Septic bed.

Sewage and Septic Systems

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COVID-19 and your septic system

While many of us are currently spending more time at home, septic systems are receiving more waste water each day than usual.

Follow these tips to help reduce the stress on your septic system:

Conserve water and try to spread water use over the course of the week, especially laundry.
Do NOT put food, compost or grease down your drains.
Avoid excessive use of bleaches and harsh cleaning products.
Consider having the septic tank pumped if it has not been done in the last three to five years. This will increase the space available in the tank for the sewage coming in.
Clean the effluent filter in the tank (these will be in newer tanks only).
Holding tanks will need more frequent pumping. PLAN AHEAD and set up pumping appointments before the tank is full.
Make an appointment for an annual maintenance inspection if you have a treatment unit.
Check for leaking plumbing inside the house.
Do NOT put backwash waste from a water softener into the septic system.

Spring is also a good time to inspect the sewage system and make changes on your property that will help prolong the life of your sewage system.

Inspect septic tank lids for signs of cracks or evidence of sewage leaking out.
Make sure that surface water from gutters and sump pumps is directed away from the septic tank and leaching bed area.
Check for signs of malfunction (e.g. grass over the leaching bed is unusually spongy, sewage odour in the yard, surface ponding of sewage and/or algae growth around the septic tank or leaching bed).
Do NOT plant shrubs or trees in the area of the leaching bed.
Do NOT drain hot tub or pool waste water to the septic system or on the ground in the area of the septic system.

Building permits, building addition applications and COVID-19

Building permit and building addition applications continue to be accepted and reviewed. Permit applications can be obtained and dropped off at the following locations:

Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

101 Consumers Drive, Whitby (east entrance)

Public health inspectors are available by phone should you have questions about sewage systems, the permit application process or your specific application.

Please note that all residents picking up or dropping off permit applications must be screened and pass in order to submit a permit application in person. For questions please contact the Durham Health Connection line at (905) 668-2020 (choose option “3”).

Durham Region Health Department is responsible for approving the design and building of private septic systems in Durham Region. The City of Oshawa is an exception.

Applications

You need to fill out an application to get a permit for a septic system. The application can be used to get a permit for:

A new septic system
Septic tank replacement
Repair of an old or malfunctioning septic system

Property Roll Numbers must be filled out on all applications.

Complete both the Permit to Construct or Repair form and schedule A

Additional resources

Fee schedule (fees increase on April 1 each year)
Lot diagram

Building additions

Use the Building Addition application form when a building department asks for our comments. You might need this if you are building an addition and your property has a septic system.

Property Roll Numbers must be filled out on all applications.

Additional resources

How to locate your private sewage disposal system
Fee schedule (fees increase on April 1 each year)
Lot diagram

Septic system records

Our Health Protection Division holds the septic system records. You can access these records for free if you own the property.

Note:

We do not have records prior 1974.
We only have records for properties that we have received an application for.
Only the current property owner can see the septic record. The owner must provide ID and proof of ownership to see the records.
Contact the Health Protection Division to ask about what type of proof of ownership they accept.

Give us as much information as you can for the property. This will help us find a record if we have one.

This could include:

Legal description of the property.
The owner at the time the septic system was installed.
The year the system was installed.

Types of sewage systems

There are five different kinds of sewage systems.

Septic tank and leaching bed (most common)

They are Class 4 systems under the Ontario Building Code (OBC).
They require a permit from the Health Department.
The size of the sewage system is based on the soil conditions of the property and the Total Daily Design Flow (Q) from the home. Q represents the size of the house, number of bedrooms and plumbing fixtures.
It is not affected by the number of people living in the house.
Septic tanks will remove solids and treat the sewage before it goes to a leaching bed. The bed spreads the liquid into the soil.
There are many types of leaching beds. A qualified sewage system designer or installer can help you to decide which leaching bed will work best for you. The types include:
- A trench system
- Filter bed
- Type A dispersal bed
Level four treatment units can be used to treat the sewage more than a septic tank can. This may reduce the size of the leaching bed portion of the septic system.
See the SepticSmart for Advanced Treatment Systems booklet for more information on these types of units.

Other resources

Holding tank

They are Class 5 sewage system under the Ontario Building Code (OBC).
The tank must be pumped on a regular basis.
They require a permit from the Health Department.

Only approved for use:

If they are used as a temporary operation of less than one year (not seasonal recreational use).
To fix or upgrade a sewage system when a Class 4 cannot fit.
If they are temporarily used until municipal sewers are available.
The municipality must make sure that approved sewage hauling continues during this time.

Greywater Pit

They are a Class 2 sewage system in the Ontario Building Code (OBC).
Only for sinks, laundry and shower waste use. No toilet waste can go into this system.
They require a permit from the Health Department.

Privies (Outhouses, portable toilets)

They are a Class 1 sewage system in the Ontario Building Code (OBC).
For human body waste only (blackwater).
A permit is not required but you must follow the rules in the OBC.

Cesspool

They are a Class 3 sewage system in the Ontario Building Code (OBC).
For human body waste only (blackwater)
Has a very short life span and is not recommended
Requires a permit from the Health Department

Maintenance Inspection Program (Lake Simcoe)

Durham Region Health Department has been contracted by the Township of Brock and the Township of Uxbridge to conduct their Maintenance Inspection Program for the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan. These inspections are being conducted to help ensure the proper operation and maintenance of sewage systems.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my property included in this program?

Your property has a private on-site sewage system and is within 100 metres of Lake Simcoe or other lakes, ponds, rivers or streams in the Lake Simcoe watershed and your private on-site sewage system was installed before January 1, 2016.

Who do I contact if I do not think my property should be included in the program?

Your township office determines which properties are to be inspected and provides the Health Department with that information. Any questions or concerns about your property being included in the program must be addressed by the Townships.

What is the fee? How do I pay the fee?

All questions about the inspection fees are addressed by the township office where your property is located. The Health Department is not involved in the fees.

Why do I need a site plan?

A site plan is required because the inspector needs to know the location of all parts of the private on-site sewage system and the well on the property to conduct an inspection.

How do I locate my sewage system?

How to locate your private sewage disposal system

What does the inspection include?

It is a visual inspection of the ground surface. No part of the private on-site sewage system will have to be dug up and we do not need to enter your home. The inspector may require a second inspection if there are any signs that the private on-site sewage system is not working properly.

What are signs that the private on-site sewage system is not working properly?

Wet spots, depressions or soggy ground area on the leaching bed
Sewage odours present in the area of the septic tank and/or leaching bed

When will the inspection take place?

Inspections will be done between late May and the end of August and only during the Health Department’s regular business hours which are Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.

Do I need to be present for the inspection?

No, it is not necessary for you to be present for the inspection.

How do I know if my property has been inspected and the result of the inspection?

Property owners will be sent a letter telling them if their system satisfactory or is not working properly.

What happens if my private on-site sewage system is determined to be not working properly (unsafe)?

A public health inspector may issue an Order to Comply under the Ontario Building Code if it is determined that the private on-site sewage system is not working properly. The property owner is responsible for making sure that the proper steps are taken to ensure their private on-site sewage system is working properly. This includes getting the correct permits and covering the costs.

Where can I find more information about the Maintenance Inspection Program?

The package sent by mail contains background information that outlines the program and contains details about the inspection process.

For further information contact us at 1-866-845-1868 ext. 4939.

Helpful resources

Sewage and Septic Systems

COVID-19 and your septic system

Building permits, building addition applications and COVID-19

Additional resources

Additional resources

Note:

There are five different kinds of sewage systems.

Other resources

Only approved for use:

Frequently asked questions

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