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Sewer Use Permits
York Region’s Sewer Use Bylaw and amendment protect our sewers by regulating the release of water and waste into the sanitary and storm sewer systems. This keeps the sewers from becoming overloaded and damaged, and protects the health and safety of our employees. The bylaw outlines limits and controls for the concentration of substances like heavy metals, natural and chemical pollutants being put into Regional sewers.
The bylaw applies to all people and businesses in York Region.
In addition to York Region’s Sewer Use Bylaw, the nine local municipalities have their own Sewer Use Bylaws. It is important to contact your local municipality to ensure you are compliant with their Sewer Use Bylaw as well.
Program Fees and Rates
York Region Council approved new Sewer Use Program fees, in effect until 2021.
Penalties
If individuals or businesses do not follow the bylaw, legal action may be taken. A business can be fined up to $50,000 for a first conviction under the bylaw. Businesses can also enter into a compliance program or develop a pollution prevention plan if they are found to be non-compliant with this bylaw.
Enforcement
York Region will inspect, monitor and gather samples of wastewater from businesses and sewer systems to make sure the sewer use bylaw is being followed. Enforcement officers are authorized to enter businesses and properties without prior notification to conduct inspections, tests and collect samples.
Business and Institutional Sewer Use Discharger Information Report
When asked, businesses and institutions in York Region discharging wastewater to the sewers must complete a Discharger Information Report with general information about the company, how it functions and how it disposes of wastewater. Businesses are also required to submit a Discharger Information Report if their discharge location is new, or there is a change in any of the information submitted in previous reports. York Region uses this information to assess the risk of the facility for damaging the sewer system or endangering the health and safety of employees.
When required, please create a user account and complete a Discharger Information Report, found on the Sewer Use Bylaw Services portal. For instructions on how to use this online service, please refer to the User Reference Guide on the portal.
Fats, Oils and Grease
Fats, oils and grease build up in sewers and over time can cause sewer back-ups. All restaurants and other businesses that cook, process or prepare food must have a grease interceptor to stop fats, oil and grease from going down the drain. They must also maintain the grease interceptor as per the bylaw.
It is also important that homeowners not pour their fats, oil and grease or household hazardous waste down the drain. These can be disposed of at a York Region Household Hazardous Waste Depot.
Learn more about how to fight FOG.
Download the No Fats Oils or Grease Down the Drain sign for print.
Disposing of Concentrated Sewage – Surcharge Agreement
Businesses can make a request to York Region to enter into a surcharge agreement to allow them, at an additional cost, to regularly dispose of certain types of highly concentrated sewage into York Region’s sewer system.
Eligibility
A surcharge agreement can only be made for disposal of the following substances:
- Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5)
- Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen
- Total Phosphorus
- Phenolic Compounds (4AAP)
- Total Suspended Solids
Cost
Businesses will be billed annually for surcharge sewer use. The total surcharge fee includes the annual surcharge amount determined from the annual excess loading of each parameter, the maintenance fee, laboratory costs and the new surcharge agreement fee (if necessary). To reduce laboratory costs, businesses may wish to conduct their own monitoring and sampling. To apply to conduct your own sampling, please complete the Self-Monitoring Application Form. Surcharge agreements are in place until either party wishes to cancel them.
