Environment Canada Makes Available Public Consultation Draft of the Proposed Municipal Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations
Municipal wastewater effluent is one of the largest sources of pollution to Canadian waters. A Canada-wide Strategy for the Management of Municipal Wastewater Effluent was endorsed by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) in February 2009 to better protect Canadians and their environment.
To implement the CCME Canada-wide Strategy, Environment Canada is proposing new regulations under the Fisheries Act. The new regulations are expected to reduce risks for human and environmental health and fishery resources associated with the release of wastewater effluents. The objective of the regulations is to establish national effluent quality standards.
Agreements are intended to be negotiated between the Government of Canada, provincial governments, and the Yukon government. The agreements will cover the roles and responsibilities for reporting, compliance, inspection and enforcement activities. In time, the Government of Canada will also negotiate agreements with the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, taking into account the respective roles of all governments as well as the regulatory agencies.
