The province is moving forward with aggressive new rules governing human sewage including a ban on new sewage ejectors and a ban on septic fields in sensitive areas, Conservation Minister Stan Struthers announced.
“Manitobans recognize it is time to move beyond outdated and unsustainable ways of dealing with sewage in favour of more responsible methods,” Struthers said. “That’s why I am pleased to announce strong new measures that will help protect human health and the environment.”
Effective immediately, the new regulations will:
• prohibit the use of a disposal field for new systems in sensitive areas, Crown land cottage developments, provincial parks and portions of the Red River corridor;
• prohibit the installation of new sewage ejectors and eliminate existing sewage ejectors at the time of any property transfer;
• require a two-acre minimum lot size for the installation of disposal fields;
• require hookup to municipal collection systems in serviced areas; and
• require municipal waste-water management planning.
The new measures are in addition to the ongoing work of the Enhanced Inspection Program (EIP), which commenced enhanced inspections in September 2008. Under the EIP, Manitoba Conservation has carried out 709 inspections of waste-water systems in targeted areas of the Red River Valley and cottage country to ensure compliance with provincial regulations.
The new regulations in effect today were first posted for public comment in January 2009 and consultations were extended into May.
“These important changes will help us address many of the problems caused by poor planning in previous decades,” Struthers said.
The new regulations build on previous provincial actions aimed at protecting Manitoba waterways and Lake Winnipeg, such as restrictions on phosphates in detergents and lawn fertilizers, wetlands restoration and protection, and the province’s regional hog moratorium.
