Know your Sewage System Classes: Class 1 - Privies

This is the first post in a series titled 'Know your Sewage System Classes' about the different classes of onsite sewage systems under the Ontario Building Code. This first post will summarize Class 1 septic systems.

(Source:  Grey Bruce Health Unit)

Class 1 septic systems are used exclusively to receive and dispose of human body wastes. The types of systems that are considered Class 1 are:

• Chemical toilets
• Recirculating toilets
• Incinerating toilets
• Self-contained portable toilet, and
• All forms of privy (pit, pail, composting toilet etc.,)

Under the Part 8 of the Ontario Building Code privies (including earth pit privies, vault or pail privies, and portable privies) are required to have an enclosed structure around them. The structure must be made of weatherproof material, have a solid floor, be easily sanitized, have a self-closing door, a covered seat that is supported by an enclosed bench or riser, one or more screened openings for ventilation, and a screened vent duct extending from the underside of the bench/riser to the roof above the structure. For earth pit privies, vault privies and pail privies, soil or leaching bed fill around the structure must be raised or mounded to a height of at least 150 mm above the ground. The bottom of the pit in a earth pit privy also must be at least 900 mm above the high water table, and the sides must be reinforced to prevent collapse.

(Source:   Grey Bruce Health Unit)

Additionally, there are minimum setbacks from wells, surface water and property lines for privies. Earth pit privies must be a minium of 15 m away from a well with a watertight casing that extends at least 6 m deep, 30 m from any other of type of well, 15 m from any surface water (such as a lake, pond or stream), and 3 m away from a property line.

The minimum setbacks for vault and pail privies are less than earth pit privies. These types of privies must be at least 10 m away from wells with a watertight casing extending at least 6 m deep, 15 m from any other type of well, 10 m from any surface water feature, and 3 m from a property line.

Next in our Know your Classes series: Class 2 - Grey water systems. 

HKCSI recognized as a "Success Story" by Canadian and American Great Lakes Researchers

The Township of Huron-Kinloss was recognized for exceptional performance and dedication to improving the Great Lakes at the 2011 State of the Lakes Ecosystem (SOLEC) Conference, held in Erie, Pennsylvania, October 26-28, 2011.

Mayor Mitch Towlan and Matt Pearson of B. M. Ross and Associates Limited (BMROSS) were present to receive a “Success Story” award for the Huron-Kinloss Community Septic Inspection (HK-CSI) Program from Marta Moszcsenska, Canadian Consul General and Kevin Johnson, U.S. Consul General.

The conference provides Canadian and US Great Lakes decision-makers and scientists with the opportunity to receive the most comprehensive, up-to-date information on the state of the Great Lakes. Since 1996, SOLEC has honoured various organizations who have exemplified a strong commitment to improving the environment within the Great Lakes basin.

The HK-CSI, which is a mandatory program administered by BMROSS, completed the 5th year of operation on October 31st. Since the program began in 2007, approximately 2,000 or 71% of properties have been inspected. Every property in the township of Huron- Kinloss with a septic system (including holding tanks, pit privies/outhouses) will be inspected on a rotating basis over a seven to eight year period. Each year different areas in the township are targeted for inspection.

L to R: Marta Moszczenska, Matt Pearson (BMROSS),
Mayor Mitch Twolan and Kevin Johnson 

Mayor Twolan stated “It was an honour to accept this award on behalf of Council and to be recognized for taking the initiative to preserve the natural environment and improve water quality through the Community Septic Inspection (HK-CSI) program.” Through education, the program encourages residents to act with the sustainability of the local ecosystem in mind, by performing regular septic system maintenance, conserving water, and minimizing the use of household chemicals. The program represents a long term commitment on the behalf of the Township to engage and encourage residents to work towards sustainability with the environment.