- How do I know if my existing vertical closed loop geothermal system is safe? What about the safety of previously drilled vertical systems?
- Am I exempt from the regulation if drilling for my geothermal system started before May 18, 2012?
- What should the installer do if hazardous gas is encountered?
- I want to install an open loop system. Has anything changed?
- Who will be responsible for obtaining the necessary approvals to install a vertical closed loop geothermal system?
- What if the installer is a different person than the driller? Do both have to have an Environmental Compliance Approval?
- As a homeowner, do I need to ensure the contractor or installer has an Environmental Compliance Approval for geothermal drilling?
How do I know if my existing vertical closed loop geothermal system is safe? What about the safety of previously drilled vertical systems?
When installed in a safe manner that protects the environment, geothermal systems provide an excellent source of green heating and cooling for a variety of uses including residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial applications.
If you have any questions or concerns about your own geothermal system, contact your installer who can conduct an inspection to ensure the system is operating properly.
If your installer is not available, you can retain the services of a professional engineer or geoscientist with expertise in geothermal systems to assess your system. These local professionals are typically found in the yellow pages or Internet under “environmental consultants.”
If you are concerned about a gas leak, call your local fire department or 911 immediately.
Am I exempt from the regulation if drilling for my geothermal system started before May 18, 2012?
The regulation exempts anyone from obtaining an Environmental Compliance Approval for the construction, alteration, replacement or extension of a vertical closed loop geothermal system if the installer has drilled at least one hole for a vertical closed loop geothermal system on or before May 18, 2012.
Construction includes drilling the hole and installing the equipment in the hole but does not include signing a contract before the hole has been created.
What should the installer do if hazardous gas is encountered?
If the installer encounters hazardous gas they must manage the gas to remove any potential hazard. This will ensure any space around the underground heat transfer tubing is sealed to prevent any movement of hazardous gas between subsurface formations (e.g., natural gas reservoir) and the ground surface or an aquifer.
In addition, the installer must notify the:
- building occupant,
- local fire department,
- landowner,
- ministry’s Spills Action Centre,
- municipality, and
- geothermal system purchaser.
If these measures fail to remove all potential hazards, then the installer must decommission the vertical closed loop geothermal system.
I want to install an open loop system. Has anything changed?
The existing legislation still applies for all new open loop geothermal systems that have wells. This includes complying with the Wells Regulation (Reg. 903) which sets out requirements for constructing, maintaining and decommissioning of wells, obtaining an Environmental Compliance Approval for discharges of wastewater from the system and if appropriate, a Permit to Take Water under the Ontario Water Resources Act.
In addition, the Wells Regulation (Regulation 903) prescribes how to manage natural gas from a well to prevent any hazards and/or to properly abandon the well.
Who will be responsible for obtaining the necessary approvals to install a vertical closed loop geothermal system?
The Environmental Compliance Approval can be held by either the installer or a driller. At least one of these individuals must have the Environmental Compliance Approval before drilling any holes for a system installation. This person is then responsible for fulfilling the requirements of Ontario Regulation 98/12 and the Environmental Compliance Approval.
What if the installer is a different person than the driller? Do both have to have an Environmental Compliance Approval?
The Environmental Compliance Approval can be held by either the installer or a driller. At least one of these individuals must have the Environmental Compliance Approval before drilling any holes for a system installation. This person is then responsible for fulfilling the requirements of Ontario Regulation 98/12 and the Environmental Compliance Approval.
As a homeowner, do I need to ensure the contractor or installer has an Environmental Compliance Approval for geothermal drilling?
It is good practice for homeowners to ensure that anyone constructing, altering, extending or replacing a geothermal system has an Environmental Compliance Approval. This can help avoid any delays or other complications once work begins.
