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Protecting our drinking water and keeping local waterways clean
To ensure that all septic systems in Severn are properly maintained and functioning, Township of Severn follows the Discretionary and Mandatory On-Site Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program outlined in the Ontario Building Code, which supports the Clean Water Act. All systems in Severn are inspected on a five-year cycle. This program helps to protect drinking water sources and ensures our lakes, rivers, and natural spaces stay healthy and clean for everyone to enjoy.
What is a septic system?
A septic system is a private sewage disposal system designed to treat wastewater created on the property when municipal services are not available. The Ontario Building Code breaks down septic systems into five different classes or types.
For most properties without municipal wastewater service, a Class 4 septic system treats your wastewater below the ground on your property. Household drains connect to a septic tank, which is connected to a leaching bed (or filter-bed, tile bed, or weeping-bed) made up of pipes with holes, buried in gravel, and surrounded by natural or added soil.
Other systems include:
- Class 1: portable privies ('porta-potty'), outhouse (earth pit privies), or composting toilets
- Class 2: leaching pit used for disposal of grey water (used for the treatment and disposal of grey water (no human waste) from plumbing fixtures such as kitchen sinks, bathtubs, washing machines, etc.)
- Class 3: cesspool system used for the treatment of sewage from a Class 1 system (not recommended unless all other possibilities for treatment are not possible)
- Class 4: leaching beds (most common class for residences, consists of tank and a leaching bed, and sometimes a treatment unit)
- Class 5: holding tank (stores sewage until capacity is reached and the tank is then pumped, used as a temporary measure or when a Class 4 is considered impracticable)
Inspection schedule
Residents in the Sparrow Lake and Severn River area can expect inspections to occur in the spring, summer, and fall of 2023. If your property is scheduled for inspection, you will receive a letter in May outlining the program details and what to expect. This is a visual inspection that will check for system issues. You don't need to be present for the inspection. Due to the large number of properties (430 plus) to be inspected and limited time, Severn will not pre-book inspections.
Potential septic system issues
During an inspection, the Septic Inspector will look for signs of damage or system failure.
This may includes:
- ponding (or water) on the top or sides of the bed
- sewage odours
- damage or cracking of the septic tank
- any washing away of the septic bed soil
- possible compaction or other impairments
- components that are no longer acceptable (e.g., steel tanks, direct deposits of gray water, outhouses in poor condition, etc.)
Deficiencies report
If the Septic Inspector finds that your system is not working as it should, you'll receive a report outlining what needs to be completed to address those issues. The report will also include a deadline to complete the work.
Once you've completed the work, please contact Severn’s Septic Inspector for a re-inspection.
Fee
The cost to have your septic system inspected is $150. Severn will send you an invoice following the inspection. The fee is payable once every five years to the Township of Severn, and payment is required within 60 days of invoicing. This fee is separate from your property taxes.
Payment methods
You can pay your inspection fee in a variety of ways.
By mail
You can pay your inspection fee by mail.
Please make your cheque payable to Township of Severn and mail to:
Township of Severn
PO Box 159
Orillia, Ontario
L3V 6J3
In person
You can pay your inspection fee in person at our Administration Office located at 1024 Hurlwood Lane, Severn. We are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We accept payments by cash, debit, or cheque. Please make your cheque payable to the Township of Severn. We don't accept credit card payments.
Exemptions
New and recently installed systems
If your sewage system was installed within two years of the scheduled inspection date, your property is exempt from the inspection.
Advanced Treatment Unit
If you have an Advanced Treatment Unit (added level of treatment), your sewage system may be exempt from this program if you submit:
- a current service agreement
- annual service reports
How to keep your system performing at its best
To keep your septic system functioning as intended you should:
- have your septic system inspected regularly which can also help you avoid more costly repairs
- complete pumping every three to five years, or more often if needed
- try to reduce your water use, and practice conservation as to not overwhelm your system
- do not park over your septic system, place structures or heavy items on the system as this can cause serious damage
- keep sump pumps and roof drains away your system
- be cautious about the type of trees you plant on your property and especially those close to your septic system, as roots are one of the leading causes of system failure
For more information, FAQs, and additional resources visit our Septic Reinspection Program webpage.
Staff contact
Amanda Renton
Septic Inspector
Phone: 705-325-2315 x252
Email Amanda