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[[File:TrilliumMECP.jpeg|right|frameless]]

[[File:TrilliumMECP.jpeg|right|frameless]]

==Overview==

==Overview==

[[File:Screenshot 2025-09-11 103945.png|600px|thumb|right|Replacing individual Environmental Compliance Approvals with a single environmental permission for all the sewage works components of a municipal sewage collection system or a municipal stormwater management system (MECP & LSRCA, 2023)<ref name = S2S2023>MECP and LSRCA. 2023. Panel Presentation: Monitoring and the Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approval (CLI-ECA) Framework: Understanding and Applying Ontario’s New Requirements for Municipal Stormwater Infrastructure. Source to Stream Conference. https://sourcetostream.com/2023-panel/</ref>.]]

[[File:Screenshot 2025-09-11 103945.png|600px|thumb|right|CLI-ECA replaces individual ECAs with a single environmental permission for all the sewage works components of a municipal sewage collection system or a municipal stormwater management system (MECP & LSRCA, 2023)<ref name = S2S2023>MECP and LSRCA. 2023. Panel Presentation: Monitoring and the Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approval (CLI-ECA) Framework: Understanding and Applying Ontario’s New Requirements for Municipal Stormwater Infrastructure. Source to Stream Conference. https://sourcetostream.com/2023-panel/</ref>.]]

The [https://www.ontario.ca/page/municipal-consolidated-linear-infrastructure-environmental-compliance-approvals Municipal Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approval (CLI-ECA)] is a streamlined approval process for municipalities managing wastewater, stormwater, and Low Impact Development (LID) infrastructure. MECP requires all municipalities in Ontario to enroll into the CLI-ECA program by application. Each municipality will receive:

The [https://www.ontario.ca/page/municipal-consolidated-linear-infrastructure-environmental-compliance-approvals Municipal Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approval (CLI-ECA)] is a streamlined approval process for municipalities managing wastewater, stormwater, and Low Impact Development (LID) infrastructure. The CLI-ECA replaces the need for municipalities to apply for multiple, project-specific Environmental Compliance Approvals (ECAs) every time they want to make changes or additions to their water, wastewater, or stormwater collection systems. CLI-ECAs authorize municipalities to make changes to the system when requirements in the CLI-ECA are met (MECP, 2024)<ref name = mecp2024>MECP. 2024. https://www.ontario.ca/page/municipal-consolidated-linear-infrastructure-environmental-compliance-approvals</ref>. MECP requires all municipalities in Ontario to enroll into the CLI-ECA program by application. Each municipality will receive:

*One CLI-ECA for their municipal sewage collection system

*One CLI-ECA for their municipal sewage collection system

*One CLI-ECA for their municipal stormwater management system (MECP, 2025)<ref name = S2S2025>MECP. 2025. Bringing the CLI-ECA Framework into Action: Guiding Principles to Inform Stormwater Management Practices. Source to Stream Conference Presentation. https://sourcetostream.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Day-2-Hall-A-Presentation-2-DSmith-AAhmed.pdf</ref>

*One CLI-ECA for their municipal stormwater management system (MECP, 2025)<ref name = S2S2025>MECP. 2025. Bringing the CLI-ECA Framework into Action: Guiding Principles to Inform Stormwater Management Practices. Source to Stream Conference Presentation. https://sourcetostream.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Day-2-Hall-A-Presentation-2-DSmith-AAhmed.pdf</ref>

==Step-by-step compliance process==

==Step-by-step compliance process==

[[File:Screenshot 2025-09-10 151234.png|400px|thumb|right|CLI-ECA flow chart (MECP, 2024)<ref name = mecp2024></ref>]]

[[File:Screenshot 2025-09-10 151234.png|400px|thumb|right|CLI-ECA flow chart (MECP, 2024)<ref name = mecp2024></ref>]]

===Step 1: Determine if your project falls under CLI-ECA===

===Step 1: Determine if your project falls under CLI-ECA===

Identify whether the proposed wastewater or stormwater project qualifies as a pre-authorized alteration under CLI-ECA. Common eligible projects include:

If you are a developer or prescribed person, contact the municipality where your project is located to determine if they have received a CLI-ECA and obtain a copy. You must then identify whether the proposed wastewater or stormwater project qualifies as a pre-authorized alteration under the CLI-ECA. Common eligible projects include:

Stormwater:

Stormwater:

Wastewater:

Wastewater:

*Sewage works used for the collection, storage, pumping, and transmission of sanitary sewage, excluding treatment

*Sewage works used for the collection, storage, pumping, and transmission of sanitary sewage, excluding treatment

*All the eligible sewage works for collection of sanitary sewage that are owned by a municipality, or that may be transferred to a municipality pursuant to an agreement including pumping stations and pipes

*Municipal-owned eligible sewage works for collection of sanitary sewage

*Combined sewers and combined sewage storage structures that collect and convey both wastewater from residential, commercial, institutional and industrial buildings and stormwater runoff through a single-pipe system

*Combined sewers and combined sewage storage structures that collect and convey both wastewater from residential, commercial, institutional and industrial buildings and stormwater runoff through a single-pipe system

*Pumping stations including those that pre-condition sewage for further treatment downstream, such as the addition of coagulants, flocculants, disinfectants, or pH adjustment

*Pumping stations

*Sewage works used for the management of residue from the system or odour control

*Sewage works used for the management of residue or odour

 

===Step 2: Review design criteria and standards===

===Step 2: Review design criteria and standards===

* Ensure project design follows [https://www.kitchener.ca/en/resourcesGeneral/Documents/INS_SSU_Design_Criteria.pdf MECP’s Design Criteria for Sanitary Sewers, Storm Sewers and Forcemains for Alterations Authorized under an Environmental Compliance Approval (2023)].

