Pollution prevention planning outlines measures to control and prevent pollution at source by:

• avoiding the use of pollutants wherever possible,
• reducing the amount of pollutants that reach the wastewater system, if avoiding is not possible, and
• eliminating pollutants wherever possible by replacing products used with more environmentally friendly products.

In an effort to prevent pollution at the source, pollution prevention is part of a comprehensive plan to protect the wastewater collection and treatment system, our rivers and lakes, and the environment by:

• improving water quality,
• controlling toxic metals and organics, and
• improving the quality of biosolids.

We have added the pollution prevention planning requirement to the City of Winnipeg Sewer By-law in 2010 to help comply with provincial regulations. We are also following a recommendation in the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) Model Sewer Use By-law.

Yes. Pollution prevention planning can:

• reduce pollutants at the source,
• replace raw materials with more environmentally friendly products,
• minimize health risks for both employees and citizens,
• reduce risks of liability,
• reuse input materials,
• use energy, materials and resources more efficiently,
• reduce waste disposal costs,
• avoid costly clean ups,
• avoid costly fines, and
• promote a greener image within the community.

We require the business tiers listed in Schedule E of the Sewer By-Law to meet Pollution Prevention Planning requirements. We will expand this list over time to include more business tiers (e.g. glass manufacturing, furniture manufacturing, rubber and plastic manufacturing, car washes, and auto repair).

Before we can add other business tiers, we require approval from City Council. We will give new business tiers one year's notice on our web page of the requirement to meet Pollution Prevention Planning requirements.

We will contact you to set up an inspection of your facility. You will be required to submit a Pollution Prevention Plan if your business falls within one of the business tiers listed in Schedule E of the Sewer By-law, and discharges:

1. any of the prohibited substances listed in Schedule A to the wastewater system,
2. any of the substances in excess of the concentration limits set out in Schedule B to the wastewater system,
3. any of the prohibited substances listed in Schedule C to the land drainage system, or
4. any of the substances in excess of the concentration limits set out in Schedule D to the land drainage system.

You must:

• prepare your plan using the template provided
• submit your plan for our approval,
• submit annual progress reports, and
• update your plan once every five years to show progress towards your goals

A Pollution Prevention Plan is a document that you may have to submit within six months of being notified. The plan must contain the following information:

• business information including what your company produces,
• a list of all pollutants on the premises,
• the characteristics of your wastewater and land drainage discharges,
• a description of the processes that create pollutants,
• a description of current wastewater treatment and future options, and
• an implementation schedule to bring your business into compliance with the Sewer By-law.

The template for the Pollution Prevention Plan is located in the forms section.

We will accept your plan if:

• you do provide enough information to determine if pollutants will be reduced,
• pollutants will be reduced to acceptable levels, and
• pollutants will be reduced in a justifiable time period.

If your plan is not accepted you will have 90 calendar days to resubmit it.

You must notify us within 30 calendar days if you need to make changes to the:

• name of the owner of the business,
• description of the processes that use pollutants,
• processes that will be altered during the life of the plan,
• list of pollutants on your premises, or
• characteristics of your wastewater or land drainage.

You may be required to submit a new plan.

You can notify us of other changes in your annual progress update. These would include changes to:

• options for pollutant reduction,
• descriptions of current treatment, or
• timelines with justifications.

A Home Business Declaration Form is a document that you may have to submit if your business operates out of a residential dwelling. This confirms that you are a business that falls within Schedule E and that you are in compliance with the Sewer By-law.

A progress update is a document that must:

• be submitted annually within 30 calendar days of the anniversary of the date that your plan was approved, and
• contain sufficient information so that we can evaluate the progress your business is making towards the goals in the plan and your ability to accomplish those goals.

The template for the progress update is located in the forms section.

We will then determine if you are meeting the requirements of the by-law. We may conduct future inspections and monitoring to ensure you remain in compliance.

If you continue to be in compliance with the by-law, you will no longer need to complete plans or progress updates.

Yes, most major cities have requirements in place for Pollution Prevention Planning.

• Vancouver - waste discharge permits are required for restricted wastes and codes of practice are required for select tiers. Provisions exist for voluntary pollution prevention planning and the use of Best Available Technology for treatment of some wastewater discharges.
• Edmonton - a "Permit to Release" and compliance program is required.
• Calgary - has a voluntary Pollution Prevention Planning Program.
• Toronto - has mandatory Pollution Prevention Planning requirements for specific tiers.
• Ottawa - discharge agreements, compliance programs or Best Management Practice plans are required.
• Hamilton - a compliance program is required.
• Windsor - is considering the implementation of a Pollution Prevention Planning program.
• Kingston - a compliance program is required and a Best Management Practice plan may be required in some instances.
• Montreal - a discharge permit is required.
• Halifax - a compliance agreement is required.

If you are in the program and do not submit a plan, you will be violating the by-law and subject to penalty. We may:

• suspend or cancel your licence to use the City's sewer system,
• issue written orders to cease the contravention or to correct the by-law violation within a specific time, or
• take court action. If found guilty in court you could be fined $1,000 - $250,000.