Provincial
guidelines for sewage sludge utilization on agricultural lands;
5.3.15. Water from drainage of roofs or footing drains or land, or water from a
Watercourse or Uncontaminated Water;
5.3.16. Sewage containing dyes or colouring materials that discolour the Effluent of the
Wastewater System;
5.3.17. Wastewater containing contaminants, including but not limited to metals,
Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen Demand, Suspended Solids, and
fats, oils and Grease, in concentrations exceeding the limits established in
Schedule A of this Bylaw;
5.3.18. Wastewater containing fish offal or Pathological/Biomedical Waste;
5.3.19. Wastes from marine vessels or vehicles;
5.3.20. Sludge from Sewage treatment plants;
5.3.21. Any waters or Wastes containing substances for which special treatment or
disposal practices are required by applicable provincial or federal legislation;
5.3.22. Any matter in such quantities which exerts excessive chlorine demand so as to
constitute a significant load on the Wastewater treatment works;
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5.3.23. Shredded Garbage;
5.3.24. Wastewater from brewery, winery, distillery, or fermentation operations, including
but not limited to spent yeast, spent grain wash, hop residuals, fermentation
byproducts, and clean-in-place chemical discharge associated with such
operations; and
5.3.25. Anti-foaming agents or abrasive substances, unless prior written approval has
been obtained from the Municipality confirming compatibility with the Wastewater
System's treatment process and membrane filtration equipment.
5.4.
No Person shall connect a sump pump, foundation drain, rain leader or heat exchanger to
a Sanitary Sewer. The Municipality may order a property owner to remove any prohibited
item linked into the Sanitary Sewer. Failure to remove any prohibited item may result in
the Municipality removing the item at the homeowner's expense.
5.5.
No Person shall achieve compliance with any of the limits set out in this Section by
dilution.
5.6.
The Municipality may require any ICI Customer to install and maintain pre-treatment
works when necessary to meet Effluent limits.
5.7.
Any ICI Customer whose operations may generate Wastewater with BOD, COD,
Suspended Solids, or pH outside the ranges established in Schedule A, including but not
limited to food processing facilities and commercial laundries, shall, prior to connection to
the Wastewater System:
5.7.1. Submit a Wastewater characterization report prepared by a Professional Engineer
to the satisfaction of the Municipality, describing the nature, volume, and variability
of discharge;
5.7.2. Install pre-treatment works of a type and capacity approved by the Municipality,
including equalization tanks, pH adjustment, or biological pre-treatment as
appropriate; and
5.7.3. Obtain written approval from the Municipality prior to commencing discharge.
5.8.
The Municipality may require an existing connected ICI Customer to comply with
requirements equivalent to those in Section 5.7 if the nature of their operations changes
or if monitoring indicates non-compliant discharge.
5.8.1. Any ICI Customer proposing a material change in operations, production
processes, Wastewater characteristics, discharge volume, or pre-treatment
systems shall notify the Municipality in writing prior to implementing such change.
WASTEWATER BYLAW
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5.9.
Where a Discharger's operations generate Wastewater above 40 degrees Celsius, the
Municipality may require the installation of a cooling system or equalization tank prior to
connection, at the Discharger's expense.
5.10. No Person shall discharge hauled Wastewater, septic tank sludge, holding tank Waste, or
portable sanitation Waste to the Wastewater System without prior written approval from
the Municipality.
5.11. The Municipality may, by policy established by Council or as delegated to the Chief
Administrative Officer, establish the terms and conditions under which hauled Waste
discharge may be approved, including permitted discharge locations, volume and
frequency limits, manifest and sampling requirements, and applicable fees as set out in
the Wastewater Rates and Charges Bylaw.
5.12. Approval under this Section may be refused, suspended, or revoked at any time where
the Municipality determines that acceptance of hauled Waste would compromise the
operation of the Wastewater System or the Municipality's ability to comply with its
approval to operate.
5.13. Fees for hauled Waste discharge approval and discharge events shall be as established
in the Wastewater Rates and Charges Bylaw, as amended from time to time by Council
resolution.
