Metro Vancouver is proposing a bylaw to reduce and prevent spent grains, fruit and yeast from smaller fermentation operations from going down the drain.

The bylaw would apply to any business using yeast to produce alcoholic beverages and discharging up to 300m3 (300,000L) of wastewater into the sewer within 30 days, including brew pubs, cottage breweries, micro-breweries, vint-on-premises, wineries, distilleries and u-brews.

Ensuring waste from fermentation operations is managed responsiblyCurrently, spent grains, fruit and yeast from fermentation operations are entering and stressing the sewer system. The bylaw will require fermentation operations to remove solids from wastewater and monitor and control the pH of cleaning and sterilization water.

Metro Vancouver is supporting these operations to find practical and cost-effective solutions for managing this waste.

Supporting fermentation operations to comply with the bylaw Metro Vancouver is designing a bylaw that is easy to understand and reflects the unique conditions of these operations. The bylaw will be a set of standards these operations need to meet; it is being designed so there are multiple ways of achieving the standards, depending on the businesses’ unique situation.

The bylaw would be implemented in phases, giving these businesses time to adjust their operations to come into compliance. See the Proposed Implementation Timeline on pages 4-5.

An Implementation Guide is being developed to describe each bylaw requirement. The Metro Vancouver website will provide additional supporting resources and an Officer is available to answer any questions at 604-432-6200.

Metro Vancouver is working closely with stakeholder groups throughout bylaw development to ensure the requirements are fair, practical and achievable.

PROPOSED BYLAW FOR FERMENTATION OPERATIONS

May 2015

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Revised Fermentation Operations Bylaw RequirementsThis bylaw would apply to any business using yeast to produce alcoholic beverages and discharging up to 300m3 (300 000 L) of wastewater into the sewer within 30 days, including: brew pubs, cottage breweries, micro-breweries, vint-on-premises, wineries, distilleries and u-brews. Requirement 1: Remove solids

When coarse solids like spent grains and fruit, and fine solids suspended in water, like yeast, enter the sewer it stresses the system and costs money to maintain and repair.

This requirement will ensure both coarse and suspended solids are removed from wastewater.

Initial RequirementThe proposed bylaw would use the existing 600 mg/L limit for Total Suspended Solids (TSS) set out in the current Metro Vancouver Sewer Use Bylaw.

Updated Requirementa) The discharge of coarse spent grains or fruit pulp to

the sewer will be prohibited on the date the bylaw is enacted.

b) The maximum concentration of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) shall not exceed 1,200 mg/L

• All operations must comply with this limit no later than twelve (12) months after the proposed bylaw is enacted

Rationale for ChangesThe initial requirement did not specifically address the need to remove coarse solids from wastewater.

To manage the concentration of yeast in wastewater, we are proposing an increase in the maximum TSS limit since operations employing best practices for this sector usually have TSS concentrations between 600 to 800 mg/L. The 1,200 mg/L limit is achievable using best practices and/or adequate wastewater treatment.

Requirement 2: Install a monitoring point To ensure operators and regulatory staff have accurate knowledge of wastewater quality, they must be able to access wastewater for sampling purposes. A wastewater monitoring point must be located downstream of all treatment.

Initial RequirementA proper monitoring point, to monitor pH and TSS, is required to confirm compliance with the proposed requirements of this bylaw as well as the Sewer Use Bylaw. The monitoring point would provide access to the wastewater prior to mixing with the fermentation operation’s domestic waste.

Metro Vancouver is proposing that a suitable monitoring point would be a sampling point downstream of all process waste that is representative of the final discharge to the sewer.

Updated RequirementA suitable monitoring point that can be accessed during operating hours shall be installed no later than six (6) months after the adoption of this bylaw. A suitable monitoring point would be downstream of all process waste where the sampled wastewater is representative of the final discharge to the sewer.

Rationale for ChangesThe proposed change is to allow operators additional time to install a monitoring point if one is not already in place.

Requirement 3: Monitor and treat wastewater pH Cleaning and sterilizing activities for fermentation operations can impact the pH levels of wastewater which can damage pipes and can cause chemical imbalances that may be dangerous for workers in the sewer.

