1. Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations
Circuit Rider Training Professional Association
Vancouver, BC
August 24, 2017

2. Outline Overview of Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations (WSER)
Draft
Outline
Overview of Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations (WSER)
Status of reporting for First Nations systems across the country
Identification reports
Monitoring reports
Transitional Authorizations
In the event of an inconsistency between this document and the Act and/or the WSER, the Act and the WSER prevail. Individuals with specific legal problems are urged to seek advice from legal counsel. 2

3. Draft
Introduction
This presentation will focus on the Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations (WSER) requirements for smaller wastewater systems that deposit an average daily volume of effluent that is less than or equal to 2,500 m³
A guidance document entitled “Guidance Manual for Owners and Operators sf Small Wastewater Systems” is available from Environment and Climate Canada (ECCC) upon request 3

4. WSER Overview
WSER
The Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations (WSER) came into force in July 2012
The WSER set national effluent quality standards that are achievable through secondary wastewater treatment
All wastewater system owners or operators subject to the WSER are required to monitor, record information and submit reports on effluent quality and quantity

5. WSER Application
WSER
Applicable to wastewater systems that collect, or are designed to collect, an average volume of 100 cubic metres/day or more of influent
Does not apply to wastewater systems in Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and north of the 54th parallel in Québec and Newfoundland and Labrador due to Arctic climatic conditions
There are commitments to develop North standards for WSER in the CCME Strategy and WSER RIAS

6. Areas covered by WSER WSER WSER applicable WSER not applicable
Yukon equivalency agreement in effect

7. Effluent Quality Requirements
Draft
Effluent Quality Requirements
Since January 2015, wastewater systems are required to meet the following limits and not be acutely lethal, unless issued a transitional or temporary authorization:
Carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD)
Suspended solids (SS)
Total residual chlorine (TRC)*
Un-ionized ammonia (NH3)
(expressed as nitrogen, at 15°C ± 1°C)
average
maximum
≤ 25 mg/L
≤ 0.02 mg/L
< 1.25 mg/L
Averaging periods depend on the typs and size of the wastewater system (for continuous either quarterly or Monthly)
*TRC standards come into force January 1, 2021 for systems with annual average daily volume of < 5000 m3 7

8. Monitoring and Testing Requirements
Draft
Monitoring and Testing Requirements
Monitoring requirements include:
Daily volume of influent or effluent
Requirements determined by system type and size
CBOD and suspended solids
Sampling frequency and type determined by system type and size
Acute lethality monitoring for systems  only required for systems depositing > 2,500 m3/d
EPS 1/RM/13 rainbow trout test, with or without pH stabilization (EPS 1/RM/50)
Un-ionized ammonia (NH3) monitoring requirements ended June 30, 2014
No testing requirement for TRC
Grab or composite samples can be taken
Accredited laboratory required to conduct tests
In NL, all continuous systems.
For volume of continuous systems (7(2)(b)):
If >2500m3 must continuously measure the volume of influent or effluent deposited
Any other case, continuous measure or a measure of the flow rate upon which that daily volume may be estimated
Estimating volume based on flow rate(7(2)(3)):
-measure rate of flow in any chosen unit of volume for any chosen unit of time
-calculate that volume based on that rate of flow for the duration of the deposits of effluent made on that day 8

9. Types of Wastewater Systems
Intermittent (lagoons)
Hydraulic retention time (HRT) ≥ 90 days and maximum of 4 discharge periods/year
Discharge periods must be separated by at least 7 days of no discharge
Submit annual monitoring reports
Continuous
All other wastewater systems
Submit quarterly monitoring reports
Continuous with a hydraulic retention time > 5 days (continuously discharging lagoons)
Submit annual monitoring reports if deposit < 2,500 m3/day

10. Monitoring Requirements for Intermittent systems depositing < 2500 m3/day
Volume
The volume of effluent must be determined for each day that effluent is deposited by using monitoring equipment that provides:
A continuous measure of the volume of influent or effluent; or
A measure of the rate of flow of the influent or effluent upon which the daily volume can be estimated; or
A method of estimation based on generally accepted engineering practices
Sampling frequency for CBOD and suspended solids
Effluent must be sampled every two weeks but at least seven days after any other sample if the discharge period is greater than 30 days.
Effluent must be sampled once per period if the discharge period is ≤ 30 days
Any SS results > 25 mg/L in July, August, September and October are not to be taken into account
If all SS results > 25 mg/L, the average SS is deemed to be 0 mg/L
Averaging period
Calendar year

11. Monitoring Requirements for Continuous systems depositing < 2500 m3/day
Volume
The volume of effluent must be determined for each day that effluent is deposited by using monitoring equipment that provides either:
A continuous measure of the volume of influent or effluent; or
A measure of the rate of flow of the influent or effluent upon which the daily volume can be estimated
Sampling frequency for CBOD and suspended solids
Effluent must be sampled monthly but at least 10 days after any other sample
Averaging period
Quarterly

