Municipal system alterations

The City of Waterloo can approve drinking water system alterations under the conditions of the Drinking Water Works Permit (DWWP).

Most drinking water alteration projects can be approved through the Form 1 process.

A CLI-ECA permit is required if your project includes changes to the city’s wastewater or stormwater infrastructure. This includes additions, modifications, replacements, and extensions.

You must apply under the CLI-ECA for:

Wastewater (sanitary sewage) collection system changes
This includes all connected sewage collection works owned or operated by the City of Waterloo, including pumping stations and pipes.

Stormwater management system changes
This includes all connected stormwater management works owned or operated by the City of Waterloo, including pipes, stormwater management facilities, and Low Impact Development (LID) infrastructure.

CLI-ECA requirements can be found in the Wastewater and Stormwater System Alteration Approvals (CLI-ECA) section.

Learn more:

• view the MECP information regarding the program
• review approval conditions and exemptions listed in the corresponding CLI-ECA Agreement (Schedule D)

The approvals process for sanitary and stormwater alterations is called the Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approval (CLI-ECA).

The CLI-ECA covers most alterations that meet the pre-authorized Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) requirements for the municipal wastewater collection system and the stormwater management system owned and operated by the City of Waterloo.

The Transfer of Review (ToR) ECA process has been retired by the MECP.

Developers no longer need to submit individual pipe-by-pipe applications to the MECP for future alterations.

However, all alterations must:

• follow MECP design criteria
• meet the requirements in the city's CLI-ECA
• meet all other provincial and municipal conditions

Requests for exceptions to MECP design criteria may still be approved, but must be submitted directly to the MECP. Applicants are responsible for completing their due diligence.

The city’s CLI-ECA includes:

• Environmental Compliance Approval for the Wastewater Collection (PDF) (including Forcemains)
• Environmental Compliance Approval for the Stormwater Management System (PDF)

If you have questions about CLI-ECA alterations, email WSreg_approval@waterloo.ca.

Most watermain alteration projects, including new developments, can be approved by the City of Waterloo under the Drinking Water Works Permit (DWWP).

Only alterations that meet the pre-authorized DWWP conditions can be approved by the city.

Read about the Form 1 process.

Drinking water projects that require an application

As defined under Drinking Water Works Permit (DWWP) 112-201 (PDF), you must apply when your project involves:

• adding new watermain service connections
• changing, replacing, or extending drinking water infrastructure
• extending drinking water systems into new residential developments

Go to the drinking water system alteration application section.

Most alterations meet the MECP's pre-authorized design criteria under the Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approval (CLI-ECA).

These can be reviewed and approved by the city.

Read about CLI-ECA approvals.

Wastewater infrastructure alteration projects

As defined under CLI-ECA 112-W601 (PDF), submit a wastewater alteration application for:

• new sanitary main installation (gravity or forcemain)
• sanitary main replacement (gravity or forcemain)
• installation of siphons
• new or existing pumping stations (new stations up to a max peak flow of 30 L/s)
• real-time control systems
• emergency power generators
• odour control units
• corrosion control units
• discharge of a contaminant of concern to the atmosphere

Go the wastewater system alteration (CLI-ECA) section.

Most stormwater alterations that meet the MECP pre-authorized design criteria under the city’s CLI-ECA can be reviewed and approved by the city.

Stormwater infrastructure alteration projects

As defined under CLI-ECA 112-S701 (PDF), submit a stormwater alteration application for:

• new stormwater main installation
• stormwater main replacement
• new or replaced ditches
• new or replaced culverts
• new or replaced oil grit separators
• new or replaced low impact developments (LIDs)
• new or replaced wet ponds
• new or replaced dry ponds
• new or replaced super pipe/storage facilities
• new or replaced third pipe collection systems

Go to the stormwater system alteration approvals (CLI-ECA) section.

Some non-standard or complex changes may still require approval from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP). Applicants must make sure applications are prepared and submitted to the right authority.

Certain routine or lower-risk work must be registered in the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR) instead of applying for an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA). The MECP website explains when to apply for an ECA or self-register for an EASR.

The city does not have the authority to approve alterations for:

• privately owned drinking water systems
• privately owned industrial or commercial sewage collection
• privately owned industrial or commercial stormwater management systems

Refer to the DWWP or corresponding CLI-ECA for more information.

For these projects, you may still need an individual ECA from the MECP, or a building permit.

If the work qualifies for direct submission to the MECP, refer to the Ministry’s Guide to applying for an environmental compliance approval.

Certain routine and lower-risk activities require applicants to register online in the Environmental Activity and Sector Registrr (EASR). In these cases, an ECA is not required. Find out when to apply for an ECA and when to self-register for an EASR on the MECP website.

Repairs and maintenance to existing watermains do not require a watermain alteration application.

Notify City of Waterloo Utilities when the work is complete.

Repairs and maintenance include:

• watermain replacement with no change to size, material or location
• watermain lining replacement
• hydrant replacement or hydrant head extension
• repairing a watermain break
• clamp installation
• anode installations
• stub removal
• valve work

To make sure an application is required, review the alterations requiring a wastewater infrastructure system application.

