Most residents will be unaffected by the updates to this by-law.

Some private businesses may be impacted by parts of the new by-law. There could be changes to where existing sources of stormwater are directed to the municipal sanitary sewer system.

The Township currently pays the Region of Waterloo for treatment of wastewater and incurs significant costs for pumping stormwater throughout the system.

Stormwater also removes capacity from the system, which can limit development or require significant upsizing of infrastructure.

Rainwater also increases the risk of sewer surcharges within the system.

It is generally possible to track where the sump pump discharge line exists in your home. The sump-pump line should not be connected to the same system as your sinks, floor drains or bathroom fixtures.

The Township is investigating opportunities to help homeowners determine if their sump-pumps are connected to the sanitary system once the Sewer Use By-law has been approved.

Sump-pumps should be discharged onto a flat, level service or, if available, to a storm sewer lateral.

Sump-pumps connected to the municipal sanitary sewer create additional expenses at the sewage treatment plant by taking up capacity within the sanitary sewer system, which increases the chance of sewer back-ups and results in a need for larger pipes.

Septic systems are still allowed where municipal infrastructure is not available for the collection and treatment of wastewater. However, it should be noted that connecting to the municipal system is generally less expensive than owning, operating and installing a septic bed.

Sump-Pump discharge should be directed to grade or connected to storm sewer service. An air gap should be provided to ensure there is not back-up due to freezing or sewer surcharge or lateral blockage.

The majority of streets within Baden and New-Hamburg have a storm sewer system as well, and an application to connect to the storm sewer is permissible within the Township.

The Ontario Building Code does not permit sump-pump connections to the sanitary sewer system.

Presently the Township currently has an estimated 35% Inflow and Infiltration which is well above industry targets of 10%. It is presently estimated that the Township is treating an additional 360,000m³ to 480,000 m³ of Infiltration and Inflow which is enough capacity for an estimated additional 1,100 to 1,500 residential units.