As the season unfolds, contractors are inundated with advertising for various products to support the onsite wastewater industry. Many of these products have been in use throughout North America and Europe and are being introduced to a new market in Canada.

Contractors should be aware that the requirements for packaged treatment plants are outlined in the 2009 Standard of Practice.

Part 5.2.3.1) of the 2009 Standard of Practice states: “Packaged Sewage Treatment Plants shall be certified as meeting the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF/ANSI) Standard 40 Class 1 for Residential Wastewater Treatment Systems.”

In addition to this requirement, under Part 5.2.3.1.2), the SOP also states that packaged treatment plants must be certified as meeting the structural and material requirements of CAN/CSA-B66 “Design, Material, and Manufacturing Requirements for Prefabricated Septic Tanks and Sewage Holding Tanks” OR certified as meeting the structural and material requirements of the BNQ Standard NQ3680-905/208, “Prefabricated Septic Tanks for Residential Use – Dimensional and Physical Characteristics.”

While products not meeting these requirements may work very well for the application they are manufactured for, contractors should be aware that products that don’t meet the requirements of the 2009 Standard of Practice are not approved for use in Alberta at this time.

Contractors must be aware that products that do not meet the requirements of the 2009 Standard of Practice are not approved for use unless granted through a variance from Alberta Municipal Affairs.