Septic Systems

A septic (sewage) system is made up of three basic components which provide a primary treatment to your household wastewater:

A septic tank
A tile field or bed
Soil cover

All sewage systems shall be classed as one of the following:

Class 1 - a chemical toilet, an incinerating toilet, a recirculating toilet, a self-contained portable toilet, and all forms of privy including a portable privy, an earth pit privy, a pail privy, a privy vault and a composting toilet system;
Class 2 - a greywater system;
Class 3 - a cesspool;
Class 4 - a leaching bed system; or
Class 5 - a system that requires or uses a holding tank for the retention of hauled sewage at the site where it is produced prior to its collection by a hauled sewage system.

When is a septic permit required?

You will need to apply for a septic permit if you want to:

Install a new septic system
Replace an existing septic system
Repair a leaching bed
Demolish or decommission a septic system

All sewage systems with the exception of Class 1 systems require building permits for new installations, replacement of existing systems, enlargement of an existing system or removal.

How to apply for a Septic System

Apply for your building permit online.

Requirements for submission are (not limited to):

Sewage system design with results from the soil analysis
Schedule 1 (Designer Information) & Schedule 2 (Installer Information)
Site plan indicating location of proposed sewage system, including setbacks to property lines, wells, buildings and natural areas
Clearance from the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority if you plan to build in a regulated area