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Fact Sheet

For immediate release
August 1, 2003

BANNING THE SPREADING OF UNTREATED PORTABLE TOILET WASTE

Phasing Out the Spreading of Septage

Septage is waste from a septic system tank, holding tank or portable toilet. It is called untreated waste because it has not gone through a stabilization process, such as processing at a sewage treatment plant.

The government has committed to phase out all spreading of untreated septage. A proposed phase-out strategy was discussed with stakeholders during consultations on regulations under the Nutrient Management Act earlier this year. Stakeholders have told the government that eliminating the spreading of untreated septage should be implemented in phases to allow sewage treatment plants, waste haulers and their clients to adapt and respond. Land application of untreated septage other than portable toilet waste will be banned through additional regulatory amendments.

Certificates of Approval

Currently, a Certificate of Approval is required from the Ministry of the Environment for the land application of septage. This applies both to farmland and rural land used exclusively for the purpose of receiving septage.

If septage is spread on farmland, a period of time must pass before the land may be used for farming purposes. The time delay varies from three weeks for harvesting feedcrops for animals to twelve months for harvesting crops for human consumption.

The amended regulation banning the land application of portable toilet waste will supercede existing conditions in Certificates of Approval.

Organizations and Events That Use Portable Toilets

Portable toilets are common in outdoor and remote workplaces such as construction sites and road construction sites. Portable toilets are also used at cultural and recreational events including county fairs, festivals and outdoor concerts.

All portable toilet waste is classified as septage. Any group or organization that has portable toilets on site must use a licenced waste hauler to dispose of their waste. Clients have the right to demand that a waste hauler produce proof of a licence.

When negotiating a contract, waste haulers may include extra costs associated with the proper disposal of septage at a sewage treatment plant, approved waste disposal site or lagoon.

Municipal Sewage Treatment Plants

Municipal sewage treatment plants are an acceptable disposal option for untreated portable toilet wastes. The volume of this type of waste is relatively very small and it is unlikely that accepting portable toilet waste will put an excessive strain on a local treatment system.

Municipal sewage treatment plant owners may enter into a contract with waste haulers, or they have the right to refuse untreated portable toilet waste. If waste haulers are unable to make an arrangement with a municipal sewage treatment plant, septage may be disposed of at an approved waste disposal site, trench or lagoon. Waste haulers may choose to use a landfill site or lagoon if using a sewage treatment plant would be prohibitively expensive or time-consuming (e.g. if the nearest plant were several hours’ drive.)

The Ministry of the Environment is also reviewing other treatment options for septage, including dewatering and composting.

For more information

The Ministry of the Environment issues Certificates of Approval for waste haulers across the province. Ministry officers inspect waste haulers and can charge or fine unlicenced or non-compliant operators. For more information, please contact the Ministry of the Environment’s Public Information Centre at 1-800-565-4923 (Toronto 416-325-4000) or visit the Ministry’s web site at http://www.ene.gov.ca.

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