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FS#2 — Fact
Sheet on the Municipal Sewage Regulation Introduction British Columbia recently enacted the Municipal Sewage Regulation that replaces a time-consuming permit system and spells out new rules for treating sewage, generating and using reclaimed water, and disposing of effluent that cannot economically or practically be reused. This fact sheet describes the production and use of reclaimed water. What is reclaimed water? Sewage treatment plants produce effluents that historically were treated and released into the environment without considering the environmental and other benefits of reuse. New technologies and processes have been developed to treat the sewage so effectively that the treated water can be reused for a variety of different applications. Why is it important to use reclaimed water? By using reclaimed water for non-potable uses such as irrigation, stream augmentation or toilet and urinal flushing, potable water can be conserved for end-uses such as showering, cooking and drinking. Hence, a water reclamation facility conserves water, enables beneficial use of reclaimed water and reduces the amount of effluent going into the environment. There is a net benefit for the environment. Water reclamation integrates both water supply and wastewater treatment systems and by doing so conserves water, protects the environment and may save money.
How can reclaimed water be used? The Municipal Sewage Regulation provides strict rules for all possible uses of highly-treated wastewater. The list includes outdoor uses such as agricultural and park irrigation and fire-fighting, and inside uses such as flushing toilets and urinals, primarily in commercial or office buildings. In order to reuse the water, certain infrastructure must be in place. For indoor uses, separate plumbing is required. For outdoors, a second water main and associated valves and pumps will be needed to move the reclaimed water to where it is needed. Measures to prevent cross-connection are required in either case. Are there any examples of the use of reclaimed water in BC? Yes, a BC company has designed and installed a water reclamation plant in an office building near Sooke. Water consumption and effluent outflow have been reduced by more than 90 per cent compared to a similar office with conventional water and sewage systems. Effluent quality is high, protecting the high water table in the area. A second example is the City of Vernon, which for over 20 years has been irrigating rangeland, sports playing fields, golf courses, and tree nurseries with treated wastewater from the local sewage treatment plant. In Vernon's case, the use of reclaimed water has virtually eliminated the discharge of effluent to the environment. The community of Cranbrook has also been irrigating rangeland for several years. As well, there are several golf courses located throughout BC that use reclaimed water for irrigation and the first public school in Canada using reclaimed water for flushing toilets and urinals is located in BC
In general, the use of reclaimed water conserves freshwater supplies, reduces the discharge of sewage to the environment and may save money. What benefits are there if we use reclaimed water in BC? The potential for water reclamation in BC is excellent in areas where water is in short supply or there are environmental concerns about the discharge. In addition there can be significant cost savings for local governments, which make water reclamation a viable option to consider. For example, the City of Vernon anticipates saving 50 per cent of the capital cost of its water and wastewater needs over the next 20 years through its use of reclaimed water initiatives. Several other communities in BC (Oliver, Osoyoos, and Armstrong) have also determined that use of reclaimed water makes sense from both economic and environmental perspectives. For new developments, if water reclamation is integrated into the design from the beginning, the short-term increased costs of infrastructure could be offset by long-term savings in water costs, discharge costs and environmental protection. Where can I find more information on the Municipal Sewage Regulation? Information designed to assist generators and users of reclaimed water can be found at the Municipal Sewage Regulation homepage located at: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/mpp/msrhome.html This Web site provides information on how to register a discharge, whom to contact in the ministry's regional offices, and other topics related to the implementation of the regulation, including the Code of Practice for the Use of Reclaimed Water — A Companion Document to the Municipal Sewage Regulation (PDF: 208 KB / 45 pages).
For more information, contact: Mailing
Address: Location
Address: e-mail: Disclaimer This fact sheet does not replace the Environmental Management Act or its regulations. It does not list all provisions relating to municipal sewage discharges. If there are differences or omissions in this document, the act and regulations apply.
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