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Hauled sewage permits and requirements

We operate seven hauled sewage disposal sites. Before visiting, check the hours of operation at the hauled sewage disposal sites. Hours may vary by location.

Only haulers with a valid permit issued by Niagara Region may dispose of hauled sewage at our facilities. The following covers everything you need to get permitted, understand acceptable sewage types, and meet on-site requirements.

Step 1

Check eligibility and gather documents

Step 2

Apply for a permit and pay fee

Step 3

Pick up permit and access cards in person

Step 1: Eligibility and required documents

To be eligible for a hauled sewage permit, you must have and maintain all of the following.

Licences and approvals

Necessary approvals and requirements to carry on business as a sewage hauler in Ontario, including transportation of hauled sewage and any necessary certificates, permits, approvals and registrations are required under Ontario legislation.

Insurance requirements

  • Commercial general liability insurance is minimum $2 million
  • Automobile liability insurance is minimum $1 million
  • The Regional Municipality of Niagara must be named as an additional insured — complete the Contractor Certificate of Insurance

Step 2: Apply for a permit

When applying for a permit, include all vehicles you intend to use for disposal of hauled sewage at Niagara Region facilities.

New permit or renewal

New permit: $118
One-time application fee, paid by credit card at time of application

Permit renewal: $57
Annual renewal fee

Apply for or renew a permit

Update vehicle information

Add, update or remove a vehicle on your existing permit.

No fee required.

Update vehicle information

Step 3: Pick up your permit and access cards

Approved applications are confirmed by email. Permits and access cards are subject to terms and conditions, and will be available for pick up from Customer Service at Niagara Region Headquarters.

About access cards

  • One access card is issued per permitted vehicle
  • Cards are non-transferable and assigned to a specific vehicle
  • Cards are valid only during the permit period
  • Cards are for entry to dispose of sewage only, not for any other access to plant premises
  • For lost, misplaced or damaged cards, contact Sewer and Wastewater — lost and misplaced cards must be reported to Niagara Region immediately

Acceptable sewage types

Before accepting a load, haulers must confirm the sewage type and generator are approved. Disposing of sewage from an unapproved generator is a violation of the Sewer Use By-law.

Residential

Sewage from domestic residential activities doesn't need approval. This includes:

  • Wastes from toilets
  • Grey water (such as laundry, dish washing, showers
  • On-board holding tanks (such as recreational vehicles, tour buses, ships, boats)
  • Most campgrounds

Non-residential

Sewage from non-residential properties (such as a septic tank at a contractor's yard) requires a completed sewage generators application.

Sewage haulers are not permitted to discharge any non-domestic sewage at a Niagara Region facility unless the generator has been approved.

Don't receive non-approved sewage for disposal until the sewage type and sewage generator have been approved by Niagara Region. Disposal of sewage from an unapproved generator is a violation of the Sewer-use By-law.

Winery wastes

Certain Niagara Region facilities can accept winery wastewater at specific disposal locations within the facility.

Light winery waste: Liquid waste from a winery which is less than 0.5 per cent solids (such as wash water) may be discharged at the regular hauled sewage or headworks disposal location. Check with plant operations staff before disposal.

Heavy winery waste: Heavy wine waste is liquid waste from a winery which is greater than 0.5 but less than three percent solids. Check with the plant operations staff about where to dispose of this material. Wastewater containing greater than three per cent solids is not suitable for disposal.

The following wastes may not be discharged at a Niagara Region wastewater treatment plant:

  • Sewage from generators outside the boundaries of Niagara
  • Unapproved non-domestic sewage
  • Waste from catch basins, floor troughs, oil / water separators, DAF units, etc.
  • Wastes from the cleaning of sand filters, or grit traps at vehicle maintenance facilities or washing facilities (car or truck washes)
  • Wastes from directional boring fluids
  • Hazardous or toxic wastes
  • Any waste with excessive solids that may cause problems at the treatment facility
  • Wastes prohibited under the Niagara Region Sewer-Use By-law
  • Manifested waste unless prior approval has been granted
  • Any waste from an approved generator that is significantly different than the material that had been submitted for approval

If you're unsure, contact Sewer and Wastewater.

Disposal fees and invoicing

$77 / 1,000 imperial gallons

Rates are set annually by Niagara Regional Council. Haulers are invoiced based on 80 per cent of the rated tank capacity of the vehicle.

Niagara Region invoices sewage haulers monthly. Payment is due within 30 days of the invoice date. Late charges and penalties may apply for overdue accounts.

Hauled sewage records

A complete hauled sewage record must be submitted at the disposal location at the time of every disposal. Records are the property of Niagara Region.

Each record must be:

  • Completed with all required information
  • Signed and dated by the hauler
  • Submitted in the labelled collection box on site at time of disposal

If a paper record is not available, complete a temporary hauled sewage record. Failure to submit a complete record or recording false information may result in permit suspension, revocation or enforcement action.

Closures and site requirements

We make best efforts to keep the disposal locations open. However, we may not be able to accept hauled sewage due to poor weather conditions, operational difficulties or other issues at the receiving facility.

Niagara Region is not responsible for any loss of business or increased cost to haulers due to disposal sites being closed. 

Staff will make best efforts to email registered sewage haulers about closures.

After-hours disposal

General rule

No person may discharge sewage or remain on-site outside regular operating hours unless it's been arranged in advance with the wastewater treatment plant's operations manager or operator-in-charge.

Planned after-hours disposal (non-emergency)

  1. Contact Sewer and Wastewater - Environmental Enforcement to make a request
  2. Obtain written approval before any after-hours disposal

Emergency after-hours disposal

Only applies if the sewage generator is experiencing an emergency situation requiring off-hours disposal and the hauler meets the standard requirements for after-hours / special projects.

  1. Contact the operator-in-charge of the facility to arrange approval
  2. If unreachable, call Niagara Region Dispatch at 1-800-263-7215
  3. Obtain written or verbal manager approval before disposal proceeds

Special disposal requests

Disposal requests should be made as far in advance as possible with the operations manager or operator-in-charge for the facility. Requests for after-hours disposals for special events (multiple loads or unusual circumstances) must be done two business days in advance.

  • Remain in the hauled sewage disposal area at all times
  • Treat all site staff and users with respect and courtesy
  • Harassment — verbal, physical or through any other means — will not be tolerated
  • No smoking or vaping at any Niagara Region facility

  • Follow all directions from plant personnel and posted safety rules
  • Obey all posted traffic signs, stop signs and speed limits
  • Maximum vehicle speed on Regional property is 15 km/h
  • Do not enter a vehicle tank or any confined space while on Regional property
  • The driver or a trained employee must remain with the vehicle during disposal
  • Wear appropriate personal protective equipment including safety footwear and high-visibility clothing
  • Dispose of sewage only at the designated hauled sewage location on site

  • Report spills immediately to the on-site operator
  • Comply with all applicable provincial and federal spill notification requirements
  • Haulers responsible for a spill must clean it up to Niagara Region's satisfaction. Additional fees may apply if cleanup is inadequate.

Non-compliance

Failure to follow on-site requirements or violation of the Niagara Region Sewer Use By-law may result in permit suspension, revocation, fines or all three. Section 11 of the Sewer Use By-law sets out specific requirements for haulers and generators.

Have a question?

Contact Sewer and Wastewater