Township of Douro-Dummer

Mandatory Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program - Source Water Protection Zone

Program Details

The Ontario Building Code (O. Reg. 163/24), Division C, Subsection 1.10.2. - Mandatory (Sewage System) Maintenance Inspection Program, requires mandatory inspection of sewage systems every 5 years if they pose a significant drinking water threat under the Clean Water Act.

The Township of Douro-Dummer has sewage systems that have been identified by the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA) within the significant threat area that are due for inspection in 2025. If your property is subject to these regulations you will receive a notice from the Township Building Department about the 2025 Inspection, along with your scheduled date of inspection.

Questionnaire

As part of the inspection process, the Building Department requires that a questionnaire be completed prior to your scheduled inspection. A link to the questionnaire has been provided below. Should you require a printed copy, please visit the front counter at the Township Office to request one.

Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program Questionnaire

Step 1 - Note your date of Inspection & complete the Questionnaire
Review your information package carefully, and mark your week of inspection in your calendar. Complete the online Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program Questionnaire as soon as possible (Due June 21, 2025) If you are unable to complete the Questionnaire online, please contact the Building & Planning Administrator as soon as possible. A paper copy can be mailed to you, or filled out in person at the Township Office. Alternate arrangements can also be made to assist you with this necessary step.
Step 2 - Preparation & Inspection
Preparation You need to expose the lids of your sewage system before 8:30 a.m. on the Monday of the week of your scheduled Inspection. (There is an additional fee if you do not complete this step prior to your inspection week- Program Fees* are listed below) The property owner is responsible for locating the sewage system(s) on their property and uncovering the earth of the tank lids if applicable. If you require assistance locating the lids or uncovering them please contact a local sewage system service company to assist you. Inspection* You do NOT need to be present during the inspection. Unfortunately we cannot accommodate specific inspection date requests due to our scheduling requirements. An Inspector will visit your property during the week indicated on your notice. The inspection will be completed during normal business hours (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday). The Inspector will be carrying identification and will identify themselves to anyone who may be present. Photos may be taken during this process to note site observations.
Important - Do not pump out your system!
Please do NOT have your tank pumped out prior to the inspection. A reasonably full, operational tank is required in order to conduct a proper inspection and to determine the overall health of your tank. If your tank is scheduled to be pumped out before your date of inspection, please contact us immediately! We will do our best to get to your property prior the pump out.
Fees for the Mandatory Sewage System Inspection Program - Source Water Protection Zone
Fees are based on two types of inspections: Type 1 Inspections, and Type 2 Inspections Type 1 Inspection: the property owner has completed the questionnaire on time, and the lids to the sewage system are exposed for the inspection Type 2 Inspection: the property owner fails to complete the questionnaire, or they do not uncover the sewage system lids by the date of the inspection, or if a second inspection/site visit is required. An invoice will be provided to the property owner by mail following the completion of the inspection(s) and it is payable by the end of 2025. Unpaid amounts will be added to the tax account for the following year to be collected in accordance with the Building Code Act. Mandatory Sewage System Inspection Program- Source Water Protection Zone Fees Type 1 Inspection: $75 Type 2 Inspection: $300
More Information & Questions
For more information on Drinking Water Source Protection or the Clean Water Act please contact Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA) at otonabeeca@otonabeeconsersation.com or by phone at 705-745-5791 If you have questions about the Mandatory Sewage System Inspection Program - Source Water Protection Zone please contact the Building Department using the contact information on this page.

Step 1 - Note your date of Inspection & complete the Questionnaire

Review your information package carefully, and mark your week of inspection in your calendar.
Complete the online Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program Questionnaire as soon as possible (Due June 21, 2025)

If you are unable to complete the Questionnaire online, please contact the Building & Planning Administrator as soon as possible. A paper copy can be mailed to you, or filled out in person at the Township Office. Alternate arrangements can also be made to assist you with this necessary step.

Step 2 - Preparation & Inspection

Preparation

You need to expose the lids of your sewage system before 8:30 a.m. on the Monday of the week of your scheduled Inspection.

(There is an additional fee if you do not complete this step prior to your inspection week- Program Fees are listed below)

The property owner is responsible for locating the sewage system(s) on their property and uncovering the earth of the tank lids if applicable. If you require assistance locating the lids or uncovering them please contact a local sewage system service company to assist you.

Inspection

You do NOT need to be present during the inspection. Unfortunately we cannot accommodate specific inspection date requests due to our scheduling requirements.

An Inspector will visit your property during the week indicated on your notice. The inspection will be completed during normal business hours (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday). The Inspector will be carrying identification and will identify themselves to anyone who may be present.

Photos may be taken during this process to note site observations.

Important - Do not pump out your system!

Please do NOT have your tank pumped out prior to the inspection. A reasonably full, operational tank is required in order to conduct a proper inspection and to determine the overall health of your tank.

If your tank is scheduled to be pumped out before your date of inspection, please contact us immediately! We will do our best to get to your property prior the pump out.

Fees for the Mandatory Sewage System Inspection Program - Source Water Protection Zone

Fees are based on two types of inspections: Type 1 Inspections, and Type 2 Inspections

Type 1 Inspection: the property owner has completed the questionnaire on time, and the lids to the sewage system are exposed for the inspection
Type 2 Inspection: the property owner fails to complete the questionnaire, or they do not uncover the sewage system lids by the date of the inspection, or if a second inspection/site visit is required.

An invoice will be provided to the property owner by mail following the completion of the inspection(s) and it is payable by the end of 2025. Unpaid amounts will be added to the tax account for the following year to be collected in accordance with the Building Code Act.

Mandatory Sewage System Inspection Program- Source Water Protection Zone Fees

Type 1 Inspection: $75
Type 2 Inspection: $300

More Information & Questions

For more information on Drinking Water Source Protection or the Clean Water Act please contact Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA) at otonabeeca@otonabeeconsersation.com or by phone at 705-745-5791

If you have questions about the Mandatory Sewage System Inspection Program - Source Water Protection Zone please contact the Building Department using the contact information on this page.