New ejector rules

Provincial government release

The province has finalized amendments to its Onsite Wastewater Management Systems Regulation to address concerns about the province's phase-out of sewage ejectors, Conservation Minister Bill Blaikie announced today.

"The amendments respond to the concerns of rural homeowners while continuing to ensure the protection of human health and the environment," said Blaikie. "These measures continue as part of the province's overall effort to reduce potential impacts on water quality."

Rural homeowners considering transferring or subdividing a property may now apply to the province to retain an existing sewage ejector following property transfer or subdivision, provided the sewage ejector is:

- not located within an environmentally sensitive area,

- located on a minimum of 10 acres, and

- in compliance with all other regulatory requirements.

Homeowners selling their property may also apply to transfer the responsibility of phasing out the ejector to the new homeowner or to extend the time available for the phase-out. As in the original rules, the new requirements have no impact on any property owner who is not transferring or subdividing.

A low-interest loan program is being developed by the province for those who may be required to replace their sewage ejector systems for property transfer or subdivision.

More information is available at Manitoba Conservation offices and:
www.manitoba.ca/conservation/envprograms/wastewater.