The Waterworks and Sewage Works Amendment Regulations, 2026 introduce a series of updates to Saskatchewan’s regulatory framework governing drinking water systems, sewage treatment facilities, and related infrastructure under The Environmental Management and Protection Act, 2010. The amendments revise definitions, clarify operational standards, and adjust compliance requirements for permit holders responsible for waterworks, sewage works, and water pipelines.

The amendments update standards for sewage treatment facilities that discharge effluent into water bodies frequented by fish. Facilities must employ treatment processes that produce effluent meeting specified quality limits, including maximum average concentrations for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD5), and total suspended solids. Where chlorine or chlorine compounds are used in wastewater treatment, the residual chlorine concentration must not exceed 0.02 milligrams per litre. Additional requirements stipulate that discharged effluent must not be acutely toxic at the point of release and must limit un-ionized ammonia to 1.24 milligrams per litre when measured under specified temperature conditions. These measures reinforce environmental safeguards designed to protect aquatic ecosystems while ensuring compliance with permit conditions governing effluent discharge.

Changes are also introduced to provisions governing waterworks that supply water for hygienic use. The regulations now clarify that such systems must comply with updated operational conditions before supplying water to consumers. In particular, permit holders must ensure that an alternative water source safe for human consumption is available where required. A new provision explicitly prohibits supplying water for hygienic purposes unless the permittee complies with the applicable regulatory requirements, strengthening the accountability of operators responsible for public or semi-public water systems.

Additional amendments modernize references to legislation and administrative authorities. For instance, references to The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Act, 2005 are replaced with references to The Water Security Agency Act, reflecting institutional changes in provincial water governance. Other provisions update operational requirements, such as ensuring that the volume of raw or treated water passing through a treatment facility is properly metered.

The regulations also revise technical standards related to water treatment practices. Where fluoride is applied to drinking water, permit holders must ensure that the concentration entering the distribution system is maintained at the optimal level of 0.7 milligrams per litre, as specified in their permit. Testing and monitoring provisions are also updated. The amendments recognize the Adverse Drinking Water Quality Incident and Bacteriological Follow-up Standard (EPB 505), established by the minister in October 2020 under the Saskatchewan Environmental Code. Permit holders may conduct certain on-site monitoring tests without submitting samples to an accredited laboratory when those tests are required for routine operational monitoring under their permits.

Saskatchewan (65/2026) March 10, 2026
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