"YOU ASKED" Can a homeowner install a septic sytem in Ontario and what is the application process?

Yes, only the property owner or a qualified installer may construct a sewage system. 

However, a building permit is required whether it is the property owner or a qualified installer doing the installation. A permit is required to construct, repair or demolish a sewage sytem. 

A permit is not required for a Class 1 System (incinerating toilet, self-contained portable toilet, and all forms of privy including a portable privy, an earth privy, a privy vault and a composting toilet system).  However, if a property owner wants to install a Class 1 System combined with a "grey water system" known as a Class 2 System - a permit must be applied for the grey water system.

You need to know the following to complete the permit application which is available online on the Township of Huron-Kinloss website http://www.huronkinloss.com/public_docs/documents/Building_Permit_2012_Part_8.pdf
or you can receive a hard copy at the Township Municipal office in Ripley, Ontario.

STEP 1

What are you going to build?  Hydraulic load for plumbing fixtures, floor area and the number of bedrooms are used to calculate the daily design sewage flows. Complete the "Design Calculations".

<sup>STEP 2

What is your site like and can it absorb sewage or will it require fill? A test hole to a depth of 1.5 m is required in the area of the leaching pit or the leaching bed. Stop digging if you encounter impermeable soils.
Complete the Property Soil Profile and Percolation Rate (T) description contained on the 2nd page of the "Design Calculations." If you have clay soils you may need to complete the Contact Area Calculation as well. This determines the amount of property to be filled for the leaching bed plus the mantle area.

STEP 3

You will then need to complete the calculation for A) the septic tank and B) the leaching bed or filter bed or C) the leaching pit or D) the holding tank.

STEP 4

After completing the design calculations you need to transfer the calculations to the "Design Layout" form and provide a sketch of the layout of the proposed system including a side profile if the system is elevated. Include information relating to your water supply and your neighbours water supply.

STEP 5
Complete the standard "Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish" under the Ontario Building Code. In addition, you will need to complete Schedules 1 & 2 if the designer and the installer are not the owner.

If you experience difficulty with the process you may wish to contact a sewage system installer who is qualified to design your system.

NOTE:

The Municipality only issues permits for sewage systems of less than 10, 000 litres of daily design sewage flow. Systems larger than 10, 000 litres are the responsibility of the Ministry of Environment.

The Inspector will need to carry out a preliminary site inspection with the property owner and/or the sewage system installer. At this point a Building Permit to Construct or Demolish a Sewage System will be issued if the proposal is in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit fee has been paid. Additional inspections will be carried out as the system installation progresses including verifying inground components such as the tank and leaching bed before and after it is backfilled with soil or sand. Once all of the inspection inspection conditions have been satisified then a final inspection report "Sewage System As Constructed" will be issued.</sup>  

WINTER AND

YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM

 

Your septic system can find winters chilly too. Septic systems are more likely to freeze up during extremely cold periods when there is little or no snow on the ground and several days of double digit minus temperatures.. Snow acts as a natural insulator. Depending on your system, location, and water use, you may never have a freezing problem. However, there are several steps that you can take as a first line of defense against system freezing.

 

 

The best way to prevent your system from freezing is to insulate it. Adding about a foot of mulch (either

grass clippings, straw, hay or leaves) or letting the grass grow long in the fall acts as a natural snow fence

and will catch snow over your system. If you want or need more insulation, snow can be piled on top of the

system, soil cover can be increased, or styrofoam sheets can be installed above the septic tank.

 

The four common locations where systems can freeze especially if they were not installed to the correct Building Code depths are the:

• pipe from house to tank
• septic tank and/or pump tank
• pipe to soil leaching bed
• leaching bed

The major causes of freezing are:

• pipes not properly drained when closing up for the winter
• low water use (away for extended periods or a leaking fixture)
• waterlogged system (leaching bed holding water)

The misconceptions on how to thaw your frozen septic system are (BUT SHOULD NOT BE):

• adding car antifreeze, salt or a septic additive into the sytem
• pumping sewage out of the tank onto the ground
• starting a fire over the system to attempt to thaw it out
• running water contiunually to try to unfreeze the system

If your system  is frozen, your first step is to call a qualified septic system installer or pumper!

