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Policy Id:

SPR/SPA:

Risk:

02-06

Grey Sauble, Northern Bruce Peninsula, Saugeen Valley

Significant

Implementing Body

Legal Effect

Policy Tool

Threat Type

Status

Comment

MMAH

Strategic

Specify Actions to be taken to implement plan or achieve its objectives

Future

Implemented: Policy outcome(s) evaluated - No further action(s) required

The Building Code regulates on-site wastewater systems with a focus on pathogen control. Systems operating as designed and installed in compliance with the Building Code should deliver performance that provides adequate bacterial digestion to avoid pathogen intrusion into groundwater resources. The Building Code also contains provisions that specifying when a septic tank should be pumped out. In areas designated as “vulnerable areas”, the Building Code also requires principal authorities to conduct regular maintenance inspections of on-site wastewater systems.

Policy Text:

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

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing shall give due consideration to making changes to the Ontario Building Code and other such legislation related to on-site sewage systems (future activity).

The legislative changes would include provisions that would:

- Set standards under the Ontario Building Code to define advanced systems, including, but not necessarily limited to, standards for Nitrate and Phosphorous levels in effluent; and
- Require that advanced septic systems be required for new installations in vulnerable areas where an on-site sewage system is or would be a significant drinking water threat.

For the purposes of determining which systems achieve Nitrogen and Phosphorous reduction, it is suggested that reference could be made to the CAN/BNQ 3680-600 standard ""Onsite Residential Wastewater Treatment Technologies ; as established by the Bureau de normalisation du Quebec (BNQ), or an equivalent standard.

Monitoring policy MP-09 applies.

Monitoring Text:

MP-09: The Ministry of the Municipal Affairs and Housing should advise the Source Protection Authority and Source Protection Committee at such time as a proposal for changes to the Building Code is brought forward.