About Wastewater

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Wastewater is water and anything else that goes down the drain. This can include shampoo, soap, laundry detergent, pee, poop, and toilet paper.

Waterloo Region uses a two-tiered system to collect and treat wastewater.

  • In North Dumfries and Wellesley Townships, the Region of Waterloo collects wastewater from properties connected to the municipal sanitary system.
  • In Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo and the Townships of Wilmot and Woolwich, the Cities and Townships collect the wastewater from properties connected to the municipal sanitary system and returns it to the Region of Waterloo for treatment.
  • If you live on a farm or in a rural area, you probably have your own septic system. Septic systems are the are the responsibility of the property owner.

We oversee operation of 13 wastewater treatment plants, seven pumping stations, and a de-watering facility by the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA). The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks strictly regulates the design and operation of the treatment plants.

  • Each treatment plant must meet strict environmental quality standards set by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
  • We monitor the treated water leaving the treatment plants to ensure the facilities meet the standards and are not harming the natural environment

Properly dispose of household waste

When wipes, grease and other waste materials go down sinks and toilets, they can clog household plumbing and wastewater systems. Find out what you can do to protect your pipes.

Business wastewater programs

Privately hauled sewage and septic systems

We accept sanitary discharges from pre-approved licensed commercial haulers that clean out privately owned residential septic tanks and portable toilets. Many rural communities and small settlement areas rely on privately-owned septic systems to treat and dispose of their wastewater. Septic systems are the responsibility of the property owner. It is important to have a licensed contractor clean out and inspect the tank every 3 to 5 years.

Sanitary or storm sewer discharge permits

Businesses must follow the Region of Waterloo Sewer Use By-law 21-036 and apply for a permit. The Region of Waterloo Sewer Use By-law 21-036 By-law regulates and controls the discharge of water and wastewater into the sanitary and/or storm sewer distribution system within Waterloo Region. The by-law protects the wastewater treatment system and water quality of the Grand River. 

Apply for a Sewer Use By-law permit

Report a spill immediately

Report a spill immediately if you witness or suspect a spill has occurred or is about to occur.

We provide 24-hour emergency response to environmental spills. Responsibilities include a prompt investigation of reported spills, containment or cleanup measures to minimize damage to the natural environment and notifying affected parties if a chemical spill could affect the Region of Waterloo Mannheim and/or Brantford drinking water treatment plants. 

Help keep fat, oil and grease out of the sanitary sewer system

Businesses discharging fat, oil and grease must comply with the Region of Waterloo Sewer Use By-law 21-036 and apply for a permit. Workers, management, facility owners and property owners all must understand and manage the type of materials going down the drain.

  • install and maintain a grease interceptor or trap
    • make sure the great interceptor is the right size for your requirements
    • connect all fixtures discharging grease to the interceptor
    • maintain the device in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and CAN/CSA Standard B481
    • Check and clean grease traps often and keep maintenance records with:
      • Date of service
      • Person doing work
      • Descriptions of repairs
      • Volume of water, solids, and grease in the interceptor and per cent volume occupied by water
      • Disposal method for materials removed
    • Do not use enzymes, bacteria, solvents, chemical agents, hot water or any other means to move grease through the interceptor
  • Correctly dispose of food scraps and fat, oil and grease
    • Don’t put fats, oil or grease down drains or toilets
    • Dry wipe dishes before washing
    • Dispose of food scraps and residue in the green bin or waste receptacle
    • Install screens over drains
  • Make sure staff understands and follows procedures for handling fat, oil and grease
    • Provide training
    • Supervise staff
    • Post reminders

Sanitary and storm sewer systems

Sanitary and storm sewers are not the same. Do you know the difference?

Storm sewer systems

  • Returns stormwater (rain and snowmelt) from paved surfaces to local waterways without treatment
  • Drainage points are grates or square openings typically found by curbs along roads
  • Only rain down a storm drain. Never use storm drains to dispose of chemicals, concrete, paint or other hazardous materials
  • The Cities and Townships are responsible for the stormwater sewer systems. The exception is North Dumfries and Wellesley Townships. The Region of Waterloo manages the stormwater sewer systems for these two townships.

Sanitary sewer systems

  • Moves wastewater from buildings to a wastewater treatment plant
  • Wastewater is any water that leaves a building through a drain such as a toilet, sink or bathtub
  • Once treated at a municipal plant, this water returns to the local waterway

Help keep stormwater out of sanitary system

  • Do not connect stormwater discharge pipes to the sanitary sewer system. This includes rain, basement sump pump and foundation discharges.
  • Disconnecting sump pumps and other drains from the sanitary system helps to:
    • Reduce costs by only treating wastewater. Stormwater does not need the same level of treatment.
    • Reduce stress on infrastructure. Reduces flows into the treatment plants and the risk of a backup into the building.
    • Reduce environmental impacts from increased flows during larger storm events. We design our wastewater treatment plants to address storms. Larger storms can mean increased flows at pumping stations and treatment facilities. This may cause untreated wastewater to end up in the local river system.

Draining your pool or hot tub

You are responsible for the proper discharge of water from your pool or hot tub. This water contains chemicals such as chlorine, bromine, salt and algaecides. These chemicals can be harmful to the natural environment and our drinking water supply.

Discharging these chemicals to storm sewers or a waterway is considered an environmental spill and those responsible can be held accountable.

Biosolids strategy

Biosolids is a treated solid. Uses include fertilizing approved agricultural fields and naturalizing old tailing ponds at mines. We are developing a new Biosolids Strategy.

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