Re-inspection of Private Septic Systems Legislated

Doug Metson, the Land Control Officer for the Temiskaming Health Unit is reporting that
legislation is proposed to come into effect on January 1st, 2009 that will require all private home/cottage
septic systems to be re-inspected. The re-inspections are to be carried out in designated areas by the
inspectors from the local health unit at the home/cottage owner’s expense.

The property owner will be expected to expose the tank to facilitate the inspection. The owners of
steel tanks systems will be required to replaced the tank with a tank constructed from a material that will
not deteriorate and leak septic into the surrounding ground.

A permit will be required for a cottage/home using a leaching pit. If the owner does not have a
permit for the leaching pit it will require an inspection and a purchase of a permit.

Cottage/home owners using holding tank systems will be inspected for leaks and a pump out agreement.