Source Control

Overview of Source Control

The purpose of Abbotsford/Mission Water & Sewer Commission Source Control Program (SCP) is to reduce the amounts of contaminants that industries, businesses, institutions and households discharge into the sanitary sewer systems. These discharges may contain significant quantities of contaminants and other substances that can affect the collection and treatment systems as well as the health of workers, the public, and the aquatic environment. Some contaminants will be removed in the solids and end up in the bio-solids, a condition that can restrict the beneficial use or result in costly remediation and recycling efforts. The efficiency of the treatment and its costs are closely related to the quantity and quality of the wastewater treated. Consequently, an effective source control program is an economical and sustainable means of managing wastewater treatment.

The Objectives of the SCP are to:

Protect the aquatic receiving environment adjacent to the JAMES Wastewater Treatment Plant (JAMES Plant) sewage outfall
Protect the JAMES plant against corrosion, blockage and other harmful effects related to the presence of wastewater contaminants
Ensure that the health and safety of sewage workers and the general public is not put at risk due to the presence of wastewater contaminants
Protect the quality of the bio-solids produced at the JAMES Plant to allow unrestricted options for beneficial use and recycling
Protect the JAMES Plant against treatment process upsets due to high contaminant loadings
Promote responsible pollution prevention practices, including reduction, reuse, recycling, recovery, and residuals management

The SCP uses the District of Mission Bylaw No. 5033-2009 [PDF/1MB], “Sewer Bylaw” as the main regulatory instrument in achieving the above objective. Wastewater Discharge Permits and Codes of Practice are part of the bylaw requirements. The SCP also uses the BOD & TSS Waste Program to help achieve the program objectives.

Environmental Services Annual Report 2020 [PDF/7.9MB]

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 [PDF/1MB], “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:

Wastewater Discharge Permit Application
- Wastewater Discharge Permit Application Form
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 [PDF/1MB] 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.

Who do I contact for more information?

Abbotsford/Mission Water & Sewer Services
Telephone: 604-864-5663 or 604-557-1452
Email: Joe Vurzinger or Sharon Subido

Overview of Source Control

The Objectives of the SCP are to:

Dental Operations

Photo Imaging Operations

Automotive Operations

Vehicle Wash Operations

Dry Cleaning Operations

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

What is Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)?

What is Total Suspended Solids (TSS)?

Why is BOD and TSS Waste a concern?

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

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

Who do I contact for more information?

Source Control

Overview of Source Control

The Objectives of the SCP are to:

Codes of Practice Resources and Forms

Wastewater Discharge Permits

BOD and TSS Waste Program FAQs

Who do I contact for more information?