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Toronto’s Industrial Water & Wastewater Rebate Programs Under-used
Industrial firms in Toronto can still take advantage of the city’s industrial water use and wastewater surcharge rebate programs. City staff expressed surprise of how few manufacturing firms have taken advantage of the program to date.
The city will rebate up to 50% of the sewer surcharge paid by dischargers over multiple years, to offset capital costs of pollution prevention equipment installations. Toronto will also permanently reduce the sewerage portion of a facility’s water supply bill if production-engineering calculations can show a significant portion of the water usage is not discharged (e.g. stays within the product).
For more information, call Mr. Vic Lim or Ms. Cora Matthews (416-392-2383) at the City of Toronto’s Water & Wastewater Services Division, or contact Brian Bobbie at bbobbie@altechgroup.com, 1-800-323-4937 ext. 245.
Provincial Drinking Water Regulations Take Effect
As a direct result of the Walkerton tragedy, the new Regulation 170/03 now requires Ontario businesses to monitor and treat their drinking water if not connected to a municipal water supply.
Depending on several factors such as water supply source, pump capacity and number of connections, some facilities have been required to comply as early as Dec 31, 2003. Third party engineering certification of upgraded or new treatment systems, and operator training is required in all cases.
The Ontario MOE provides a lengthy Guide Kit for facilities to determine if and how they are affected, available at www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/gp/4427e.pdf. Or contact John Hibberd, P.Eng, 1-800-323-4937 ext. 227 or jhibberd@altech-group.com for assistance.
New Land Disposal Restrictions for Ontario Waste
The MOE’s Waste Management Policy Branch is developing a proposed regulation that will require industry to find alternatives to landfilling or landfarming of hazardous wastes. The Land Disposal Restriction regulation would follow the USEPA’s model and require destruction, transformation or other options for disposal using specified technologies. For more information, contact Anna Mason, MOE Hazardous Waste Section at 416-212-0914 or ALTECH’s Brian Bobbie at bbobbie@altech-group.com or 1-800-323-4937 ext. 245.
Environmental Technology Implementation
The Federal Government announced that it will channel $1 billion from its pending sale of shares of Petro-Canada into the development and commercialization of new environmental technologies. The program is designed to help industry test and implement new solutions to pollution control and greenhouse gas reductions.
Sustainable Development Technology Canada will administer much of the funding, and will widen its mandate to include technologies related to clean water and soil technologies as well as climate change and air quality issues. Other potential investments include the further development and demonstration of clean coal and CO2 sequestration, and renewable energy.
New technology demonstration and pilot plant installations at industrial facilities may qualify for funding under the program. For more information, see the 2004 Federal Budget at www.fin.gc.ca/budtoce/2004/budliste.htm, or contact Alex Keen at 1-800-323-4937 ext. 223 or akeen@altech-group.com.
Dichloromethane Use under Notice
Facilities using threshold amounts of dichloromethane (a.k.a. methylene chloride) now fall under a Federal Notice Requiring the Preparation and Implementation of Pollution Prevention Plans. According to Environment Canada staff, the issue affects some 60 facilities. The Notice sets out the minimum information required in the facility’s plan and the required timing for plan development, submission and implementation. For a copy of the Notice, see the Canada Gazette Part I, November 29, 2003 or contact David Putnam, P.Eng., at dputnam@altech-group.com or 1-800-323-4937 ext.228.
Upgrading or Removal Deadlines for Storage Tanks
In October of 2001, the TSSA adopted the CSA B139-00 Fuel Oil Code, which describes the upgrading and/or removal requirements for storage tank systems. According to this code, any tank system that is unused, or has not been used for longer than 2 years must be removed and any contamination caused by the tank system assessed. The code also established deadline dates for either the upgrading or removal of underground tank systems, depending on the age of the system in October of 2001. Systems greater than 25 years old, or of unknown age, must be upgraded or removed by Oct. 1, 2006. Systems installed more recently have later deadline dates. Owners and operators of storage tank systems should consider having their systems upgraded or removed before the deadline dates in order to comply with the recently established regulations and codes. For more information , contact Rod Shaver, P.Geo., at rshaver@altechgroup.com, 1-800-323-4937 ext.226.
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