Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program

The Township of Muskoka Lakes Building Department will hold a Public Information Session on May 21st, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to provide information about the upcoming Phase II Sewage System Maintenance Inspections scheduled to occur this summer in the north-east area of the municipality.

An initial letter was mailed in February, advising affected property owners about the upcoming sewage system inspections. This information session is for those who received a letter this year. The Township will be hosting information sessions each spring for those impacted that year.

The information session will begin with a presentation that will provide additional information about the program, including the purpose and process of the program, how to prepare for the inspection, what to expect during the inspection, and the documentation that will be provided following the inspection.

The session will be held as a hybrid meeting and guests may attend virtually via zoom or in person at the Municipal Office at 1 Bailey Street in Port Carling. The details to attend the event online can be found below. A recording of the session will be made available following the event. Capacity within Council Chambers is limited, and attendees will be admitted on a first-come basis.

Additional information regarding the Sewage System Maintenance Inspection program is available here: https://www.muskokalakes.ca/en/business/septic-inspection-program.aspx.

Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:

Please click this URL to join. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87253366708?pwd=aHMreHpuTlA1U0tPcEM4ZnhPdmJUQT09

Passcode: 064710

Or One tap mobile:

+13052241968,,87253366708#,,,,*064710# US

+13092053325,,87253366708#,,,,*064710# US

Or join by phone:

Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

US: +1 305 224 1968 or +1 309 205 3325 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 360 209 5623 or +1 386 347 5053 or +1 507 473 4847 or +1 564 217 2000 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 646 931 3860 or +1 669 444 9171 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 689 278 1000 or +1 719 359 4580 or +1 253 205 0468 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 301 715 8592

Webinar ID: 872 5336 6708

Passcode: 064710

International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcK326nS10

Request for Proposals (RFP) were received for the completion of private sewage system inspection services under the Township Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program as well as necessary updates to the Property Standards and Administrative Monetary Penalty System By-laws in order to facilitate its implementation and enforcement.

Following the December 13 Council meeting, the Township of Muskoka Lakes will be engaging Envision Consultants Ltd. to complete the Phase II inspections.

Those who are impacted by Phase II inspections should anticipate a letter in the coming months. More information will be available in early 2024.

The Sewage System Maintenance Re-inspection Program Policy (C-PS-04) was approved at the October 2022 Council Meeting. Additionally, there is an update to the Property Standards Bylaw planned in the coming months, and as such, the amendments related to the Sewage System Maintenance Re-inspection Program, will be incorporated at that time.

A business case has been prepared to present to Council during the 2023 Municipal Budget process for an Administration/Enforcement Officer position to manage the new Program. Moreover, an additional seasonal position will likely be presented as part of the 2024 budget process to increase the compliment of Phase I Inspectors.

Pending budget approval, once the Administration/Enforcement Officer has been on-boarded, staff will begin the RFP process for the Third Party Phase II Inspection provider and aim to have this in place, and be prepared to roll out the new program for the 2024 season. Those owners required to have an inspection completed will be receiving correspondence from the Township in due course.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Nick Snyder, Chief Building Official at nsnyder@muskokalakes.ca.

Township 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.