New Huron County Septic System Maintenance Program

With their new mandatory Septic System Maintenance Program, Huron County is going the extra mile to protect local drinking water and recreational water quality in Lake Huron.

Recent revisions to the Ontario Building Code require Septic System Maintenance Programs in vulnerable areas as designated in the Source Water Protection Plan. These revisions help to ensure properties that have septic systems do not contaminate drinking water sources. This also supports recreational water quality in the Great Lakes. Under the revised Code, property owners are responsible for knowing the location of their septic system, and for maintaining it.

Huron County is taking a more effective approach to protecting local water by requiring all septic system owners to participate in a mandatory inspection program. County Council has given approval in principle for the new program to be delivered by the Huron County Health Unit.

Huron County Health Unit Public Health Manager Bob Worsell says the new program will focus on inspecting high-risk properties and areas first. These include: areas along the lakeshore; properties having septic systems more than 20 years old; and properties that have no record of a septic system installation permit on file. Owners of properties that require inspection will be informed well in advance of an inspection and its expectations, so they will have an opportunity to address minor issues beforehand. In most cases, the inspection will not require any digging but a septic tank pump out will be required. When the inspection is complete, property owners will receive: a septic system inspection report, recommendations for any necessary improvements and repairs, and educational resources.

Many property owners have expressed opposition to the program because they are concerned about the expense of necessary improvements and repairs. To help property owners address these concerns, municipalities are investigating funding programs for qualified applicants, such as those offered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

The new Huron County Septic System Maintenance Program will help to restore and protect the quality of local water and provide benefit to Lake Huron water which is essential to both the human and economic health of the region. For more information about the program, please contact Bob Worsell, Huron County Health Unit, 519-482-3416.