This requirement will ensure wastewater is tested regularly and adjusted to meet appropriate pH levels.

Initial RequirementMetro Vancouver is proposing that wastewater from cleaning and sterilizing activities be tested for pH and adjusted to meet the Sewer Use Bylaw requirement for pH between 5.5 and 10.5 prior to discharging to the sewer.

Updated RequirementEach operation is required to monitor and record the pH from the monitoring point at a minimum of once per day during cleaning and sterilizing activities. The pH level should be measured immediately onsite using a pH meter.

pH monitoring should begin once the monitoring point is installed, to determine whether the wastewater complies with the Sewer Use Bylaw range of 5.5 and 10.5.

Nine (9) months after bylaw enactment, all operations would be required to submit a pH Characterization Report using the form provided by Metro Vancouver, showing their daily pH results.

If the Characterization Report shows an operation is discharging wastewater with a pH outside the 5.5 and 10.5 range they will be required to submit a Compliance Plan to Metro Vancouver or City of Vancouver regulatory staff by twelve (12) months after bylaw enactment. The

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Fermentation Equipment

Treatment Equipment

Monitoring Point

Washrooms Sewer

Monitoring point to be provided downstream of all process wastewater

Requirement: Metro Vancouver enacts the bylaw 1 - 6 months 6 - 9 months 9 - 12 months 12 - 18 months After 18 months

1. Remove solids Discharge of coarse solids prohibited

Max. concentration of TSS must not exceed 1,200 mg/l by 12 months after bylaw enacted

Requirement is ongoing Requirement is ongoing

2. Install a monitoring pointSuitable monitoring point must be installed no later than 6 months after bylaw enacted

Requirement is ongoing Requirement is ongoing Requirement is ongoing Requirement is ongoing

3. Monitor and treat wastewater pH

Monitor wastewater pH at least once per day

At 9 months, all operators submit pH Characterization Report to MV

If pH is out of compliance, operator submits Compliance Plan by 12 months

Wastewater pH must be in compliance by 18 months after bylaw enacted

Requirement is ongoing

4. Keep records Record hl/month Record hl/month and daily pH testing dates, times and results Requirement is ongoing Requirement is ongoing Requirement is ongoing

5. Pay regulatory fees Fee will be invoiced within first 6 months after bylaw enacted Requirement is ongoing

6. Pay treatment feesFee will be invoiced within the first 6 months of each calendar year beginning in 2016

Requirement is ongoing

7. Off-spec product Obtain permission to discharge off-spec from regulatory staff Requirement is ongoing Requirement is ongoing Requirement is ongoing Requirement is ongoing Requirement is ongoing

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Proposed Implementation Timeline

Compliance Plan would detail the works and/or procedures the operator will undertake to treat the wastewater to fall within the pH range.

Wastewater pH levels for all operations must be in compliance eighteen (18) months after the adoption of the bylaw.

Rationale for ChangesThe proposed changes are to allow operators the time to monitor the pH of their wastewater and determine the treatment methods that best suit their operations.

Requirement 3, continued Requirement 4: Keep records Records are required so regulatory staff can confirm operators are complying with the bylaw when they inspect the facility. Records can also assist operators understand their wastewater quality over time.

Initial RequirementThe following processes would require record keeping to comply with the proposed bylaw:

• Method of removing solids

• Hectolitres (hl) of product being produced

• Treatment of kettle wastewater and kettle washwater

• Method of treatment to remove yeast residue

• Method of pH measurement

• Dates and results of pH testing

Metro Vancouver is proposing that the records be kept at the facility and available for inspection for a minimum two-year period.

Updated RequirementOperators would be required to keep the following records:

• Hectolitres (hl) of product being produced per calendar month

• Dates, times and results of pH testing

Operators would begin recording monthly hl of product as soon as the bylaw is enacted. Record keeping of daily pH testing must begin no later than six (6) months after bylaw enactment.

Metro Vancouver is proposing records be kept at the facility and available for inspection for a minimum two-year period.

