Wastewater Allocation Policy

What is the purpose of the Policy?
The policy will be used to manage the provision of wastewater conveyance and treatment capacity in the AEGD drainage catchment. Currently, there is limited wastewater capacity available to support development in the AEGD drainage catchment which makes the policy necessary. Although recent upgrades to existing pumping stations in the catchment have provided additional capacity in the interim, installation of the Dickenson Road Wastewater Trunk Sewer planned for 2025/26 is needed to supplement that capacity to permit continued long term growth.

What is the AEGD Wastewater Capacity Allocation Area?
Please refer to Schedule 1 AEGD Wastewater Capacity Allocation Area to learn about the lands included in this Policy.

How does the Policy affect me as a landowner?
The Policy affects landowners that intend to physically develop or service land which results in an increase in wastewater demand. It is important to note applications such as Formal Consultations, Re-zoning and Official Plan Amendment would not be subject to the Policy.

What activities in the AEGD drainage area are subject to the Policy?
The Policy will generally apply to any applications that result in approval to physically develop or service land and/or increase wastewater demand.

The following activities are subject to the Policy:

• development projects submitted under the Planning Act (e.g. draft plan of subdivision, site plans, severances);
• a sewer permit request if not part of a Planning Act submission;
• a change of use through a building permit application that results in an increase in wastewater demand.

What does it cost to reserve sanitary allocation?
An administrative fee will be charged by the City (to be determined) to process Wastewater Capacity Allocation application/requests. Other costs may include engineering costs to prepare necessary material to support the request; e.g. wastewater generation calculations.

My development is already approved, don’t I already have allocation?
No. The applicant/developer must submit a Wastewater Capacity Allocation request in writing with technical supporting documentation to the City and receive a letter of Confirmation of Wastewater Allocation.

My property is already serviced with sanitary sewer, is it subject to the policy?
Yes, although only if there is a change of use through a building permit application or a development/redevelopment project that results in an increase wastewater demand.

Can a Draft Plan of Subdivision, Site Plan, Consent, or Building/Sewer Permit Application be approved without servicing allocation?
Yes. Please refer to the Flow Chart for AEGD Area Wastewater Allocation Process to learn about the servicing allocation approval scenarios as it applies to various Planning Applications.

If wastewater capacity is limited or in short supply, how will development projects be prioritized for approval for wastewater allocation where a conflict occurs between different forms of development?
If there is a conflict, Capacity Allocation will be prioritized generally as follows:

• Non-residential development
• Mixed use developments having predominant Employment uses
• Residential development

Why is there an expiration of the City’s approval of capacity allocation?
There is an expiration date to the City’s Wastewater Capacity Allocation because  it is in relatively short supply. Allocation will be reserved up to the expiration date of the City’s approval of the application as follows:

• one (1) year for Site Plan and Consent applications;
• three (3) years for Subdivision applications; and,
• expiration of sewer/building permit.

What are the next steps and the timing of implementation of the AEGD Wastewater Capacity Allocation Policy?

• Incorporate feedback from June 1st Stakeholders Meeting.
• Finalize policy subject to feedback received and take to Council for approval and implementation (planned for Q3 2021).

• Airport Employment Growth District (AEGD) Wastewater Servicing Update and Capacity Allocation Policy PED20040/PW20055
  • Appendix A - AEGD Vertical and Horizontal Projects Sites
  • Appendix B - City of Hamilton Airport Employment Growth District (AEGD) Wastewater Capacity Allocation Policy