5.14. Discharge of hauled Waste without approval or in contravention of the conditions of
approval is an offence under Section 11 of this Bylaw.
6. AUTHORITY OF INSPECTOR
6.1.
The persons designated by the Chief Administrative Officer, and operators acting under
their supervision and direction shall be designated as "Inspector".
6.2.
The Inspector has the authority to carry out any investigation reasonably required to
ensure compliance with this Bylaw, including but not limited to:
6.2.1. Inspecting, observing, sampling, and measuring the flow in any Building Service
Connection;
6.2.2. Determining water consumption by reading water meters;
6.2.3. Testing flow measuring devices;
6.2.4. Taking samples of Wastewater, Uncontaminated Water being released from a
premises or flowing within a Building Service Connection;
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6.2.5. Collecting and analyzing samples of hauled Wastewater coming to a discharge
location;
6.2.6. Making inspections of the types and quantities of chemicals being handled or used
on premises in relation to possible release to a municipal Sewer; and
6.2.7. Investigating premises where a release of prohibited Wastes has been made or is
suspected of having been made, and to sample any or all matter that in the
Inspector's opinion could have been part of the release.
6.3.
No Person shall hinder or prevent the Inspector from carrying out any of their powers or
duties.
6.4.
The Inspector may order suspension of Sewer service for serious or repeated violations
of this Bylaw until compliance is achieved. Any suspension of Sewer service under this
Section shall be carried out in accordance with the procedures set out in Sections 10.4
and 10.5, including the requirement that the owner be notified and given an opportunity to
be heard prior to closure of the connection, except where an emergency exists as
described in Section 12.7.
6.5.
Where monitoring or sampling demonstrates that a Customer's discharge exceeds the
concentration limits established in Schedule A, the Municipality may, in addition to any
enforcement action under Section 11, levy an overstrength surcharge on the Customer at
rates established in the Wastewater Rates and Charges Bylaw.
7. SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS
7.1.
The owner or operator of Industrial or Commercial Premises with one or more
connections to a Wastewater System shall install and maintain in good repair for each
connection a suitable manhole or Maintenance Access Point to allow observation and
sampling of the Wastewater and measurement of the flow of Wastewater therein,
provided that where installation of a manhole is not possible, an alternative device or
facility may be substituted with the written approval of the Engineer or Municipal
Representative.
7.2.
The manhole or alternate device shall be located on the property of the owner or operator
of the premises, unless the Engineer or Municipal Representative has given written
approval for a different location.
7.3.
Every manhole, device or facility installed shall be designed and constructed in
accordance with good engineering practice and the requirements of municipal standards
WASTEWATER BYLAW
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and shall be constructed and maintained by the owner or operator of the premises at their
expense.
7.4.
The owner or operator of Industrial or Commercial Premises shall, at all times, ensure
that every manhole, device or facility installed is accessible for purposes of observing and
sampling the Wastewater and measuring the flow of Wastewater therein.
7.5.
Where a sample is required for the purpose of determining the characteristics or contents
of the Wastewater or Uncontaminated Water:
7.5.1. Sampling shall be based on a twenty-four (24) hour Composite Sample taken
using an automatic or non-automatic sampling device except where there is no
acceptable concentration for the characteristics which are to be sampled, in which
case a Grab Sample may be used;
7.5.2. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Bylaw, all tests, measurements,
analyses and examinations of Wastewater and Uncontaminated Water shall be
carried out in accordance with Standard Methods; and
7.5.3. For each of the metals whose concentration is limited in this Bylaw, the analysis
shall be for the quantity of total metal, which includes all metal both dissolved and
particulate.
7.6.
The Inspector may from time to time conduct such tests as are deemed necessary at the
manhole or may enter the Industrial or Commercial Premises and conduct the tests as
deemed necessary.
7.7.
The Municipality may require any ICI Customer to prepare and implement a Wastewater
monitoring program, at the ICI Customer's expense, including sampling frequency,
analytical parameters, reporting requirements, laboratory certification standards, and
record retention requirements, as determined by the Municipality.
