Peterborough Public Health to Hold Virtual Meeting Over Proposed Sewage Systems Fee Changes
/Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is holding a virtual public meeting on Dec. 29 regarding proposed fee increases for administration and enforcement services of Sewage Systems (Part 8 of the Ontario Building Code) announced Monday.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Proposed Fee Changes for Sewage Systems services include:
Permit for Class 4 Sewage System, design capacity less than or equal to 4500 litres per day
Current fee – $750.00
Proposed fee Jan. 1, 2023 – $1000.00
Permit for Class 4 Sewage System, design capacity greater than 4500 litres per day and less than or equal to 10,000 litres per day
Current fee – $1,200.00
Proposed fee Jan. 1, 2023 – $1450.00
Permit for Class 5 Sewage System (Holding Tank)
Current fee – $750.00
Proposed fee Jan. 1, 2023 – $1000.00). The proposed fee schedule changes are expected to come into effect Jan. 1, 2023 and include increases to permit fees for Class 4 and Class 5 Sewage Systems. The virtual meeting is a public hearing as part of the legislation.
PPH reported a high number of malfunctioning and failing onsite sewage systems (septic systems) and is reminding residents that a sewage or septic system needs regular maintenance for optimal performance.
“Having your septic tank pumped every three to five years is one of the simplest ways to maintain your sewage system and prevent premature failure,” says Julie Ingram, manager of environmental health.
Signs of a failing septic system include:
sewage odour indoors or outdoors.
breakout of sewage on the ground.
ponding of water on the leaching bed.
lush vegetation growth in areas along pipes but dry/dead grass in between.
sewage backup into dwelling.
In addition to regularly pumping a septic tank, PPH recommends that homeowners follow the advice below to maintain a healthy, functioning septic system:
Distribute activities that use large amounts of water throughout the week. Avoid doing all of your laundry on one day and alternate days for laundry and running the dishwasher.
Avoid flushing grease down the drain; grease can clog the leaching bed and cause a system to prematurely fail.
Avoid automatic toilet bowl cleaners and drain ‘decloggers’, which continuously add harsh chemicals to sewage system, and may disrupt the microbiological balance of the system.
Use cleaners and disinfectants that are ‘septic friendly.’ For example, a mild bleach solution is an effective disinfectant and when used modestly and appropriately, is unlikely to harm a sewage system. Limit the use of Quaternary Ammonium disinfectants, as these are very hard on septic systems.
Do not flush disinfectant wipes or other sanitary products because they can lead to blockages within the system, and cause the system to fail.
If you are completing home renovations or construction projects, use caution. Do not wash solvents or paint down household drains as these products are exceptionally damaging to an onsite sewage system.
If you suspect your septic system is failing:
Contact a licensed onsite sewage system professional to examine the system.
Pump the septic tank as often as necessary to prevent sewage from ponding to the ground surface.
Contact the PPH office to speak with a Public Health Inspector in the Safe Sewage Program.
