Mandatory Inspection Program 

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

To view the inspection areas on our GIS map, please click the mapping link below and click the layers under Building and Planning Services.

GIS Mapping

Discretionary Inspection Program - SUSPENDED

The Discretionary Inspection Program was suspended by Council on February 6, 2023.

The Discretionary On-site Sewage System Maintenance Inspection program include all properties that utilize a sewage system and are within 100 m of all rivers, streams, lakes and ponds as identified in Schedule A.

To view the inspection areas on our GIS map, please click the mapping link below and click the layer under Building and Planning Services.

GIS Mapping

What is the difference between the Mandatory Septic Re-Inspection program and the Discretionary Septic Re-inspection program?

The Mandatory Septic Re-inspection program is required every five years under the Ontario Building Code for properties within 100 metres of the Lake Simcoe shoreline, within 100 metres of another body of water within the Lake Simcoe watershed or near a municipal well or surface water intake area. This program was established in 2011 and is required to protect Ontario’s drinking water and natural environment and support implementing the Clean Water Act, 2006 (CWA) and the Lake Simcoe Protection Act.

The Discretionary Sewage Re-Inspection program was established in 2019 by Bylaw 2019.73 to identify and resolve potential hazards associated with malfunctioning sewage systems. This program is required every five years for properties that utilize a sewage system and are within 100 metres of a lake, river, stream or pond as identified in Schedule “A.” The Discretionary Inspection Program was suspended by Council on February 6, 2023.

What is the fee?

The fee for both the On-Site Sewage Re-Inspection program is $150.00. Council set these fees as it 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 By-law 2023.29, the properties included in the program will have a $30.00 fee added to their final tax bill each year for a five-year cycle. 

What are the inspectors looking for?

During an inspection, the 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 (i.e. privy, grey water or 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 flows toward the sewage system 
• Trees or other vegetation has grown on the tile bed
• Location of the components of the septic system
• The number of septic systems.

What is the process for the On-Site Sewage Inspection program?

The On-site Sewage System program will occur on a 5-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.

What is the qualification of the inspector completing the Septic Re-inspection program, and why are they asking me questions? 

Why did the inspector ask me the location of our septic system? Shouldn’t the Township have this information?

My road is not identified as part of the Re-Inspection program, but I am within 100 metres of a lake or watercourse.

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

What is the process if my septic system has failed? 

If your system fails an inspection, those residents 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 complete.