Codes of Practice (COP) are implemented to regulate non-domestic waste discharge to the sanitary sewer from the industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors. Codes of Practice set out minimum waste treatment, equipment maintenance and record keeping requirements for various operations, and are included in Schedules J-M in the District of Mission Bylaw NO. 5033-2009, “Sewer Bylaw” (Refer to District of Mission Bylaw). A discharging operation operating under a Code of Practice does not require a Wastewater Discharge Permit unless required by the SCP.

 

Codes of Practice Resources & Forms:

 

• Dental Operations

  COP Schedule J
  Dental Operations Brochure
  FAQ Dental Operations
  Amalgam Separator Logbook

• Photo Imaging Operations

  COP Schedule K
  Photo Imaging Operations Brochure
  FAQ Photo Imaging Operations
  Silver Recovery Logbook

• Automotive Operations

  COP Schedule L
  FAQ Auto Operations print
  Oil-Water Separator Logbook
  Oil-Water Separator Diagram

• Vehicle Wash Operations

  COP Schedule M
  FAQ Vehicle Wash Operations print
  Oil-Water Separator Logbook
  Oil-Water Separator Diagram

• Dry Cleaning Operations

  COP Schedule N
  Dry Cleaning Operations FAQs
  On-site Wastwater Management Logbook
  Off-site Wastewater Management Logbook

Wastewater Discharge Permits are regulatory documents issued to industries, businesses or other operations that discharge significant volumes of non-domestic wastewater, and/or wastewater having the potential to contain high concentrations of contaminants into the sanitary sewer.

Wastewater Discharge Permits are required to monitor and regulate the volume and contents of wastewater produced by non-domestic sources.

A Wastewater Discharge Permit is required for any industrial, commercial or institutional operation that intends to discharge wastewater to the sanitary sewer on an ongoing basis that contains Restricted Wastes (as defined in the District of Mission Bylaw No. 5033-2009, “Sewer Bylaw”).

A discharging operation operating under a Code of Practice does not require a Wastewater Discharge Permit unless required by the Abbotsford/Mission Water and Sewer Commission.

There are two types of Wastewater Discharge Permit Application forms available:

1. Wastewater Discharge Permit Application
   • Wastewater Discharge Permit Application Form
2. Wastewater Discharge Permit Application for Groundwater Remediation Sites
   • Wastewater Discharge Permit Application Form for Groundwater Remediation Sites

For assistance in completing an application for a Wastewater Discharge Permit please refer to the the Wastewater Discharge Permit Application Information on abbotsford.ca.

Permit fee for General Discharges

• There is no application fee for applying for a Wastewater Discharge Permit.
• There is an amendment fee of $500 for each time the holder of a Wastewater Discharge Permit requests an amendment to an existing permit.

Permit fee for Groundwater Remediation Sites

• There is an application fee of $1,500 for applying for a Wastewater Discharge Permit.
• There is an amendment fee of $500 for each time the holder of a Wastewater Discharge Permit requests an amendment to an existing permit.

For more information about the permit process refer to the District of Mission Bylaw No. 5033-2009 or contact the Environmental Services by email or call 604-864-5663.

What is the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) Program?

High loading of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in wastewater entering the JAMES Wastewater Treatment Plant can adversely affect the treatment processes and can contribute to increased treatment plant expansion needs. To mitigate these effects, the Abbotsford/Mission Water and Sewer Commission Source Control Program (SCP) monitors approximately twenty five businesses as part of the BOD and TSS Waste Program. Samples are collected on a regular basis and are submitted to an external laboratory for analysis.

The sampling program consists of 24-hour composite samples collected on a random schedule approximately four times per month. These samples are submitted to an accredited external laboratory for pH, BOD and TSS analysis. The analytical results and monthly sanitary sewer discharge volumes for each customer are used to determine BOD & TSS Waste fees as per the District of Mission’s Bylaw No. 5033-2009, “Sewer Bylaw”. BOD & TSS Waste fees are compiled on a monthly basis and are invoiced on a quarterly basis. The current BOD 7 TSS Waste fees are shown below:

 

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)	$0.42 per kilogram / month
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)	$0.47 per kilogram / month

 

What is Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)?

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) means the quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic substances under standard laboratory procedures in five days at 20°C expressed in mg/L. In wastewater with a high BOD, there will be a large amount of organic substances in the wastewater. There will also be a large amount of organic substances in the wastewater. There will also be a lot of bacteria present working to decompose these substances so the demand for oxygen will be high (due to all the bacteria).

 

What is Total Suspended Solids (TSS)?

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) means the total suspended matter that floats on the surface of, or is suspended in, water, wastewater or other liquids and which is removable by laboratory filtering. In wastewater with high TSS, there will be a large amount of solids or residue retained on the filter during the laboratory analysis.

 

Why is BOD and TSS Waste a concern?

Heavy loadings of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) entering the JAMES Wastewater Treatment Plant can adversely affect treatment processes and can contribute to increased treatment plant expansion needs. To mitigate these effects, a wastewater monitoring program was developed to ensure costs are recovered for treating this type of waste.

 

How can I decrease BOD and TSS concentration in my wastewater?

There are a number of options available for decreasing concentrations in BOD and TSS in wastewater. A number of reputable companies can be contacted for professional assistance on this topic by looking in the yellowpages under “Environmental Consultants & Services”.

 

Why is my company included in the BOD and TSS waste program?

Inclusion in the BOD and TSS waste program is determined based on the quality and volume of wastewater discharged to the sanitary sewer on a monthly basis. If smaller volumes of wastewater are high in BOD and TSS concentrations, your company’s wastewater can still affect treatment processes at the JAMES Wastewater Treatment Plant. Alternatively, larger volumes of wastewater with lower BOD and TSS concentrations can also affect treatment processes. SCP staff evaluates each wastewater discharge on a case by case basis to determine inclusion in the BOD and TSS waste program.