OTTAWA, ON, Canada, March 19, 2010 -- Environment Minister Jim Prentice today announced that the proposed Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations have been published in Canada Gazette, Part I beginning the formal 60-day public comment period.
"Last month, I released a public-consultation draft of the regulations because we wanted to hear back from Canadians. And today with the Canada Gazette posting, we are again listening to Canadians and working to make the proposed wastewater regulations law. These are concrete steps we are taking to make sure that Canadians continue to enjoy water that is clean, safe and plentiful for generations to come," said Minister Prentice. "
The Government of Canada is taking the lead in proposing regulations for municipal, community, federal and other wastewater systems, which include standards for national wastewater effluent quality and provide regulatory clarity for rules on reporting for more than 3,700 Canadian facilities. For those not already meeting the effluent quality standards, there is a proposed phase-in approach. For higher-risk wastewater effluent discharges, facilities will have up until 2020 to upgrade, whereas others would have until 2030 or 2040 depending on level of risk associated with existing effluent quality and environmental considerations.
"We are committed to continue working together with provinces, territories and municipalities to make this a reality," said the Minister. "These regulations will help us conserve and protect Canada's water quality. And I am happy to point out that this collaborative spirit and progress speak to the theme of "Clean Water for a Healthy World" that is the global focus of the upcoming World Water Day on March 22.
The regulations are the principal instrument that Environment Canada is using to implement the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) Canada-wide Strategy for the Management of Municipal Wastewater that was endorsed in 2009.
The Government of Canada is partnering with provinces, territories and municipalities to make significant investments in water and wastewater infrastructure. Under Government of Canada infrastructure funds, including the Building Canada, Green Infrastructure, Stimulus and Gas Tax Funds, over $3.25 billion has been spent or committed for wastewater and water infrastructure. Such projects are a top priority for these funds.
Canadians can now access the proposed regulations at http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2010/2010-03-20/html/reg1-eng.html
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