Onsite Sewerage Solutions
Onsite sewerage systems safely treat the used water from bathrooms and kitchens, clean it, and return it to the hydrological system. Servicing rural residences and businesses where no municipal sewer system is available, properly designed and installed onsite systems are critical to preserving the health and safety of our groundwater.
There are three main types of onsite sewerage systems: septic systems, greywater systems, and composting toilets. Septic systems are the most common. These are generally comprised of two main components: a septic tank and a 'drainfield'. Small amounts of effluent from the tank are emitted into the drainfield and treated by the soil's micro-organisms. When properly designed and installed, the treatment is complete and safe. Cleaned 'recreational quality' water is returned to the groundwater below the drainfield.
The onsite sewerage industry is regulated as a professional reliance model. Onsite sewerage systems require design by an Authorized Person, and need to meet provincial guidelines. System designs must be filed with the local health authority prior to installation. After the installation, certification is required prior to the system's use. While regulations and standards compliance may increase the cost of onsite sewerage, they reduce the risk of inappropriately treated sewerage causing serious harm to human health and the environment.
Time Lapse Video of a Septic Installation:
Video Credit: Tim Matheson
Installing a Septic System - Steps:
Installing a septic system is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. Here are the steps involved in the installation process:
Step 1. Site evaluation:
The first step is to evaluate the site to determine the best design and location of the system's tanks and drainfield. This involves assessing the future usage, locations of buildings, topography, soil types, and permeability of the soil. Regulatory factors such as property line setbacks, registered covenants delineate which areas are open to assessment, as do the locations of wells and water bodies such as creeks, wetlands, and the shoreline of a lake or the ocean.
Step 2. Creating the best design for the site, and filing the design with the local health authority.
Once the site has been evaluated, we create a detailed design based on all the factors at play. We then send this design, along with the legal description of the property, to the local health authority. As soon as the filing is confirmed received (usually within a day or two) we ca begin installing the system. A filing stays open and active for two years from the date of filing.
Step 3. Installing the system:
This is when the fun really begins!
We bring in our equipment, excavate and level the tank cavities. We carefully scrape open the drainfield area, preserving the good soil full of the micro-organisms which treat the effluent.
Aggregate is brought in to bed the tanks, electrical and sewage lines, and drainfield piping.
Then we cover it all up, blend the surface with the topography and landscaping, and seed with a groundcover.
Step 4. Commissioning and certifying the system:
After Installing the septic system, we commission it, test it out, and inspect it to ensure it is working exactly as it should. At this time there are usually 'tweaks' to be made to the sensor, control panel, or the floats which control dosing to the drainfield. Once we've ensured that the system is functioning properly, we certify it with the local health authority. We provide our clients with copies of all the paperwork, and digital copies remain available upon request at the local health authority.
Step 5. Maintaining the sytem:
Upon completing the septic system, we provide the client with a Maintenance Plan which details how to maintain the system to ensure its long-term performance and lifespan. A septic system should last more than 25 years. Properly designed and maintained systems can last 40 or more years. Maintenance includes annually cleaning the filter, having the septic tank pumped out every few years, and avoiding putting harmful chemicals down the drain.
Make sure your onsite sewerage contractor's work is overseen and stamped by an Authorized Person. This ensures that your septic system is designed and installed to meet provincial guidelines and local regulations.