Wells & Septic Systems

Wells:

Did you know that there is an Ontario Federation of Agriculture program that covers 67% of the cost to fix structural problems on existing rural and cottage wells, or 64 % of the cost to cap old wells that are no longer in use? Your claim must be submitted by this September and must be done by a well contractor licensed by the MoE. Two such contractors are listed on this website in "Businesses Serving Tiny" under "Water Wells Drilling & Service". If you have any questions after reading the links below, contact Don Stevenson, the OFA's Member Service Representative for Simcoe County at 705-722-5511 or e-mail him at ontariofed@bellnet.ca

Articles in The Tiny Cottager:

Issue 22 - Bored Wells
Issue 21 - Funds Available for well upgrades!

Useful links:
Ontario Federation of Agriculture -Rural Water Well Upgrading and Decommissioning Project
- Rural Well Upgrading and Decommissioning Projects application form (pdf)
- OFA Water Programs brochure(pdf)
- Rural Resident (non farm) Well Module Action Plan(pdf) - this is a Well Self Assessment exercise
- Spring Tune-up for your Drinking Water Well
- Well Water Testing - Common Questions and Answers[Simcoe County Health Unit)
- Water Disinfection Procedures[Simcoe County Health Unit]

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture & Food
- Private Water Well Owners - Dealing with Water Shortages
- Green Tips: Managing your water well in times of shortage(pdf)

Septic Systems:

- Get to know your Septic Tank[swopnet.com]
- Care and Feeding of your Septic Tank[swopnet.com]
- Brooklin Concrete - Guide to Septic and Holding Tanks[useful information]
(note Brooklin Concrete's products are not endorsed by the Federation)
- Care and Maintenance of a Rural Septic Tank[Ontario Government]
- Rules for Repair and/or replacing a septic system[Ontario Government]
- University of Waterloo Biofilter - information about a septic system developed at the University of Waterloo for sites where soil conditions are not suitable for a standard septic system

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION FOR A SEWAGE SYSTEM PERMIT

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE FOR ON-SITE SEPTIC SYSTEMS
(WARNING THESE FILES ARE OVER 150K EACH)
-PAGE ONE
-PAGE TWO

from Report on Council, June 11, 2001:

"HOLDING PROVISION APPLICATION AND PROCESS: Nick McDonald of The Planning Partnership and Bill Goodale and Rex Meadley of C.C. Tatham & Associates were on hand to present and answer questions about the proposed Holding Provision for 5,000 shore area properties currently zoned "Seasonal."

The intention of the Holding provision is to ensure that septic systems in the shore area are functioning properly. The full details about its imposition are in a report by The Planning Partnership available on the township website http://www.township.tiny.on.ca under "Holding Provision Application and Process."

There is to be a long grace period before the Holding provision is applied. During this period an owner may produce a "Use Permit/Certificate of Approval" for his property/system which is already in hand (or which C.C. Tatham & Associations may be asked to do a record search for at a fee of $30 plus GST). However:

If a Use Permit cannot be found, or changes to the lot or building have occurred since the permit was issued, or a property has an area of less than 10,000 square feet, or there is a dug well on the property, then an inspection is required ($75 plus GST).

If the septic system proves to be adequate, then the Holding provision would be lifted; if it is functioning adequately but is under sized or not set back adequately, then the Holding provision remains and no expansions or renovations will be allowed until the septic system is upgraded. If the system is not functioning properly, then an order may be issued that the system be brought up to current standards.

This Holding provision does not apply to properties which have converted from Seasonal Residential to Residential Conversion (the fee for this currently is $200.00 plus $168.45 for the engineering assessment by C.C. Tatham & Associates) nor does it apply to vacant lots."