Mobile Food Vendors, Special Events & Festivals

The Sewers By-law requires that owners or operators of mobile food vendors (such as food trucks) must properly store and dispose of wastewater.

Organizers of special events and festivals also have a responsibility to ensure wastewater from the event is disposed properly and not discharged into the natural environment, roads, ditches, catch basins or storm sewer.

Mobile food vendors should:

  • store wastewater in a clearly labelled container that is separate from the clean (potable) water
  • never dump wastewater into the natural environment, catch basins, storm sewers or onto roads
  • dispose of wastewater in one of the following ways:
    • *bring the wastewater back to the normal place of business (for example, the restaurant) for disposal.
    • have a waste carrier transport the wastewater for disposal. The waste carrier must be approved by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.

*Food service establishments are required to install grease interceptors on pipes that connect directly or indirectly to the sanitary sewer. Bringing wastewater back to such establishments will allow the grease interceptor to separate the fats, oil and grease from the wastewater before sending the wastewater through the sanitary sewer. Note that the wastewater must meet the limits described in the Sewers By-law (Table 1 – Limits for Sanitary and Combined Sewers Discharge).

Mobile food vendors may choose to install a grease interceptor. Grease interceptors must be maintained so that they are always in working order. Learn more about maintaining a grease interceptor.

Organizers of special events and festivals must ensure that:

  • wastewater is never discharged into the natural environment, roads, ditches, catch basins or storm sewer
  • wastewater from food preparation (such as from mobile food trucks) is discharged through a grease interceptor
  • waste cooking oil is collected for proper disposal
  • domestic wastewater (such as from toilets) does not pass through a grease interceptor and is properly disposed of

Organizers of special events and festivals may provide a designated wash area (for washing utensils and containers) for mobile food vendors that generate a small amount of fats, oils and grease. The wash area must have a grease interceptor installed.

Visit Guidance for Planning Events in Toronto for information on other considerations when planning events.