Community Invited to April 21 Virtual Public Meeting on Proposed Changes to Sewage System Fees
Written by Comms Team, April 20, 2021
COVID-19 Pandemic Leading to More Septic System Failures
Peterborough Public Health (PPH) invites the community to a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. regarding proposed fee increases for services related to the administration and enforcement of Part 8 of the Ontario Building Code (Sewage Systems).
The proposed fee schedule changes align with those included in the recently finalized services agreement between the County of Peterborough, PPH and six local municipalities.
“The negotiation of the new services agreement was a collaborative effort between all parties, and Peterborough Public Health is pleased to continue to offer this service for local residents,” said Julie Ingram, Manager of Environmental Health & Chief Building Official for Part 8 – Sewage Systems. “The changes to the fee schedule are modest in nature, and will help to ensure that this program continues to operate on a full cost-recovery model.”
Virtual Public Meeting – How to Register:
Members of the public interested in attending the meeting are asked to register in advance by clicking here or visiting www.eventbrite.ca and search “Public Meeting – Proposed Sewage Services Fee Schedule Amendment”.
The proposed increases to the service fees are included in the attached backgrounder.
PPH has seen a significant increase in complaints related to onsite sewage systems, as well as a significant increase of failures in these systems since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Ingram noted while residents have done an excellent job at staying home to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community, more time at home results in an increase in wastewater generation, and more strain on septic systems. Furthermore, the practices that come along with living in a pandemic such as hand washing, extra cleaning, sanitizing and laundry, can worsen this strain.
PPH recommends that homeowners follow the advice below to maintain a healthy, functioning septic system:
- Distribute activities that use large amounts of water throughout the week. Avoid doing all of your laundry on one day and alternate days for laundry and running the dishwasher.
- Avoid flushing grease down the drain; grease can clog the leaching bed and cause a system to prematurely fail.
- Avoid anti-bacterial soaps; these soaps have become popular in response to the pandemic but are not required for handwashing to be effective. They can kill the “good” bacteria used to treat sewage within your septic system.
- Avoid automatic toilet bowl cleaners and drain “decloggers”, which continuously add harsh chemicals to sewage system, and may disrupt the microbiological balance of the system.
- Use cleaners and disinfectants that are “septic friendly”. For example, a mild bleach solution is an effective disinfectant and when used modestly and appropriately, is unlikely to harm a sewage system. Avoid the use of Quarternary Ammonium disinfectants – these are very hard on septic systems.
- Do not flush disinfectant wipes or other sanitary products because they can lead to blockages within the system, and cause the system to fail.
- If you are completing home renovations or construction projects, use caution. Do not wash solvents or paint down household drains as these products are exceptionally damaging to an onsite sewage system.
- Maintain your system by having the septic tank inspected and pumped every three to five years. Also, repair leaky plumbing fixtures within the dwelling as soon as possible.
- A failing septic system can create hazardous situations for residents. Sewage contains disease-causing microorganisms that can spread communicable diseases to people through contaminated water or from direct contact. It is important to maintain a septic system to prevent transmission of communicable diseases. Signs of a failing septic system include:
- sewage odour indoors or outdoors;
- breakout of sewage on the ground;
- ponding of water on the leaching bed;
- lush vegetation growth in areas along pipes but dry/dead grass in between; and/or
- sewage backup into dwelling.
If you suspect your septic system is failing:
- Contact a licensed onsite sewage system professional to examine the system.
- Pump the septic tank as often as necessary to prevent sewage from ponding to the ground surface.
- Contact our office to speak with a Public Health Inspector in the Safe Sewage Program.
For more information, contact Julie Ingram, Manager of Environmental Health & Chief Building Official, Part 8 – Sewage Systems.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence, Communications Manager
bcadence@peterboroughpublichealth.ca