| #Q001 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Licensed Laboratories Requirement | drinking water | Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 (SDWA), only licensed laboratories located in Ontario and eligible out-of-province laboratories are allowed to conduct tests on samples of drinking water. | | high |
| #Q002 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Analytical Methods Licensing | drinking water | Analytical methods must also be licensed so that they produce quality results that can be compared against regulatory standards. | | high |
| #Q003 | administrative | operational | mandatory | ISO/IEC 17025 Accreditation | drinking water | As a prerequisite for licensing, laboratories and their testing methods must be accredited to the current International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC)17025 international standard General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories. | Prerequisite for licensing | high |
| #Q004 | operational | operational | mandatory | Method Validation Documentation | drinking water | Laboratory licensing requires that the laboratory properly document and validate its testing methods and that the laboratory demonstrate competence to perform the methods it employs. | | high |
| #Q005 | operational | operational | recommended | Use of Recent Reference Method Revisions | drinking water | In general, laboratories should use the most recent revision of the relevant reference method. | | high |
| #Q006 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Inclusion of Supporting Validation Data | drinking water | Laboratories applying for licensing are required to include supporting validation data relating to the analyte’s specific performance requirements. | When applying for licensing | high |
| #Q007 | operational | operational | mandatory | Fit for Purpose Assessment | drinking water | The laboratory must have assessed and deemed the method validation as being “fit for the purpose.” | | high |
| #Q008 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Controlled Document Approval | drinking water | The method must be reviewed, approved for adequacy and issued by laboratory as a controlled document. | | high |
| #Q009 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Scope of Accreditation Parameters | drinking water | All parameters in the licence application, except for calculated parameters, must be accredited and listed on the laboratory’s current scope of accreditation issued by its accreditation body. | Excludes calculated parameters | high |
| #Q010 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Analytical Method Copy Submission | drinking water | The laboratory must include a copy of its authorized analytical method with the application. | | high |
| #Q011 | operational | reporting | mandatory | Methodology Instrumentation Documentation | drinking water | The methodology must clearly document the instrumentation involved in the test’s analysis, sample preparation, and the analytical procedures. | | high |
| #Q012 | operational | operational | mandatory | No Delays in Processing | drinking water | The method or supporting procedures must ensure that there are no delays in the immediate processing and reporting of results as required by regulations. | | high |
| #Q013 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Prohibition of Delayed Microbiology Incubation | drinking water | Microbiology tests must not include delayed or extended overnight refrigerated incubation. | Applies to microbiology tests | high |
| #Q014 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Documentation of Method Deviations | drinking water | The laboratory must document deviations from the reference methods in its method. | | high |
| #Q015 | operational | operational | recommended | Microbiology Incubation Time Adherence | drinking water | A microbiology test should not deviate from the full incubation time specified in the reference method. | Applies to microbiology tests | high |
| #Q016 | operational | operational | recommended | Working Range Concentration | drinking water | The method’s working range should encompass the relevant concentration required by the Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards (ODWQS). | | high |
| #Q017 | operational | operational | mandatory | Interferences Mitigation | drinking water | Where possible, the method must use proper techniques to assess and mitigate known interferences with the parameter. | Where possible | high |
| #Q018 | operational | operational | mandatory | Calibration Standards Frequency | drinking water | The laboratory must prepare calibration standards as frequently as, or more frequently than, prescribed by the reference method. | | high |
| #Q019 | operational | operational | mandatory | Microbiology Daily Positive Control | drinking water | For microbiology methods, a suitable daily positive control must be included. | Applies to microbiology methods | high |
| #Q020 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Sample Volume Documentation | drinking water | The volume of the sample required for analysis (test volume) must be properly documented in the method and must be suitable for drinking water analysis. | | high |
| #Q021 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Proficiency Testing Results Submission | drinking water | The applicant must demonstrate satisfactory proficiency testing by submitting the most recent set of results as part of the application. | | high |
| #Q022 | operational | operational | mandatory | MDL Comparison Against RDL | drinking water | The laboratory must demonstrate that the method detection limit (MDL) meets or is less than the ministry’s required reporting detection limit (RDL). | | high |
