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Sewer Use By-law

Niagara Region’s Sewer Use By-law regulates what can be discharged into Niagara Region’s sanitary and storm sewer systems. It also regulates what can be disposed of at wastewater treatment plants.

The by-law applies to industrial, commercial, institutional and residential properties. It also applies to hauled sewage discharged at Region-approved locations. Enforcing the by-law helps protect the sanitary sewer system, wastewater treatment plants, the environment and public health.

Discharges that do not meet by-law requirements can damage sewer infrastructure, disrupt wastewater treatment and harm local waterways.

If you discharge wastewater from a business, industrial operation, construction site or another non-residential activity, you are responsible for ensuring it complies with the Sewer Use By-law.

Water falling into a sewer drain

Construction dewatering and batch discharges
Water treatment plant

Industrial wastewater monitoring
Water hauler truck

Hauled sewage program
A magnifying glass

Inspection, compliance and enforcement
A water droplet

Reporting a spill to the sewer system
Toilet

What not to flush

Construction dewatering and batch wastewater discharges to the sewer system

You may need a discharge permit before releasing certain types of wastewater into Niagara Region’s sanitary sewer system.

Construction dewatering, one-time batch discharges and other non-routine, short-term wastewater discharges that use temporary connections to the sanitary sewer system require a permit under Section 13 of the Sewer Use By-law.

You must get a permit before starting dewatering or discharge activities to the sanitary sewer system.

Apply for a temporary dewatering or batch discharge permit

A permit may be required for:

  • Construction-site excavation dewatering
  • Temporary groundwater or accumulated stormwater drainage
  • Temporary process-water discharges
  • Other non-routine batch discharges to the sanitary sewer system

The program helps protect sewer infrastructure and wastewater treatment plants. It also helps manage available sewer capacity, reduce the risk of sewer backups or overflows, and recover applicable monitoring and treatment costs.

Discharges to a Niagara Region storm sewer are not permitted through this program.

To support your application, you may need to provide:

  • Proposed discharge location
  • Estimated volume and flow rate
  • Discharge duration
  • Water quality information, including laboratory results for by-law parameters
  • Treatment approach, if required
  • Property owner information
  • Contractor contact information, if required

Industrial wastewater monitoring

Niagara Region monitors wastewater discharged from industrial, commercial and institutional properties to help protect the sewer system, wastewater treatment plants and the environment.

Niagara Region staff may inspect facilities, review wastewater-generating activities, collect samples and assess whether discharges comply with the Sewer Use By-law.

Depending on the type and quality of wastewater, a property may be eligible for:

  • An Industrial Wastewater Surcharge Agreement
  • A Compliance Program

A Compliance Program may allow a discharger to address identified non-compliance through a time-limited plan approved by Niagara Region.

Contact Sewer and Wastewater for more information.

Inspection, compliance and enforcement

Niagara Region appoints by-law enforcement officers to enforce the Sewer Use By-law. Officers may enter land and buildings to inspect, determine compliance with or enforce the Sewer Use By-law.

During an inspection, authorized staff may:

  • Inspect discharges to the sewer system
  • Determine whether a property meets the terms and conditions of a permit, agreement or approval issued under the Sewer Use By-law
  • Conduct tests on a discharge
  • Collect wastewater samples
  • Inspect the condition and maintenance records of an interceptor required or installed to meet by-law requirements

Property owners and operators must provide safe access to each facility.

If suitable access is not available, Niagara Region may require the installation and maintenance of a monitoring access point, such as a maintenance hole, for each sewer connection.

If Niagara Region identifies a contravention of the Sewer Use By-law, staff may issue a notice of non-compliance and require corrective action.

Repeated, unresolved or serious contraventions may result in escalated enforcement, including tickets or prosecution. A single serious contravention may result in immediate enforcement action.

Anyone who does not follow the Sewer Use By-law is guilty of an offence. Upon conviction, fines may be up to:

  • $10,000 for a first offence
  • $25,000 for a subsequent offence
  • $50,000 for a corporation’s first offence
  • $100,000 for a corporation’s subsequent offence

Reporting a spill to the sewer system

If a spill enters, or may enter, Niagara Region’s sanitary sewer system, report it immediately.

Niagara Region Dispatch
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
905-984-3690

When reporting a spill, be prepared to provide:

  • The location of the spill
  • The substance involved
  • The estimated quantity
  • When the spill occurred
  • Whether the spill entered a drain, sewer, watercourse or the natural environment
  • Your contact information

Spills to the natural environment must be reported to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

Spills Action Centre
1-800-268-6060 or 416-325-3000

What not to flush

Toilets and drains are not trash cans. Many products, including items labelled “flushable” or “biodegradable,” do not break down in the sewer system.

What can happen if you flush the wrong items

Flushing or pouring the wrong materials down toilets or drains can:

  • Clog or damage pipes in your home and the sewer system
  • Increase the risk of sewer backups and basement flooding
  • Damage wastewater treatment plant equipment
  • Pollute local rivers, streams and lakes
  • Harm aquatic plants and animals

Do not flush or pour

  • Wipes of any kind, including “flushable” wipes
  • Hygiene products, such as sanitary napkins and liners, tampons, condoms, cotton swabs, dental floss, diapers and rags
  • Fats, oils and cooking grease
  • Medication
  • Household hazardous waste, including paint, pesticides and cleaning products
  • Car and garage products, such as motor oil and antifreeze

Find disposal options

Use the Item Disposal Guide to find out where items should go. You can also learn more about what not to flush and where to take household hazardous waste.

Have a question?

Contact Sewer and Wastewater