SANITARY AND STORMWATER SYSTEM ALTERATIONS THROUGH CLI-ECA
To request an alteration to the City of Kitchener’s (City) sanitary or stormwater system, follow the process outlined below and complete the applications.
On this page:
- About the CLI‑ECA Process
- When a CLI‑ECA Alteration Is Required
- When a CLI‑ECA Alteration Is Not Required
- CLI ECA Approval Workflow Overview
- Pre-consultation for CLI-ECA approvals
- Application Requirements
- Guidelines for Application and Document Submission
- Review Timelines
- Resources
1 About the CLI-ECA Process
The municipal Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approval (CLI ECA) is issued by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) to the municipalities under the Environmental Protection Act to fulfill the requirements in Section 53 of the Ontario Water Resources Act. It streamlines the process by replacing the multiple pipe-by-pipe ECAs that were previously required for individual components of municipal sewage collection and stormwater management systems.
These CLI ECAs cover most alterations that meet the preauthorized MECP requirements for the municipal sewage collection system and stormwater management system that will be assumed or owned and operated by the City of Kitchener.
The following two (2) ECAs are issued by the MECP to the City of Kitchener:
- City of Kitchener Sanitary (Sewage) Collection System ECA
The Sewage Collection System covers all connected sewage collection works within the City and owned and/or operated by the City including pumping stations and pipes.
- City of Kitchener Stormwater Management System ECA
The Stormwater Management System covers all connected stormwater management works within the City and owned and/or operated by the City of Kitchener, including pipes, stormwater management facilities, and Low Impact Development (LID) infrastructure.
The design, construction, and operation & maintenance of the municipal sewage collection system and stormwater management system must verify that they:
- Are built following MECP design criteria
- Meet the requirements as defined in the CLI ECA
- Satisfy applicable provincial and municipal conditions
Depending on the project, it may still be necessary to apply for an individual ECA from the MECP or submit an application for a CLI ECA alteration with the Region of Waterloo.
The CLI‑ECA application process is completed in two stages by the City
Stage 1- Design Review (Part-4 Signoff)
Stage 1 confirms that the proposed design meets all requirements of the City’s CLI ECA and the MECP’s design criteria before any construction begins. Part 4 sign‑off is the City’s formal confirmation—issued prior to construction—that the design submission is complete, compliant, and acceptable for construction under the applicable CLI ECA.
Stage 2-Inspection and Testing Compliance (Part 5 Signoff)
Stage 2 confirms that the constructed infrastructure has been built in accordance with the approved design and specifications and performs as intended. Part 5 sign‑off is the City’s formal confirmation—issued after inspection, testing, and documentation review—that the completed works meet requirements and are acceptable for operation under the City’s CLI ECA and other City requirements.
2 When a CLI‑ECA Alteration Is Required
Request CLI ECA alterations application, when the project involves changes to City‑owned sanitary or stormwater infrastructure, including:
- Changing, replacing or extending sanitary sewers and storm sewers, including extensions into new residential developments
- Changes that are on the City-owned property that includes parks and community centres serving a single parcel of land
- Adding new sewage pumping stations or changing existing sewage pumping stations
- Adding new stormwater management facilities or changing existing facilities (examples: wet pond, infiltration basins, engineered wetlands, oil grit separators)
- Adding new or changing existing equipment with emissions to air (examples: emergency power generators or venting for odour control) related to sanitary and storm sewers, sewage pumping stations and/or stormwater management facilities
For questions about whether the project will need CLI ECA alteration, send an email.
3 When a CLI‑ECA Alteration Is Not Required
A CLI ECA alteration is not required for:
- Privately owned sewage works
- Lateral sanitary or storm connections
- Maintenance hole or catch basin installation as part of lateral connections
- Alterations on industrial, institutional, or commercial lands involving private infrastructure
For these projects, it may still be necessary to obtain an individual ECA from the MECP.
4 CLI ECA Approval Workflow Overview
Please review this workflow diagram for a process overview.
5 Pre-consultation for CLI-ECA approvals
Applicants may request a pre‑consultation meeting by email if they require clarification on CLI‑ECA requirements
For land use planning and development projects, staff can be made available during the pre-submission consultation to discuss the requirements of sanitary and stormwater system alteration applications upon request via email.
The pre-submission consultation is needed for
- Full Site Plan applications
- Some Stamp Plan A applications
- Plan of Subdivision applications
6 Application Requirements
Stage 1- Design Stage (Part-4 Signoff)
Include the following information in the application:
- Completed checklist
- Cover letter
- Completed MECP forms
- Application fee
- Supporting documents
Completed checklist
Cover letter
Cover letter must include the following requirements at a minimum:
- Applicant information (legal name and address)
- Agent or consultant information (name, title, and address)
- Project Information and description (subdivision number, plan number, project name, municipal address, facility ID number, etc.)
- City of Kitchener planning and/or engineering contact information
- Identify and list the documents included in the submission
Completed MECP forms
Select the items below to view the MECP forms required for the application.
Electronic signatures are accepted and preferred.