| #Q023 | operational | operational | mandatory | MDL Matrix Effects Validation | drinking water | The laboratory must validate the MDL and determine any impact of the matrix effects from drinking water and any preservatives. | | high |
| #Q024 | operational | operational | recommended | MDL Calculation Procedure | drinking water | The laboratory should calculate the MDL in accordance with the laboratory’s policies and at a minimum it should follow the criteria in AWWA Method 1020B “Quality Control”. | | high |
| #Q025 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Data Reporting Defensible Significant Figures | drinking water | The laboratory’s test results reported must: be expressed in defensible significant figures be expressed by 2 to 3 significant figures for the expression of chemical data include 1 additional digit more than the ODWQS concentration where possible. | | high |
| #Q026 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Overgrown Microbiology Definition Reporting | drinking water | The method must include a definition for overgrown “over-crowding, confluent or non-identifiable microbial growth” results so that overgrown results are reported as adverse test results where a standard exists. | | high |
| #Q027 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Accuracy and Precision Validation Submission | drinking water | If accuracy and precision validation data are not fully documented in the reference method, then the laboratory must submit a summary of this validation with its licence application. | If accuracy and precision validation data are not fully documented in the reference method | high |
| #Q028 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Method Modifications Identification | drinking water | In its licence application, the laboratory must identify the method as a modification of a reference method and the modifications must be detailed in the method. | | high |
| #Q029 | operational | operational | mandatory | Consistency with Reference Quality Control | drinking water | Modifications must remain consistent with the quality control (QC) procedures and any other aspects critical for drinking water analysis as specified in the reference method. | | high |
| #Q030 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Prohibition of Microbiology Incubation Time Modification | drinking water | For microbiology tests, the incubation time may not be modified. | Applies to microbiology tests | high |
| #Q031 | operational | operational | mandatory | Microbiology Media Formulation Modification Demonstration | drinking water | For all other microbiology modifications including media formulation modifications, the method developer must demonstrate that the modification produces consistent or superior data to the reference method. | | high |
| #Q032 | operational | operational | mandatory | Analytical Technique Confirmation of Identity | drinking water | The analytical technique must establish confirmation of identity. The laboratory must demonstrate that the response produced by the method is attributable to the analyte of interest. | | high |
| #Q033 | operational | operational | mandatory | Calibration Linearity Validation Requirement | drinking water | The laboratory must provide validation of the calibration linearity that supports the method’s working range. | | high |
| #Q034 | operational | operational | mandatory | Establishing Lowest and Highest Reported Result | drinking water | The lowest and highest result that can be reported must be established by analyzing suitable standards. | | high |
| #Q035 | operational | operational | mandatory | Working Linearity Minimum Concentrations | drinking water | To establish working linearity the laboratory must prepare, in triplicate, a minimum of 5 concentrations between upper and lower limit of the working range and analyze them. | | high |
| #Q036 | operational | operational | mandatory | Linear Range Value Distribution | drinking water | For linear ranges, negative and positive values must be approximately equally distributed. | For linear ranges | high |
| #Q037 | operational | operational | mandatory | Performance Alignment With Reference Method | drinking water | The performance of laboratory methods, including, bias, precision and recovery, must align with the performance of one of the accepted reference methods for the target analyte. | | high |
| #Q038 | operational | operational | mandatory | Inter and Intra Analyst Precision Evaluation | drinking water | At a minimum, inter and intra analyst precision must be evaluated. | | high |
| #Q039 | operational | operational | mandatory | Extract Holding Time Validation Study | drinking water | If the chemistry of an extract is different from an accepted reference method or ministry sample collection and holding time requirements, then the laboratory must prepare an extract holding time validation study. | If the chemistry of an extract is different from an accepted reference method or ministry sample collection and holding time requirements | high |
| #Q040 | operational | operational | mandatory | Hold Time Validation Replicates | drinking water | The hold time validation must include sufficient replicates and monitoring frequency of the analyte to confirm that the analyte is stable throughout the hold time. | | high |
| #Q041 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Free Cyanide License Requirement | drinking water | In order to provide test results for the purpose of the SDWA the laboratory must be licensed for free cyanide. | | high |
| #Q042 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Identification of TEF Source | drinking water | Laboratories must identify the source of the TEFs used for their calculations. | | high |
| #Q043 | operational | operational | mandatory | Impact Determination of Method Changes | drinking water | In cases where a laboratory is planning method changes after a method has been licensed, it must determine the impact of such changes. | When planning method changes after licensing | high |
