Sewage System Inspection Fact Sheet
As outlined in section 4.3 of the Algonquin Provincial Park Cottage Lot Policy (2018-2038), all sewage systems on the cottage lot must be inspected by at least December 31, 2020. Sewage inspections must be conducted by a qualified inspector using the Sewage System Inspection Requirements and Report Form (click HERE for the form). Further, all sewage systems within 15 metres of the water’s edge (at spring water levels) and all off-lot sewage systems must be removed or relocated in accordance with the applicable limits, conditions and standards in the Algonquin Provincial Park Management Plan (as amended). It is also important to note that all cottage lots must have an appropriate sewage system or systems to deal with both human waste and grey water.
If you know of any deficiencies with your sewage system(s) (i.e., the Ministry has identified issues) or have one or more sewage systems that are situated less than 15 metres from the water’s edge, you may want to address these issues prior to obtaining your sewage inspection. Any deficiencies revealed during your sewage inspection will have to be re-inspected once you remedy them. Contact the Algonquin Cottage Lot Program to discuss.
Table of Contents
- Common Questions
- How Do We Get an Inspection Completed?
- What if the inspector finds issues?
- What Permits Do I Need to Build a New or Relocate an Existing System?
- Can I bring in Sand or Gravel for a New Sewage System?
- Can I cut Trees for a New Sewage System?
- Who is the Applicable Septic Authority for Me?
Common Questions
Why do we need to have our sewage systems inspected again?
Some cottagers have pointed out that sewage systems were inspected through a joint project of APRA, MNRF, North-Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority and the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit between 2007 and 2010, and wonder why they have to be inspected again.
Many municipalities within Ontario have implemented regular mandatory sewage inspection programs to ensure that systems continue to perform properly and do not impact water quality and other environmental values. These programs are conducted on a five year interval. Based on the significant aquatic environments in Algonquin Provincial Park, and input received during consultation, MNRF decided that a similar program would be required for cottage lots within the park, and this requirement is identified in the approved Algonquin Provincial Park Cottage Lot Policy (2018-2038).
Further, during the 2015 cottage lot inventory MNRF noted a significant number of issues related to sewage systems on cottage lots. These included more minor issues such as structural deficiencies for outhouses (missing vents, doors or screening etc.) but also a number of more significant issues including sewage systems too close to the lake, systems that were not functioning properly and contaminating the ground surface, grey water systems draining onto the surface of the ground or directly into the lake, and flush toilets and sinks draining into outhouse pits. An inspection combined with any required remediation during the eligibility period will assist MNRF and cottagers in ensuring that all sewage systems are functioning properly and meet code prior to issuing occupational authority for the period of 2023-2038.
Why do systems less than 15 metres to the water’s edge have to be relocated?
The Ontario Building Code (OBC) requires a minimum setback of 15 metres from the water’s edge for most types of sewage systems. This setback helps to ensure that sewage will not seep into the adjacent water body and impact water quality. This setback has been in place for several decades, and thus any systems that were installed on cottage lots under the authority of a permit, would have been required to be set back at least 15 metres.
Aside from the building code requirements, many municipalities have started to require a 30 metre setback for new or replacement sewage systems, especially in central Ontario where the bedrock geology is not as efficient at absorbing and filtering sewage. Within Algonquin Provincial Park, Cottagers will be required to set back any new sewage systems at least 30 metres unless topography or other factors preclude it. Existing sewage systems that are at least 15 metres from the water’s edge and are functioning properly, however, will be grandfathered in their current location.
What systems have to be inspected?
Sewage systems include all systems that deal with human waste or household waste water. Septic inspections shall investigate and evaluate ALL sewage systems on the cottage lot including outhouses, composting toilets, grey water pits, septic tanks and leaching beds and holding tanks. Existing systems that may no be longer used but have not been decommissioned must be included. Cesspools should be identified and will be required to be removed/decommissioned. It is important to ensure that you identify all systems to the inspector as MNRF will compare notes from the 2015 cottage lot inventory to the inspection reports.
Who is a qualified sewage system inspector?
For the purposes of the inspection, a qualified inspector is deemed to be an individual who is registered with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to conduct sewage system inspections and has a current Building Code Identification Number (BCIN). You may hire any inspector that you choose, so long as they meet this requirement. The inspection must be conducted by the qualified inspector and must not be done by an un-registered assistant.
You can find qualified individuals working for a number of different types of companies. For example, companies who install septic systems have to be registered and have a BCIN. Some (but not all) Home Inspectors are also qualified as sewage system inspectors. Sewage system pumping companies are also often registered.
How Do We Get an Inspection Completed?
Cottagers are responsible for hiring a qualified sewage inspector and having their sewage system inspected. Inspections are to be complete by March 31, 2022. Cottagers may work with their neighbors to hire an inspector, potentially saving money. Note, however, that a separate report will still have to be completed for each cottage lot and system.
It is important for the cottager or an alternate who is familiar with all of the sewage systems on the cottage lot to be present during the sewage inspection. The inspector may need to ask questions, see the inside of structures or have water run through fixtures to complete the inspection. The inspector will ask about the number of rooms in each structure, the number of fixtures and the location of underground systems.
