Sewer Use By-Law

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Consultation has concluded

This project supports the Region of Waterloo's strategic focus area(s): An icon representing the Region's strategic focus area Environment and climate action.


The Region of Waterloo’s original Sewer Use By-law (1-90) regulates discharges to Regional sewers and has remained unchanged for the last 30 years except for 2 minor amendments. Regional staff have completed an extensive review process, in consultation with local municipal staff, to develop a new Sewer Use By-law to replace By-law 1-90.

The Sewer Use By-law is a major regulatory by-law that helps protect you, workers on the sewage system, the sewage system infrastructure, drinking water supplies and the environment. This Sewer Use By-law prohibits the discharge of

This project supports the Region of Waterloo's strategic focus area(s): An icon representing the Region's strategic focus area Environment and climate action.


The Region of Waterloo’s original Sewer Use By-law (1-90) regulates discharges to Regional sewers and has remained unchanged for the last 30 years except for 2 minor amendments. Regional staff have completed an extensive review process, in consultation with local municipal staff, to develop a new Sewer Use By-law to replace By-law 1-90.

The Sewer Use By-law is a major regulatory by-law that helps protect you, workers on the sewage system, the sewage system infrastructure, drinking water supplies and the environment. This Sewer Use By-law prohibits the discharge of toxic substances and regulates contamination limits for substances discharged to sewers.

The attached draft Sewer Use By-law is the result of a multi-year comprehensive review. The Sewer Use By-laws of other Ontario municipalities along with leading Canadian municipalities were reviewed to ensure the proposed Sewer Use By-law reflects best practices and is aligned with neighbouring jurisdictions such as the Region’s of Halton, Peel, York and Niagara; and the Cities of Hamilton, Brantford and Guelph.

Consultation was conducted on Engage Region of Waterloo only, as in-person contact was not possible. Please check out the Document Library to see the updated Sewer Use Bylaw (21-036) that is now approved by Council as well as the official Report to Council. You can also read over all of the public inquiries and the Region's replies that took place through the consultation process. Finally, you will find the amended fee schedule that now applies to the bylaw.

Thank you for all of your interest and input in this process which helped us update and modernize our important Sewer Use Bylaw which will protect our community for years to come.


The Kitchener Wastewater Treatment Plant




  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    The Region of Waterloo has tabled a draft Sewer Use Bylaw to replace the existing one. Please review the draft bylaw and the public consultation slides in the Document Library on the project page and then provide any input or feedback you may have through this survey. It should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. 

    The survey allows you to complete it as a business representative or as a resident. If you would like to complete it from both perspectives, please re-take the survey and select the new category.

    The survey will close on March 17, 2021.

    To the extent that the foregoing information constitutes personal information as defined in the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, chapter M.56 as amended, the information is subject to provisions of that Act and will be used to collect community feedback on the topics posted on this forum. It is collected pursuant to the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O.2001, c.25” 

    Personal information will be accessed only by the Region of Waterloo project team. Only de-identified data will be reviewed by the external project consultant.

    Individual survey responses will be kept confidential. Aggregate survey data may be publicly disclosed as part of a summary report and/or supporting rationale for any changes that may occur in the future.

    Questions about the collection of personal information should be directed to: Michael Gordon, Supervisor, Environmental Enforcement, 519-577-6800

    Thank you.

    Consultation has concluded
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