| #Q044 | operational | operational | mandatory | New Method Validation for Impactful Changes | drinking water | Where the changes are found to affect the original validation, the laboratory must perform a new method validation. | Where changes affect the original validation | high |
| #Q045 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Amendment Approval Prior to Implementation | drinking water | It must receive a licence amendment application approval from the ministry prior to implementing the modified method. | | high |
| #Q046 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Method Revision Documentation | drinking water | All revisions must be documented in the method and must be done in accordance with the terms and conditions in the laboratory’s drinking water testing licence. | | high |
| #Q047 | corrective_action | reporting | mandatory | Spill Notification and Remediation | other | The Environmental Protection Act requires a person who spills a pollutant to notify the ministry and to clean up following the spill. | Upon occurrence of a spill | high |
| #Q048 | operational | operational | mandatory | Industrial Plant Discharge Limit Compliance | wastewater, aquatic life | Industrial plants may be penalized for surpassing the maximum or minimum discharge level as identified in an environmental approval, order or regulation. | | high |
| #Q049 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Industrial Plant Acute Toxicity Prohibition | aquatic life | Industrial plants may be penalized for acute toxicity — when a sample proves to be lethal for a benchmark species such as, rainbow trout or water flea. | | high |
| #Q050 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Industrial Plant Unlawful Discharge Prohibition | wastewater, aquatic life | Industrial plants may be penalized for the discharge of a pollutant to land or water that causes or may cause an adverse effect or impairs the quality of any waters. | | high |
| #Q051 | operational | operational | mandatory | Landfilling Site Authorized Operation | other | Landfilling sites (open and closed), may be penalized for the operation or alteration of a landfilling site or the use of equipment or facilities not authorized by the landfilling site’s environmental compliance approval. | | high |
| #Q052 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Landfilling Site Odour and Discharge Prohibition | other | Landfilling sites (open and closed), may be penalized for the discharge of a pollutant to the natural environment, including odour, that causes or may cause an adverse effect. | | high |
| #Q053 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Annual Penalty Reporting | other | Ontario is required to release a report annually outlining every environmental penalty issued in the previous calendar year. | | high |
| #Q054 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Five-Year Program Review | other | An environmental penalty review is required once every five years in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act. | | high |
| #Q055 | operational | operational | mandatory | PPCP Characterization Requirement | wastewater | To address the impact of CSOs the components of the PPCP shall include: characterization of the combined sewer system (CSS); | As part of the Pollution Prevention and Control Plan (PPCP) | high |
| #Q056 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | CSS Record Keeping | wastewater | Records shall be kept for combined sewer systems including the following: location and physical description of CSO outfalls in the collection system, emergency overflows at pumping stations, and bypass locations at STPs; location and identification of receiving water bodies for all combined sewer outfalls; combined sewer system flow and STP treatment capacities; present and future expected peak flow rates during dry weather and wet weather; capacity of all regulators; and location of cross-connections. | | high |
| #Q057 | operational | operational | mandatory | Operational Procedures Development | wastewater | Operational procedures shall be developed for combined sewer systems including the following: combined sewer maintenance programs; and, regulator inspection and maintenance programs. | | high |
| #Q058 | prohibition | health | mandatory | Dry Weather CSO Elimination | wastewater, aquatic life | Eliminate CSOs during dry-weather periods except under emergency conditions. | Except under emergency conditions (e.g. basement flooding, damage to equipment) | high |
| #Q059 | treatment | health | mandatory | Effluent Disinfection Requirement | recreational water | Effiuent disinfection is required where the effluent affects swimming and bathing beaches and other areas where there are public health concerns. | Where effluent affects swimming/bathing beaches or public health concerns identified by Medical Officer of Health | high |
| #Q060 | treatment | health | mandatory | Effluent Dechlorination Requirement | aquatic life | In cases where chlorination is used as the disinfection process, subsequent dechlorination of the sewage works effluents shall be used to minimize the adverse effects of chlorine residuals on public health and the aquatic environment where necessary. | Where chlorination is used and dechlorination is necessary to minimize adverse effects | high |
| #Q061 | monitoring | reporting | mandatory | Monitoring Responsibility Allocation | wastewater | The responsibility for providing monitoring shall rest with the municipality or operating authority of the combined sewer system. | | high |
