CSA B65:12 (R2026)

Description

Preface This is the first edition of CSA B65, Installation code for decentralized wastewater systems. The development of this Code was made possible, in part, by the financial support of Advanced Drainage Systems Inc., Alberta Municipal Affairs, Alberta Onsite Wastewater Management Association, Alberta Wilbert Sales Ltd., Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Health Canada, Infiltrator Systems Inc., Manitoba Conservation, Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association, Pinnacle Environmental Technologies Inc., Premier Tech Aqua, and Waterloo Biofilter Systems Inc. Such support does not indicate endorsement of the contents of this Code. This Standard was prepared by Technical Committee on Decentralized Wastewater Systems, under the jurisdiction of the Strategic Steering Committee on Water Management Products, Materials, and Systems, and has been formally approval by the Technical Committee. This Standard has been developed in compliance with Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada. It has been published as a National Standard of Canada by CSA Group. Scope 1.1 1.1.1 This Code covers decentralized wastewater systems that use soil absorption systems for infiltration, dispersal, and final treatment of wastewater and serve residential, institutional, and commercial establishments. Note: In this Code, the term “system” refers to a decentralized wastewater system. 1.1.2 This Code also covers sewage holding tanks. Note: Holding tanks are not a self-sustaining method of on-site wastewater management because they rely on the availability of an adequate off-site wastewater treatment facility, which generally creates a load on municipal infrastructure. Owners of holding tanks also incur ongoing costs for the removal and hauling of wastewater to approved treatment facilities. The use of a holding tank system as the wastewater management solution for a property is subject to the requirements of the local authority having jurisdiction. 1.2 1.2.1 This Code does not cover (a) lagoons or surface discharge of effluent; and (b) wastewater generated by industrial processes. 1.2.2 This Code does not specify requirements for, or provide direction on, the selection of the type of system and required effluent quality that might be needed to manage cumulative impacts (a) on a multi-lot, subdivision, or watershed scale caused by multiple decentralized wastewater systems; or (b) where systems are located in a sensitive receiving environment. Note: The determination of treatment objectives, effluent quality, and system types required for a multi-lot subdivision should consider cumulative impact or loading limits. Loading limits required to prevent unacceptable impacts on groundwater or surface water, caused by the total wastewater generated from multi-lot subdivisions or where needed to protect a sensitive receiving environment, should be considered in the selection and use of decentralized wastewater treatment systems. 1.3 In CSA standards, “shall” is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; “should” is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and “may” is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (nonmandatory) to define their application.