FAQs

EME stands for Environmental Monitoring and Enforcement. This is a unit within Hamilton Water in the Public Works Department of the City of Hamilton (the City).

EME is responsible for administering the Sewer Use By-law (SUB No.14-090) that regulates discharges to sewer system infrastructure

To inform the community on the proposed changes to Sewer Use Bylaw No. 14-090. These changes include the permitting of Construction Dewatering projects and other administrative as well as wording changes. In addition, we want to obtain your feedback on these proposed changes.

1. Identification of an issue(s)
2. Completion of a study and/or technical review
3. Public consultation process
4. Legal review
5. Council approval
6. Notification to stakeholders
7. Implementation of changes

To support the Construction Dewatering Program, update process changes and to improve administrative and enforcement capabilities.

• Definitions (Part 1)
• Discharges to Sewer Works (Part 4)
• Monitoring and Analyzing Discharges for Quality and Quantity (Part 6)
• Grease control devices, oil and grease and sediment interceptors, and dental amalgam separators (Part 7)
• Hauled Sewage (Part 9)
• Sewer Discharge Permits (Part 11)
• Permits – General (Part 12) 
• Other notable changes
  • Removal of requirements for a discharger to provide specific information when applying for Sewer Discharge Permit
  • Review and updates to list of “set fines” 
  • Update E. coli method change from CFU (Colony Forming Units) to MPN (Most Probable Number)
  • Inclusion of the new Eastport Transfer Station into Schedule D - City locations of discharge of Hauled Sewage
• Rewording of various sections to augment and refine enforcement powers.  
  • Requirements for Conditional Permits
  • Closing Orders
  • RV waste must be discharged directly from RV

Other areas as identified by Legal Services

• Continued high development activity within the City
• Protecting the environment by enforcing water quality requirements as established by the City’s Sewer Use Bylaw
• Managing the capacity of the City’s conveyance systems and wastewater treatment system, mitigating flooding and managing capacity for further developments
• Protecting the City’s wastewater conveyance system assets and treatment plants
• Recovering the cost of treatment (for discharges to the sanitary or combined sewer system) and costs associated with administering and monitoring Construction Dewatering discharges

• Taking water from a well or otherwise extracting groundwater; or
• Draining water from a permanent or temporary pond or other surface water body, whether natural or human-made; or 
• The permanent or temporary alteration of a natural or pre-existing drainage pattern; or
• Releasing water previously stored in a tank, tanker truck, vessel, or other means of water storage; or
• Any combination of the above-noted activities, 
• where the water from such activity would be discharged to a sewer works and such activity is related to a construction, land development, renovation, repair, maintenance or demolition activity, and it is not related to a groundwater remediation unit or site

• Discharges from dewatering operations associated with groundwater remediation units or sites covered under the City’s Conditional Sewer Discharge Permit.
• Discharges from a permanent dewatering system

• During the planning and development process, proponents will be informed on the requirements to obtain a Construction Dewatering Permit
• The proponent will apply for the Permit and provide the necessary requirements for the application and associated fees
• Upon meeting the dewatering requirements, a permit will be issued along with associated requirements including discharge notification, self-monitoring requirements and what to expect in terms of staff monitoring and enforcement activities
• The permit holder will notify the city upon completion of the dewatering process

A Construction Dewatering guidance document will be available to support with the permit application process as well as brochures and updated content on the City’s website. An Enforcement Officer will also be available for further communication when needed.

Yes. The programs exist in other Ontario municipalities including the City of Toronto, City

of Ottawa and the Regional Municipality of York (York Region) in conjunction with local municipalities. The Town of Aurora, City of Markham, City of Richmond Hill, City of Vaughan, King City, Stouffville, and most of Newmarket are served by the York-Durham Sewage System follow York Region’s program

• Presentation Video – Construction Dewatering
• Technical Report – Construction Dewatering Program

Attendees are encouraged to provide feedback on the proposed changes to Sewer Use Bylaw No. 14-090 including the permitting of Construction Dewatering projects. This feedback will then be summarized and presented to Hamilton City Council in the fourth quarter of 2021. Council will then review and ratify the changes to the Bylaw.

Feedback can be submitted by completing the Sewer Use By-law survey or comment form.