Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program

The Township of Muskoka Lakes is committed to the protection of the health and integrity of the natural environment and the water quality of its lakes and rivers, which are all part of the Township’s most valuable resources. To ensure that environmental protection meets the highest standards, consideration is being given to updating the Township’s existing Sewage System Maintenance Re-inspection Program and we want your feedback!
Proposed Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Policy
The proposed policy outlines a risk level classification for all properties containing a private on-site sewage disposal system, as well as detailed procedural steps, responsibilities and definitions.
The Township of Muskoka Lakes is committed to the protection of the health and integrity of the natural environment and the water quality of its lakes and rivers, which are all part of the Township’s most valuable resources. To ensure that environmental protection meets the highest standards, consideration is being given to updating the Township’s existing Sewage System Maintenance Re-inspection Program and we want your feedback!
Proposed Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Policy
The proposed policy outlines a risk level classification for all properties containing a private on-site sewage disposal system, as well as detailed procedural steps, responsibilities and definitions.
Updated Property Standards By-law
Rather than proceed with a Discretionary Septic Re-inspection By-law under the Ontario Building Code, it is recommend that the Township’s Property Standards By-law be amended.
Current Program
The On-Site Sewage Re-Inspection Program was introduced some 20 years ago and has been a seasonal program since its inception. The program aims to first and foremost educate and inform property owners of the importance and requirements of on-site sewage system maintenance and operation. The program is administered by seasonal staff under the supervision of the Sewage Inspector, Deputy Chief Building Official (DCBO) and Chief Building Official (CBO). Each year nearly 500 properties are inspected by seasonal staff and where follow up is required this is either addressed by seasonal staff members or the Sewage Inspector. The program has primarily focused on the smaller lakes with history of water quality concerns (such as Blue Green Algae Blooms) but has included waterfront properties on the larger lakes as well. The current program also allows staff to request sewage system information from a qualified third party, where no records exist for the sewage system. The current program has identified systems with: minor maintenance issues, no records, potential failures, damaged system components, and system failures, and allowed staff to address these issues in a professional manner.
Updated Sewage System Maintenance Re-inspection Program
The updated program is proposed to encompass all properties in the Township of Muskoka Lakes that are serviced by private on-site sewage systems with a daily flow of 10,000L/day or less. While the goal of the program will be to inspect every private sewage system on every property in the Township of Muskoka Lakes, the initial focus of the program will be private sewage systems that are identified in accordance with the policy as being High Risk. Each sewage system will be classified by reviewing available documentation for each property and the type of system installed. The classification will be as per the scale below:
Risk Level | |
High | Sewage systems:
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Moderate | Sewage systems:
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Low | Sewage systems:
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Once the Risk Level has been confirmed, an Inspection Type and Frequency are assigned, as follows:
Risk Level | Type of Inspection | Frequency |
High | Phase II | every 5 years |
Moderate | Phase I | every 15 years |
Low | None | None |
Phase I Inspections
Where the risk level classification determines that a Phase I Inspection is required, this inspection will be undertaken by Township staff. Property owners will only be notified of the results of a Phase I Inspection if further information or action is required by the property owner.
Phase II Inspections
Where the risk level classification determines that a Phase II Inspection is required, this inspection will be undertaken by the property owner through a qualified Third Party Inspector. Upon completion of the Third-Party Inspection, the Phase II Inspection shall be submitted to the Township. Should the Third-Party Inspector find the system to be in good working order, a Certificate, Discretionary Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program as approved by MMAH shall be provided.
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Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program Review - Planning Committee March 17, 2022
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkTownship staff will be returning to Planning Committee on March 17, 2022 with the results of public feedback and direction to move forward.
A staff report will be attached to Planning Committee’s Agenda Package, which will be available for download here on Friday, March 11, 2022 by end of day. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom and a link to join the meeting will be included in Planning Committee’s Agenda Package.
If you wish to attend to speak to Planning Committee regarding this matter, please request to delegate by emailing Lauren Cochrane, Planning Assistant at LCochrane@muskokalakes.ca. If you wish to make a written submission in advance of the meeting, it can be emailed to Planning@muskokalakes.ca.
Follow Project
Who's Listening
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NS
Phone 7057653156 Email nsnyder@muskokalakes.ca
Timeline
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Draft Policy - Discretionary Sewage System Maintenance Inspection
Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program has finished this stageFall 2021
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Public Input
Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program has finished this stagePublic Input Closes - February 17, 2022
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Consideration of Adoption
Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program is currently at this stageWinter 2022
Collection of Information
All information including personal information received will be compiled and considered by staff for use under the purposes of this site. Personal Information will be collected and used in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and other relevant privacy legislation. All comments made on this site may form part of Township records and may be subject to information request under the Act.