7.8.
The Municipality may require any ICI Customer to submit monitoring reports, sampling
results, maintenance records, and other information necessary to determine compliance
with this Bylaw.
7.9.
All records required under this Section shall be retained by the ICI Customer for a
minimum period of five (5) years and made available to the Municipality within a specified
timeframe upon request.
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8. SPILLS
8.1.
Immediately upon becoming aware of a spill, every Person who discharges or deposits or
causes or permits the discharge or deposit of any matter in any Sewer that in nature or
quantity is not in the ordinary course of events shall forthwith notify the Municipality. A
written report containing the information set out in Section 8.2 shall be submitted to the
Municipality within five (5) days of the date of the spill.
8.2.
The notification shall include the following information:
8.2.1. Name of the company and the address of location of the spill;
8.2.2. Name of Person reporting the spill and telephone number where that Person can
be reached;
8.2.3. Time of the spill;
8.2.4. Type and volume of material discharged and any associated hazards; and
8.2.5. Corrective actions being taken to control the spill.
8.3.
The Person shall also report any spill as required by Federal and/or Provincial
regulations.
9. GREASE, OIL, SEDIMENT, SAND TRAPS OR INTERCEPTORS
9.1.
Grease, oil, sediment, and sand traps or interceptors shall be installed and maintained by
the owner or operator in all of the following premises prior to connection to the
Wastewater System, or upon change of use to one of the following:
9.1.1. Food service establishments or operations, including but not limited to
restaurants, cafeterias, commercial kitchens, food processing facilities, and any
premises where food is prepared or dispensed commercially, shall install a
Grease interceptor sized in accordance with the applicable Canadian Plumbing
Code, manufacturer specifications, and any municipal standards or requirements
or as otherwise required by the Municipality;
9.1.2. Vehicle service facilities, car or truck washes, fueling stations, and any premises
where petroleum products, lubricants, or other hydrocarbons are handled, stored,
or dispensed, which shall install an oil-water separator of a type and capacity
approved by the Municipality; and
9.1.3. Any other premises where, in the opinion of the Municipality, the nature of
operations creates a risk of fats, oils, Grease, sediment, or petroleum products
entering the Wastewater System.
WASTEWATER BYLAW
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9.2.
Traps or interceptors shall be installed such that they are easily accessible for all aspects
of cleaning and inspection.
9.3.
Traps or interceptors shall be maintained by the owner or operator in a condition of
continuous efficient operation at the owner's expense.
9.4.
No retained or trapped oil, Grease, sediment, sand, silt or other matter in any form shall
be allowed to pass from the installed trap or interceptor into the Wastewater System;
removal of retained or trapped materials shall be achieved by pumping or other physical
means and shall be hauled away and disposed of as required by regulations.
9.5.
The owner or operator of an establishment shall provide the Municipality, upon request,
with the frequency of inspection and maintenance of any installed Grease, oil, sediment
and sand traps or interceptor as well as information as to the disposal method employed
and location of hauled Waste material.
9.6.
Any request for inspection by the Municipality shall be granted by the owner or operator
of the establishment.
9.7.
No Person shall discharge or permit the discharge of fats, oils, or Grease ("FOG") into the
Wastewater System in quantities that may accumulate in or obstruct the flow of any
Sewer, or that exceed the concentration limits set out in Schedule A of this Bylaw.
Owners and operators of premises subject to this Section shall implement best
management practices for FOG reduction, including staff training, dry wiping of cookware
and food preparation surfaces prior to washing, and proper disposal of Waste cooking oil,
as a condition of continued connection to the Wastewater System.
10.
GENERAL
10.1. For the purpose of the administration of this Bylaw, the Inspector may, upon production of
identification, enter any premises connected or proposed to be connected to the
Wastewater System and have free unimpaired access to observe, to measure the flow of
Wastewater to any Sewer and to collect any samples required at reasonable times upon
reasonable notice. The Inspector must have safe and legal access.
