Municipal system alterations

Learn when and how to submit an alteration application for watermain, stormwater or wastewater collection infrastructure. Sometimes all three applications are required to meet reconstruction, site alteration or development requirements. 

On this page

1. When to submit an application
2. Submission requirements for service connections
3. Submission requirements for other alteration types
4. Submit application
5. Fees
6. Timeline for approval

When to submit an application

Most watermain alteration projects can be approved by the City of Waterloo, under the authority of the City of Waterloo's Drinking Water Works Permit (DWWP), including new developments. Only alterations that are pre-authorized in the city's DWWP can be approved by the city.

Most alterations to wastewater and stormwater infrastructure will meet preauthorized design criteria that fall under the Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approval (CLI ECA) process and will be reviewed and approved by the City.

Non-standard or complex infrastructure changes to any of the three systems may still require Ontario's Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP) approval. The applicant must do their due diligence to ensure applications are prepared and submitted as required.

For watermain (drinking water) alteration projects

Applications must meet requirements outlined by the city's DWWP and the MECP design criteria. View the City of Waterloo Drinking Water Works Permit (PDF) and the MECP watermain design criteria for future alterations authorized under a drinking water works permit.

If the requirements are not met, an application must be made to the MECP.

Watermain alteration requiring an application are:

• new watermain installation
• service installation if the diameter is equal to or greater than 100 mm (effective date March 1 2022)
• watermain replacement that changes size, material or location
• connection of two drinking water systems
• alterations to dual watermains
• lowering of a watermain to beneath existing infrastructure
• hydrant addition or relocation
• watermain pipe replacement of greater then 6.1 m

For wastewater infrastructure alteration projects

Applications must meet requirements outlined by the MECP provided ECA and MECP design criteria. View the Wastewater Collection System ECA 112-W601 (PDF). View the design criteria document (PDF).

If the requirements are not met, an application must be made to the MECP.

Wastewater collection system alterations requiring an application are:

• new sanitary main installation – gravity or forcemain
• sanitary main replacement – gravity or forcemain
• installation of siphons
• new or existing pumping stations (new stations to a max peak flow of 30 L/s)
• real-time control systems
• emergency power generators
• odour control units
• corrosion control units
• where discharging a contaminant of concern to the atmosphere

For stormwater infrastructure alteration projects

Applications must meet requirements outlined by the MECP provided ECA and MECP design criteria. View the Stormwater Management System ECA 112-S701 (PDF). View the design criteria document (PDF).

If the requirements are not met, an application must be made to the MECP.

Stormwater management system alterations requiring an application are:

• new stormwater main installation
• stormwater main replacement
• new or replaced ditches
• new or replaced culverts
• new or replaced oil grit separators
• new or replaced low impact developments
• new or replaced wet ponds
• new or replaced dry ponds
• new or replaced super pipe/storage facilities
• new or replaced third pipe collection systems

Submission requirements for water service connections

Requirements for service connections are:

1. Fill out the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Form 1 - Record of Watermains Authorized as a Future Alteration (fillable PDF) parts 1, 2, and 3.
2. For 100 mm service connections only the MECP Form 1 is required and no other letters, forms or checklists are required.
3. For a 150 mm (6 inch) or greater connection, fill out the MECP Form 1 and include the following supporting documentation:

• fire-flow testing
• site drawing
• Applicant Checklist for Submission of Form 1 (fillable PDF)

Submission requirements for other alteration types

Follow these document instructions for all other application types and then follow the alteration type specific instructions for what to include in your application. The application review process cannot begin until a complete application package is received and the fee has been processed.

All submissions must include a cover letter with the following:

• applicant information (legal name and address)
• agent or consultant information (name, title and address)
• project information (subdivision number, plan number, project name)
• City of Waterloo Engineering contact person
• identify and list the documents included in the submission

All submissions must include digital copies of the documents outlined below plus the specific documents required for your alteration type:

• title page with key plan
• legal plan, site plan and general plans
• final plan and profile drawings
• details drawings
• grading plans
• erosion and sediment control plans, as per appendix A for the city’s Stormwater ECA
• removals drawings, where applicable
• source protection plan, where applicable
• approval or permit requirements from the City of Waterloo or Region of Waterloo, where applicable
• consultation and clearance with Grand River Conservation Authority, where applicable
• maps and drawings must be to-scale and must be stamped by a Licensed Engineering Practitioner.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the most recent version of the MECP’s Record of Future Alteration Authorized form(s) is used, as well as ensuring all applicable guidelines, design standards, and specifications available at the time of design of an alteration are utilized to demonstrate compliance.
All drawings and form(s) must be signed (electronic signatures are accepted and preferred) and sealed by the licensed Engineering Practitioner responsible for the alteration.

Submit your application

Submit the completed application package to:

• for development projects, email the package to WSreg_approval@waterloo.ca and copy the city engineering reviewer
  
• for capital and/or reconstruction projects, email the city project manager (who will submit to WSreg_approval@waterloo.ca after review)

Upon approval, applicants will be provided with a response letter and an approval signed by the City of Waterloo. 

Fees

Following receipt of the application package, a quote will be provided to the applicant showing the fee breakdown for each system.

Pay fees by:

• making cheques payable to The Corporation of the City of Waterloo 
• including the project name, property address, and/or owner’s name
• deliver the cheque by hand or mail to:

City of Waterloo Service Centre
265 Lexington Court
PO Box 337, STN Waterloo
Waterloo, ON N2J 4A8

Fees and charges for water system alterations

Timeline to get approval

The estimated time to process an ECA application is 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the complexity.

For less complex and single infrastructure submissions (for example linear pipes), the review and authorization process should be less than 6 weeks.

For more complex projects (e.g., stormwater facilities, pumping stations), the review and authorization could take up to 12 weeks. 

Incomplete or inaccurate applications that result in requests for additional information, or fees not paid on time, can delay the approval. Processing times may increase during the peak construction season.

Contact City Utilities by email at WSreg_approval@waterloo.ca for support with an application.