 

 

 

 

FIGHTING THE EFFECTS OF SEPTIC SYSTEMS - Minden Times, June 6, 2013

Environmental engineering consultant Matthew Pearson speaks about the mandatory septic inspection program he helped to start during a forum on septic system hosted by the CHA on May 31.
CHAD INGRAM/MINDEN TIMES/QMI AGENCY

 

 

 

They are the No. 1 enemy of lake health in Haliburton County, slowly depleting oxygen levels, lowering fish populations and giving rise to the occurrence of algal blooms. The Coalition of Haliburton Property Owners' Associations hosted a forum on septic systems at the Community Room in Haliburton on May 31. Septic tanks damage ecosystems by dumping nutrients – most problematically phosphorous – into water bodies. While phosphorous is used in many products such as detergents and fertilizers, it's also found in high concentration in human waste. Nutrient levels combined with the effects of climate change are painting a dire picture of the future of lakes in the county. 
 
“What we have found over the past few years has scared the heck out of us,” said CHA president Paul MacInnes as he addressed a crowd of local politicians, municipal staffers and lake association reps. “We never had algal blooms until a couple of years ago.”  Algal blooms are large, floating masses of algae that ravenously suck oxygen from their host environments.  MacInnes said the average temperature of lakes in the county has risen by some one-and-half degrees.  An increase of one degree, he said, can impact fish populations by as much as 30 per cent.  “We're certainly not going to have the valuable, cold-water fish that we've had in the past.”  Perhaps most disturbing was the recent discovery of three dead zones in Lake Kashagawigamog.  A dead zone is an area with so little oxygen that nothing can survive.  “No creatures of any kind,” MacInnes said, emphasizing this didn't mean just fish and plants, but also daphnia – microscopic organisms essential to the filtering of lakes. “We don't know how many [dead zones] there are in Haliburton County.” 

The day's keynote speaker was Matthew Pearson, an environmental engineering consultant and principal at Goderich-based firm B.M. Ross and Associates Ltd.Pearson's company has developed a mandatory septic inspection program in Huron-Kinloss township in partnership with the municipal government.Huron-Kinloss is located in Bruce County along the shore of Lake Huron.

“We don't dig up your septic system . . . but we do look in your tank,” Pearson said, explaining the program hosts “septic socials,” where residents can come and watch the process, usually at the home of a community leader of some sort.  Community-based social marketing – including booklets, outreach, education and followup – has been key in the success of the program.  “To me, the inspection part is only a third of the whole program,” Pearson said, adding that all of the program's promotional tools feature images of the lake. “Everything we do connects it back to the lake.”

 

In the decade or so the program has existed, there have been 2,300 inspections, without any refusals.

“We haven't had to do that,” Pearson said. “We haven't had to make anybody play the game.”  Only recently was there a man who didn't want an inspection done, he added.  Pearson said there have been some complaints about the $55 fee.  The program, which Pearson said is continually evaluated, works on a eight-year cycle.

For the full article go to:  http://www.mindentimes.ca/2013/05/31/fighting-the-effects-of-septic-systems

Hidden Asset - tips on protecting your septic system investment - Aug. 2013 issue of The Rural Voice

The Huron-Kinloss Community Septic Inspection program is featured in this month's issue of The Rural Voice - the magazine of agricultural life.  The magazine has a circulation of 13,000 and is provided to as part of the Ontario Farm Association membership.  It is delivered across six counties (Huron, Perth, Oxford, Grey, Bruce and North Wellington).

If you are one of the remaining 15% - your septic system needs to be inspected

Letters have now been sent to every Township of Huron-Kinloss property owner who relies on a septic system to dispose of human sewage advising them of this mandatory inspection program.

• Septic systems include conventional systems, tertiary treatment systems, pit privies(outhouses), and pail privies.

• This is the 7^th year of an 8-year program delivered by B. M. Ross and Associates Limited, Goderich on behalf of the Township.

• To date approximately 85% of the approximately 2,900 septic systems in the Township have now been inspected.

• The last day to book an appointment in 2013 is October 31^st.

• If you have yet to book an inspection appointment please phone the Township at 519-395-3735 as we need to verify if your system is working properly.

• The majority of septic systems do not need to be replaced; most systems just require a pump-out and sometimes minor repairs such as replacing broken or missing baffles which can lead to a better operating septic system.

 

 

Ontario's Regulations Governing On-site Septic Systems

 

 

 

Buildings in the province of Ontario are covered by the Building Code Act, 1992. The 2006 Building Code came into effect on December 31, 2006 enacted by Ontario Regulation 350/06.

 

• Private sewage systems are regulated under Part 8 – Sewage Systems of the Ontario Building Code and are therefore defined as buildings.

• Part 8 governs the design, construction, operation and maintenance of various class of sewage systems located within properties. It addresses sewage systems up to 10000 liters capacity serving one lot

• Systems larger than 10,000 liters/day are regulated by the Ministry of the Environment under the Ontario Water Resources Act.

