Exploring Successes, Challenges, and Lessons Learned with Municipal Re-inspection Programs for Residential On-site Wastewater Systems in Ontario
This research project explores successes, challenges, and lessons learned with municipal re-inspection programs for residential on-site wastewater systems (i.e. sewage system maintenance inspection programs)in Ontario. This research has been initiated by the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations, due to concerns brought forward by their membership of over 50,000 property owners regarding the state of their rural communities’ onsite wastewater systems. There is a need to share the knowledge about how septic maintenance programs and inspections are being done, why they’re done, whether the programs are seen to be effective (and the metrics used to evaluate efficacy), and how much these types of programs cost. To date, these programs have been delivered in an uneven manner across rural Ontario – leaving citizen groups, taxpayers, and municipal councils requiring more information.
The collaborative research team working on this project is made up of experts from the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations, Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association, Canadian Environmental Law Association, University of Guelph, and Memorial University of Newfoundland. This project has also received endorsement from the Rural Ontario Municipal Association, as well as funding from the Rural Policy Learning Commons.
Field research will consist of semi-structured interviews resulting in the creation of short case studies of at least five rural municipalities’ re-inspection programs for residential on-site wastewater systems. Additional research currently being conducted by project team members will also be relied upon in this study. These additional projects include: three Masters of Rural Planning and Development thesis projects related to on-site wastewater systems, a larger literature and policy scan of septic inspection practices in Canada and the United States, and case studies evaluating the efficacy of septic maintenance programs from the perspective of residential homeowners.
For more information or to provide comments/concerns on the project, please contact Sarah Minnes, Project Manager: sam880@usask.ca
Research Team
- Cameron Curran, MSc (Planning) Student, University of Guelph
- Anne Egan, President, Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association
- Brendan,Eidner, MSc (Planning) Student, University of Guelph
- John FitzGibbon, Professor, University of Guelph
- Liz Huff, Director, Rural Ontario Municipal Association
- Theresa McClenaghan, Executive Director and Counsel, Canadian Environmental Law Association
- Sarah Minnes, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Saskatchewan
- Terry Rees, Executive Director, Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations
- Hugh Simpson, Adjunct Professor, University of Guelph
- Taylor West , MSc (Planning) Student, University of Guelph
Case Studies on Municipal Re-inspection Programs for Residential On-site Wastewater Systems in Ontario
Final Report
Executive Summary
Infographic
Full Research Report
Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands
- CASE STUDY: Spotlight on the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands’ Sewage System Re-Inspection Program
- Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands’ webpage on Sewage System Re-inspection Program
- By-law to institute a septic re-inspection program in the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands
- A Guide to Operating & Maintaining Your Septic System
- Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit: Class 2 (Grey Water Pit) Maintenance Inspection Form
- Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit: Class 4 Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Form
- Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit: Class 5 (Holding Tank) Maintenance Inspection Form
- List of licensed sewage system installers in the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands area
- Kawartha Lakes Septic Rehabilitation Program Pre-Application
Municipality of Callander
- CASE STUDY: Spotlight on the Mandatory Maintenance Inspection Program Conducted in the Municipality of Callander
- North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority Mandatory Maintenance Inspection Program: Procedural Document
- North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority Mandatory Septic Inspections (2016-2020)
- Municipality of Callander’s Septic Tank Pump-out By-law
Township of Rideau Lakes
- CASE STUDY: Spotlight on the Township of Rideau Lakes’ Septic Re-inspection Program
- Rideau Lakes’ webpage on Septic Reinspection Program
- Sewage System Management Agreement between Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and Township of Rideau Lakes
- Mississippi Rideau Septic System Office
- Property owner information package
Township of Tiny
- CASE STUDY: Spotlight on the Township of Tiny’s Sewage System Re-inspection Program
- Township of Tiny’s webpage on Septic Re-inspection Program
- Township of Tiny’s By-law to implement the Township-wide Septic System Re-Inspection Program
Other Resources
- Cameron Curran’s Thesis: Compliance Management Framework for Private Onsite Wastewater System Reinspection Programs in the Lake Simcoe Watershed
- FOCA’s Septic Systems OVERVIEW
- Septic Do’s and Don’ts
- Septic Smart
- FOCA Waterfront property owners and rural economic development report
- Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association
Project Presentations and Media Attention