10.2. No Person shall break, damage, destroy, deface or tamper or cause or permit the
breaking, damaging, destroying, defacing or tampering with:
10.2.1. Any part of the Wastewater System; or
10.2.2. Any permanent or temporary device installed in the Wastewater System for the
purpose of measuring, sampling and testing of Wastewater.
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10.3. No work shall be carried out on any Sewer other than by the authority of the Engineer or
Municipal Representative.
10.4. The Engineer or Municipal Representative shall have the power to stop and close up and
prevent from discharging into the Wastewater System any Building Service Connection
through which substances are discharged or into which substances are thrown,
deposited, or introduced, that are prohibited by this Bylaw or which are liable to injure the
Sewers or obstruct the flow of Sewage.
10.4.1. Where the Engineer or Municipal Representative issues an order under Section
10.4, the owner shall, at their own expense, remove or permanently disconnect any
Illegal Connection, Cross-Connection, or inflow source, and complete all required
corrective work within the timeframe specified in the order.
10.4.2. Where the owner fails to comply within the specified timeframe, the Municipality
may enter the property and carry out the work and recover all costs as a debt owed
to the Municipality in accordance with this Bylaw and the Municipal Government
Act.
10.4.3. The Municipality may require the owner to submit proof of compliance, including
photographic evidence or inspection certification, prior to reinstatement of services.
10.5. The Engineer or Municipal Representative shall not cause any Sewer to be closed up
pursuant to this Section unless the owner of the Sewer is first notified and given an
opportunity to be heard.
10.5.1. Any Person subject to an order issued under this Section may request a review
of the order by submitting a written request to the Chief Administrative Officer within
seven (7) days of receiving notice of the order.
10.5.2. Upon receipt of a request for review, the Chief Administrative Officer or designate
shall review the order and may confirm, vary, suspend, or cancel the order.
10.5.3. A request for review does not stay or suspend any action required to address an
immediate risk to the Wastewater System, public health, or the environment.
10.5.4. The decision of the Chief Administrative Officer or designate shall be final.
10.6. Whenever any Building Service Connection is abandoned, the owner shall effectively
block up the connection at the property line so as to prevent Sewage from backing up into
the soil, or dirt being washed into the Sewer.
10.7. Where the owner does not effectively cap an abandoned Building Service Connection
within seven (7) days from receipt of a notice from the Engineer or Municipal
Representative requiring them to do so, the Engineer or Municipal Representative may
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cause the work to be done, and the cost of such work may be recovered as a debt by the
Municipality from the owner. The Municipality will not reconnect the property until the debt
is repaid.
10.8. The Municipality may recover from violators of this Bylaw all costs associated with
inspection, sampling, cleanup, and legal proceedings.
11.
OFFENCES AND PENALTIES
11.1. Any Person who contravenes any provision of this Bylaw is guilty of an offence and liable
on summary conviction to:
11.1.1. A fine of not less than $500.00 and not more than $1,000.00 for a first offence;
11.1.2. A fine of not less than $1,000.00 and not more than $5,000.00 for a second
offence; and
11.1.3. A fine of not less than $2,500.00 and not more than $10,000.00 for each
subsequent offence.
11.2. Every day during which a contravention continues after written notice has been given to
the offender constitutes a separate offence for the purposes of this Bylaw, and the
offender is liable to the penalties set out in this Section for each such day.
11.3. Where a contravention causes damage to the Wastewater System, the Municipality may,
in addition to any fine imposed under this Section, recover from the offender an amount
equal to the full cost of inspection, sampling, remediation, repair or replacement of
Wastewater System infrastructure, treatment process equipment including membranes
and instrumentation, and restoration of the treatment process. Nothing in this Section
limits the Municipality's right to recover costs as a debt pursuant to Section 13.2.
11.4. In default of payment of any fine imposed under this Bylaw, the outstanding amount may
be added to the tax account of the property from which the contravening discharge
originated and collected in the same manner as municipal taxes in accordance with the
Municipal Government Act.
