The Municipality issues permits and inspects all sewage systems with a daily design flow of less than 10,000 litres per day.
When is a Septic Permit Required?
A septic permit is required for new construction; replacement of 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 however, install and repair your own septic system, although you will still require a permit and inspections from the Building Department.
For further information, or to obtain a copy of the Septic Permit Application Worksheet, please contact Water Wastewater Services.
Preparation
The following is a guide when preparing drawings for submission for a septic permit.
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 1.5 meters (6 feet) from buildings
the bed area to be a minimum 5 meters (17 feet) from buildings
bed area to be a minimum 15 meters (50 feet) from a drilled well or a minimum 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 in advance that there may be a problem with an onsite system. Homeowners should be alert to the warning signs of a failing septic system.
These 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