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