Sewage System Mandatory Inspections

Source Water Protection

We conduct Ontario Building Code mandated sewage system inspections on properties located in the vulnerable zones around our municipal wells and surface water intakes. These inspections follow the health & safety‎ and environmental integrity objectives of the Ontario Building Code.

On This Page

• Source Water Protection Mapping

• Steps in the Mandatory Sewage System Inspection

• Frequently Asked Questions

• Source Protection Notice (Section 59 Notice)

What are the steps in the mandatory sewage system inspection?

Impacted property owners are notified in the spring that staff will be performing inspections in their area. These notices are delivered through email or doorknockers (info card hung on door handle) to each property. 

The Septic Inspection team review the available records to determine if the City has access to reports relating to your sewage system.

A Septic Inspector will visit each property and perform a visual inspection of the sewage system. Property owners will need to unearth the septic tank access lids prior to the inspection. Alternatively, the Building and Septic Division will accept a pump-out receipt dated within the previous 12 months, completed by a licensed sewage haulage company and which includes a visual assessment.

Property owners do not need to be at the property for the inspection to be completed. However, staff will need access to the property.

A notice is left at the property by the Septic Inspector outlining the results of the visit and any requirements for follow up. 

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. Inspection programs were introduced to ensure private on-site sewage systems are being maintained in a manner to protect our valuable water resources, such as our lakes, rivers, streams, and watersheds.

Where are Mandatory Sewage System Inspections required?

Inspections are required for sewage systems located in the vulnerable areas identified in the Source Protection Plans.  The Plans identify the affected properties around each Municipal Well Head and Surface Water Intake Zone.

• Wellhead Protection Zone is a defined vulnerable area around the municipal well.
• Surface Water Intake Protection Zones are the area on the water and land surrounding a municipal surface intake, such as a river, lake or stream.
  
  

What if a problem is found?

A more invasive investigation will have to be performed to locate the issue.  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.

How often are inspections done?

Septic inspections for sewage systems in a source water protection vulnerable area are conducted once every 5 years.

What if my sewage system is less than 5 years old?

Newly installed or replaced sewage systems within a protection area are added to the list of affected properties once the installation is completed.  Once the system is 5 years old you will be notified the next time your protection area is being inspected.

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 Installation completed with a City of Kawartha Lakes permit