2018 Trent Lakes Discretionary Septic Re-inspection Program Results February 5, 2019 Ganesh Vallamkonda, CPHI (C) Public Health Inspector Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations , and the County and City of Peterborough
Objectives • Administration File Search Exempt Letters • Inspection Process • Results • Program Improvements • Questions Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations , and the County and City of Peterborough
Administration (File Search) • Peterborough Public Health (PPH) receives a list of properties from Trent Lakes (TL) • Begin to search our sewage database (back to 1976) Sewage system permits Change of use permits (for certain renovations, additions) New buildings, pool construction, etc. Complaints Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations , and the County and City of Peterborough
Administration (Exempt) • Exempt from this program: Septic systems installed within the last 5 years Septic systems that fall under the Mandatory Maintenance Inspection Program (Source Water Protection Areas, began in May 2014) Vacant properties Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations , and the County and City of Peterborough
Administration (Letters) • PPH sends out letters and questionnaires to owners – Early in the new year • Letters provide information to the owner Rationale of the program Time frame when the inspection will be done Responsibility of owner to uncover lids (Septic Tank) Option to make appointment with PHI Fee Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations , and the County and City of Peterborough
The Inspection Process: Septic Tank (cont’d) • The Good… Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations , and the County and City of Peterborough
The Inspection Process: Septic Tank (cont’d) • And the not so Good… Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations , and the County and City of Peterborough
The Inspection Process: Leaching Bed • PPH will complete a non-intrusive surface inspection of the leaching bed area to assess any obvious signs of failure • These may include: breakout of sewage onto the ground spongy and very wet areas, unpleasant odours illegal discharges visible damage or other immediate concerns (i.e., gardens planted over leaching bed etc.) Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations , and the County and City of Peterborough
Completion of Phase 1 • When there are no visible indications of an unsafe sewage system PPH will issue a certificate to the property owner • Septic Smart – guidance document for proper sewage system maintenance • Permit if on file Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations , and the County and City of Peterborough
Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations , and the County and City of Peterborough
The Inspection Process: Phase 2 • Where there are visible indications of an unsafe sewage system, PPH will issue to the property owner a remedial action letter describing the visual deficiencies observed by the inspector. This letter will outline the expected timeframe for completion of the remedial actions No progress or non-compliance, risk of Order put on property Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations , and the County and City of Peterborough
The Inspection Process: Phase 2 (cont’d) • Phase 2 inspections may be more invasive and might include: Locating and uncovering a portion of the leaching bed Conducting dye tests, etc. • Corrective action may include (but not limited to): Having the septic tank pumped Replace baffles Having a new tank, leaching bed or system installed Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations , and the County and City of Peterborough
Reception of Program • Not out to cast blame on property owners Goal is to identify failing or ‘at risk’ systems and take corrective action Ultimately the property owner does have a legal responsibility to maintain their septic system so that it is functioning properly Majority of Trent Lakes residents were very helpful and understanding Much appreciated! Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations , and the County and City of Peterborough
Numbers… Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations , and the County and City of Peterborough
Results - 2018 Total Number of Properties - 303 File closed after Phase 1 Inspection 66 (22%) File closed after going to Phase 2 Inspection 10 (3%) File in Phase 2 - Pending 227 (75%) Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations , and the County and City of Peterborough
Total Outstanding for 2017 Number of Reasons Percentage of Properties Properties 11 Unable to locate 30% • Sewage System 7 Illegal/Substandard 19% • 7 More follow-up 19% • needed (e.g., type of systems) 6 Poorly Maintained 16% • 1 Steel Tank 2% • Total 37 100% Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations , and the County and City of Peterborough
Program Improvements Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations , and the County and City of Peterborough
Increase of Sewage Re-inspection properties from 300 to 450 - 600 Number of Properties Number of years Options for re-inspection Annual Costs ($) to complete all annually re-inspections 1 300 97,500 15.5 2 450 146,250 10.3 3 600 195,000 7.7 Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations , and the County and City of Peterborough
Program Improvements (cont’d) • A 10 year exemption cycle (currently 5 years) • For 2019, we continue with Crystal Lake properties. Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations , and the County and City of Peterborough
Questions? (Thank You) Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations , and the County and City of Peterborough
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