Owners of homes and businesses with septic systems may be impacted by the new Sewage System Maintenance program in BWG – but only if their septic beds lie with 100 metres of Lake Simcoe, or a stream or tributary of the Lake Simcoe drainage system.
Back in 2014, the province of Ontario introduced new requirements for the monitoring, inspection and maintenance of septic systems within the watershed, to strengthen the Lake Simcoe Protection Act.
The Town of BWG initially approved a program in 2016, but suspended any action in 2017, while it sought clarification from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
That clarification never came, but as the deadline of Jan. 1, 2021 approaches, Chief Building Official Willie Wong has asked council to move forward with the town’s plan for a mandatory maintenance and inspection program, to begin Sept. 4.
“It’s mandated by the provincial government. We have to do it,” Wong told Council on Sept. 3, admitting, “I’m a little bit nervous because we haven’t done anything.”
Fees were originally set at $250, but council had intended to reduce the cost to $150, subsidizing part of the fee from the town's reserves. That is no longer possible, said Wong, due to the depletion of the reserves as a result of slowing development.
Instead, he proposed keeping the fee at $250 – a $100 administrative fee that must be paid, and a $150 inspection fee, only paid if an inspection is required.
Properties located outside of the 100 metre buffer zone, or that have a certificate of compliance from a qualified designer, won’t have to pay the inspection fee, he said.
“Our fees are reasonable,” agreed Deputy Mayor James Leduc.
“It’s the province pushing this on us,” said Coun. Gary Lamb.
Initially, the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority identified 755 properties on septics in Bradford West Gwillimbury that would have to be inspected. However, the Town of BWG carried out its own review and found that the septic beds on some of those properties actually lie outside of the program boundaries.
Only 511 properties are affected and will be notified that they must book a sewage system inspection with the Town of BWG, or provide a certificate. Any septic system found to be malfunctioning will have to be repaired at the owner’s expense. Inspections are to be carried out every five years.
“People should actually have peace of mind when their septic system has been properly looked at,” said Coun. Mark Contois. “You’re doing your due diligence for the environment.”
