A septic system is a private sewage treatment system. These systems are common in rural areas where there are no municipal sewage systems available for connection.
A septic system built to standards and maintained properly can enhance the value of your property, prevent costly replacement or repairs and prevent contamination of groundwater resources.
Check out Septic Smart! from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Septic Smart includes videos, online information, DVDs and checklist that can be obtained through Service Ontario
It is important to care for your septic system – you are the owner of this system and it is your responsibility to ensure it is functioning properly. The following tips can help to protect both your investment and the environment:
- Know where your tank and leaching bed are located and ensure your tank is pumped out every 3 to 5 years.
- Avoid putting grease, food, compost, wet naps, feminine hygiene products, etc. down the drain or toilet.
- Avoid parking vehicles on or driving over your tanks and leaching bed.
- Do not construct driveways, buildings, or pools on or near any part of the septic system.
- Be water smart by conserving and spreading out your water use.
- Avoid excessive use of anti-bacterial soaps, bleaches, and harsh cleansers.
- Do not put paints, solvents, or other toxic chemicals down the drain.
- Keep trees and shrubs away from the leaching bed.
For Septic Factsheets, visit www.wellingtonwater.ca
Systems obtain source water from streams, likes or groundwater (underground aquifers). This water is used to supply both private wells and municipal drinking water. To ensure that drinking water is as clean and safe as possible, it is important to prevent contamination at the source.
The goal of
Wellington Source Water Protection is to work together with residents, business owners and farmers within vulnerable source water areas to protect our drinking water sources and ensure our drinking water remains safe for everyone to consume. For more information, visit
www.wellingtonwater.ca
One potential source of contamination of source water is septic systems. All properties with septic systems located within highly vulnerable municipal well head protection areas or intake protection zones are required to have their septic systems inspected every five years. This is mandated under the Ontario Building Code, the Clean Water Act and the watershed based Source Protection Plan.
In 2015, Guelph/Eramosa implemented a mandatory septic inspection program with funding from the Province. For more information, please call 519-856-9596 ext. 114.