In Canada, all levels of government share certain responsibilities for monitoring and managing municipal wastewater. Together they are in charge of wastewater collection, treatment, testing, and facility performance.

Municipal Responsibilities

Municipal governments have a mandate to provide sewage treatment, and are responsible for regulating and operating sewage facilities. Therefore, they have the most direct responsibility for wastewater. They have statutory control over discharges into sewers and must ensure their facilities meet provincial and federal pollution standards. Many municipal governments have used their statutory power to pass sewer use by-laws for the improved management at source and the reduction of effluent toxicity. The bylaws generally state acceptable pollutant concentrations for wastewater releases and prohibit specific wastes from being discharged.