• For electronic copies of both the Building Code Act and the Ontario Building Code visit e-laws (www.e-laws.gov.on.ca)

Ontario Building Code:

Effective April 6th, 1998, the responsibilities of the on-site sewage systems with a total daily flow of less than 10,000 litres per day were legislated from the Ministry of the Environment to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Part 8 of the Ontario Building Code is a direct transfer of responsibilities from the Environmental Protection Act.

Building Code Commission:

The Building Code Commission (BCC) is an adjudicative tribunal, authorized under the Building Code Act. Its mandate is to resolve disputes concerning the sufficiency of compliance with the technical requirements of the Building Code, time period disputes for site inspections and time period disputes for processing permit applications. Parties to the BCC are typically builders, developers, architects, engineers, etc. as applicants and municipal plan reviewers, building inspectors, registered code agencies (RCAs) and health officials as respondents. http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page7394.aspx

Building Material Evaluation Commission:

The Building Materials Evaluation Commission (BMEC) is a regulatory agency authorized under the Building Code Act, 1992 (BCA). It has a mandate to conduct or authorize the examination of materials, systems and building designs for construction. When approving a material, system or building design, the BMEC may attach certain conditions for its use. The BMEC may also make recommendations to the Minister regarding changes to the BCA or Building Code. http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page8295.aspx

All in the Family - local Huron-Kinloss pumper hands over the keys to his nephew

The owners of Forster Septic Services have always prided themselves on being a family owned and run business. Since 1968 to 2013 the business went through two generations and the third generation in Justin Murray took over officially on July 1.

Ronald E. Forster and his wife Kathleen ran the septic service business throughout the Holyrood to Kincardine area starting in 1968 and Ronald did it for 26 years. It was his son Ross Forster who bought the business and took over things in 1986 and ran the business for 27 years himself. He said he enjoyed the job and did it on weekends and nights while also working 38 years at Bruce Power.

“I enjoyed pumping my whole life and I just want to give a thanks to all of my customers over the years,” said Forster. “I also thought it was important that the business stay in the family because it has had such a family history dating all of the way back when my father first started building septic tanks in 1950.”
Murray said he took on the business because he saw an opportunity that he just couldn't pass up. Murray who is currently employed at Wescast in Wingham and operates a 200 acre farm said his uncle Ross was happy to see the business stay in the family.

Forster and his nephew Murray also have quite a sense of humour about the septic service business as the truck cleverly has posted on the back. It reads “We're Number 1 in the Number 1 and 2 Business.” Murray said it's always good to stay positive and having a sense of humour helps with the enjoyment of the job.
Forster who was born and raised in Lucknow and who currently lives in Point Clark said he has fond memories of pumping tanks after school for his dad Ronald when he was young.

Murray said he is excited for the opportunity to own and operate Forster Septic Services and to keep it in the family for years to come. For more information about Forster Septic Services, call 519-395-5250 or email forsterseptic@gmail.com.


Justin Murray takes the keys to the truck from his uncle Ross Forster as he takes the Forster Septic Services business over from him. Forster ran the business for 27 years and before that Ross' father did for 26 years. Murray officially took the business over on July 1.

SOURCE:  By Garit Reid, Lucknow Sentinel

Monday, July 8, 2013 10:45:50 EDT AM

"YOU ASKED" Why do septic systems only last 25-30 years in Ontario?

    

The septic tank is full of anaerobic bacteria that consume (albeit slowly) the sewage and get carried out into the leaching bed. Here the dead anaerobic bacteria and remaining sewage collect and wait for aerobic bacteria to finish the decomposition process to water for proper disposal. 

    

For a system to operate properly it requires oxygen to penetrate the soil and feed the bacteria, which is the reason the Ontario Building Code OBC) states that “A leaching bed shall not be covered with any material having a hydraulic conductivity less then 0.01 m/day.” Ref 8.7.2.1.(2)

 

(The photo is of a failing, 20 year old septic system with 3 feet of cover, and even though the home owners pumped the tank regularly and took care of the system, it still failed because the bacteria couldn't breath). 

 

So if a system has been designed according to code, why did it fail? It could have failed due to one of the following reasons: 

 

• The soil became compacted over time from lawn rolling, lawn tractors, heavy rains, vehicles.
• Increased water use caused the leaching bed to become saturated and the aerobic bacteria died as a result of less oxygen being available in water. (water can only hold about 10ppm, air can hold >200,000ppm).
• The tank was pumped out infrequently which resulted in higher amounts of untreated sewage entering the bed, and again, the aerobic bacteria couldn’t keep up due to the limited amounts of oxygen penetrating the soil.
• Harsh chemicals were used which changed the pH of the tank and leaching bed causing the bacteria to die and accumulate even faster.

