 |
|
 |
|
The Sewerage System Regulation was passed into law July 7, 2004 and came into effect May 31, 2005. This regulation replaces the previous Sewage Disposal Regulation with an outcome-based, industry-driven approach. The new regulation requires that 'registered practitioners' or 'professionals' plan, install and maintain onsite wastewater systems.
|
|
|
Practitioners currently in the business, who are not designated as a 'professional' as defined by the regulation, will be required to become registered. The registration process for 'registered practitioners' under the new regulation is the responsibility of the Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of British Columbia (ASTTBC). All registrants with ASTTBC will be required to meet the British Columbia OnSite Sewage Association (BCOSSA) educational requirements for system installation, planning or maintenance before being registered.
|
|
|
Information on this process is outlined on this web site. BCOSSA education and training requirements can be found at… www.bcossa.com
|
|
| The new regulation, the Sewerage System Regulation, changes the current regulatory framework as follows: |
|
|
•
|
| Replaces Health Authority directed regulation with industry accountability |
|
|
|
•
|
| Replaces a prescriptive regulation with a non-prescriptive or outcome-based regulation |
|
|
•
|
This means that the regulation no longer tells you how to design, construct or operate a system, but outlines the expected outcome of the design, construction and operation. |
|
|
|
|
•
|
|
Permits will no longer be required
|
|
|
•
|
Instead, a registration is made by a 'registered practitioner' or 'professional' who is accountable for all aspects of the siting, design and installation of the system. |
|
|
|
•
|
Registration means fewer delays with processing and unlike permits will be a permanent record of the system located on a property. |
|
|
|
|
•
|
| The new regulation requires the training and registration of industry practitioners |
|
|
•
|
Under the old regulation there was no requirement for anyone siting, designing or installing a system to have training or expertise to carry out these tasks. |
|
|
|
•
|
With the reform, only properly trained 'registered practitioners' and 'professionals' will be qualified to site, design and install systems. |
|
|
|
|
•
|
| Flexible for new and emergent technology |
|
|
•
|
The old regulation was inflexible and assumed that a prescribed system design could be utilized for all sites meeting certain requirements. |
|
|
|
•
|
This reform will allow for the use of new and emerging technologies for the treatment and distribution of sewage. |
|
|
|
|
•
|
| Clear outcome standards |
|
|
•
|
Unlike the old regulation, the new regulation will have clear outcome standards that reflect the appropriate treatment for site conditions. |
|
|
|
•
|
The standards will be supported through committee-developed best practice standards for system design and construction. |
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
The new regulation includes clear performance standards; these standards are attached to the type of treatment system required, and the quality of the effluent discharged to the distribution area.
|
|
|
•
|
| For sites requiring a simple septic tank, the system will be Type 1. |
|
|
|
•
|
| For sites requiring 'secondary' treatment, the system will be Type 2 and utilize a plant that will produce at least a biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of less than 45 mg/l and total suspended solids (TSS) of less than 45 mg/l. |
|
|
|
•
|
For sites requiring advanced treatment, the system will be a Type 3 and utilize a system that will produce at least a BOD of less than 10 mg/l, a TSS of less than 10 mg/l and a coliform count of less than 400 per/100 ml. |
|
|
| Additionally, by describing systems by type and performance the regulation reform removes the problems associated with previous systems of nomenclature, which was often confusing and unclear, ie: conventional, alternate, innovative, protocol, unconventional alternate. |
| |
 |
|
The new regulation created a standing committee who is charged with the development of sound technical best practice standards that will be used by industry stakeholders for design, installation and maintenance of systems.
|
|
| The committee is established by the Minister and comprised of onsite wastewater system experts and those with specified interests from the industry, Health Authorities and government agencies. |
| |
 |
|
The previous regulation did not require the ongoing maintenance of systems. The new regulation will require a system to be maintained in accordance with a maintenance plan filed with the registration.
|
|
| Additionally, the owner or operator of the system will be required to keep records of the maintenance preformed for future assessment of anyone interested. |
| |
 |
|
Training will be required for 'registered practitioners' involved in the industry. This training consists of initial training and experience provided through independent training facilities such as the WOWTC program.
|
|
| Work experience and ongoing training are an expectation of registration. This is similar to the requirement of operator certification for small water systems. The training requirements will be based on the 'Sewerage System Standard Practice Manual' developed by the standing committee. |
| |
 |
|
A health officer may enforce this regulation through the use of the order provisions of the Health Act and/or use ticketing provisions under the Offences Act.
|
|
| Where a health hazard exists or a system is likely to cause a health hazard, the health officer may act against both the owner of the system or the 'professional' or 'registered practitioner' who designed, installed or was contracted to maintain the system. |
| |
 |
|
Unlike the old permit system, the registration document provides an ongoing record of the sewerage system and any changes that the system undergoes due to repair, replacement or changes in the maintenance plan.
|
|
| As a permanent record, the registration will be a valuable record for assessment during real estate transactions and refinancing, and will allow the lender or purchaser to ensure that the system meets required standards. |
