Mandatory Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program and Source Water Protection
Source Water Protection
In 2006, the Provincial government enacted the Clean Water Act. Through this legislation, the Drinking Water Source Protection Program was founded. The program was part of the Province’s multi-barrier approach to ensure clean, safe and sustainable drinking water for all Ontario.
Source Water Protection Planning under the Act, required local Source Protection Committees, formed with municipal stakeholders, community partners, technical experts and the public, to develop a science-based strategy for the protection of our drinking water resources. These strategies were developed into Source Protection Plans. The main principle of the plan is to establish policies that would protect development, construction and uses within the vulnerable area of the source water.
In Kawartha Lakes, we have 15 municipal wellhead areas and 6 surface water intakes that are governed under the Trent Conservation Coalition Source Water Protection Plan and the South Georgian Lake Simcoe Source Protection Plan.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why a Mandatory Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program?
- The Clean Water Act, 2006 identified sewage systems as 1 of 21 potential significant threats to drinking water sources and as such we want to ensure adequate protection of our valuable water resources, such as our lakes, rivers, streams, and watersheds; and
- To protect the environment and to ensure a sustainable future for the next generation.
Where are Mandatory Sewage System Inspections required?
- Inspections are required to be completed for existing and future sewage systems located in vulnerable areas as identified in the Source Protection Plan around Municipal Well Heads and Surface Water Intake Zones;
- Wellhead Protection Zone is a defined vulnerable area around the municipal well; and
- Surface Water Intake Protection zones are the area on the water and land surrounding a municipal surface intake.
What are the steps in a Maintenance Inspection?
- Complete a search of records to locate documentation on the existing sewage system;
- Complete a homeowner questionnaire about the property and the sewage system maintenance;
- Complete an on-site visual assessment of the property and sewage system; and
- Provide an opportunity for questions and education.
What if a problem is found?
- A more invasive investigation will have to be performed to locate the issue; and
- It will be the responsibility of the homeowner to obtain the necessary permits/approvals to complete the upgrades and bring the sewage system into compliance.
Source Protection Notice (Section 59 Notice)
Construction projects that fall within a Wellhead or Surface Intake vulnerable area will require a Source Protection Notice from our Risk Management Official. The assessment through a Source Protection application will ensure that the proposed construction will not cause a threat to one of our drinking water sources. Information and applications are available through the Kawartha Region Conservation Authority.
Building Projects not requiring a Source Protection Notice:
- Decks
- Gazebo
- Pools
- Interior Renovations
- Septic (Completed with a City of Kawartha Lakes permit)
Mandatory Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program
The Mandatory Maintenance Sewage System Program is intended to support the Ontario Building Codes health & safety and environmental integrity objectives. The requirement for mandatory assessments was a result of recommendations brought forth from the Walkerton Inquiry and the objectives of The Clean Water Act.
The program requires the assessment of sewage systems on properties located immediately adjacent to the vulnerable zone of the Surface Water Intake area and properties located within the identified vulnerable area of a Municipal Wellhead.
Section 8.9 of the Ontario Building Code (Operation and Maintenance) requires that all on-site sewage systems be operated and maintained in accordance with the basis on which their construction was approved. Thus, the mandatory maintenance inspection program is geared to identify systems that aren't being properly maintained and to provide education to home owners to ensure that on-site sewage systems do not cause a public health threat or environmental concerns.
Mapping Link
Look for your property to determine if it falls within a mandatory inspection area using our interactive mapping tool.
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