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Township and engineering firm taking over septic inspection process By Liz Dadson |
Huron-Kinloss council To Comment on this article Click Here |
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 Mayor Mitch Twolan (L), and councillors Jim Hanna and Don Murray check out the map indicating the septic inspections already completed in the township | ||||
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Huron-Kinloss Township and its engineering firm, B.M. Ross and Associates, are taking over the septic inspection process begun four years ago. In an update to council at the general committee meeting Tuesday morning (Jan. 11), senior planner Matt Pearson of B.M. Ross, outlined the program's success since it began in 2007, and the plans to continue it for another four years.
Senior planner Matt Pearson of B.M. Ross and Associates Pearson said the Grey Bruce Health Unit was conducting the on-site inspections but the agency's contract expired at the end of December, 2010. "The health unit was selected at the time because B.M. Ross and the township did not have the expertise or capacity to undertake this process," he said, noting this relationship was supposed to provide some continuity of inspectors and familiarity with the process. However, that wasn't necessarily the case, he said. "As the program has matured, it has changed considerably from the way it was first delivered," said Pearson. "There is a need for better data transfer, more quality control, and more control over staff time, methods and process." It's critical at this point, he said, as the program moves toward getting septic inspections in the rural areas. Pearson said the township and B.M. Ross have developed more capacity to undertake this program together. Both have the required qualifications, so B.M. Ross will draw up an agreement to have the township and the engineering firm take over the inspection process as well as the administration of the program. The township's septic inspection program is mandatory but with voluntary compliance. The purpose of it is to identify systems that are deficient and work with the property owners to solve any problems. More than 400 inspections were done in 2010, targeting Blair's Grove, Silver Lake Campground and the rural area between Highway 21 and Sideroad 20, said Pearson. Of those, four per cent were identified as "high risk." The number of "medium-risk" properties continues to rise, said Pearson, as the inspections are done on older systems. Of note, 84 properties (20 per cent) had a deficiency and were sent follow-up letters notifying the property owners that repairs were necessary. "Many of these deficiencies are relatively minor in nature, such as missing baffles, and not overly-expensive to fix," Pearson said. "The repairs will add to the longevity of the system and the quality of operation, if carried out." To date, 1,388 inspections have been done, which is about half the properties, said Pearson. This is in line with the original estimate that suggested a seven- to nine-year program turnover of inspections.
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Pearson said that most property owners are co-operating with the inspection process. However, the township will soon reach the point when it has to order an inspection be done. He suggested Huron-Kinloss hold another township environmental day, similar to what was held in 2007. "As we move the program into the rural areas and try to finish the laggard properties along the lakeshore, it is difficult to find common areas of community to conduct smaller demonstrations," he said. "We suggest the event (environmental day) be held in the summer, perhaps on July 9. The cost for this event could be covered through the inspection program and the water quality monitoring programs." Meanwhile, the cost of the septic inspection process continues to be covered by an annual $55 fee per property for all properties that have septic systems. "That's a reasonable cost," said councillor Jim Hanna. "I'd like to see the program completed in four years," said councillor Don Murray. "It's going to get more difficult," said Pearson. "You need the right people in the field to get them done. The high-risk septic systems will still be forwarded to the health unit to deal with." He said property owners can't book an inspection on-line. But he hopes to obtain the services of a summer student to work out of the township office, handling calls and setting up appointments. "I see this as a continuing program," said Hanna. "Every year, you think you're going to have to put the hammer down with property owners," said chief building official Matt Farrell, "but the process seems to be working out well." Pearson also had charts to show council of the water monitoring programs for Point Clark and Pine River. "2010 was a good year for water quality," he said, noting that the Jardine Creek samples were the best ever, but Clark Creek had the worst water quality of any of the areas. He said the E.coli is not as high as in past years, the phosphorus levels are down, but the nitrate levels are up. Of the four nitrate filters installed by the Pine River Watershed Initiative Network, only two are still functioning. Pearson said these filters should not be running during the summer because they create hydrogen sulphide which dilutes quickly and is not toxic, but it turns the foliage white. Scrolling stops when you move your mouse inside the scroll area. You can click on the ads for more
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