12. Monitoring Requirements for Continuous systems with HRT > 5 days and depositing < 2500 m3/day
Volume
The volume of effluent must be determined for each day that effluent is deposited by using monitoring equipment that provides:
A continuous measure of the volume of influent or effluent; or
A measure of the rate of flow of the influent or effluent upon which the daily volume can be estimated
Sampling frequency for CBOD and suspended solids
Effluent must be sampled quarterly but at least 60 days after any other sample
Any SS results > 25 mg/L in July, August, September and October are not to be taken into account
If all SS results > 25 mg/L, the average SS is deemed to be 0 mg/L
Averaging period
Calendar year

13. Reporting Requirements
Draft
Reporting Requirements
Identification report
First reporting requirement; identifies system as part of regulated community
Were due May 15, 2013 if system is in operation on January 1, 2013 or within 45 days after system comes into operation, in any other case
Monitoring reports
Due 45 days after end of calendar year or quarter, depending on type of system
Calendar year
Intermittent systems ≤ m3/d
Continuous systems with HRT ≥ 5 days ≤ 2500 m3/d
A quarter
Any other case
Ongoing data reporting to assess compliance with effluent quality standards
Reports submitted electronically to the authorization officer using the Effluent Regulatory Reporting Information System (ERRIS) 13

14. Record-keeping Requirements
Dates of deposits and daily volumes
Dates of no deposit
Average annual daily volume deposited
Information on monitoring equipment (continuous systems only)
Results of laboratory analyses
Types of samples taken and dates of sampling
All records must be kept for 5 years

15. Transitional and Temporary Authorizations
Draft
Transitional and Temporary Authorizations
Effluent from the final discharge point that does not meet the effluent quality standards may be deposited if the deposit is made in accordance with an authorization
Types of Authorizations:
Transitional authorization to achieve secondary wastewater treatment
Temporary authorization to deposit un-ionized ammonia when effluent is acutely lethal due to un-ionized ammonia
Temporary authorization to bypass 15

16. Transitional Authorization
Could apply from January 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014, if average CBOD and/or SS exceeded 25 mg/L in the effluent deposited from the final discharge point for specified period(s)
Authorization period began January 1, 2015 until December 31, 2020, 2030, or 2040
Allows time for system upgrades to meet effluent quality standards
First Nations issued a transitional authorization:
Ahousaht First Nation – December 2020
Gingolx Village Government – December 2020
Kitasoo First Nation – December 2030

17. Temporary Authorization to Deposit Un-ionized Ammonia (NH3)
Draft
Temporary Authorization to Deposit Un-ionized Ammonia (NH3)
May apply if effluent is acutely lethal because of NH3, and if:
NH3 concentration 100 m from the point of entry, is ≤ mg/L N, and
Acute lethality of effluent is primarily due to NH3
Application must be submitted within 30 days after determination of acute lethality due to NH3
Issued for 3-year period, renewable for successive 3- year periods
Allows deposit of effluent that meets CBOD, SS and TRC standards but is acutely lethal due to NH3
Compliance obligations include
Effluent monitoring & reporting, with NH3 monitoring at same frequency as CBOD and SS
Determine NH3 concentration in receiver once during August 17

18. Temporary Bypass Authorization
Application for a temporary bypass authorization
May be made for construction work or maintenance on the system, or in response to an anticipated event beyond owner or operator control
Bypass must be designed to minimize the volume of effluent and the concentration of the prescribed deleterious substances deposited
Must be submitted electronically to the authorization officer at least 45 days before the bypass is to occur
Content of application
Information on location, period, duration, estimated volume of effluent
Explanation of how the impact of the bypass will be minimized

19. WSER Status – First Nations systems
Estimate of 220 Indigenous communities subject to the WSER
132 identification reports submitted and approved in ECCC’s electronic reporting system (60%)
Of the systems that submitted approved identification reports, many of them are not submitting on-going monitoring reports. 19

20. WSER - Submission of Identification Reports by First Nations systems

21. First Nations systems with an approved ID report, the number submitting monitoring reports in 2016

22. Additional Information
The Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations are available online at:
Additional information may also be obtained at EC’s website:
Questions?
telephone

23. Effluent Regulatory Reporting Information System (ERRIS)
Demonstration of
Effluent Regulatory Reporting Information System (ERRIS)

24. Effluent Regulatory Reporting Information System (ERRIS)
The Effluent Regulatory Reporting Information System (ERRIS) was developed to collect reports and applications required under the WSER
Web-based application allowing regulatees to submit regulatory reporting data and applications to the authorization officer
Regulatees use ERRIS to submit:
Identification Report
Effluent Monitoring Reports
Temporary Authorizations applications can be submitted:
Deposit Un-ionized Ammonia (NH3)
Bypasses at final discharge point

25. EC Single Window and the Effluent Regulatory Reporting Information System (ERRIS)
Initial Set-up Process
Creation of user account and password via CGKey
Enter the Wastewater Owner (Organization) and Wastewater System (Facility) contact information in the EC Single Window system
Create permissions that can allow access to the system for multiple staff within an organization to enter reporting data
Complete WSER Identification report
Complete ongoing reports as required
SWIM/ERRIS Manual – available on EC Wastewater web site at

26. ERRIS Link https://ec.ss.ec.gc.ca