Surcharge fees and rates
| Surcharge Parameters | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Surcharge Agreement Fee | $385 | $385 | $385 | $385 | $385 | $385 |
| Annual Surcharge Agreement Maintenance Fee | $1,400 | $1,525 | $1,650 | $1,800 | $1,975 | $2,050 |
| Laboratory Costs | Actual analytical costs | Actual analytical costs | Actual analytical costs | Actual analytical costs | Actual analytical costs | Actual analytical costs |
| Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) | $0.93/kg | $0.93/kg | $0.93/kg | $0.98/kg | $1.04/kg | $1.11/kg |
| Phenolic Compounds (4AAP) | $0.93/kg | $0.93/kg | $0.93/kg | $0.98/kg | $1.04/kg | $1.11/kg |
| Total Phosphorus | $2.89/kg | $2.89/kg | $2.89/kg | $3.05/kg | $3.24/kg | $3.44/kg |
| Suspended Solids (SS) | $0.73/kg | $0.82/kg | $0.87/kg | $0.92/kg | $0.97/kg | $1.03/kg |
| Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) | $0.94/kg | $1.01/kg | $1.07/kg | $1.14/kg | $1.21/kg | $1.28/kg |
| Animal and Vegetable Oil & Grease | $0.64/kg | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
How to Apply
To apply for a surcharge agreement or inquire about the self-monitoring program or for more information, please call at 1-877-464-9675.
Compliance Program
Businesses that are out of compliance with the Sewer Use Bylaw (No. 2011-56) may request to undertake changes to their facility or processes that will prevent or reduce contaminants in the company’s wastewater. These businesses are encouraged to enter the Region’s Compliance Program to temporarily allow exceedances of the bylaw criteria while changes are made.
Compliance fee
|
Surcharge Parameters |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Application Fee |
$385 |
$575 |
$765 |
$955 |
$1,145 |
$1,340 |
|
Extension/Amendment Fee |
N/A |
$240 |
$480 |
$725 |
$970 |
$1,215 |
|
Monthly Compliance Fee |
N/A |
$100 |
$105 |
$110 |
$115 |
$120 |
How to Apply
To enter in a Compliance Program Agreement or for more information please call at 1-877-464-9675.
Temporary Water Draining - Dewatering
Dewatering activities are controlled by the Sewer Use Bylaw. Dewatering includes removing water from a construction site, pond or tank and discharging it into the sanitary or storm sewer. Refer to Sections 1(l), 3.2 and 5.2 of the Bylaw for more information.
Any dewatering that discharges directly to Region-owned infrastructure requires approval from York Region. You must complete a dewatering activity Discharge Approval Application Form online at Sewer Use Bylaw Services Portal.
If you are located in the local municipalities of Richmond Hill, Aurora, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Georgina, East Gwillimbury or King and need to temporarily drain water into the sanitary sewer or storm sewer system you must also fill out a dewatering activity Discharge Approval Application Form.
For dewatering to storm or sanitary sewers owned by the local municipalities of Vaughan, Markham or Newmarket you must submit your discharge permit application to the local municipality. York Region will only issue a discharge approval after receiving the local municipality’s discharge permit.
Eligibility
A property or project owner can apply for dewatering approval. Contractors or engineers responsible for on-site activities may also apply with authorization from the owner.
Processing Time
Reviewing a dewatering application takes approximately three to six weeks after the receipt of complete application package. Applications for a project with a maximum discharge rate of five litres per second or less will take approximately three to four weeks to approve.
Cost
Application fee is non-refundable and is required upon submission of a dewatering discharge application to York Region except for applications located in Vaughan, Markham and Newmarket that does not discharge to York Region infrastructure first. Dischargers to a sanitary sewer will be billed a volumetric discharge fee and a dewatering maintenance fee at the end of the project and/or end of the year (if the project is not completed by the end of the year). York Region will also pass on laboratory costs for analysis of samples taken by York Region staff.
