Septic Systems - Onsite Wastewater Management Systems (OWMS)
The purpose of the program is to administer the Onsite Wastewater Management Systems Regulation (MR 83/2003) pursuant to The Environment Act. A team comprised of Environment Officers and a Program Specialist has been established for this purpose. Team members are regionally based to provide local coverage, and centrally coordinated to ensure consistent delivery of the program.
Program responsibilities include:
- Review and update the Onsite Wastewater Management Systems Regulation
- Development and implementation of policies, standards, guidelines, and education & training
- Registration of onsite wastewater management systems
- Certification of onsite wastewater management system Installers
- Registration of Sewage Haulers
- Inspection and monitoring of onsite wastewater management systems
- Investigations of complaints
- Enforcement of the Onsite Wastewater Management Systems Regulation
Several documents on this site are in PDF format. They require Adobe Acrobat Reader 5 or higher.
New
Clarifications on certain aspects of the Supplementary Information Manual (2010)
The following document clarifies design and installation requirements for disposal field systems based on the specifications provided in the Supplementary Information Manual (2010). It address interpretation of soil analysis reports, systems in 85-100% sand, systems in 40-60% clay and pressure distribution.
Supplementary Information Manual Clarifications - June 2022 (pdf)
New
New Online Application to Retain a Sewage Ejector Now Available
A new online application form to apply for a Certificate of Exemption to Retain a Sewage Ejector has been developed with the intent to remove payment processing obstacles and increase program efficiencies. The online application form requires the same information as the traditional paper form, including a complete site plan (attached in a .jpeg format no more than 3MB in size). Associated fees are payable through the online form with either Visa or MasterCard. Applications will continue to be processed and approved by regional Environment Officers, based on the location of the proposed tank installation. The department will continue to accept these applications in paper form until January 1, 2023. After that date applications will only be accepted through the e-form (alternative versions will remain available upon request).
Ejector Application
Amendments to the Onsite Wastewater Management System Regulation
Amendments have been made to the Onsite Wastewater Management System Regulation that relate to the timeline for properties with onsite wastewater systems to connect to new or existing wastewater collection infrastructure. The timeline to connect has been changed from five to ten years. The link below contains a detailed explanation of the changes, frequently asked questions and scenarios of how the change would impact various types of properties.
Amendments to the Onsite Wastewater Management Systems Regulation (pdf)
New Online Application to Register a Holding Tank or Septic Tank Replacement Now Available:
A new online application form to register a holding tank or septic tank replacement has been developed with the intent to remove payment processing obstacles and increase program efficiencies. The online application form requires the same information as the traditional paper form, including a complete site plan (attached in a .jpeg format no more than 3MB in size). Associated fees are payable through the online form with either Visa or MasterCard. Applications will continue to be processed and approved by regional Environment Officers, based on the location of the proposed tank installation.
Application Forms and Worksheets > Application to Register a Holding Tank/Septic Tank Replacement
Online Application Form (Imperial & Metric units)
Changes to Graded Stone Requirements for Prefabricated, Gravel-less Chambers
Effective July 18, 2018, the placement of graded stone beneath prefabricated, gravel-less chambers is no longer required or recommended for disposal field systems, including sand mounds and sand-lined trenches. This change applies to chambers with an H-10 AASHTO load rating (16,000 lbs/axle). Graded stone is still required beneath chambers having an H-20 AASHTO load rating (32,000 lbs/axle) to provide structural support. This change is based on manufacturer recommendations and is consistent with other jurisdictional requirements for chamber systems.
Note: AASHTO = American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials
Application Forms and Worksheets
Application Forms
Application forms for disposal fields, holding tanks, septic tank replacement, retaining sewage ejectors and decommissioning onsite wastewater management systems are to be submitted to the applicable Regional Environment Office for review and approval. Regional Environment Office locations and coverage areas can be found under Contacts.
