Septic Systems
The Mississippi Rideau Septic System Office (MRSSO) provides septic system approvals in Tay Valley Township on behalf of the Mississippi Valley and Rideau Valley Conservation Authorities.
Before building or renovating your home or cottage you must consult with the septic office to determine if a permit is required. Sewage system approval may be required prior to a building permit being issued.
- Application - Sewage System - Class 4 - 5
- Application - Change of Use or Renovation - Part 10-11
- Application - Tank Replacement - Class 4 - 5
- Application - Sewage System - Class 2
- Application - Effluent Filter
- Application - Compliance Alternative
- Form - Inspection Request
- Fee Schedule
- Septic Smart -- Understanding Your Home's Septic System
- Class 1 (Privy) Construction Guidelines
System Maintenance is Your Responsibility
Sewage systems require maintenance. As a property owner, it is your responsibility to have your septic system maintained and pumped out on a regular basis and ensure your septic bed/tiles are working. Studies have shown that routine pumping of a septic tank is necessary for proper performance and treatment of wastewater. Faulty systems may lead to costly repairs and the compromise of water quality and public health.
If you have not had your septic tank pumped out within the last 3 to 5 years, please act responsibly and hire a licensed septic waste hauler to pump out your tank. Routine pumping will provide you with peace of mind knowing that your septic tank is in good working order and capable of properly handling wastewater from your home.
Septic System Re-Inspection Program
Malfunctioning on-site sewage systems can have both human health and environmental impacts beyond the property on which it is located. Nutrient and bacteria-rich effluent can travel through soil and rock fractures to surface water bodies, and ground water sources. Contamination of surface water can cause excessive aquatic plant growth, depletion of oxygen in lakes, and impact the natural habitat for aquatic species. Ground water contamination can cause illness and even death. This makes it crucial that property owners be aware of the location and operation of their septic system. Under the Ontario Building Code it is the property owner's responsibility to ensure that their sewage system is working properly, not only for their health, but also that of the surrounding community and environment.
| Program Overview | ||||||||
| Tay Valley Township has led the way locally for the sewage system re-inspection program as well as other initiatives that work towards protecting the quality of surface and ground water. Since the sewage system re-inspection pilot program in 2000, the Township has now inspected over 1,800 waterfront properties. The program combines the education of the homeowner regarding the maintenance of their sewage system with an inspection component. A follow-up component is also essential to ensure that the program effectively manages identified sewage system problems. | ||||||||
| Program Expansion - 2023 | ||||||||
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Council is committed to proactively protecting the water quality of all its lakes and rivers. The health and safety of drinking water and the water quality of waterbodies in the Township face new threats from different sources. The province of Ontario adopted Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act in November 2022. This legislation removed the ability of municipalities to use Site Plan Control Agreements to protect the shoreline of lakes and rivers. Also, due to climate change, lakes and rivers have longer periods without ice and reach warmer temperatures in the summer. The warmer temperatures reduce water quality by speeding up the growth of algae. Therefore, to protect water quality, Council voted to expand the Septic System Re-Inspection Program to include properties on all lakes and rivers in the Township starting in the summer of this year, 2023. |
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| Mandatory | ||||||||
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The mandatory re-inspection program applies to all properties located on the following water bodies and in the following subdivision:
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| Annual Reports | ||||||||
| Frequently Asked Questions | ||||||||
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What does the inspection cost me? Nothing. The Township tax revenue pays for it. Can the Septic Inspector go in my house? No. What is inspected? Septic bed and level of sludge in tank, and parts of tank (baffles, partition wall, etc.). Ideally the owner will uncover the two tank lids but the inspector will do it for a fee. If you have been getting regular pump-outs the lids will be easily located. Can I be present? Yes. A letter will be mailed from the Mississippi Rideau Septic System Office in advance to schedule an appointment to visit the property. What if some of the system parts fail the inspection? On average 60% have no problems; 30% need remedial work (pump out, baffles, etc.). You would fix the problem at your expense. What if the whole system fails? Is there funding to assist with replacement of a failed system? Yes. You may qualify for the Renovate Lanark Program. You may also qualify for the Rideau Valley Clean Water Program Can I hire someone else to do the inspection instead of MRSSO? Yes. I don’t use the property that much, so isn’t that less of a problem? A septic system that is used less can have more problems. Bacteria levels can drop below those needed for adequate decomposition. A tank can even dry out. Then it cannot be pumped out. What if I have an outhouse and a ‘grey water’ system? They would be inspected. Doesn’t the person who pumps out my septic tank inspect it? They can tell you some things about its health. It does not, however, constitute a full inspection. For example, they do not check your weeping/leaching bed. Who ‘mandates’ mandatory inspections? Tay Valley Township under authority of the Ontario Building Code. Rideau Lakes has designated the whole Township including Hamlets as a mandatory inspection area. Central Frontenac also designated its lakes. When will my property be inspected? There would be a cycle of inspections. The priority would be systems older than 10 years or last inspected more than 10 years ago. So it will take 3-5 years to inspect all the systems. Then they would be re-inspected every 10 years. |