| #Q062 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | New Storm Connection Prohibition | wastewater | New storm drainage systems shall not be pennitted to connect to existing combined systems if that increases the gross area serviced by the combined sewer system except where evaluations indicate that circumstances allow no other practical alternative. | Except where evaluations indicate no other practical alternative | high |
| #Q063 | operational | operational | mandatory | Pollution Prevention Program Implementation | wastewater | Establish and implement Pollution Prevention programs that focus on pollutant reduction activities at source e.g. reduced use of potential pollutants like fertilizer and pesticides in parks; public education programs on e.g. anti-littering and illegal dumping of used motor oil and other materials into catchbasins; water conservation to reduce dry weather sanitary flow and hence CSOs; street cleaning to reduce CSO floatables; roof-leader disconnection and installing rain barrels to reduce flows into the sewer system; education/assistance for industries to minimize the use/discharge of pollutants; and enforcement of municipal by-laws or regulations. | As part of minimum CSO controls | high |
| #Q064 | operational | operational | mandatory | CSS Operation and Maintenance Programs | wastewater | Establish and implement proper operation and regular inspection and maintenance programs for the combined sewer system in order to ensure continued proper system operation. | As part of minimum CSO controls | high |
| #Q065 | operational | aesthetic | mandatory | Floatables Control Program | wastewater | Establish and implement a floatables control program to control coarse solids and floatable materials e.g. by reducing the amount of street litter that enters the catchbasins and the CSS; by removing debris from CSOs at the outfalls using measures such as trash racks and screens; and by removing floatables from the surface of the receiving water after a CSO occurs. | As part of minimum CSO controls | high |
| #Q066 | operational | operational | mandatory | Maximize Collection System Storage | wastewater | Maximize the use ofthe collection system for the storage of wet weather flows which are conveyed to the Sewage Treatment Plant for treatment when capacity is available e.g. by adjusting regulator settings. | As part of minimum CSO controls | high |
| #Q067 | operational | treatment | mandatory | Maximize STP Wet Weather Flow | wastewater | Maximize the flow to the Sewage Treatment Plant for the treatment of wet weather flows e.g. by removing obstructions to flow. | Secondary treatment capacity should be utilized as much as possible | high |
| #Q068 | treatment | treatment | mandatory | Volumetric Capture and Treatment Requirement | wastewater | During a seven-month period commencing within 15 days of April 1, capture and treat for an average year all the dry weather flow plus 90% of the volume resulting from wet weather flow that is above the dry weather flow. | Applies to flows immediately above each overflow location unless system-wide achievement is shown | high |
| #Q069 | treatment | health | recommended | STP Bypass Disinfection | recreational water | All bypasses at the Sewage Treatment Plant should be subjected to the disinfection process where available in order to reduce the bacterial loadings at discharge. | Where disinfection process is available | high |
| #Q070 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Curtailment of Sanitary Servicing | wastewater | When and where significant combined sewer system deficiencies exist, the Regional Office of the Ministry shall require that the provision of sanitary servicing for additional development tributary to the deficient system be curtailed to prevent aggravation of the problem until the necessary upgrading, as outlined by a Pollution Prevention and Control Plan is carried out in keeping with the requirements of this Procedure. | Where significant CSS deficiencies exist; applies to significant development not one lot infill | high |
| #Q071 | operational | treatment | recommended | STP Treatment Process Optimization | wastewater | The treatment processes of the sewage treatment plants should be optimized to minimize the pollutant loadings under wet weather conditions. | Under wet weather conditions | high |
| #Q072 | operational | operational | recommended | PPCP STP Wet Weather Operation Evaluation | wastewater | The Pollution Prevention and Control Planning study should evaluate the operation of the Sewage Treatment Plant under wet weather conditions in consultation with Ministry Regional staff. | During PPCP development; requires consultation with Ministry Regional staff | high |
| #Q073 | monitoring | reporting | recommended | Wastewater and Overflow Monitoring Implementation | wastewater | Monitoring of wastewater flows and overflows should be undertaken at locations within the sewer system for the purposes of assessing upgrading requirements and determining compliance with Ministry requirements. | At locations within the sewer system | high |
| #Q074 | operational | operational | mandatory | Examination of CSO Control Alternatives | wastewater | To address the impact of CSOs the components of the PPCP shall include: an examination of non-structural and structural CSO control alternatives that may include: source control; inflow/infiltration reduction; operation and maintenance improvements; control structure improvements; collection system improvements; storage technologies; treatment technologies; sewer separation. | As a mandatory component of the Pollution Prevention and Control Plan (PPCP) | high |
| #Q075 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Discharge Prohibition | wastewater | The owner and operator of a FSE shall not discharge into a municipal sanitary, storm, or combined sewer any waste or matter that contravenes Chapter 681 - Sewers. | | high |
| #Q076 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Spill Reporting Requirement | other | Any spill must be reported immediately to the City via 311, Toronto's 24-hour hotline. | | high |