Dewatering fees
|
Dewatering Discharge Program |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dewatering Permit Application Fee (flowrate is > 5 L/s) - Sanitary Discharge |
$1,400 |
$1,520 |
$1,650 |
$1,800 |
$1,970 |
$2,030 |
|
Dewatering Permit Application Fee (flowrate is = or < 5 L/s) - Sanitary Discharge |
$815 |
$950 |
$1,100 |
$1,300 |
$1,550 |
$1,800 |
|
Dewatering Permit Application Fee - Storm Discharge |
$1,400 |
$1,600 |
$1,800 |
$2,050 |
$2,300 |
$2,600 |
|
Dewatering Monthly Compliance Fee - both Storm and Sanitary Discharge |
$200/year |
$30 |
$60 |
$100 |
$110 |
$115 |
|
Dewatering Extension/Amendment Fee – Sanitary Discharge |
Not applicable |
$250 |
$400 |
$600 |
$850 |
$1,250 |
|
Dewatering Extension/Amendment Fee – Storm Discharge |
Not applicable |
$250 |
$375 |
$550 |
$800 |
$1,150 |
|
Dewatering Volumetric Discharge Fee to Sanitary Sewer (per m 3) |
$1.35 |
$1.49 |
$1.62 |
$1.74 |
$1.93 |
$2.01 |
|
Laboratory Costs |
Invoice based on actual cost |
Invoice based on actual cost |
Invoice based on actual cost |
Invoice based on actual cost |
Invoice based on actual cost |
Invoice based on actual cost |
How to Apply
A user account is required before a dewatering activity discharge approval application can be made. Apply online through the Sewer Use Bylaw Services portal. For instructions on how to use this online service, please refer to the User Reference Guide on the portal.
Reminder that applicants whose dewatering discharge site is located in Richmond Hill, Aurora, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Georgina, East Gwillimbury and King areas and for all applications that discharge directly to York Region’s infrastructure must apply via the portal.
Hauled Wastewater
As a service to York Region residents and businesses not served by a municipal wastewater system, York Region accepts hauled wastewater at designated wastewater facilities.
York Region has developed the Hauled Wastewater Receiving Policy (amended January, 2019) under the authority of York Region’s Sewer Use Bylaw to clarify the regulation of the discharge of hauled wastewater to hauled wastewater receiving facilities in York Region. The Policy establishes the procedures, terms and conditions applicable to participation in the Hauled Wastewater Receiving Program.
Hauled Wastewater Fees
|
Hauled Wastewater Program |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hauled Wastewater Annual Registration Fee |
$200 |
$250 |
$300 |
$350 |
$400 |
$450 |
|
Hauled Sewage Disposal Fee (per cubic metre) |
$23.93 |
$23.93 |
$23.93 |
$23.93 |
$23.93 |
$23.93 |
|
Electronic/Magnetic Access Device Issuance/Replacement Fee |
$50 |
$50 |
$50 |
$50 |
$50 |
$50 |
How to Apply
All haulers must register annually, prior to using any hauled wastewater receiving facility. A user account is required before a wastewater hauler registration application can be made. Please apply online through the Sewer Use Bylaw Services portal. For instructions on how to use this online service, please refer to the User Reference Guide on the portal. You also need to download and complete the Site Use Condition and Performance Requirements Form, which can be submitted through the portal.
Environmental Site Assessment Data Information Request
Information pertaining to sewer use and water resources (e.g. environmental control orders, dewatering discharges, soil and water contamination, site visit information, chemical releases or spills and remediation for a property) are routinely disclosed through an environmental site assessment request.
Environmental Site Assessment Fee
|
Information Requests |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Environmental Site Assessment Information Request Fee |
$150 |
$150 |
$150 |
$150 |
$150 |
$150 |
How to Apply
Submit a completed environmental site assessment request letter together with a cheque for the appropriate fee and mail to:
Environmental Monitoring and Enforcement
Environmental Services Department
The Regional Municipality of York
380 Bayview Parkway
Newmarket, Ontario
L3Y 4W3
What can you do to help protect water?
Properly dispose of medications and personal care products — medications can be returned to a
participating pharmacy or a York Region Household Hazardous Waste Depot for safe disposal.
Related Resources
- Surcharge Agreements and Compliance Program Explained
- Hauled Wastewater Program Policy
- Industrial, Commercial and Institutional requirements for disposing of fats, oil and grease
- Download the Automotive Grease Interceptor Requirements Template
- Download the Restaurant Maintenance Requirements Template
- Download the No Fats Oils or Grease Down the Drain sign for print
