Septic systems within 120 metres of a watercourse that flows within the Callander-Wasi watershed are being inspected by the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority to help protect water quality.
More than 8,000 septic systems throughout Ontario, including 600 in the Callander-Wasi watershed, must be inspected every five years as part of the Ontario Building Code’s mandatory maintenance inspection program because they have been identified as a potential threat to municipal drinking water sources.
“These visual inspections will help identify any faulty septic systems,” said Robert Palin, Manager of NBMCA’s On-Site Sewage Program. “Faulty systems may contribute phosphorus to creeks, streams, rivers and lakes.”
The local drinking water source protection program identified phosphorus as a factor that contributes to the growth of blue green algae which creates an issue for water quality in Callander Bay, the source of drinking water for Callander.
Phosphorus also impacts the water in many other of the lakes, rivers and streams in the watershed, such as Wasi Lake, Wasi River, Graham Creek, and Chiswick Creek.
The first five-year inspection cycle wrapped up in 2015. More than 600 properties in Callander, Chisholm Twp., East Ferris, Powassan and North Bay were inspected. Problems were found with 20 septic systems. The 2016-2020 cycle begins with 106 properties in Callander, North Bay and Powassan being inspected this year.
Properties close to the Powassan municipal wells will also be inspected as part of the mandatory maintenance inspection program because of their potential impact on Powassan’s drinking water supply.
Property owners will receive a letter advising them that a visual inspection of their septic system will take place under this program. On the day of the inspection an inspector will leave a note indicating they have visited the property, along with information about care of septic systems. If there were problems identified during inspection, property owners are contacted by a septic inspector.
An invoice will be forwarded to the property owner to cover the cost associated with the inspection. The $140 fee, set by the NBMCA Board of Directors, is permitted under the Ontario Building Code to help cover inspection program costs. Owners receive a Certificate of Compliance upon payment of the invoice if no problems were identified.
People in the Callander-Wasi watershed can find out if they’re affected by the mandatory maintenance program by visiting http://actforcleanwater.ca/index.php?page=callander-issue-contributing-area
“Everything that goes down the drain – every shower drop, toilet flush, kitchen drain - flows to the septic system. There are many contaminants in waste water that can affect your health and the environment. If contaminants reach your drinking water supply, they can cause health or environmental problems,” said Palin.
