Septic Permits

Septic System Permits

The Building and Septic Division Sewage System Program administers the legislation under Part 8 of the Ontario Building Code affecting private sewage systems with a daily design sewage flow of 10,000 litres per day or less.  Sewage system permits are required for all private on-site sewage systems for new installations, replacement installations and additions and repairs.

Sewage system permits are not required for Class 1 systems, privies or portable toilets, however standards still apply.

Also, you may need to locate, upgrade or replace your private on-site sewage system as a result of your renovation or building proposal. Please contact the Building and Septic Division Lindsay office if you are unsure if a permit is required or for clarification of requirements at septicpermits@kawarthalakes.ca.

Large or Municipal systems (more than 10,000 litres per day) and sewage systems located off-lot are regulated by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.

A sewage system designer or installer will often complete the application process and obtain the permit on your behalf.  However, it is the property owner’s responsibility to comply with all Building Code requirements.

Septic Rehabilitation Loan Program

Sewage system permits are required for:

• A new sewage system (Class 2 Greywater System, Class 3 Cesspool, Class 4 Septic Tank and Leaching Field and Class 5 Holding Tank)
• A replacement sewage system to service an existing residence
• Replacement of any component of a sewage system

Sewage system reviews are required for:

• Any internal renovation that includes adding a bedroom, plumbing fixtures, or living space
• Any building addition that includes adding a bedroom, plumbing fixtures, living space, deck or veranda, carport, garage
• Any additional building proposed to be added onto the property such as a garage, shed, bunkie, boathouse – to determine the impact of these detached structures on the existing sewage system
• A proposal to change the use of the building such as residential to residential with a home occupation (e.g. Hair salon)

Sewage system permits are not required for:

• Construction of a Class 1 Sewage System (Portable Privy, Earth Pit Privy, Privy Vault). 

Note: A sewage system permit will only be issued once the Ontario Building Code compliance has been confirmed.

Note: Applications for a Sewage System Permit on vacant land will only be issued when a complete building permit application for the associated benefitting structure has been submitted and the lot grading and drainage plan has been approved.

A Sewage Inspector is available each morning from 8:30am to 10:30am for phone inquiries.

Call 705-324-9411 - North Area Inspector extension 2126 or South Area Inspector extension 1312 or email septicpermits@kawarthalakes.ca.

Applying for a Septic Permit

Sewage System Inspectors can only provide comments based on completed applications and plans. Once your complete application submission has been reviewed, the inspector will visit the property to inspect test holes and the site.  Following the site visit, the applicant will be issued a permit to construct the sewage system or a letter advising the reason(s) a permit could not be issued. 

No work shall commence until a Permit has been issued.

Once a Permit has been issued, there shall be no change to plans, specifications, documents or other information on which the permit was issued unless, written authorization has been obtained from the Sewage System Inspector.

It is the responsibility of the owner/applicant to arrange for the necessary inspections prior to backfilling.  

We are currently working toward having our application forms available on line, in the meantime, please email the septic team at septicpermits@kawarthalakes.ca to obtain the forms.

Sewage System Inspector Areas

Septic Do's and Don'ts

Do

• Connect all household plumbing to the septic tank
• Pump your tank routinely and have the pumper clean the effluent filter where applicable. Every three to five years is recommended
• Check the condition of both inlet and outlet baffles at the time of pumping
• Conserve water use in your house to reduce the amount of wastewater for treatment
• Only use the dishwasher or laundry machine when there is a full load, use low flow shower heads and taps. Fix all dripping taps and running water immediately
• Encourage a good cover of grass over the leaching bed. Good ventilation and adequate sunlight should be maintained
• Check with the sewage system inspector at the building department prior to any changes to your property such as additions, renovations, additional buildings or added bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. to ensure they will not impact the system
• Familiarize yourself with the location of your system and keep a reference diagram in a safe place. The City of Kawartha Lakes maintains the Sewage System records back to 1974
• Repair leaky plumbing fixtures
• Spread the number of loads of laundry throughout the week
• Divert surface water away from the leaching bed
• Test your well water regularly, at least three times a year, to check for bacteria indicators

Don’t

• Don’t allow roof drains to discharge to the septic tank or surface waters to drain towards the area of the leaching bed
• Don’t drive or park any vehicles over the septic tank or tile bed area including snowmobiles or ATV’s
• Don’t plant trees where the root system could gain access to the weeping lines
• Don’t discharge the backwash from any water treatment device (water softener, iron remover etc.) into a sewage disposal system, unless it has been property designed for it
• Don’t pave or construct on top of the septic tank or leaching bed
• Don’t flush anything into the septic system that does not break down naturally, pharmaceuticals (including products from chemo therapy), cigarette butts, sanitary products, paint thinners, hazardous chemicals or cleaners, grease, household garbage or food wastes
• Don’t enter the tank, the gases and lock of oxygen can be fatal
• Don’t allow livestock on the leaching bed
• Don’t drain hot tub and spa water to the septic system
• Don’t use a garbage disposal unit/garburator unless your system has been designed for it
• Don’t connect the leaching bed or greywater system to an agricultural field drain
• You do not need to add any special additive to enhance the performance of your tank or system. Normal regular use is all that is needed

Some tips to lower the stress on your septic system:

• Spread out the laundry and dishwasher loads over the entire week.  Wait until you have a full load to turn on the unit
• Take shorter showers
• Spread out showers and tubs throughout the week
• Limit the amount of disinfectants that go directly into the septic system 
• Use disinfecting wipes where possible and throw them in the trash
• Use as many septic friendly cleaning/disinfecting products as possible
• Only dispose of human waste and toilet paper into the toilet
• Do not put any of the following items in your toilet - disinfectant wipes, baby wipes, paper towels, facial tissues, etc.