Sanitary and Stormwater

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) has recently introduced a modernized approach to the Environmental Compliance Approval application process, now called the Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approval (CLI ECA). This approach is intended to reduce the burden on municipalities, developers and the ministry, while imposing a consistent set of conditions intended to improve environmental protection.

About this process

Our CLI-ECA approval process covers most alterations that meet the preauthorized MECP requirements for the Sanitary Sewage System and Stormwater Management System owned and operated by the Town of Grimsby.

Development projects no longer need to submit individual pipe-by-pipe MECP applications for future alterations; however, they will need to ensure that they:

• are built following MECP design criteria
• meet the requirements as defined in the
  • Environmental Compliance Approval for the Stormwater Management System
  • Environmental Compliance Approval for the Sanitary Sewage System
• satisfy other provincial and municipal approved conditions

If the project does not meet the MECP design criteria, the project may still be approved, but requires a direct submission to the MECP.

When to request an alteration

There are two types of alterations related to CLI ECA applications:

• Sanitary (sewage) collection system: all connected sewage collection works within the Town of Grimsby and owned and/or operated by the Town of Grimsby.

• Stormwater management system: all connected stormwater management works within the Town of Grimsby and owned and/or operated by the Town of Grimsby,

You need to request a CLI ECA alteration for the following types of projects:

Stormwater Infrastructure Alteration Projects – Additions, Modifications, Replacements and Extensions as defined under CLI ECA 065-S701.

• Alterations to Storm Sewers, Ditches, or Culverts
• Alterations to Stormwater Management Facilities
• Alterations for Third Pipe Collection System

* Reference CLI-ECA 065-S701 for more details on the specific alteration types.

Wastewater (Sanitary) Infrastructure Alteration Projects - Additions, Modifications, Replacements and Extensions as defined under CLI ECA 065-W601.

• Alterations for Separate Sewers, Nominally Separate Sewers and Forcemains
• Alterations for Combined Sewers, Partially Separated Sewers and Combines Sewage Storage Tanks and Structures
• Alterations to Components of the Municipal Sewage Collection System
• Alterations to Equipment with Emissions to the Air

* Reference CLI-ECA 065-S601 for more details on the specific alteration types.  

Exemptions to the CLI-ECA Approval Process

You are not required to apply for a CLI ECA alteration for privately owned sewage works on industrial, institutional or commercial land.

For these projects, you may still need an individual ECA from the MECP, or building permit.   

* Exemptions are listed in the respective CLI-ECA’s.

Annual Performance Reporting

As required under Schedule E of the CLI ECA's, annual performance reports shall be produced for the proceeding year, and made available to the public at no charge on the Town's website by June 1st of the reporting year. 

View the 2023 Stormwater System Performance Report. 

View the 2023 Sanitary Sewage System Performance Report. 

Contact us

Questions regarding the CLI-ECA application process can be directed to the Public Works Engineering Department. Please visit the Contact us page for details.