On-Site Sewage Reinspection Program

The Mandatory On-Site Sewage System Maintenance Inspection program includes all properties within 100 metres of the Lake Simcoe shoreline and watershed, and 100 metres from a municipal well or surface water intake zone.

To view the inspection areas on a GIS map, click the mapping link below and select the On-Site Sewage Reinspection Phase and Year layer under Building and Planning Services.

GIS Mapping

The fee set by Council for the On-Site Sewage Reinspection Program is $150. The fee takes into account the following:

• Administrative staff time organizing the program, researching each property, processing reports and following up with calls.
• Inspector time, which can take five to 20 minutes, in examining the system and taking an assessment of the property.
• Inspector travel time.
• Inspector vehicle time and use.
• Liability.

As outlined in Bylaw 2023.34, the properties included in the program will have a $30 fee added to their final tax bill each year for a five-year cycle. 

During an inspection, the Septic Inspector will look for signs of damage or system failure. The visual inspection of the property consists of the following:

• Type and number of buildings on the property
• Type of system being used (e.g. privy, grey water, leaching bed)
• Evidence of sewage effluent ponding, odour or unusually green or thick grass growing on or around the tile bed
• Surface water or groundwater flowing toward the sewage system 
• Trees or other vegetation growing on the tile bed
• Location of the components of the septic system
• The number of septic systems

The On-Site Sewage Reinspection Program occurs on a five-year cycle. Inspections will typically take place during the spring, summer, and fall months.

The inspection process is as follows:

1. A visual inspection will take place to examine the sewage system and surrounding areas.
2. A notice will be left at the door once inspection is complete.
3. The Township requires a pump out certificate completed by a certified septic hauler of your choice. It is your responsibility to ensure that the pump out certificate is submitted to the Township within the inspection year.

Septic Inspectors are under a company BCIN and are qualified to perform the visual inspection.

Inspectors are instructed to talk to homeowners to assess the property and get as much information as possible about the property to ensure that no information is missed.

Septic Inspectors are instructed to talk to homeowners in order to get as much information on the property and to ensure that no information is missing. In some files, the Township has little to no information regarding resident’s septic system. As a result, inspectors will ask questions to further verify field observations.

This program is an ongoing program that runs in a five-year cycle continuously. Missed areas will be re-examined to ensure that all properties are captured. If a street or a property is missed, the Township will be able to identify the missing area and add it to the list to be inspected.

Residents whose system fails an inspection will receive a letter from the Township outlining the deficiencies with a deadline on the remedial action. The Township will work with those homeowners to correct the issue as quickly as possible.

Further action will be taken if corrections are not completed.