| #Q077 | operational | operational | mandatory | Spill Response Training | other | Ensure that all employees know the location of spill response material and equipment and are trained in its use. | | high |
| #Q078 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Record Keeping and Retention | wastewater | The owner/operator of a FSE shall keep and maintain accurate and up-to-date records (e.g. service contracts, invoices) on grease, oil and waste oil and grease disposed of offsite. Each of these records shall be retained for a minimum period of seven (7) years. | | high |
| #Q079 | design | treatment | mandatory | Grease Interceptor Conformance | wastewater | For point-of-source installation (which include most grease interceptor types), the owner or operator of a FSE shall use an appropriately sized grease interceptor and one that conforms to CSA Standard B481 Series-12 Grease Interceptors, as per the Ontario Building Code. | | high |
| #Q080 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Building Permit Requirement | wastewater | Obtain a building permit for the installation of a grease interceptor, gravity grease interceptor, or a grease recovery device. | | high |
| #Q081 | design | treatment | mandatory | Mandatory Fixture Connections | wastewater | The owner or operator of a FSE shall have the following plumbing fixtures connected to a grease interceptor, grease recovery device, or a gravity grease interceptor: Sinks used for washing pots, pans, dishes, cutlery and kitchen utensils; Drains serving self-cleaning exhaust hoods installed over commercial cooking equipment; Drains serving commercial cooking equipment; Any other fixture that discharges wastewater containing oil and grease. | | high |
| #Q082 | operational | treatment | mandatory | Servicing Frequency (25% Rule) | wastewater | Except otherwise determined by the General Manager, the grease interceptor shall be serviced before the grease and solids, combined, reach 25% of the interceptor's liquid volume or every four weeks, whichever is earlier. | Except as authorized in writing for up to 8 weeks | high |
| #Q083 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Grease Disposal Prohibition | wastewater | Oil and grease removed from grease interceptors shall not be discharged into the municipal sanitary or combined sewer, municipal storm sewer, or connection to such a sewer including, without limitation, a catch basin, a drainage ditch or surface water. | | high |
| #Q084 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Chemical Agents Prohibition | wastewater | The owner/operator of a FSE shall not use or permit the use of chemical agents, bleach, enzymes, bacteria, solvents, hot water, or other agents to facilitate the passage of FOG through a grease interceptor (including a gravity grease interceptor). | | high |
| #Q085 | operational | operational | mandatory | Mobile Vendor Wastewater Storage | wastewater | All mobile food vendor owners/operators shall: Store wastewater on site in a separate container from the clean (potable) water and have it labelled dirty water and/or wastewater. | | high |
| #Q086 | operational | operational | mandatory | Spill Response Plan Preparation | other | The owner/operator of a FSE shall: Have an up-to-date spill response plan demonstrating it has provided suitable training on its plan to its employees; Post the spill response plan in a location readily accessible by facility staff with a list of names and telephone number of those persons that need to be contacted in the event of a spill; Have an appropriate quantity of clean-up equipment and supplies in stock at all times. | | high |
| #Q087 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Business Licensing | other | All food service establishments operating in the City of Toronto shall have a business licence issued by the Municipal Licensing and Standards Division. | | high |
| #Q088 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Record Transfer Requirement | other | If a FSE changes its owner or operator, the departing owner or operator shall transfer to the incoming owner or operator, as the case may be, all records required to be maintained under this provision or Chapter 681 - Sewers (e.g. inspections, maintenance, waste disposal, etc.). | Upon change of owner or operator | high |
| #Q089 | design | operational | mandatory | Grease Interceptor Flow Direction Marking | wastewater | In addition to these markings, the inlet and outlet shall be clearly identified to indicate the direction of flow. | | high |
| #Q090 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Prohibited Fixture Connections | wastewater | The owner/operator of a FSE shall not allow the following plumbing fixtures to be connected to a grease interceptor, grease recovery device, or gravity grease interceptor: Toilets, urinals and hand sinks; Food/garbage grinders, potato peelers and similar equipment discharging solids (unless they discharge to a solids interceptor prior to being connected to the grease interceptor, grease recovery device or gravity grease interceptors). | | high |
| #Q091 | operational | operational | mandatory | Waste Carrier Approval Requirement | wastewater | Servicing (cleaning) shall be performed by a Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) approved waste carrier. | Except where manual cleaning is permitted for low-volume FOG producers with no stove or fryer | high |
| #Q092 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Storm Catch Basin Discharge Prohibition | other | The owner/operator of a FSE shall not permit wastewater entering catch basins from, but not limited to: Inside the facility (e.g. mop water); Outdoor cleaning (e.g. power washing); Leakage from outdoor waste/oil bins; Exhaust system cleaning. | | high |