The policy applies in all vulnerable areas where the establishment, operation or maintenance of a septic system is or would be a significant drinking water threat (existing activity or future activity).

As per the Building Code (Ontario Regulation 332/12 under the Building Code Act), the local principal authority shall implement a mandatory on-site sewage maintenance inspection program within their areas of jurisdiction.

It is recommended that the inspection program:

follow inspection guidelines produced by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing; and
determine whether all greywater or blackwater drains that exit buildings on the property connect to an on-site sewage system; and
prioritize systems that are:


located closest to the municipal drinking water wellhead; or
lacking documentation of a prior license, permit or approval; or
more than 10 years old; or
all other remaining systems.


Where an on-site sewage system is found to be failing or in violation of the current Building Code provisions, the system shall be repaired or replaced so as to be compliant with current Building Code requirements.

Initially, inspections for any systems existing as of January 24, 2012 must be completed by January 24, 2017.

Monitoring policy MP-15 applies.

MP-15: Municipalities shall, by February 15 each year, provide to the local Source Protection Authority a summary report for the preceding calendar year that gives information on the number of inspections, the number of passed and failed inspections, the nature of the failures and the number of systems that were decommissioned.