Program Description
The Northwestern Health Unit is legislated under the Ontario Building Code Act, S.O. 1992 through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to deliver the Part 8 Private Sewage Disposal Program. Part 8 refers to the section of the Building Code Act concerning sewage systems. Assigned responsibilities include:
- Issuing permits and performing inspections for sewage systems according to the Building Code Act. This responsibility includes permits for all private residences and commercial operations with a maximum daily flow rate of 10,000 litres per day or less.
- Inspecting newly severed lots and land development sites and providing information to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing on the suitability for sewage disposal/treatment.
- Performing inspections for consents, subdivisions, minor variances, and other zoning-related issues.
- Investigating complaints concerning malfunctioning sewage systems. Systems found to be in violation of legislation are corrected through the permit process.
- Conducting file searches and lot inspections as requested.
Permits Required for Sewage System Installations Permits are required for all sewage system installations and alterations with the exception of most Class 1 systems.
Options for Sewage Systems The options for systems are divided into classes as described in Part 8 of the Building Code Act. The options include the following:
CLASS 1 -- Privies (portable, pail and vault), composting toilets, incinerating toilets, chemical toilets, re-circulating toilets and self-contained portable toilets: A permit is not required for most of these systems with the exception of composting toilets that have an overflow drain of some sort. This drain must be connected to an approved class 3 cesspool. Class 1 systems are usually operated in conjunction with a class 2 greywater system which does, however, require a permit.
CLASS 2 - Greywater systems: These systems are intended for use with minimal plumbing. Typical plumbing includes a kitchen sink, a single bathroom sink and a shower or tub. A typical design consists of a mini-field layout with up to 9 metres of distribution piping. These systems are able to accept hot tub water.
CLASS 3 - Cesspools: These are used exclusively for composting toilet overflows or for the acceptance of the contents of a pail privy.
CLASS 4 - Septic systems: Conventional and new technology type systems are available for the full range of plumbing. New technology type systems include media based or air type systems. The size of the system is based on the daily design flow rate. New technology type systems have a smaller "surface" area than conventional septic systems and come with a maintenance agreement for long-term compliance monitoring.
CLASS 5 - Holding tank systems: Holding tanks are sometimes allowed where there is existing development, a malfunctioning system and no area to install a Class 4 system. These systems are very expensive to operate over time as all of the plumbing, including greywater, needs to be connected into the system.
Sewage System Permits and other services provided under the Private Sewage Disposal Program are subject to a
Fee Schedule.
Community Partners The Northwestern Health Unit works with the following community partners to carry out the responsibilities assigned to it under Part 8 of the Ontario
Building Code Act:
- The Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association Inc.
- Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
- Ministry of the Environment (Ontario).
- Area municipalities.