WHEREAS all haulers of liquid domestic sewage must be permitted by the Ministry of Environment; and WHEREAS the current ‘Conditions for Transportation and Disposal of Liquid Domestic Sewage’, under which the licensee is to operate, do not allow for the spreading of septic effluent on frozen grounds; and WHEREAS winter spreading of septic effluent is the only option available to some communities that do not yet have the ability to dispose of such waste during the winter months, as existing lagoons are unable to accommodate their effluent or the costs to transport effluent long distances to an existing lagoon are prohibitive,

BE IT RESOLVED that the Province work with municipalities to devise temporary solutions for the disposal of liquid domestic waste in the winter; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Province immediately allow winter spreading of septic effluent under specific and controlled conditions.

RESPONSE FROM SASKATCHEWAN WATER SECURITY AGENCY

The Province recognizes the implications of sewage hauling during winter months where there is an absence of nearby approved sewage works or treatment works with sufficient capacity to accept waste. The Province also recognizes the health and environmental implications associated with poor septic waste land spreading practices. Improving sewage treatment and disposal supports sustainable and stable growth while avoiding compromises that adversely, and sometimes irreversibly, impact the environment and water resources on which we all rely.

Winter land spreading of septic waste will be allowed by exception, subject to an approved Environmental Protection Plan.  A "plan outline" has been prepared to aid haulers and/or municipalities with the preparation of an Environmental Protection Plan and covers the selection of an appropriate site, basic operating procedures and monitoring.  One such plan has already been developed and implemented for the Rural Municipality of McKillop and includes an option for both land spreading and the use of existing lagoon capacity at a nearby resort community. Haulers or municipalities are welcome to contact the WSA Environmental Project Officer for their area for advice on land spreading requirements or to obtain a copy of the Environmental Protection Plan outline.