Peterborough Public Health Transferring Delivery of Safe Sewage Program
Written by Comms Team, January 9, 2024
Municipalities to Assume Responsibility for Permitting & Inspections
Changes are coming to the permitting and inspection process for onsite sewage systems in the City and County of Peterborough. After November 17, 2024, Peterborough Public Health (PPH) will no longer oversee the delivery of these services in the region as responsibility for permitting and inspections are transferred to local municipalities.
“Peterborough Public Health has provided these building inspection services related to onsite sewage systems for over forty years, but we are now only one of eleven public health units offering this service,” said Julie Bromley, Chief Building Official and Manager of Environmental Health for Peterborough Public Health.
Board of Health Chair Councillor Kathryn Wilson said: “This decision by the Board of Health was challenging, given the long-standing positive relationships with residents served by this program and the dedicated work of our staff in this area. The transfer supports a one-stop-shop for residents and builders at municipal building departments and allows Peterborough Public Health to focus on our core work, as mandated by the Ontario Public Health Standards in a period of inadequate provincial funding for our core work.”
Peterborough Public Heath is working closely with all municipalities that will return to delivery of this service to ensure a smooth transition for building departments and minimize disruptions to residents and industry experts. The transition will occur over two phases.
Phase 1: Effective April 1, 2024, the following municipalities will receive all new applications and activities related to onsite sewage systems:
- Township of Cavan Monaghan
- Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan
- Township of Selwyn
- Municipality of Trent Lakes
Phase 2: Effective November 18, 2024, the following municipalities will receive all new applications and activities related to onsite sewage systems:
- Township of Asphodel-Norwood
- Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen
- City of Peterborough
Peterborough Public Health will continue to oversee open permits and applications for all seven local municipalities outlined above until November 17, 2024. After this deadline, any outstanding files will be transferred to the applicable municipality.
The Townships of North Kawartha and Douro-Dummer already oversee activities related to sewage systems. As such, there will be no changes in these municipalities.
Residents who have open applications or permits with Peterborough Public Health will be contacted with further information and direction on closing their application. Questions may be directed to the PPH Safe Sewage Program at 705-743-1000, ext. 228, and updates are available online at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/SafeSewage.
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For further information, please contact:
Media Relations
media@peterboroughpublichealth.ca