Wastewater

Our crews are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the sanitary sewer system throughout Haldimand. We currently have 8 wastewater treatment facilities to treat the used water flowing from homes, businesses, industries and schools across the county.

What causes clogs?

The majority of sewer clogs are caused by household fats, oils and greases. When these are rinsed down the drain, they build up over time clinging to other non-flushable items and creating a blockage. Avoid clogs and help protect our sewer system by keeping non-flushable items out of your pipes.

What not to flush

Fats (e.g. butter, shortening, margarine, meat trimmings, uncooked poultry skin), oils (e.g. vegetable oils, canola oil, olive oil, corn oil, salad dressings) and grease (e.g. gravies, mayonnaise, melted meat fat, boiled poultry skin) solidify when cooled and clogs pipes
Food scraps, including coffee grounds
Personal wipes/baby wipes, even those labelled ‘flushable’ are not safe to flush
Hair
Personal hygiene products (e.g. diapers, Q-Tips, dental floss, menstrual products, band-aids, cotton balls)
Medication (both-the-counter and prescription) cannot be treated and cause contamination
Paper towels, tissues and napkins
Hazardous chemicals (e.g. paint, varnish, solvents)
Cigarette ashes and butts
Cat litter

Find more information on the proper disposal of these items.

Connecting to the sanitary sewer

As referenced in our Sewer Use By-law [link: bylaw 1443/14], any connection from your property to the sanitary sewer other than sanitary waste (e.g. eaves troughs, sump pumps, foundation drains) is prohibited. They increase the flow to the sewer system which can lead to flooding during high rainfall or snow melts. Learn more about home flood prevention.

Sewer inspections

All plugged sewer calls will require a sewer safety inspection (SSI) to be done to rule out a potential cross-bore situation before County staff will attend a plugged sewer call. To arrange for a locate or a sewer safety inspection (SSI), please call Ontario One Call at 1-800-400-2255. There is no charge for this service.

Cross bores are natural gas pipes that have been inadvertently installed through a sewer or septic pipe. They pose a real danger if they’re present when someone attempts to clear your pipe. Learn more about cross bores on the Enbridge website.

Bulk sewage disposal

Bulk wastewater (hauled sewage) disposal is accepted at the Dunnville Wastewater Treatment Plant. You must apply for a Hauled Sewage Discharge Permit from the County before hauling and discharging waste.

Operating hours

Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (excluding statutory holidays)

Facility rules

The acceptance of any hauled sewage is entirely at the discretion of the receiving facility
It is the responsibility of the hauler to verify that the plant can accept waste on any given day
Poor weather conditions or plant operational difficulties may result in the facility being unable to accept hauled sewage
The facility does not accept RV waste

Stormwater

Stormwater is collected through residential storm sewers. All storm sewers empty out to nearby water bodies and do not go through our treatment facilities.

Help keep our environment clean - do not pour any contaminating substances down a storm sewer. This includes:

Grease and oils
Swimming pool water
Dye or coloured materials
Paint and paint by-products
Biomedical waste
Any type of fuel or mixed fuels
Sewage or reactive waste

Annual wastewater reports

Every year, the County submits a report to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks on our wastewater treatment plants and lagoons. To request a copy of an annual report, email website@haldimandcounty.ca.

Water/Wastewater Operations
53 Thorburn Street South
Cayuga, Ontario
Canada, N0A 1E0

Email Water/Wastewater Operations
Phone: 905-318-5932
After hours: 1-888-849-7345