Water utilities alterations

Learn when and how to submit an alteration application for watermain, stormwater or wastewater collection infrastructure. Sometimes all three applications are required to meet site alteration or development requirements. 

On this page

1. Drinking water system alterations
2. Recent changes to how stormwater and wastewater alterations are approved
3. Stormwater management system alterations
4. Wastewater system alterations
5. Fees
6. Submit application
7. Timeline for approval

Drinking water system alterations

When to submit an application

Most watermain alteration projects can be approved by the City of Waterloo, under the authority of the City of Waterloo's Drinking Water Works Permit (DWWP), including new developments. Only alterations that are pre-authorized in the city's DWWP can be approved by the city.

A formal application must be submitted to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks to amend the DWWP in the case of alterations that are not pre-authorized. 

Alterations interconnected to another drinking water system, including within the Integrated Urban System, must receive approval from the owner of the adjoining drinking water system(s).

All appropriate approvals must be in place prior to the start of construction.

When an application is required and exemptions

Alterations requiring a watermain alteration application using the application process below are:

• any new watermain installation
• service installation if the diameter is equal to or greater than 100 mm (effective date March 1 2022)
• watermain replacement that changes size, material or location
• connection of two drinking water systems
• alterations to dual watermains
• lowering of a watermain to beneath existing infrastructure
• hydrant addition or relocation
• watermain pipe replacement of greater then 6.1 m

In case any of the following are a result of the watermain alteration, the ministry must be notified:

• pressure zone alterations
• watermain that is larger than 750 mm
• watermain is passing through a body of water using a no-trench method
• the result is fragmentation of the drinking water system

Exemptions from the watermain alteration application process include repairs and maintenance of existing infrastructure. The City of Waterloo and Utilities must be notified once this work is complete.

• watermain replacement without changes to size, material or location,
• watermain lining replacement
• hydrant replacement or head extension
• watermain break “C” clamp installation
• anode installations
• stub removal
• valves work

Requirements to apply

The application review process cannot begin until a complete application package is received.

1. Fill out the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Form 1 - Record of Watermains Authorized as a Future Alteration (fillable PDF) parts 1, 2, and 3

• use the Applicant Checklist for Submission of Form 1 (fillable PDF)
• Part 1: the City of Waterloo DWWP number to be entered is 112-201
• Part 2: include contract number and an itemized list of drawings
• Part 3: provide verification by a Licensed Engineering Practitioner with the PEO license number as the signature
• electronic signatures are accepted and preferred

2. Provide the following supporting documentation:

• final plan and drawing affixed with “Accepted” seal
• the MECP Form 1 from step 1
• the Applicant Checklist for Submission of Form 1 from step 1
• water distribution report if necessary
• any other requirements outlined by the City of Waterloo Drinking Water Works Permit (PDF)
• for a 100 mm (4 inch) service connection only the MECP Form 1 is needed (no supporting documents or checklist)
• for a 150 mm (6 inch) or greater connection, MECP Form 1 and supporting documentation (fire-flow testing, site drawing and the applicant checklist) are required

Links to supporting documents:

• City of Waterloo's Municipal Drinking Water Licence (PDF)
• Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Watermain Disinfection Procedure (PDF)

Recent changes to how stormwater and wastewater alterations are approved

Ontario's Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP) is implementing the new Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approval (CLI ECA) process to replace the current environmental compliance approvals framework for low-risk projects that meet the preauthorized criteria related to municipal wastewater and stormwater management systems. The new CLI ECA alteration approval process supersedes the Transfer of Review (ToR) Program.

Most alterations to wastewater and stormwater infrastructure will meet preauthorized design criteria that fall under the ECA process and will be reviewed and approved by the City. Non-standard or complex infrastructure changes may still require MECP approval. The applicant must do their due diligence to ensure applications are prepared and submitted as required.

Stormwater management system alterations

When to submit an application

The City can authorize stormwater management system alterations when they conform to what is permitted under the city's Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA). View the Stormwater Management System ECA 112-S701 (PDF). Other alterations require application to the Ministry of Conservation, Environment and Parks.

Applications must show compliance to the design criteria provided by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. View the design criteria document (PDF)

Requirements to apply

The application review process cannot begin until a complete application package is received. 

 1. Fill out the current version of applicable MECP forms (PDF):

• Form SW1
• Form SW2
• Form SW3
• electronic signatures are accepted and preferred

2. Provide supporting documentation, as necessary, to meet the conditions of the City’s ECA and to comply with MECP’s design criteria. View the design criteria document (PDF).

• application submission must include inspection and testing plans that include procedure, equipment, schedule, safety requirements, and emergency response plan
• it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the most recent version of the MECP’s Record of Future Alteration Authorized form(s) is used, as well as ensuring all applicable guidelines, design standards, and specifications available at the time of design of an alteration are utilized to demonstrate compliance. All drawings and form(s) must be signed (electronic signatures are accepted and preferred) and sealed by the licensed Engineering Practitioner responsible for the alteration. 

Wastewater collection system alterations

When to submit an application

The city can authorize wastewater collection system alterations when they conform to what is permitted under the city's Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA). View the Wastewater Collection System ECA 112-W601 (PDF).  If the proposed design does not meet the preauthorization criteria of the ECA, the application must be submitted to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. 

Applications must show compliance to the design criteria provided by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. View the design criteria document (PDF)

Requirements to apply

The application review process cannot begin until a complete application package is received.

1. Fill out the current version of applicable MECP forms (PDF):
   
   • Form SS1
   • Form SS2
   • Form A1
   • electronic signatures are accepted and preferred
2. Provide supporting documentation, as necessary, to meet the conditions of the City’s ECA and to comply with MECP’s design criteria. View the design criteria document (PDF).

• application submission must include inspection and testing plans that include procedure, equipment, schedule, safety requirements, and emergency response plan
• it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the most recent version of the MECP’s Record of Future Alteration Authorized form(s) is used, as well as ensuring all applicable guidelines, design standards, and specifications available at the time of design of an alteration are utilized to demonstrate compliance. All drawings and form(s) must be signed (electronic signatures are accepted and preferred) and sealed by the licensed Engineering Practitioner responsible for the alteration. 

Fees

Fees and charges for water utility alterations

Submit your application

1. Mail a cheque payable to "The Corporation of the City of Waterloo" or pay in person at the service centre
2. Submit the completed application package to:

• for City of Waterloo capital projects: email directly to the city project manager
  
• for development projects: email the package to WSreg_approval@waterloo.ca and copy the city engineering reviewer
  

Upon approval, applicants will be provided with a response letter and an approval signed by the City of Waterloo. 

Timeline to get approval

The estimated time to process an ECA application is 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the complexity.

For less complex and single infrastructure submissions (for example linear pipes), the review and authorization process should be less than 6 weeks.

For more complex projects (e.g., stormwater facilities, pumping stations), the review and authorization could take up to 12 weeks.  Incomplete or inaccurate applications that result in requests for additional information, or fees not paid on time, can delay the approval and processing times may increase during the peak construction season.

If you have comments on or concerns with the ECA approval Process, you may contact WSreg_approval@waterloo.ca.