Septic Maintenance Inspection Program

• If your assigned date is not manageable you must contact our building department a minimum of 5 business days prior to your scheduled appointment.
• You, or a familiar representative, must be on site for the inspection, for the entire time frame provided.
• Your tank and pump chamber lids must be uncovered prior to your inspection. Please note, a septic tank should have 2 lids, please uncover both.
• Access to the dwelling and all accessory structures will be requested during the inspection.
• Any tools required for tank access are to be provided at the time of inspection.

Once your inspection is complete, the inspector will inform you if you require a pump out. A pump out may be required under the following circumstances:

1. Septic tank was installed prior to 1980.
2. The Municipality does not have record of the sewage system installation.
3. A septic tank other than certified concrete, plastic or fiberglass is used.
4. Where scum and/or sludge occupy 1/3 or greater of the working capacity of the settling chamber; or,
5. Where an issue with the levels in the septic tank or other concerns with the functioning of the tank is determined.

• Your inspection will take up to 30 minutes.
• The inspector will request access to the dwelling to verify design flow and determine which plumbing fixture(s) to use for your flow test. The inspector will also require access to any accessory structures on site.
• A flow test from the dwelling, through the tank will be completed.
• A visual inspection of the tank, and bed will be completed.
• A measurement of sludge/scum levels will be taken using a specialized tool.
• Owners will be informed/ educated on any visual deficiencies once the inspection is complete.
• Following the inspection, a complete report will be emailed in a timely manner.

Property owners will be notified via letter mail of their assigned upcoming inspection date. We understand that these dates may pose a conflict for some people and will do our best to be accommodating with these changes. 

Owners wishing to make a change to their inspection date are required to provide a minimum of 5 days' notice to the department prior to their assigned inspection date.

Complete our online rescheduling Request Form. Upon submission, staff will contact you to coordinate to the best of our ability. 

If your Septic Maintenance Inspection resulted in a required remedial action to decommission a bedroom to return your property back to the permitted use, a Septic Review is required. This form will also be used in cases where there is an owner dispute based on the number of bedrooms recorded during the inspection. 

Please complete the application form and submit the required supporting documents and fees. Following submission, a site visit will be completed to confirm bedroom count.

• Septic Review Application
• Floor Plan Example
• Site Plan Example

Completed applications can be submitted to septic@dysartetal.ca. Payment options will be provided at the time of submission.

As per By-Law 2023-03, properties that meet one or more of the following criteria are eligible for exemption from the Maintenance Inspection Program. 

• The system is newly installed, or has been fully replaced within the last 5 years.
• A planned installation of a complete system that is completed by September 1st, 2023.
• The property is served by a sewage system that treats to a higher quality that a common septic system and meets the criteria of the By-Law.
• The property has completed their inspection using a Qualified Third Party Inspector that meets the requirements of a previous or current By-Law, within the last 5 years.
• The property is connected to Municipal Sewers.
• The property is vacant.

If you feel that your property meets any of these criteria, but you have been assigned an inspection date, please contact us at septic@dysartetal.ca and staff will review your claim accordingly.

Homeowners are still welcome to retain the services of an Approved and Qualified Third Party Inspector. This inspector must have the required qualifications, be current in their registrations and they must have attended a mandatory meeting with the Building Department in order to be accepted in this program. If you are looking to hire an inspector who is not listed in the drop down below, they must contact the Program Supervisor to get approval prior to completing this inspection. Obtaining an inspector other than those who have been approved by the Supervisor can result in a Failed Inspection Attempt. 

In addition to paying the inspection fee imposed by the private inspector, there will also be a fee issued by the Municipality for the cost of reviewing the inspection reports. All reports must be submitted prior to September 1st. Additionally, any incomplete third party inspection reports that are received will be charges a Failed Attempt fee.

Visit our Third Party Inspection Report Submittal Form to submit your completed report along with payment online.

• Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Fee - $197.00
• Partially Complete Return Inspection Fee - $100.00
• Inspection Outside of Inspection Schedule - $297.00
• Vacant Lot/ No Plumbing Site Confirmation - $100.00
• Remedial Action Septic Review - $150.00
• Remedial Action Letter - $25.00
• 3rd Party Inspection Report Review - $50.00
• Failed 3rd Party Inspection Attempt - $50.00

Note: owners will be charged the Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Fee for each inspection attempt carried out by the Municipality. Please be sure to pay attention to your inspection date and preparation instructions to avoid unnecessary fees. 

There are various reasons why a sewage system may be deemed non-compliant. Following your inspection, you will be provided with a written report which outlines the outcome of your inspection. If your system is flagged as non-compliant, you will be provided a description on what you need to do to remedy the situation.

A few common issues and suggested remedies are:

• Too many bedrooms according to the permitted use
  • Apply for a septic review to formally decommission the use of the extra bedroom(s)
  • Upgrade the system to accommodate the additional loading
• Broken or missing baffles
  • Replace or repair, submit photos and receipts upon completion
• Cracked lids
  • Replace or repair, submit photos and receipts upon completion
• Impeded outlet
  • Contact a qualified local installer to investigate the issue. Submit the required application in bed replacement is required and/or receipts for completed repairs
• Etc.

Below are some media references for information on the important of sewage system maintenance and inspections. A special thank you to our partners in the field for creating and providing these useful tips!

• KLCOA - Dysart Inspection Program Promo Video
• OOWWA - Septic System Basics for Homeowners
• OMAFRA - SepticSmart! Understanding Your Home's Septic System

Under the current By-Law, the Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program has been divided into 5 Areas of Coverage. Presently, we are focused on inspecting properties within 30m of the water in the areas set out in our map. Staff will be working through each area in numerical order.

Please view our Area Map to view the intended order of inspections.