Septic Systems

Septic system regulation changes have arrived!

For the first time ever regulations on a home that are retroactive not just for new homes, these driven by environmental concerns from the Walkerton enquiry. If you have or are looking at a home that has a septic system installed them inspections to confirm appropriate operation are coming and then will be every 5 years thereafter assuming enough inspectors can be trained.

Local water authorities/municipalities will have the authority to define areas as likely to affect drinking water supplies and mandate the need for operational inspections. These areas are still being defined between now and Jan 2011 but have already been defined specifically as Lake Simcoe watershed and tributaries with others at the discretion of affected authorities.

If the home has a septic system then it undoubtedly has water well also. When considering the offer to purchase ensure regular water testing has been performed and/or perform your own sampling ASAP following the offer through the local municipality for contamination to ensure your own health but also because the potential mortgage lender may have a "Potable water" clause in their approval process. AH & P can assist in this examination process and /or arrange more involved assistance.