11.5. Where the Municipality incurs fines, penalties, orders, or costs imposed by Nova Scotia
Environment and Climate Change, or any other regulatory authority, as a result of a
discharge to the Wastewater System by a Person in contravention of this Bylaw or the
Municipality's approval to operate the Wastewater System, the Municipality may recover
the full amount of such fines, penalties, orders, and associated costs from the responsible
Discharger as a debt. Such amounts may be added to the tax account of the property
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from which the contravening discharge originated and collected in the same manner as
municipal taxes in accordance with the Municipal Government Act.
12.
SEWER BACK-UPS
12.1. The Municipality will be responsible for the maintenance of the Main Sewer line.
12.2. The Customer will be responsible for the maintenance of the entirety of the Lateral. This
responsibility is conveyed to each new property owner when the property is sold or
otherwise conveyed.
12.3. Any repairs requiring excavation along the portion of the Sewer Lateral located within the
Road Right-of-Way or Municipality-owned easement must be carried out by the
Municipality. If the Municipality finds that the repair was required as a result of objects or
debris originating from the Customer's Fixtures, the cost of the work shall be billed to the
Customer. The Customer bears sole responsibility for the maintenance, repair, and
replacement of the Lateral, regardless of its location within the Road Right-of-Way or
Municipality-owned easement, except where the Municipality has caused damage to the
Lateral through its own operations.
12.4. When a Sewer backup occurs, the Customer may arrange and pay for a licensed
plumber to attend to the problem. If the licensed plumber finds that the backup is caused
by a problem with the Main Sewer line, they must notify the Public Works Department
through the municipal office during regular business hours. Municipal Staff will investigate
and take appropriate action to ensure the Main Sewer is cleared. If the licensed plumber
finds a blockage or problem in the Lateral, they should clear the Lateral to the best of
their ability from the building to the Main Sewer line. If the blockage or problem is on the
Customer's property and the plumber cannot dislodge it, it shall be the Customer's
responsibility to excavate and repair as necessary. If the blockage or problem is within
the Road Right-of-Way or Municipality-owned easement and the plumber cannot dislodge
it, the Customer shall contact the Municipality. If Municipal Staff cannot dislodge the
blockage and the Lateral must be excavated, the Municipality will do the work and bill the
cost back to the Customer. The Municipality shall not provide reimbursement to the
Customer for fees paid to a licensed plumber, regardless of location of blockage.
12.5. Alternatively, when a Sewer backup occurs, the Customer may call the Public Works
Department through the Municipal Office during regular business hours or the 24-hour
emergency number after hours. The Customer will be advised that a callout fee may
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apply. Municipal Staff will respond to the situation and assess the problem. If based on
the Municipality's assessment, the problem is with the Main Sewer line, Staff will take
appropriate action to clear the Main Sewer line blockage. If based on Staff's assessment,
the problem is with the Lateral or was caused by activities of the Customer, the Customer
will be billed. Municipal Staff will attempt to assist the Customer, if reasonably possible,
with the tools and equipment readily available. If the blockage cannot be cleared by Staff,
the Customer will be advised as follows:
12.5.1. If the blockage appears to be on the Customer's property, the Customer will be
fully responsible for repairs; and
12.5.2. When the cause of the problem is not apparent and the blockage is between the
property line and the Main Sewer line, the Public Works Department will rectify the
problem in the most timely and cost-effective manner available.
12.6. Where the Municipality has determined, through inspection, video survey, or other
means, that a Lateral is defective, cracked, collapsed, or otherwise failing in a manner
that may allow infiltration, exfiltration, or obstruction of flow, the Municipality shall notify
the property owner in writing. The property owner shall repair or replace the defective
Lateral within thirty (30) days of receipt of such notice, or within such shorter period as
the Municipality may require where the defect poses an immediate risk to the Wastewater
System or public health.
12.6.1. If the property owner fails to carry out the required repair within the specified
timeframe, the Municipality may carry out the work and recover the full cost as a
debt from the owner, which may be added to the tax account of the property and
collected in the same manner as municipal taxes.
12.6.2. The Municipality may require a property owner to conduct a video inspection of
their Lateral at the owner's expense where there are reasonable grounds to
believe the Lateral is defective, including but not limited to repeated blockages,
evidence of root intrusion, or age of the Lateral.
