1. Wellington County Septic Social!
Katherine Rentsch, P.Eng. & Doug Joy, P.Eng.

2. Demonstration Site - Guelph

3. Topics for This Evening
Why are we here today?
What is an on-site system and how does it work
Operation and Maintenance
What is a Maintenance Inspection Program?
How will my system be inspected?
“Do’s & Don’ts” for on-site
Questions

4. Why are We Here Today
Municipality is delivering a “mandatory maintenance inspection program” mandated by provincial legislation (Clean Water Act & Ontario Building Code) and local watershed based Source Protection Plans
If you are in a designated well head protection area, your septic system must be inspected
Community approach to manage our wastewater in order to protect our drinking water sources

5. What is an On-Site System?
Commonly called a “septic system”
Includes all types of septic tank/treatment unit & leaching bed combinations
Capable of high levels of treatment under the right conditions
When working properly it protects public health and the environment
Program will also inspect holding tanks as well as outhouses and greywater systems

6. Can you see the highly effective wastewater treatment system?

7. How does it work?

8. Filtration and Treatment
Basic Septic System
PRODUCTION
DISPERSAL
PRETREATMENT
Evapotranspiration
Septic tank
Leaching bed
Soil absorption
WELL
Filtration and Treatment
Ground water
Streams, lakes

9. Scum storage
Primary treatment
Settling of solids
Sludge storage and anaerobic digestion

10. Effluent Filters Mandatory on all NEW installations as of Jan.1/07
Effluent filters must be installed and maintained according to manufacturer
Can improve tank performance and will protect bed by containing system upsets in the tank

12. On-Site System Capabilities
Septic tank/leaching bed systems can remove:
90% + BOD5
90% + TSS
99.99% + bacteria (measured as E. coli)
Highly dependent on proper installation, especially of leaching bed, and good operation/maintenance

13. Advanced Treatment Technologies
Some of you may have an “advanced treatment technology”
Ecoflo, Waterloo Biofilter, BioNest etc.
Treat wastewater to same degree as leaching bed but do it before it is introduced into the soil
Allows for a greater flexibility in placing a wastewater system on a property – usually a very small footprint

14. Building S. T. Building S.T.
Conventional Septic Tank/Leaching Bed System
Building
S. T.
System Incorporating an Advanced Treatment Unit
Building
S.T.
ATU

15. Operation & Maintenance
Who is responsible for O&M?
YOU ARE!
On-site systems are privately owned therefore the property owner is responsible for operation and maintenance and for response to failure
This approach doesn’t always work – everyone has different ideas
Poor communication & enforcement of O&M regulations

16. Cleaning the Effluent Filter

17. Operation & Maintenance
Things you must do:
Pump out your tank
Make sure the tank is not leaking
Make sure the effluent in the bed is not coming to the surface
RESPOND TO ANY PROBLEMS YOU OBSERVE!

18. What is a Maintenance Inspection Program?
A community approach to managing privately owned wastewater treatment systems
Goal is to protect our drinking water sources
Protect public health and the environment

19. What is a Maintenance Inspection Program?
A maintenance inspection program looks at whether or not systems are “safe”
Does not require systems to meet the current code requirements
Do not consider “old” systems inherently unsafe

20. How will my System be inspected?
Pre-arranged visit to your property
You will be expected to be there
You will be asked to expose the top of the tank before the inspector arrives – both openings!
There will be a non-intrusive inspection of the bed
Inspection will take about 30 – 45 minutes.

21. How will my System be inspected?
The inspector will ask you some questions about your home
How long have you lived here
How many people live in the home
Do you have a water treatment device?
Do you use a garburator?

22. Inspecting The Septic Tank
The inspector will take a look at the septic tank
Look at the water level in the tank
Look for signs that the tank is leaking
Look for baffles and effluent filter
Take a sludge sample
Look at the access to the tank

23. Effluent Filter Installed

24. Inspecting The Septic Tank
After the inspection of the tank you may be:
Required to pump out your tank based on the result of the sludge sample,
Asked to remove accessibility obstacles such as a deck or a structure,
Asked to repair things like baffles or tees,
Asked to provide a copy of the haulage agreement if you have a holding tank.
If you have a steel septic tank it will not pass the inspection.

25. Inspecting The Leaching Bed
The inspector will perform a visual inspection of the leaching bed
Look for signs of sewage breakout on the surface or the sides of the bed
Look for mushy or spongy ground.
Look for inappropriate vegetation growth – cattails, bulrushes, trees and bushes.

28. Inspecting The Leaching Bed
After the leaching bed inspection you may be:
Required to repair or replace if there is effluent on the surface of the ground
Asked to remove trees or bushes
Asked to divert surface water run off away from the leaching bed i.e. downspouts
Asked to provide a copy of the service agreement if you have an advanced treatment system

29. Experiences of other MIP’s
There have been numerous maintenance inspection programs initiated across the province
Focus is always to protect public health and the environment
Focus on “safe” systems, not system age or size

30. Experiences of other MIP’s
Overall experience is positive
Many minor problems identified
Very few total replacements required
Programs increased homeowner awareness and engagement

31. Do’s & Don’ts for On-site Systems
Check or pump tank regularly (3 – 5 years or as required)
Clean effluent filter as required (6 – 12 months)
Keep heavy objects and activity away from leaching bed
Divert roof drains/surface water from the leaching bed area
Conserve water
Keep accurate maps and records

32. Do’s & Don’ts for On-site Systems
Over landscape the bed – too much soil on the bed can suffocate it
Plant trees or pave over the leaching bed area
Avoid the use of garbage grinders
Put the pool/ice rink on the leaching bed
Put chemicals or other hazardous material down the drain

33. Final Words
The goal of the inspection program is to protect our water resources
Inspecting existing systems is a community approach to managing private systems
We can all work together to make our drinking water and environment safer

34. That’s All…….Any Questions?
Contact us: E:
T : x 54687