On-Site Sewage Systems are regulated by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent under the Ontario Building Code Act. The Municipality issues permits and inspects all sewage systems with a daily design flow of less than 10,000 litres per day.
A septic permit is required for new construction, existing system tank replacement and when lines are added or lengthened.
It is a requirement that on-site sewage systems be designed and installed by licensed professionals qualified by the Ministry of Municipal Housing & Affairs. You may install and repair your own septic system, though you will still require a permit and inspection from the Building Department.
Submit your completed worksheet, your signed and completed application and your site plan (details below), to ckbes@chatham-kent.ca. Please note, the largest we are able to print is 11" x 17" paper size. Larger drawings will need to be dropped off at Chatham Civic Centre or mailed.
For questions or more information regarding Septic Permits, please call 519-352-8401 x 3215, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 am.
Preparation
Use the following as a guide when preparing your drawings for a septic permit application.
Site Plan
The site plan should contain the following:
- The proposed septic location and dimensions
- The location of all existing or proposed buildings on the lot including swimming pools
- Access routes - roads, driveways, etc.
- The setbacks to lot lines and waterways
- Location of well
Code Requirements
The following are general code requirements for the design of an onsite sewage system:
- 3 meters (10 feet) from property lines
- tank to be a minimum of 1.5 meters (6 feet) from buildings
- the bed area to be a minimum of 5 meters (17 feet) from buildings
- bed area to be a minimum of 15 meters (50 feet) from a drilled well or a minimum of 30 meters (100 feet) from a dug well
The Sewage System Design Worksheet
Be sure to provide:
- Total number of Fixture Units
- Building Area
- Number of Bedrooms
- Daily Design Sanitary Sewage Flow (Q)
- Septic Tank Size
- Soil Type
- Percolation Rate (T time)
- Total Distribution Pipe Length
How will I know if I have a problem with my septic system?
There are signs you may have a problem with an onsite system. Warning signs of a failing septic system include:
- Test results of well water show the presence of bacteria
- The ground in the area is wet or soggy
- Grass grows greener or faster in the area
- Sewage odours in the house or yard
- Plumbing backups into the house
- Slowly draining sinks and toilets
- Gurgling sounds in the plumbing
