Huron-Kinloss news

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It wasn't a social, such as the word implies, but more of a gathering around the septic tank for about 25 people at the home of Huron-Kinloss Township mayor Mitch Twolan, Saturday afternoon, in the former Huron Township.

On hand were Pam Scharfe, Lisa Courtney and Elizabeth Simpson of B.M. Ross and Associates which administers the Community Septic Inspection program for the township, and Jason Cranny, septic inspector with the Grey Bruce Health Unit.

Their goal was to show the public what a septic inspection is, the process and the benefits, so township residents with septic systems are more apt to get the inspection done.

A second public inspection was held on the property of township councillor Jim Hanna at Silver Lake (former Kinloss Township) Saturday morning, with about 15 people attending.

On Twolan's property, the concrete lids on the two-compartment septic system have been removed, and risers, plastic lids and effluent filters installed which make it easier to access the septic tanks for pump-outs, said Cranny.

He noted that an effluent filter is a key component so solids don't get into the septic bed. Any systems installed after 2005 will have such a filter; the others should get one put in.

That filter also has to be kept clean, said Cranny. It should be removed and cleaned every spring.

He said a septic inspection takes about a half-hour, and he urges the property owners to be present during the inspection, have the tank exposed and ready to check.

"Education is the key," he said. "We want the owners there to go through the process with us. Once you get past the smell and the sight of a septic tank, you realize it's a natural process. Eventually everything goes into the environment and hits the water table. You have to be aware of what you're putting into your septic system."

Scharfe said landowners should have their adult children present during the inspection so future generations know where the system is and how it works.

Cranny said a septic system is not cheap to replace, at a cost of $10,000 to $20,000.

"But it's like a roof," said Scharfe, "it's part of the maintenance of your home. If it's a seasonal cottage, you don't check the septic system a lot but you have to be aware of what's there. These systems don't last forever, and they require proper maintenance."

Cranny urged owners to get on a regular maintenance program and not use chemical products - they break up the solids but those solids then end up in the septic bed where they aren't supposed to be. Only liquids should navigate to the septic bed.

Septic systems should be pumped out every three to five years, he said, depending on the use of the residence. If it's a seasonal cottage, it won't require as many pump-outs.

"Use local contractors to do the work," said Cranny. "They know what they're doing and they're right here."

During the inspection, he uses a camera to check the baffles in the system. He said the liquid line usually tells the story. It should not be above the outlet pipe, nor should it be at the bottom. It should be just under the pipe.

Huron-Kinloss has about 2,800 septic systems and just over 1,000 have been tested, said Courtney. "We do most of the inspections - about 80-100 - in July and August. We can do about six or seven per day and some at night for those who are at work."

She said the vast majority are low-risk. "We've had a couple of bad ones that had to be fixed. Some people know their systems are in poor shape so they get the inspection and get them fixed."

Murray Irvin (R) of Porter's, pumps out the septic tank

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Tuesday, July 13, 2010