What you need to know: Owning an Advanced Sewage Treatment Unit

What is an Advanced Sewage Treatment Units: a form of sewage treatment that provides secondary or tertiary effluent (sanitary sewage) treatment before it is directed to the leaching bed.

What is the Property Owner’s responsibility for the maintenance of a treatment unit?

1.   Inspection Documentation and Maintenance Contract

                       i.       Obtain a copy of the annual maintenance inspection report completed by a manufacturer trained provider and proof of service manufacturer training

                      ii.       If a maintenance contract is no longer valid, it is the responsibility of the property owner to renew/renegotiate a contract. A property owner without a current contract or proof of regular servicing is in violation under the Ontario Building Code (8.9.2.3), as it states:

“No person shall operate a treatment unit other than a septic system, unless the person has entered into an agreement whereby servicing and maintenance of the treatment unit and its related components will be carried out by a person who:

(b) Is authorized by the manufacturer to service and maintain that type of treatment unit”

2.   If the property ownership changes, the current owner is obligated to disclose existing contracts and advise the service provider of the new owner’s contact information.

What is the Service Provider’s responsibility for the maintenance of a treatment unit?

1.   Conduct maintenance inspections on the treatment unit in accordance with the guidelines suggested by the manufacturer. Sampling of treatment units as per Section 8.9.2.4 (2) of the Building Code must be completed:

                       i.       Once during the first 12 months after the sewage system was put into use

                      ii.       Thereafter, once during every 12 month period, at least 10 months and not more than 18 months after the previous sampling has been completed.

2.   To provide sufficient notice to property owner that contract is approaching expiry and make necessary arrangements for renewal in a timely fashion.

3.   Reflect any changes on the contract which may affect adequate servicing as per contract.

4.   Indicate on the contract if property owner account is in good standing or suspended during life cycle of the agreement.

What if my service agreement was not renewed and is expired?

Without a current contract or proof of regular servicing, the property owner would be in violation of the Ontario Building Code (8.9.2.3), which stipulates that:

“No person shall operate a treatment unit other than a septic system, unless the person has entered into an agreement whereby servicing and maintenance of the treatment unit and its related components will be carried out by a person who:

(b) Is authorized by the manufacturer to service and maintain that type of treatment unit.” 

Failure to have a valid & current contract will result in an Order to Comply issued by the Township C.B.O. If the property owner takes no action, this will result in a summons to court under section 36 of the Building Code Act, 1992.

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REGULATIONS FOR ADVANCED SEWAGE TREATMENT UNITS

Ontario Building Code

Ontario Building Code (8.6.2.2.(6))

Every manufacturer or distributor of a treatment unit shall provide, for each model sold, printed literature that describes the unit in detail and provides complete instructions regarding the operation, servicing, and maintenance requirements of the unit and its related components necessary to ensure the continued proper operation in accordance with the original design and specifications.

Ontario Building Code (8.9.2.3 (2))

No person shall operate a treatment unit other than a septic tank unless the person has entered into an agreement whereby servicing and maintenance of the treatment unit and its related components will be carried out by a person who (b) is authorized by the manufacturer to service and maintain that type of treatment unit.

Ontario Building Code (8.9.2.3 (3))

The person authorized by the manufacturer to service and maintain the treatment unit and who has entered into the agreement referred to in sentence (2) with the person operating the treatment unit (Property Owner) shall notify the chief building official if,

(a) the agreement is terminated, or

(b) access for service and maintenance of the treatment unit is denied by the person operating  (Property Owner) the treatment unit.

If the above regulations are not adhered to, the Advanced Sewage Treatment Unit no longer conforms to requirements of the Ontario Building Code.