Septic System Re-Inspections Now Available for Property Owners and Home Buyers – Today’s Northumberland

Northumberland County now offers septic system re-inspection for property owners with existing septic systems to ensure those systems are operating safely within design parameters and meeting environmental standards.

Ontario's building code requires septic systems to be inspected only once before first use. In accordance with County Ordinance 18-2022, the County is implementing this service to allow property owners and home buyers to schedule a re-inspection of an existing system, check for sewage spills, determine daily loads, inspect the septic tank, etc. to ensure there are no Pollution of neighboring bodies of water or neighboring properties occurs.

This service is available to all property owners residing in any of the participating communities in Northumberland County, including:

· Municipality of Alnwick/Haldimand

· Brighton Parish

· City of Cobourg

· Cramahe Municipality

· Hamilton Township

· Port Hope Community

Re-inspections can identify potential system problems, allowing property owners to identify concerns and make necessary improvements to comply with building codes. Re-inspections can also provide potential homebuyers with peace of mind that the septic system is functional and safe, and provide a detailed report to include as part of their mortgage application.

A sewer system re-inspection includes:

· A file search to determine if an approval record exists.

· The location of the sewer system.

· A comprehensive inspection for potential outbreaks, including a death test.

· And a detailed inspection report.

Property owners are responsible for correcting any unsafe conditions identified during the inspection.

“Maintaining a safe and functional wastewater system is critical to protecting the safety of your family, the health of our community, and preventing harmful contamination of our environment and local waterways,” said Dwayne Campbell, the county’s director of economic development and planning . “An unsafe sewage system could contaminate waterways and pose potential health risks. It is important to maintain your septic system regularly, including pumping your septic tank every 3 to 5 years, and ensure your system is functioning properly.

“Our reinspection program encourages property owners to take proactive steps to inspect their system and protect their health, homes and property while preserving the integrity of our local environment for generations to come.”

To book a re-inspection, property owners can call 905-372-1929 or email [email protected]. Property owners must ensure that their septic tank is pumped by a septic tank contractor during the inspection. Fees associated with the re-inspection include payment to the septic tank hauler for pumping the septic tank and an inspection fee of $175 plus HST payable to Northumberland County in person or by telephone at the time of booking.

Please note that septic inspections required under the Ontario Building Code, Clean Water Act or Source Protection Plans take priority during the booking process.

For more information, visit Northumberland.ca/Inspections.

You might also like

Comments are closed.