Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approval

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) recently introduced a new approach to the Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) application process for municipal wastewater collection and stormwater management systems. The new  Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approval (CLI ECA) streamlines the process and delegates approval authority to the City from the Province for all pre-authorized wastewater and stormwater infrastructure alterations. This replaces the previous Transfer of Review program.

When does the CLI ECA process apply?

The CLI ECA process must be followed when a project includes changes such as additions, modifications, replacements and/or extensions to the City’s wastewater or stormwater system under the following scenarios:

changes are on City-owned property or land which the City has easement rights where the City will own the infrastructure; or
addition of new wastewater or stormwater assets that will service a new development where the infrastructure will be assumed by the City of Richmond Hill.

These works need to meet the pre-authorized conditions found within Schedule D of the CLI ECA documents, which generally include meeting the City and Provincial standards and specifications.

Works that are outside of the pre-authorized conditions noted within the City’s CLI ECA documents cannot be approved by the City, but could potentially be approved by the Province with a submission to the MECP for special approval. Submission to the MECP for special approval is a joint process with the City and the applicant.

Richmond Hill CLI ECA process

Within the City of Richmond Hill, the CLI ECA approval process has been integrated into the existing development engineering process; a separate permit application process or fee is not required.

Designs subject to the CLI ECA process are required to meet the more stringent of the City’s Standards and Specifications or the MECP design criteria, as applicable.

Applications under the CLI ECA are processed once approval of the overall development application is approved by Development Engineering. Applicants are to submit the required CLI ECA documents and supplementary information as part of their planning applications.

Richmond Hill drinking water approvals

Similar to the City’s CLI ECA process, the City also has pre-authorized conditions under the City’s Drinking Water Works Permit (DWWP) for alterations to our drinking water infrastructure. The MECP’s Record of Watermains Authorized as a Future Alteration (Form 1) is required for all watermain alterations and water services connections.

Applications must meet requirements outlined by the City’s DWWP and the MECP design criteria. If the requirements are not met, an application must be made to the MECP.

Submission requirements

Submission requirements are outlined in Division F – Development Application and Capital Project Requirements of the City’s Standard and Specification Manual.

Submissions must include:

digital copies of the applicable forms and documents
searchable PDF files for forms and reports
design drawings that are to-scale and stamped by a Licensed Engineering Practitioner

How to complete the application forms

Design phase – Application Parts 1 to 4

The design engineer must complete and sign Parts 1, 2, and 3 of the application forms with their CLI ECA submission.
The City, as the Owner of the municipal wastewater and/or stormwater management system, will complete Part 4 once the reviewer confirms the application is complete and acceptable.

Post-construction verification – Application Part 5

The City will complete part 5 after construction is finished in accordance with the approved design.

Approval process

After completing the detailed technical review and addressing all outstanding issues, the City’s Project Coordinator ensures the developer’s design engineer has completed and signed Parts 1, 2, and 3 of the CLI ECA application forms
The Project Coordinator then forwards the application to the City’s signing authority. Once the signing authority approves it, an electronic copy of the forms as well as the CLI ECA approval letter is sent to the applicant, the design engineer, and appropriate Divisions within the City.
The issuing of this Approval does not negate the requirements of other regulatory agencies, which may include:

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry,
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority,
Fisheries and Oceans Canada,
Transport Canada, and
Other agencies as required.

Prepare Post-Construction Owner Verification Documentation

The City will provide final CLI ECA approval via Part 5: Post-Construction Verification by Owner on the SS1, SW1 and SW3 forms. Part 5 will be signed by the City upon the submission of the applicable supporting documents at substantial performance/start of maintenance and final completion/assumption.

The applicable supporting documents include:

Record drawings stamped by a P. Eng., licensed in Ontario
All inspection and testing records per Design Criteria for Sanitary Sewers, Storm Sewers and Forcemains for Alterations Authorized under an Environmental Compliance Approval, May 2023, Section 8.0, including but not limited to:
- maintenance reports adhering to Erosion and Sediment Control plan and measures during construction activity
- daily engineering inspection records completed during infrastructure installation
- CCTV inspection records, reports and videos
- mandrel and deflection testing
- hydrostatic pressure testing results for forced mains
- leakage testing reports

Richmond Hill CLI ECA documents and application forms

Documents

Application forms*

*Note: If you have issues opening the application forms in your browser, you can download them and save them to your computer:

Right-click the link and then choose 'Save Link As' from the menu
Choose a location for the document(s) on your computer and then hit 'Save'
To access the downloaded document, navigate to where you saved it and double-click to open

If you have any questions, please contact CLIECA@richmondhill.ca.

Richmond Hill drinking water document and application form

Document

Drinking Water Works Permit

Application form

Form 1 - Record of Watermains Authorized as a Future Alteration

*Note: If you have issues opening the application form in your browser, you can download it and save it to your computer:

Right-click the link and then choose 'Save Link As' from the menu
Choose a location for the document on your computer and then hit 'Save'
To access the downloaded document, navigate to where you saved it and double-click to open