Ensure project design and objectives follow:

* Incorporate stormwater treatment objectives from the [https://dr6j45jk9xcmk.cloudfront.net/documents/1757/195-stormwater-planning-and-design-en.pdf Ontario Stormwater Management Planning and Design Guidance Manual] (MOE, 2003)<ref>MOE. 2003.Ontario Stormwater Management Planning and Design Guidance Manual. https://dr6j45jk9xcmk.cloudfront.net/documents/1757/195-stormwater-planning-and-design-en.pdf</ref> and the [https://ero.ontario.ca/public/2022-01/Draft%20LID%20Stormwater%20Management%20Guidance%20Manual%202022.pdf Low Impact Development Stormwater Management Guidance Manual Draft] (MECP, 2022)<ref>MECP. 2022. Low Impact Development Stormwater Management Guidance Manual Draft. https://ero.ontario.ca/public/2022-01/Draft%20LID%20Stormwater%20Management%20Guidance%20Manual%202022.pdf</ref>.

*MECP's [https://www.kitchener.ca/en/resourcesGeneral/Documents/INS_SSU_Design_Criteria.pdf MECP’s Design Criteria for Sanitary Sewers, Storm Sewers and Forcemains for Alterations Authorized under an Environmental Compliance Approval (2023)]<ref>MECP. 2023. Design Criteria for Sanitary Sewers, Storm Sewers and Forcemains for Alterations Authorized under an Environmental Compliance Approval. https://www.kitchener.ca/en/resourcesGeneral/Documents/INS_SSU_Design_Criteria.pdf</ref>

* Ensure LID features meet municipal and provincial standards for [[infiltration]], [[flow control]], and [[water quality]] treatment.

*MOE's [https://www.ontario.ca/document/design-guidelines-sewage-works-0 Design Guidelines For Sewage Works (2016)]<ref>MOE. 2016. Design Guidelines For Sewage Works https://www.ontario.ca/document/design-guidelines-sewage-works-0#.</ref>

*MECP's[https://ero.ontario.ca/public/2022-01/Draft%20LID%20Stormwater%20Management%20Guidance%20Manual%202022.pdf Low Impact Development Stormwater Management Guidance Manual Draft (2022)]<ref>MECP. 2022. Low Impact Development Stormwater Management Guidance Manual Draft. https://ero.ontario.ca/public/2022-01/Draft%20LID%20Stormwater%20Management%20Guidance%20Manual%202022.pdf</ref>.

*MOE's[https://dr6j45jk9xcmk.cloudfront.net/documents/1757/195-stormwater-planning-and-design-en.pdf Ontario Stormwater Management Planning and Design Guidance Manual (2003)]<ref>MOE. 2003.Ontario Stormwater Management Planning and Design Guidance Manual. https://dr6j45jk9xcmk.cloudfront.net/documents/1757/195-stormwater-planning-and-design-en.pdf</ref>

*STEP's [https://wiki.sustainabletechnologies.ca/wiki/Main_Page Low Impact Development Stormwater Management Planning and Design Guide Wiki]

===Step 3: Complete required documentation===

===Step 3: Complete required documentation===

Prepare a Design Report including:

Prepare a Design Report including:

* [[Engineering drawings]]

* [[Engineering drawings]]

* Hydraulic calculations

* [[Infiltration: Sizing and modeling|Hydraulic calculations]]

* [[LID performance criteria]]

* [[Water quality|LID performance criteria]]

* [[Inspections and maintenance|Maintenance plans]]

* [[Inspections and maintenance|Maintenance plans]]

* Compliance assessment

* Compliance assessment

===Step 6: Conduct post-construction inspection and verification===

===Step 6: Conduct [[post-construction]] inspection and verification===

* Inspect LID and stormwater systems to ensure they function as designed.

* [[Inspection and maintenance|Inspect]] LID and stormwater systems to ensure they function as designed. Refer to [https://sustainabletechnologies.ca/app/uploads/2016/08/LID-IM-Guide-2016-1.pdf Low Impact Development Stormwater Management Practice Inspection and Maintenance Guide] and [https://sustainabletechnologies.ca/app/uploads/2018/04/SWMFG2016_Guide_April-2018.pdf Inspection and Maintenance Guide for Stormwater Management Ponds and Constructed Wetlands]

* Complete "Post-Construction Verification" on relevant forms.

* Complete "Post-Construction Verification" on relevant forms.

* Document key performance indicators such as infiltration rates, flow control effectiveness, and pollutant removal efficiency.

* Document key performance indicators such as infiltration rates, flow control effectiveness, and pollutant removal efficiency.

===Step 7: Maintain ongoing compliance and record-keeping===

===Step 7: Maintain ongoing compliance and record-keeping===

Establish a Stormwater System Maintenance Plan that includes:

Establish a Stormwater System Maintenance Plan that includes:

* Routine inspections (e.g., [[sediment]] removal, [[vegetation]] management)

* Routine [[Inspections and maintenance|inspections]] (e.g., [[sediment]] removal, [[vegetation]] management)

* Adaptive management strategies for system improvements

* Adaptive management strategies for system improvements

Retain compliance records for a minimum of 10 years.

Retain compliance records for a minimum of 10 years.

==CLI-ECA application==

==CLI-ECA application==

==Monitoring==

==Monitoring==

This section will be updated as information becomes available.

This section will be updated as information becomes available.