 

 

COTTAGE RENTERS GUIDE TO "YOUR" SEPTIC SYSTEM

If you rent your cottage or home and have a septic system we have produced a fact sheet that you can post in the kitchen or washroom to educate your renters about the basics of a septic system and the Do's & Dont's to protect your system.

The fact sheet has been laminated so it will stand up to wear & tear.

To obtain a copy:

Email:  speel@bmross.net

Call 519-524-2641 Ext. 245



 

2013

HURON-KINLOSS COMMUNITY SEPTIC INSPECTION PROGRAM IS UNDERWAY

The Township of Huron-Kinloss continues to take the lead in Ontario with its initiative to preserve the natural environment and improve water quality through the Community Septic Inspection (HK-CSI) program. The program was recognized with a "Success Story" award, presented at the State of the Lakes Ecosystem (SOLEC) Conference last fall.

The Huron-Kinloss Community Septic Inspection Program is a mandatory program administered by B.M. Ross and Associates Limited, and is currently in its seventh (7^th) year of operation. Over 85% of the Townships septic systems have now been inspected.

Every property in the Township with a septic system (including holding tanks, pit privies/outhouses) will be required to be inspected. The program which began in 2007 is carried out in different areas of the township each year with owners notified by mail. Property owners do not have to wait to receive a letter to book an appointment. Owners who have received a letter in the past and have put off their inspection are encouraged to book an appointment.

Inspection appointments can be made this year Monday-Thursday, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. Some evening and Saturday appointments are available.  Property owners are responsible for booking an inspection appointment by calling the Huron-Kinloss Township office at (519)395-3735, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

Effects of Bleach on a Septic System

Because the key to a functioning septic system is the bacteria that lives in your septic tank, an overload of harsh chemicals, such as bleach, could potentially kill off the bacteria in your tank and cause problems in your overall system. The bacteria in the tank provides an anaerobic (meaning that oxygen is not required) breakdown of solids in the tank.     

According to a recent research study (Gross), bacteria in a septic tank can be killed if there is an overabundance of toxic substances. Research showed that 1.85 gallons of liquid bleach, 5 gallons of a liquid cleaner or 11.3g of a drain cleaner in a standard 1,000-gallon septic tank can cause a bacteria “die-off.” The study noted other substances that were harmful to the tank bacteria including anti-bacterial soaps and cleaners.

A short-term use of household cleaners should not cause a permanent die-off of septic tank bacteria, but long-term use resulting in a bacteria die-off could result in greases, oils and solids being pushed out of the tank into the drain field. If these elements get into the drain field, it can result in blockages and ultimately a failed drain field system. Symptoms of a failed drain field include slow drainage and flushing of drains and toilets in the house, as well as standing water on the grass or soil over the drain field. A completely blocked drain field will cause a backup into the house.

Discontinuing the use of harsh cleaners and chemicals is the first step. Over time, bacteria will naturally begin to reproduce in the tank, and a live colony should become established. Although many over-the-counter additives are sold, these substances can actually lead to septic tank problems as the solids and “scum layer” in the tank are often broken down and then flushed into the drainage system, causing blockages.

GROWING VEGETABLES OVER A LEACHING BED IS NOT RECOMMENDED

Growing vegetables over a drainfield is not recommended.  There are several reasons why:

• septic systems receive household wastes from toilets, sinks, showers, dishwashers, washing machines and other indoor water uses
• the leaching bed part of the septic system most commonly consits of a series of parallel perforated pipes in the grund about 12 to 18 inces deep.  The pipes are set in gravel trences that allow treated effluent from the septic tank to seep into the ground.
• the leaching bed is the most expensive and the most potentially problematic part of your entire septic system
• vegetables need watering and excess water in the soil would reduce the leaching bed's ability to treat the wastewater
• the water does not go straight down, it diffuses out first
• during heavy rain, run-off, or snow melt water can actually go up, and rise in the soil
• while nutrietns may be beneficial for the plants to a degree, excess Nitrogen also poses problems for plants and all the bacteria in the soil may not be quite so beneficial
• the deep roots of some vegetable may damage the drainfield pipes
• bed preparation, such as roto-tilling or deep digging can also damage the drainfield pipes
• the soil over the leaching bed tends to settle over time and that allows roots access to it causign plugging of the field as weall as contamination of any foods grown there
• the leaching be perforated pipes are only buried 12-18 inches under the ground so digging or roto-tilling in your garden could damage the pipes