The Convention Organizing Committee is excited to release the draft agenda for our 2019 Convention and Expo. As in past years we’ve got quality speakers and excellent content that will be of interest to all of our members. The theme of our agenda this year is “20 Years: Looking Back and Moving Forward”.
All of us here at OOWA are excited to announce that best selling author and popular science broadcaster, Bob McDonald, will be the keynote speaker at our 2019 Convention & Expo on Monday, March 18th! Stay tuned for our full Convention agenda due out in the coming days on our website. You can register and get more details at Eventbrite. We look forward to celebrating our 20th anniversary with you in Huntsville!
Highlights in this edition of your association newsletter include:
OOWA’s Summer Newsletter is out! This edition has articles that:
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On Friday, February 23rd, 2018, OOWA submitted a Request for Review to the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario in collaboration with the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations. This joint submission requested that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs review the efficacy of the provisions in the Building Code that deal with Maintenance and Management of onsite sewage systems (Reg 332/12, Building Code, Division B, Part 8, Section 8.9 -Operation and Maintenance). In addition, the submission also requests that the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change consider the need for new provisions and/or Regulation under the Ontario Water Resources Act to govern the operation and maintenance of onsite septic systems.
Outcome Summary
Under conditions set out by the Environmental Bill of Rights, each Ministry had 60 days to respond to our request. Despite significant data and a detailed analysis of the shortcomings in the current regime, neither Ministry acknowledged or commented on any of the information provided in our case in their responses. Instead, both Ministries affirmed that the status quo is adequate in protecting the public. The MOECC cited activities that protect municipal sources of drinking water and suggested that rural residents are sufficiently protected by a provision under the Building Code that allows municipalities to deliver reinspection programs at their own discretion. The MMA argued that a recent technical review of Part 8 of the Building Code and a political decision not to make tank pump outs mandatory were factors contributing to current regulatory efficacy.
OOWA and FOCA are currently preparing responses to both Ministries challenging their perspectives and their lack of consideration for our supporting data that was generously provided by WSP and ESSE Canada. OOWA and FOCA will continue to advance the discussion for improved record keeping of all systems in Ontario and will push for regulatory triggers requiring ongoing maintenance and management. Please read the responses by the MOECC and MMA below. You can read our full Request for Review to the Environmental Commissioner here (PDF).
Ministry of Municipal Affairs response letter. (PDF)
Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change response letter. (PDF)
If you have any questions please contact us.
As we know, the Ontario Building Code (OBC) implemented changes to the requirements for Treatment Units as outlined in Article 8.6.2.2. which took effect January 1, 2017. These changes included the removal of Supplementary Standard SB-5 for Approved Treatment Units, and a new reference to the CAN/BNQ 3680-600 standard for certification of treatment units.
In the code change proposals, records of public consultation, and statements previously made by Ministry of Municipal Affairs (MMA) staff and Minister over the last several years, it was very clear that the intent was to make certification to CAN/BNQ 3680-600 mandatory for all treatment units in Ontario, as the new minimum standard. The emphasis was for treatment units that are to be used with smaller final polishing and dispersal options including Shallow Buried Trenches, Type A and Type B Dispersal Beds, or reduced size Filter Beds and Absorption Trenches to be tested rigorously in a cold climate for 12 continuous months with realistic stress conditions. Read more →
Get a preview of what’s on tap at our fast approaching 2018 Convention and Expo taking place Sunday, April 15th- Tuesday 17th in Huntsville at the Deerhurst Resort.
This year’s Convention theme leans towards ensuring safe, affordable and sustainable wastewater servicing for rural Ontario and is reflected in this edition’s content.
On Friday, February 23rd, OOWA submitted a Request for Review to the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario in collaboration with the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations. The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario (ECO) is an independent officer of the provincial legislature who reports to the government and to the public on progress regarding a number of environmental issues. Under the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR), individual citizens, organizations and corporations can ask the Ontario government for a new environmental policy, act or regulation, or for changes to existing ones.
OOWA’s and FOCA’s joint submission to the ECO requests that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs review the efficacy of the provisions in the Building Code that deal with Maintenance and Management of onsite sewage systems (Reg 332/12, Building Code, Division B, Part 8, Section 8.9 -Operation and Maintenance). In addition, the submission also requests that the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change consider the need for new provisions and/or Regulation under the Ontario Water Resources Act to govern the operation and maintenance of onsite septic systems. Read more →
Over the course of 2017 representatives from OOWA provided expert comment to the Ministry of Municipal Affair’s Technical Advisory Committee on proposed changes to Part 8 of the Ontario Building Code. Check out the minutes (below) from the meetings to see what changes were discussed and OOWA’s position on them.
Building Code Technical Committee Part 8, Meeting Minutes, February 13th (PDF).
Building Code Technical Committee Part 8, Meeting Minutes, May 1st (PDF).
Kathryn Stasiuk, EIT, WSP Canada
What got you started in the onsite and decentralized wastewater industry?
I completed my undergrad in Water Resources Engineering at the University of Guelph and was originally introduced to the industry through a co-op program. I completed an 8-month co-op placement with the WSP Aurora office and have been involved ever since. The onsite sewage industry interested me initially due to the troubling statistic that 2.5 billion people in the world do not have adequate access to sanitation. I’ve also grown to understand the local human health and environmental significance here in Ontario. Read more →
