Environment Approvals, Licences and Permits

When do I need an Air Quality Permit? You need an Air Quality Permit if your company operates any of the following: fuel burning equipment (utility and non-utility boilers), incinerators, industrial sources (e.g., asphalt plants), or used oil burners...

Do I need to register to be a beverage distributor? Any person who sells, by wholesale or other means, beverages in beverage containers to a retailer in the province must be registered as a beverage distributor. How do I register as beverage...

Do I need a permit to operate a Construction and Demolition Disposal Site? Yes, a permit is required. How do I obtain approval to operate a Construction and Demolition Disposal Site? Currently, there is a moratorium placed on the development of any...

What is an Excavation Pit? An excavation pit refers to any excavation in the ground made for the purpose of searching for, or removal of, earthen material. What do I need to operate an excavation pit? In order to operate an excavation pit, you must...

Do I need to register to generate hazardous waste? Yes. Generators of hazardous waste must register with the department as a hazardous waste generator. Waste material is considered hazardous if it contains a toxic substance listed in the...

What kinds of wells need a permit? The following types of wells require a Water Withdrawal Permit in order to use the well: high-capacity wells; low-capacity wells; or wells used to supply a central water supply system A low-capacity well supplies...

Are there regulatory requirements for wastewater discharges? Yes, there are several regulatory requirements for wastewater discharges, which vary depending upon the type of discharge. The discharge of wastewater can be categorized into planned and...

Mandatory Replacement Years for Home Heat Tanks (calculated from the year of manufacture) Steel Thickness Outlet/Connection Type Mandatory Replacement Year Non-metallic tanks Not applicable No mandatory replacement year Double-bottom metallic tank...

Do I need an Operator's Certificate to operate a water or wastewater facility? You do not need a certificate to operate a water/wastewater system. You do need a certificate to be designated an Operator in Direct Responsible Charge (DRC) of a facility...

Ozone depleting or regulated substances are used in many applications, including refrigeration, air conditioning, fire suppression, cleaning of electronics, and solvents. When these substances are released they enter the earth's atmosphere, are...

When do I need a Permit to Alter a Sand Dune? Anyone who wishes to conduct work on, or near, a sand dune (e.g., build a staircase or boardwalk, undertake shoreline stabilization, etc.) must obtain a Permit to Alter a Sand Dune. How can I get a Permit...

Prior to the construction or modifications of a central water or a wastewater system, a “Permit to Construct” is required from the Department. The permit will summarize the work the proponent is authorized to undertake and outline any special...

When do I need a permit to operate a used oil burner? You need a Permit to Operate a Used Oil Burner if your company operates a used oil burner. How can I obtain a Permit to Operate a Used Oil Burner? You must complete a Permit to Operate a Used Oil...

Companies that wish to apply a commercial class pesticide to client properties must have a pesticide application business licence. Pesticide application business licences are specific to the type of pesticides your business uses. They are available...

What do I need to install or alter a petroleum storage tank or storage tank system? You must hold a Level II Petroleum Storage Tank Contractor's License. You must complete, and forward to the department, an application form. Are there additional...

Agriculture is the largest contributor of any resource sector to the economy of Prince Edward Island. Rainfall patterns have changed in recent years and in some cases, some farmers are interested in irrigating crops to ensure yield and quality. One...

Do I need a permit to operate a recycling facility? Anyone who wishes to operate a recycling facility must first obtain a Recycling Facility Permit. How can I get a Permit to Operate a Recycling Facility? You must complete an Application to Operate a...

When do I need a permit to dispose of special waste? Some waste items require special disposal considerations to protect worker safety and reduce impacts to the environment. Upon request from companies or the general public, the Department issues...

Do I need a permit to withdraw surface water for irrigation? Yes. A Water Withdrawal Permit is needed to withdraw surface water (from a stream, river or wetland) when the rate of withdrawal is more than 25 m 3/day. Filling a water truck tank for...

Do I need to register to transport hazardous waste? Yes. Companies which transport hazardous waste outside of PEI must register with the Department as a carrier of hazardous material. The most common hazardous materials shipped out of Prince Edward...

The regulations require that all water and wastewater systems need to be registered with the Department and each system is assigned a unique registration number. This provides the department with important contact information to ensure system owners...

When do I need a Well Contractor’s or a Well Driller's License? Any person who undertakes in the drilling, construction or reconstruction of a water or geothermal well, needs a Well Driller's License. Holders of a Well Driller’s License must be...

Do I need a permit to drill a well? Depending upon the capacity, depth and the location of the well, a permit to drill a well may be required. A Well Permit is required if the well(s) are to be: located in one of the water well restricted areas (map)...

Wetlands are protected by provincial legislation and provide important benefits for people as well as fish and wildlife. A 15 meter no-development buffer zone applies to all wetlands in PEI. These buffer zones are essential for protecting the...