Applications must meet requirements outlined by the MECP-provided ECA and MECP design criteria. View the Wastewater Management System ECA 112-W601 (PDF). View the MECP Design Criteria document (PDF).

Application submission requirements

1. Fill out parts 1, 2 and 3 of the following forms (PDF):
• Form SS1 (PDF) for alterations to sanitary sewers such as gravity sanitary collection and forcemains, including maintenance holes, service laterals and drop structures, siphons (inverted or other)
• Form SS2 (PDF) for alterations to components of the collection system such as pumping stations, real time control systems, emergency power generators, odour control units, corrosion control units
• Form A1 (PDF) for discharging a contaminant of concern to the atmosphere
2. Provide all supporting documentation as listed in the CLI-ECA Wastewater Applicant Submission Checklist form SAA-F1 (fillable PDF), including:

• • sanitary sewers extensions and new subdivision sanitary infrastructure require a copy of Development Services stamped accepted drawings
  • MECP Pipe Data Form (PIBS 6238e)
  • sanitary sewers design calculation sheets in Excel format and drainage area plans
  • inspection and testing plan, as stated in the MECP design criteria (PDF), must be submitted to WSreg_approval@waterloo.ca by the contractor prior to mobilizing on site
  • completed Permit application fee form SAA-F3 (PDF)
  • sewage pumping station design report (PDF), where applicable
  • Contaminants of Concern to the Atmosphere Submission Checklist form SAA-F6 (PDF), where applicable
  • any other requirements as outlined in the Wastewater Collection System ECA 112-W601 (PDF)
  • other reports, design sheets and plans as required 

To make sure an application is required, review the alterations requiring a stormwater management system application.

Applications must meet requirements outlined by the MECP provided ECA and MECP design criteria. View the Stormwater Management System ECA 112-S701 (PDF). View the MECP Design Criteria document (PDF).

Application submission requirements

1. Fill out the current version of applicable MECP forms (PDF):
• Form SW1 for alterations to storm mains, ditches or culverts including catchbasins, maintenance holes, and grates
• Form SW2 for alterations to stormwater management facilities such as oil grit separators, low impact development, wet ponds, dry ponds, superpipe/storage facilities  
• Form SW3 for alteration of of a third pipe collection system
2. Provide all supporting documentation as listed in the CLI-ECA Stormwater Applicant Submission Checklist SAA-F2 (fillable PDF), including:

• storm sewer extensions and new subdivision storm infrastructure require a copy of Development Services stamped accepted drawings
• stormwater management report (PDF)
• stormwater management plans
• MECP pipe data form (PIBS 6238e) and/or support documentation
• storm sewer design calculation sheets in Excel format and drainage area plans
• completed Permit application fee form SAA-F3 (PDF)
• inspection and testing plan, as stated in the MECP design criteria (PDF), must be submitted to WSreg_approval@waterloo.ca by the contractor prior to mobilizing on site
• any other requirements outlined by the Stormwater Management System ECA 112-S701(PDF)
• other reports, design sheets and plans as required

The application review process will be initiated following reception of the complete submission application package and the fee has been processed.

Submissions are to be submitted in their entirety by one agent of the owner in one complete package as outlined in the corresponding applicant submission checklist(s) referenced in the instructions.

Submissions must include:

• digital copies or links to digital copies of the applicable forms and documents
• searchable PDF files are required for forms and reports
• design drawings that are to-scale and stamped by a Licensed Engineering Practitioner.

Application packages will be screened for completeness for:

• cover letter, ensure minimum requirements are included
• complete MECP Forms (as applicable)
• supporting documents
• completed Permit application fee form SAA-F3 (PDF)
• corresponding applicant submission checklist(s) that must be completed and submitted with all applications

The applicant must:

1. Ensure that the most recent version of the MECP’s Record of Future Alteration Authorized form(s) is used.
2. Ensure all applicable guidelines, design standards, and specifications available at the time of design of an alteration are utilized to demonstrate compliance.
3. Ensure Source Protection conditions, outlined in the Design Criteria and the City of Waterloo Significant Drinking Water Threat Assessment Report for Proposed Alterations (PDF), are satisfied
4. All drawings and form(s) must be signed, (electronic signatures are accepted and preferred), dated and sealed by the licensed Engineering Practitioner responsible for the alteration.

Notification of Application(s) and related inquiries must be submitted by email to wsreg_approval@waterloo.ca. Please note the City’s email is capped at 10 MB if sharing information via email. For larger files contact wsreg_approval@waterloo.ca to get a link where documents can be shared to staff.

Pay fees by:

• making cheques payable to The Corporation of the City of Waterloo 
• including the project name, property address and owner’s name
• deliver the cheque by hand or mail to:

City of Waterloo Service Centre
Attention: Compliance - City Utilities
265 Lexington Court
PO Box 337, STN Waterloo
Waterloo, ON N2J 4A8

Insufficient funds are subject to a $38.00 fee.