The qualified sewage inspector must use and complete all parts of the “Sewage System Inspection Requirements and Report Form” which can be downloaded HERE. Provide a copy of the form or ask your inspector to download the form and complete it during the inspection. All reports must include a completed copy of this form as well as any additional information or documentation that is relevant to your sewage systems.
Reports must be submitted directly to the Algonquin Cottage Lot Program for all sewage system inspections including reports related to remediation. Reports can be submitted by regular mail or email (if they are scanned originals bearing the signature of the inspector).
Submit the reports to:
Algonquin Cottage Lot Program
1350 High Falls Road
Bracebridge ON P1L 0L1
Or by email to algonquin.cottages@ontario.ca
What if the inspector finds issues?
If your inspector finds issues with any of your sewage systems, then you will have to remediate those issues and have the inspector verify that the remediation has been completed. If the issue is restricted to the construction of the above ground features of an outhouse (i.e., missing doors, screens or vents), or the setback of an outhouse from the water’s edge, then the Ministry can verify that remediation has been completed so long as the inspector has clearly outlined all required mitigation in their report.
Remediation reports from your inspector must be submitted to the cottage lot program.
What Permits Do I Need to Build a New or Relocate an Existing System?
In order to build a new or relocate an existing sewage system, you will need to obtain permits as required by the Ontario Building Code and the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act (PPCRA). Permits related to the building code are obtained through the applicable septic authority, and permits related to the PPCRA are obtained through the Ministry (Ontario Parks).
For an outhouse or a composting toilet, a permit is required from the Ministry but not the applicable septic authority. Although a permit from the applicable authority is not required for an outhouse, the outhouse MUST be built to the standards found in section 8.3 of Division B of the Ontario Building Code. For information related to the construction or placement of an outhouse, see the North-Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority Information Sheet for Class 1 Sewage Systems (outhouses).
For all other septic systems a permit is required from both the Ministry and the applicable septic authority.
The Ministry's role in approving permits for septic systems is limited to ensuring that the systems are located within the cottage lot boundaries and are set back the minimum distance from the water’s edge as required by the Algonquin Provincial Park Management Plan (as amended). The Ministry will not, however, issue a permit until an authorization is provided by the applicable septic authority (when required).
Can I bring in Sand or Gravel for a New Sewage System?
In many cases, the building of a new or replacement sewage system will require fill materials such as sand or gravel. Sand, gravel or any other fill material represent a significant risk for the introduction of invasive species to Algonquin. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to find clean (seed and plant free) fill. For this reason, the Ministry will only permit the minimum amount of fill required to construct a sewage system to be imported.
When fill has to be imported, sand and coarse gravel tend to have fewer seeds and plants in them and are the most appropriate types of fill to use for sewage systems. There is no one place where you must obtain your fill, however, it cannot be sourced from within the park. You may purchase it from a pit, quarry, landscape supplier or other supplier. When you are sourcing your fill, talk to the company and ask if they have areas of their pit that are deeper from the surface, and free of plant material. If there are any visible plants or plant material in the fill, then it would not be appropriate for bringing into the park and could be considered an offence. Topsoil may NOT be brought into the park. Instead, prior to starting work on the new sewage system, the existing top soil can be pulled off of the area where the new system will be built, and stored for replacement on the completed system. New grass areas are not permitted, and for most sewage systems you can simply allow native plants to grow back.
If you have brought fill material to your cottage lot for a sewage system, then you will be required to monitor the area for the emergence of non-native plants. As noted in the Algonquin Provincial Park Cottage Lot Policy (2018-2038), you are responsible for the removal of any new or re-emerging non-native species on your cottage lot. The sooner you control new populations, the easier it will be to get rid of all of them. You may need to monitor the site for several seasons as seeds can persist in the soil for a long time before growing. Cottage program staff can help if you have questions about what is growing on your site or how to control them. See the invasive species fact sheet on the toolkit for more information on non-native and invasive species.
Can I cut Trees for a New Sewage System?
In some instances, it may be necessary to cut or remove trees or other vegetation in the location where a new or replacement sewage system is going to be built. The cutting of vegetation requires authorization from the Ministry, and part of the pre-construction site visit by the Ministry staff will be to determine the most appropriate location for the new or replacement system to minimize impacts, including the number of trees that will need to be removed. Do not cut any trees or other vegetation until you have authorization from the Ministry and the site location has been approved by both the Ministry and the applicable sewage authority.
Who is the Applicable Septic Authority for Me?
For the vast majority of cottages in Algonquin Provincial Park, the applicable septic authority is the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority. For cottages in Nightingale Township (including Rock Lake, the Madawaska River between Rock and Whitefish Lakes, the southern end of Whitefish Lake and Galeairy Lake) the applicable authority is the Township of Algonquin Highlands. Contact information is provided below. If you are considering building a new system or replacing an existing one, contact the cottage lot program and the applicable authority well in advance. Site visits by the applicable authority and/or the Ministry may be required in advance of any permits being issued.
North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority
15 Janey Ave, North Bay. P1C 1N1
705-474-5420
Township of Algonquin Highlands
1123 North Shore Road, Algonquin Highlands. KOM 1J1
705-489-2379