Waste Discharge Authorizations
Introduction
The Ministry of Environment, Environmental Management Branch, develops legislation and policies to manage and reduce discharges of potential contaminants to the environment and remediation (clean up) of contaminated sites through the administration the Environmental Management Act and the regulations authorized under the Act. The Act prohibits the discharge of waste from specified industries, trades, businesses, operations or activities to the environment unless the appropriate authorization has been obtained. The authorizations include:
Permit: A permit authorizes the discharge of wastes from an industry, trade, business, operation or activity to the environment and sets the terms and conditions under which the discharge may occur so that pollution is prevented. The terms and conditions include limiting the quantity and quality of waste contaminants, monitoring the discharge and the receiving environment, and reporting information to the ministry. Permits are ongoing authorizations and may be amended, transferred to other dischargers, suspended or cancelled.
Approval: An approval is similar to a permit except it is issued for short term discharges for a maximum 15 months duration. An approval may be amended, suspended or cancelled and will automatically expire at the end of its term. An approval cannot be renewed.
Operational Certificate: An operational certificate is issued by the ministry in response to the authorization of a waste management plan. Waste management plans are generally completed by regional government bodies to control the discharge or municipal solid waste or municipal liquid waste (refuse and sewage). These plans, when complete may be signed by the Minister of Environment to authorize the discharge of waste in accordance with the plan. The ministry issues the Operational Certificate to the plan holder or to private operators discharging under the plan to specify additional terms and conditions not detailed in the plan. Operational certificates are ongoing and may be amended, suspended or cancelled.
Regulations: The ministry develops regulations to authorize common types of waste discharges. There are two types of regulation: Regulations issued by the Lieutenant Governor-in-Council (Cabinet) and Minister’s Regulations issued by the Minister of Environment (commonly referred to as Codes of Practice). A regulation sets the terms and conditions of the discharge. Operators meeting the terms and conditions specified in the regulation are exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit or approval. Many regulations require the discharger to register with the ministry. Information provided to the ministry in a registration must be amended when changes occur at the registered site.
The
Environmental Management Act Waste Discharge Regulation (WDR) establishes a three tiered approach for discharges to the environment.
| Tier 1: |
Industries, trades, businesses, operations or activities considered to be high risk to the environment and public health or those where it was determined that development of a regulation or a code of practice was impractical are listed in Schedule 1 of the WDR. Generally, these dischargers will require a permit or approval to authorize their discharges. A detailed technical assessment of the discharge is normally required. Operations under the Municipal Sewage Regulation, Hazardous Waste Regulation, and woodwaste incineration under the Woodwaste Residue Burner and Incinerator Regulation are considered Tier 1 but require registration, rather than a permit or approval. |
| Tier 2: |
Industries, trades, businesses, operations, or activities considered to be medium risk to the environment and public health are listed in Schedule 2 of the Waste Discharge Regulation. These dischargers would register under a regulation or code of practice. Until a regulation or code of practice has been developed, a permit or approval is required. When the regulation or code of practice is enacted, dischargers may be required to comply with the new requirements and any permits issued to these dischargers may be cancelled. Generally, for a registration under a regulation or code of practice, a technical assessment is not required provided sufficient information is included on the application form. Registration under the Municipal Sewage Regulation is a noted exception and will require a technical assessment. |
| Tier 3: |
Industries, trades, businesses, operations, or activities not listed in either Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 are considered low risk and do not require a formal authorization or registration to discharge waste. However, the discharges must not cause pollution or present a risk to public health. Where it is determined that pollution is occurring, the ministry can issue a order requiring the discharger to cease discharging and take action to clean up any pollution and prevent further pollution. |
Those intending to discharge waste to the environment are advised to consult with the nearest regional office to confirm the type of authorization required.
All applications and registrations are to be submitted to:
Ministry of Environment
Environmental Management Branch
PO Box 9377, Stn Prov Govt, 3rd Floor, 2975 Jutland Rd.
Victoria BC V8W 9M1
Go to Application Process Flow Sheet (PDF/36 KB)
Go to Permit or Approval Application Process
Go to Registration Under a Regulation or Code of Practice
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