5 September 2024 · 0 Comments
By JAMES MATTHEWS
Attempts to fix the septic tank problems have only resulted in frustration, despair and an unpleasant odor that one Mono resident fears could harm his family.
Piero Mondelli, a resident of Mono, and his family of five live in the Cardinal Woods development. He said they have been dealing with human waste from his septic tank overflowing his property for more than four months.
He said Mono authorities referred him to Dufferin County.
He was told by the top that sewage system problems are handled at the municipal level. So, like a swirling water flush, Mondelli tried to solve his dilemma.
His property isn't the only one affected by a sewer failure. He said seven or eight others are in the same boat. But their properties aren't in as bad shape as his.
And he wants someone to give him a permit that will allow him to replace the current mess with a conventional septic tank.
“We currently live next to an open sewer,” Mondelli said. “Initially, we were granted permission to install a new regular system, but it was revoked because our property title was tied to a tertiary system.”
A tertiary septic tank has a primary tank to separate insoluble particles and an aeration tank to remove soluble particles. And it goes a step further and includes treatments such as UV disinfection, reverse osmosis or biological filtration to eliminate any remaining harmful bacteria and microorganisms.
It is so thorough that water from the system can be safely released into the environment without affecting groundwater or nearby wells.
The failed system has two tanks: one that treats liquid waste with peat moss and another tank that treats solid waste.
He said a conventional septic system he wants to install is the same as the one that failed, except for the peat moss component. He applied for a permit to install a conventional system, but was denied because of the tertiary system designation in the land registry. Another annoying aspect of his predicament, he claims, is that other property owners received similar permits from the city prior to 2018.
“For some reason, different standards are applied to me,” he said.
Mondelli said attempts to hire a local contractor to do the work were unsuccessful because his rear property, where the septic tank is buried, has a slope.
“Although we have tried to cover the sewer, we cannot contain the smell that is in the area,” he said. “It poses a significant health risk to people, animals and the environment.”
“Ironically, the environment you are trying to protect is being put at risk.”
In an email to Mondelli, Mono Mayor John Creelman explained that it is not his job to override the conditions set by the province, and that the Dufferin County Department of Public Works is responsible for sewer systems.
Creelman said city staff advised Mondelli to have his system inspected by someone who is familiar with his type of system and can perform any necessary maintenance.
“I see nothing in your email to indicate that you have sought advice on tertiary systems or attempted to maintain such,” Creelman wrote. “As I understand it, you and some of your neighbors are required to have such a system due to the proximity to a wetland and a tributary of the Nottawasaga River.
“As far as I understand, this was a condition of the provincial government and found its way into the property titles.”
Mondelli said he had no idea what the land registry said because he was the second owner of the property.
In his email response, Creelman suggested Mondelli escalate the matter to the district or provincial level.
Mike Dunmore, the city's CAO, said he had previously spoken to Mondelli about the issue.
“Unfortunately, this is Mr. Mondelli's confidential information and I am not authorized to discuss it,” Dunmore said.
In an email to Mondelli, Dunmore informed the property owner that the tertiary septic tank was an environmental condition recorded in Mondelli's land registry for enhanced nitrate control.
“The subdivision was approved in approximately 2006,” Dunmore wrote. “My tenure with the city began in 2009 and I was heavily involved in the subdivision approval, but not in the design standards.”
Dunmore said the county is providing building code compliance and services to the city of Mono regarding the type of work Mondelli wants done and is going through that process with them.
“The county respects the parceling agreement,” Dunmore wrote.
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