Rationale for ChangesMetro Vancouver has streamlined the reporting requirements.

Requirement 5: Pay regulatory fees

Initial RequirementTo recover the costs to regulate fermentation operations under this bylaw, an annual administration fee of $200 is being proposed.

The regulatory fees will be invoiced within the first six (6) months after the enactment of the bylaw and annually thereafter.

Updated RequirementNo revisions

Rationale for ChangesThis fee is designed to recover the costs of inspection, sampling and analysis costs and is consistent with the direction Metro Vancouver is going with other sector-specific bylaws.

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Requirement 6: Pay treatment fees

Initial RequirementCost recovery for treatment will be based on estimates of the discharge volume and quality derived from the amount of product produced and industry discharge quality standards. The same method would be used for distilleries and wineries based on their production data and industry standards.

Updated RequirementAll fermentation operations would be required to pay an annual amount for treatment fees based on their annual production of product. The proposed annual fees are summarized in the fee table (see sidebard, at right).

Treatment fees will be invoiced within the first 6 months of each calendar year beginning in 2016.

Metro Vancouver will determine the appropriate fee category based on BC Liquor Distribution Branch records or an operator’s records if it is a new facility.

Rationale for ChangesThe fee structure has been simplified.

These charges are required to recover the costs of treating wastewater from fermentation operations. Fermentation operations are unique in their higher concentration of suspended solids despite onsite treatment. This is why it is necessary to charge a treatment fee. Any fermentation operation of any size pays treatment fees, either through a bylaw or a permit.

The significantly lower volume of wastewater produced annually by distilleries is reflected in the proposed fee.

Requirement 7: Authorized discharge of off‑spec product

Initial RequirementNone

Updated RequirementPrior to the discharge of off-spec product to sewer, the operator would be required to contact Metro Vancouver or City of Vancouver regulatory staff to authorize the discharge of this material to sewer.

Rationale for ChangesOff-spec product (bad batches) is very high in Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) which can negatively impact the region’s wastewater treatment plants. Regulatory staff will determine whether the discharge is appropriate and if there are specific requirements for discharging the off-spec product.

METRO VANCOUVER TREATMENT FEE TABLE

(Note: Municipal Sanitary Sewer Fees are not included in these fees)

BREWERIES & WINERIESProduction (hl) Annual Treatment Fees

0 – 500 $ 250

501 – 1000 $ 375

1001 – 1500 $ 625

1501 - 2000 $ 875

2001 - 2500 $ 1,125

2501 - 3000 $ 1,375

3001 - 3500 $ 1,625

> 3500 $ 2,000

DISTILLERIES

An annual $100 treatment fee would be charged to distilleries.

For operations with mixed production (e.g. brewery and distillery at one site), the treatment fees will be based on the product with the larger production in litres.

CONTACT US Metro Vancouver Information Centre: 604-432-6200 (Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm)

Website:For additional information on this project, or to sign up for project updates, please visit www.metrovancouver.org and search: “Fermentation Operations Bylaw.”

Email: icentre@metrovancouver.org (please include ”Fermentation Operations Bylaw” in the subject line)

Engaging with stakeholders throughout bylaw development and implementationMetro Vancouver and the City of Vancouver have been meeting face-to-face with brewers, distillers and vintners at their place of business to understand their operations and perspectives.

A stakeholder workshop was held in December 2014 with 30 brewers, distillers, vintners from across the region to present the proposed requirements and listen to their feedback. Metro Vancouver also conducted an online survey to obtain input from stakeholders unable to attend the workshop.

As a result of stakeholder feedback, Metro Vancouver has revised the initial requirements to ensure they are fair, practical and achievable while safeguarding the treatment system.

A second stakeholder workshop is taking place May 14, 2015 to present the revised requirements and receive final input before presenting the proposed bylaw to the Metro Vancouver Board for approval late 2015.

Metro Vancouver welcomes comments on the proposed requirements and is available to discuss the bylaw with stakeholders by phone: 604-432-6200 or by email: LWS-FermentationOperations@metrovancouver.org.

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