Application to Register a Disposal Field
Application to Register a Holding Tank/Septic Tank Replacement
Site Plan Diagram
Decommissioning form for Septic/Holding Tanks, Disposal Fields, and Sewage Ejectors
Sewage Ejector System Application Forms
Installer and Sewage Hauler Application Forms
Application form for Installer Certification
Application form for Sewage Hauler Registration
Worksheets
Regulations, Standards and Guidelines
Regulations
The Onsite Wastewater Management Systems Regulation outlines provisions for the registration, installation, replacement, modification and use of onsite wastewater management systems as well as the requirements for Installer Certification and Sewage Hauler Registration. The regulation applies to onsite wastewater management systems with a combined sewage or greywater flow of less than 10,000 litres per day (2,200 gallons/day). The regulation restricts the use of certain types of onsite wastewater management systems in several areas of the province. These areas include:
- Red River Corridor Designated Area
- Provincial Parks
- Crown Land Cottage Subdivisions
- Sensitive Areas
- Nutrient Management Zone N4 or Nutrient Buffer Zone (see Part 4 of the Nutrient Management Regulation)
Onsite Wastewater Management Systems Regulation 82/2003
Nutrient Management Regulation 62/2008
Map of the Red River Corridor Designated Area
Standards
Standards for the design and installation of onsite wastewater management systems are provided in the Supplementary Information Manual (2010). This manual provides diagrams, tables and standards for the following:
- Soil texture classification and soil application rates
- Sizing charts for trenches and total area fields
- Alternative systems including sand mounds, sand lined trenches, shallow trenches, and modified/above ground total area fields
- Daily wastewater flow rates for residences and other types of development (commercial, recreational, institutional)
- Soil sampling and site assessment
Supplementary Information Manual (2010)
ASTM C33 Sand Media Specifications for sand mounds, modified and above ground total area fields, and sand-lined trenches
Guidelines
There are a number of guideline documents that provide important information for Certified Installers and property owners. These documents include:
Training and Certification
Certification of Installers:
Installers of onsite wastewater management systems must be certified in accordance with Section 9 and Schedule F in the Onsite Wastewater Management Systems Regulation. Certification as an Installer requires the following:
- Successful completion of the Onsite Wastewater Management training course.
- Submission of a completed application form for Installer Certification including the application fee of $105.00 (includes GST) and a copy of the grade statement from Red River College.
Cancellation of the Fall Installer Certification Training Course at Red River College
The onsite wastewater management training course delivered by Red River College is cancelled this fall due to COVID-19.
The Manitoba Onsite Wastewater Management Association (MOWMA) maintains information on Saskatchewan and Alberta training courses.
MOWMA Contact Information:
Lesley Desjardins
Office Toll Free: 855-872-2659
Office Tel: 204-771-0455
Fax Toll Free:855-420-6338
lesley@wcowma.com
Registration of Sewage Haulers:
Persons engaged in the activity of sewage hauling must be registered in accordance with Section 21 and Schedule G in the Onsite Wastewater Management Systems Regulation. Registration as a Sewage Hauler requires the following:
- Submission of a completed application form for Registration as a Sewage Hauler including the registration fee of $52.50 (includes GST).
Application Forms and Approval
Application forms for Installer Certification and Sewage Hauler Registration can be found under the tab Application Forms and Worksheets.
Applications are reviewed and approved by Manitoba Environment and Climate Change. Applicants are provided with an approval letter and a certification/registration number. Applications usually take between 2 weeks to 1 month to process.
Homeowner Information
Onsite wastewater management systems provide an effective and economical method for treating domestic wastewater provided they are properly designed, installed, operated, and maintained. It is the property owners' responsibility to ensure the onsite system is properly operated and maintained so that it will perform safely, effectively and protect the environment and public health. The following documents provide guidance and recommendations for proper operation and maintenance as well as the signs, causes and corrections for malfunctioning systems.
***Note: The government is currently experiencing a temporary issue with emails from outside of government that have attached files that are archived/compressed (Zip files) and encrypted/password protected PDF or Microsoft office files.
The government network may block the delivery of these emails. Neither receiver nor sender will receive a notification that the email was blocked. The Environmental Approvals Branch will send a confirmation email within two business days to confirm receipt of emails with attachments.
If you do not receive a confirmation email, please follow up with an email without an attachment to OWMS@gov.mb.ca or call 204-794-1176 to arrange an alternative method of delivery.
