Whereas the oversight of wastewater management in British Columbia is divided between two provincial ministries, resulting in split jurisdiction over two key regulations - the Municipal Wastewater Regulation MWR 2001 and the Sewerage System Regulation SSR 2005; And whereas these regulations have not undergone significant updates since their enactment, despite evolving environmental standards, increasing concerns regarding the professional oversight of these systems, emerging technologies, and increasing community and ecological demands; And whereas the Province has established priorities to support housing development, infrastructure expansion, improved cumulative effects assessment in natural resource decision-making, and stronger integration of source water and drinking water protection: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM requests the Province of British Columbia to undertake a comprehensive review and modernization of the Municipal Wastewater Regulation and Sewerage System Regulation to ensure alignment with current environmental pressures, technological advancements, and land use planning needs.
Ministry of Environment and Parks Ministry of Health The Municipal Wastewater Regulation MWR under Ministry of Environment and Parks ENV and the Sewerage System Regulation SSR under Ministry of Health HLTH are non-overlapping but complementary regulations. The MWR regulates discharges to water and those to ground equal or greater than 22.7 m3day. The MWR was enacted in 2012 to replace the Municipal Sewage Regulation. When the MWR was enacted, a full review was done, including internal and external feedback and an intentions paper. Staff at ENV and HLTH work together on proposed updates and guidance related to wastewater discharges. Recently, HLTH updated guidance related to the jurisdictional flow divide between the SSR and the MWR on their website with input from ENV. Issues logs for the MWR and SSR are kept, which identify potential changes to the regulations. These have led to regulatory improvements under the Better Regulations for BC process. HLTH and ENV will continue to collaborate on improvements to guidance and regulations.