Make sure you connect to the sanitary sewer system!
Are you putting in a new bathroom or kitchen? Are you aware that you may have two types of pipes running within your home?

• Sanitary pipes deliver contaminated water from your toilets, washing machines, sinks and bathtubs to a treatment plant for treatment.
• Stormwater pipes handle rainwater and melted snow that discharge directly into the lake or rivers.

It’s your responsibly to connect to the sanitary system!

Cross Connections - a costly mistake
A cross connection is created when a household sanitary plumbing fixture is mistakenly connected to a storm drain, sending waste directly to a watercourse. Cross connections are responsible for polluting our rivers with raw sewage and contributing to beach closings in the summer due to elevated E.coli (bacteria) levels.

Toronto is working diligently to locate cross connections within the city. If you are illegally connected to the sewer system, a bylaw officer will visit your home and you will not be able to use that plumbing fixture until the problem is corrected.

• If you fail to correct the problem, you could face fines of up to $10,000. It could also mean damaging or destroying the renovation you created in the first place.

Tips to avoid creating a cross connection:

• Before you begin, contact Toronto Building to view drain plans of your home or property.
• Get a City building permit. The small upfront fee can save you thousands of dollars. Plus, it’s the law!
• Consider hiring a licensed plumber. They have the proper training and expertise to make sure you are connected properly to the sewer system.

For more information, contact:
Toronto Building Customer Service counters are located in four areas of Toronto to serve you:

• Toronto and East York, 416-392-7539
• Etobicoke York, 416-394-8002
• North York, 416-395-7000
• Scarborough, 416-396-7526