Environmental Approvals

Environmental Approvals
Learn when and how to submit an alteration application for watermain, stormwater or wastewater collection infrastructure. Sometimes all three applications are required to meet reconstruction, site alteration or development requirements. 

When to submit an application
Most watermain alteration projects can be approved by the Township, under the authority of the Township's Drinking Water Works Permit (DWWP), including new developments. Only alterations that are pre-authorized in the Township's DWWP can be approved by the Township.

Most alterations to wastewater and stormwater infrastructure will meet preauthorized design criteria that fall under the Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approval (CLI ECA) process and will be reviewed and approved by the Township.

Non-standard or complex infrastructure changes to any of the three systems may still require Ontario's Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP) approval. The applicant must do their due diligence to ensure applications are prepared and submitted as required.

For watermain (drinking water) alteration projects

Applications must meet requirements outlined by the Township's DWWP and the MECP design criteria. View the Township’s Drinking water Works Permit Mount Forest (PDF) and Arthur (PDF) and the MECP watermain design criteria for future alterations authorized under a drinking water works permitIf the requirements are not met, an application must be made to the MECP.

Watermain alteration requiring an application are:

• new watermain installation
• service installation if the diameter is equal to or greater than 100 mm (effective date March 1 2022)
• watermain replacement that changes size, material or location
• connection of two drinking water systems
• alterations to dual watermains
• lowering of a watermain to beneath existing infrastructure
• hydrant addition or relocation
• watermain pipe replacement of greater then 6.1 m

Exemptions from the watermain alteration application process
Exemptions from the watermain alteration application process include repairs and maintenance of existing infrastructure.

• watermain replacement without changes to size, material or location,
• watermain lining replacement
• hydrant replacement or head extension
• watermain break “C” clamp installation
• anode installations
• stub removal
• valves work

For wastewater infrastructure alteration projects
Applications must meet requirements outlined by the MECP provided ECA and MECP design criteria. View the Wastewater Collection System ECA 113-W601 (PDF). View the design criteria document (PDF).

If the requirements are not met, an application must be made to the MECP.

Wastewater collection system alterations requiring an application are:

• new sanitary main installation – gravity or forcemain
• sanitary main replacement – gravity or forcemain
• installation of siphons
• new or existing pumping stations (new stations to a max peak flow of 30 L/s)
• real-time control systems
• emergency power generators
• odour control units
• corrosion control units
• where discharging a contaminant of concern to the atmosphere

For stormwater infrastructure alteration projects

Applications must meet requirements outlined by the MECP provided ECA and MECP design criteria. View the Stormwater Management System ECA 113-S701 (PDF). View the design criteria document (PDF).

If the requirements are not met, an application must be made to the MECP.

Stormwater management system alterations requiring an application are:

• new stormwater main installation
• stormwater main replacement
• new or replaced ditches
• new or replaced culverts
• new or replaced oil grit separators
• new or replaced low impact developments
• new or replaced wet ponds
• new or replaced dry ponds
• new or replaced super pipe/storage facilities
• new or replaced third pipe collection systems

Application Packages