Waste generators are required to comply with all federal, provincial, municipal and regional regulations for proper waste disposal.

Under the Provincial Environmental Management Act and the Federal Fisheries Act, a waste generator may be held liable for any contamination or harm created as a result of the deposition or discharge of that waste. Proper disposal and management of wastes significantly reduces risks of environmental contamination and the requirement for remediation.

Proper storage, inventory of products and wastes, spills response plans and employee education on managing food services wastes are key factors in keeping our receiving waters clean.

To help you meet other municipal, provincial or federal conditions, or other agencies that may have additional requirements use BizPaL to help you identify permits and licenses required to operate your business.

The CRD has introduced changes to the enforcement levels and regulatory requirements for fermentation operators under the Sewer Use Bylaw No. 2922. Under the new requirements fermentation operations will operate under a code of practice, minor authorization, major authorization or permit based on the annual volume of saleable product. To see where your business fits, check out the Fermentation Sector Info Sheet.

New operation or growing production? If under a Code of Practice, complete a Waste Discharge Assessment Form, or if under authorizations and permits, complete a Waste Discharge Permit Application Form. Please email if you are unsure what waste discharge form to complete.  

Code of Practice Key Requirements:

• Use a strainer or filter with sieve no greater than 1,000 microns to strain solids from wastewater.
• Separate waste mash and organic solids for proper reuse (such as composting) or disposal.
• Monitor discharge to prevent high or low pH.
• Keep records for two years.
• For full details, check out Schedule “P” of the Sewer Use Bylaw No. 2922.

Authorization Key Requirements:

• Provide a sampling point.
• Sample wastewater.
• Monitor wastewater flow.
• Complete records and reporting.
• Properly dispose of the off-spec product.
• For more details, check out the Fermentation Sector Info Sheet.

Avoid stormwater contamination and protect our waterways by preventing fermentation waste from entering the storm drain network (which includes ditches, catch basins and roadways).

Follow these best management practices:

• Never pour any fluids, wash/rinse water, wastewater or spills into storm drains, ditches, parking lots or outdoor work areas.
• Store waste products and outdoor containers under covered areas with appropriate spill containment. Inspect after a rainstorm to make sure no materials leaked out.
• Educate staff about spill prevention and response and have spill plan and kit available.
• Clean out parking lot catch basins once a year or more often if needed.

If you operate in North Saanich, Central Saanich or Sidney, check out the Saanich Peninsula Stormwater Bylaw No. 4168 requirements.

If your business operates on a septic system, wastewater pre-treatment is not required under CRD Onsite Sewage System Maintenance Bylaw No. 3479. However, fermentation waste can:

• impact septic treatment process;
• significantly increase maintenance costs of the septic system; and,
• reduce your septic's useful life span.

Liquid waste haulers can be hired to responsibly manage any fluids associated with fermentation operations.

• Trucked liquid waste directory

It is important to note that the waste generator retains ownership of the waste even after it has been turned over to a waste hauler. This means the generator can be held responsible for the consequences of a spill or improper disposal of waste.

For that reason, it is important to ensure that the hauler you hire can demonstrate that they are:

• properly licensed,
• have properly trained staff, and
• will deal with your waste in a safe, responsible, legal and diligent manner.

Reducing waste and making sustainable changes can benefit the environment and your business.

• Choose environmentally-friendly cleaning products.
• Switch out your water wasting once-through cooling (OTC) system for a new air cooled system. Depending on the type of OTC system, the typical payback period is one to three years and rebates may be available.
• Buy local ingredients when possible.
• Reduce and reuse waste. Offer spent grains as animal feed and participate in a glass bottle pool.
• Choose electricity-powered heating, vehicles, EnergyStar appliances and LED lighting to reduce carbon pollution and your climate impact.
• Protect our drinking water. Fermentation operators must ensure proper connections and backflow protection are in place and maintained.