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

Demonstration Site - Guelph

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

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

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

Can you see the highly effective wastewater treatment system?

How does it work?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cleaning the Effluent Filter

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!

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

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

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.

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?

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

Effluent Filter Installed

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

That’s All…….Any Questions? Contact us: E: krentsch@uoguelph.ca T : 519 824 4120 x 54687 www.orwc.uoguelph.ca