The background to and the rationale for the Guidelines for Municipal Type Wastewater Discharges in the Northwest Territories is discussed. Particu1ar attention is given to the development of Table 2.1, Effluent Quality of Municipal Wastewater Discharges, which was based upon expected lagoon performance. Also included is a discussion of the flow ratio and dilution ratio concepts. The viability of these concepts was assessed against the available data. It appears that the guidelines misjudged both the number of coliform bacteria in northern raw sewage and the removal efficiency for these organisms in lagoons. It appears unlikely that lagoons can consistently meet the guideline requirements. More information and research is necessary before a complete assessment can be performed.