12.7. Where in the opinion of the Engineer or Municipal Representative an emergency exists
that poses an immediate risk to the Wastewater System, public health, or the
environment, the Municipality may, without prior notice to the property owner, take such
action as is necessary to address the emergency, including entering the property,
excavating, and performing repairs. The full cost of such emergency work shall be
recoverable from the property owner as a debt and may be added to the tax account of
the property in accordance with the Municipal Government Act. The Municipality shall
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notify the property owner as soon as practicable after emergency work has been carried
out.
13.
CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES
13.1. The Municipality will not pay claims for damages or repair costs attributable to a problem
caused by actions, negligence, or failure to perform maintenance on the part of the
Customer receiving service, their agent, tenants or other parties. This shall include, but
not be limited to, foreign materials placed in the Lateral.
13.2. Any Person who makes an Illegal Connection to the Wastewater System, or who
discharges matter in contravention of this Bylaw, shall be liable for all costs incurred by
the Municipality as a result, including but not limited to costs of inspection, sampling,
remediation, repair or replacement of Wastewater System infrastructure, treatment
process equipment including membranes and instrumentation, and treatment process
restoration. Such costs may be recovered as a debt from the owner and added to the tax
account of the property in accordance with the Municipal Government Act. Recovery
under this Section is independent of any fine or court order imposed under Section 11
and may be pursued whether or not a prosecution has been commenced.
14.
FEES FOR SEWER USE
14.1. Sewer usage shall be charged through the Wastewater Rates and Charges Bylaw.
14.2. Additional fees apply for inspection or re-inspection after failed compliance checks, and
for temporary discharge permits related to construction activities, as established in the
Wastewater Rates and Charges Bylaw.
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REVIEW FREQUENCY
Review Frequency
Review Month
Every Two Years
June
BYLAW ADOPTION
Date
Description
Editor
Approver
Approval Date
June 1, 2026
First Reading
CFO Redden
Council
June 1, 2026
June 22, 2026
Second Reading
Council
Bylaw Passed
Council
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SCHEDULE A - WASTEWATER DISCHARGE LIMITS
Table 1: Contaminant Concentration Limits
Contaminant
Concentration (mg/L)
Aluminum (Al)
50
Ammonia Nitrogen
14
Antimony (Sb)
5
Arsenic (As)
1
Barium (Ba)
5
Benzene
0.01
Beryllium (Be)
5
Bismuth (Bi)
5
Cadmium (Cd)
0.1
Chlorides expressed as Cl
1500
Chloroform
0.05
Chromium (Cr)
2
Cobalt (Co)
5
Copper (Cu)
1
Cyanide expressed as HCN
2
1,2 - Dichlorobenzene
0.1
1,4 - Dichlorobenzene
0.1
cis - 1,2 - Dichloroethylene
4
Trans - 1,3 - Dichloropropylene
0.15
Ethylbenzene
0.15
Fluorides expressed as F
10
Iron (Fe)
50
Lead (Pb)
1
Manganese (Mn)
5
Mercury (Hg)
0.01
Methylene chloride
0.2
Molybdenum (Mo)
5
Nickel (Ni)
2
o-Xylene
0.5
Phenolic Compounds
1
Phosphorus (P)
8
Sulphates expressed as SO4
1500
Sulphide expressed as H2S
2
Selenium (Se)
1
Silver (Ag)
2
1,1,2,2 - Tetrachloroethane
0.04
Tetrachloroethylene
0.05
Tin (Sn)
5
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Titanium
5
Toluene
0.01
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen
20
Trichloroethylene
0.07
Vanadium
5
Xylenes
1.5
Zinc (Zn)
3
Table 2: Strength and Physical Parameter Limits
Parameter
Maximum Concentration
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
280 mg/L
Suspended Solids (SS)
300 mg/L
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
560 mg/L
Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) -- total
30 mg/L
pH
6.5 - 8.5
Temperature at point of discharge
≤ 40°C