Industrial Waste Control
Environmental Monitoring & Protection's Industrial Waste Control Group is responsible for ensuring that all industrial, commercial and institutional facilities comply with Toronto’s Sewers Bylaw (Municipal Code, Chapter 681).
Industrial Waste bylaw enforcement officers inspect operations at industries and sample the sanitary and storm sewer discharges. They ensure that no hazardous wastes are discharged to the sewers and that other contaminants that may be harmful to the system, such as heavy metals, are severely restricted. Failure to comply with the bylaw can result in fines up to $100,000 per day.
Some wastes, like those from food processing plants (i.e., breweries, dairies, and meat packers) are treatable at the City’sewage treatment plants. In these cases, sample data is used to evaluate the amount of waste generated by these companies for the purpose of recovering the costs of providing the treatment service.
This is accomplished through surcharge agreements. The City recovers about $7 million per year from industries in this way. This makes good business sense for both parties because the City can treat these wastes effectively and at less cost than if the industries had to install their own treatment equipment. In addition, it provides more incentive for the industries to stay within the city.
Surcharge Agreements
Under Municipal Code, Chapter 681 (the Sewers Bylaw) dischargers who are above certain treatable parameter limits may be able to enter into a Surcharge Agreement for a fee payable to the City of Toronto. The fee covers the cost of the additional treatment required to treat the effluent at the City’s wastewater treatment plants. This list (PDF) is current as of January 24, 2011 and will be updated twice annually. For more information, see Municipal Code, Chapter 681 (681-6 Agreements) (PDF).
For more information, call 311.