Many homeowners in the Thunder Bay District rely upon septic systems, or onsite sewage treatment systems, to treat and disperse their sanitary wastewater.
Approval for in-ground sewage treatment and dispersal is required in all parts of Ontario, including the unorganized lands.
TBDHU provides permits for and inspects all new construction in the district to ensure that minimum requirements of the Ontario Building Code are met including regulations regarding the distance between septic systems and well water. TBDHU also provides information and support to homeowners about proper maintenance of septic systems.
Under Part VIII of the Ontario Building Code, TBDHU is responsible for issuing permits for the construction and use of septic systems within the District of Thunder Bay. Certificates of Approval to construct/install Class 2 through 5 sewage systems for new homes, camps, businesses and for the addition to, or replacement of, existing systems are issued by TBDHU.
Applying for a Sewage Treatment System Permit
Application Package - How to get one
There are two ways to get an application package for any type of sewage system permit in TBDHU's service area:
- Pick one up from the TBDHU office in Thunder Bay at 999 Balmoral Street (Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm)
- Call to have one mailed to you; 807-625-5900 or toll-free 1-888-294-6630 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm)
Completing the Application - A guide to help
- Please review the guide document on how to complete the permit application. Permits are required as stated by the Ontario Building Code (OBC) and TBDHU.
- Always refer to the current requirements of the Ontario Building Code (OBC) and the Building Code Act (BCA). The links are found on page 30 of the guide document.
Part VIII of the Ontario Building Code specifies the minimum requirements for:
- Five different classifications of sewage systems, and discharge limitations on sanitary sewage:
- Class 1 Sewage System - Composting toilet, pit privy, vault privy.
- Class 2 Sewage System - Leaching pit (used for the treatment and dispersal of grey water only).
- Class 3 Sewage System - Cesspool (used for the treatment and dispersal of the contents of a Class 1 sewage system only).
- Class 4 Sewage System - A conventional system includes a septic tank and leaching bed. An alternative system includes a septic tank and treatment unit and area bed (used for the treatment and dispersal of all wastewater).
- Class 5 Sewage System - This system is a holding tank (contents must be pumped out as often as is required). This system is permitted only by exemption under the Building Code. Contact TBDHU for details.
- Site evaluation regarding local soil conditions, sewage design flows and clearance requirements for various types of sewage systems.
- Application of tanks used to collect, treat, hold or store sanitary sewage, as well as the construction and installation of sewage systems
- The operation and maintenance requirements
Part VIII of the Ontario Building Code governs the design, construction, operation and maintenance of sewage treatment systems up to a capacity of 10,000 litres per day on one individual lot.
Sewage Systems that are:
- Greater than 10,000 litres per day (L/d), or
- if a single property contains several small systems (less than 10,000 L/d each) but the combined capacity of the systems exceeds 10,000 L/d,
These scale of systems are subject to Ontario Ministry of Environment approval.
Land Development
Under the Planning Act, TBDHU is requested by local Municipalities in organized territories, and the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing in the unorganized territories, to comment on:
- proposed severances
- subdivisions
- minor variances
- zoning amendments and
- official plans from an in-ground sewage treatment and dispersal viewpoint.
Severances – an inspection performed to determine the suitability of a proposed piece of land from an in-ground sewage treatment and dispersal viewpoint (3 lots or fewer)
Subdivisions – same as above (4 lots or more).
Lot Inspection for Advice – an inspection performed on a lot already created to determine suitability for in-ground sewage treatment and dispersal.
Real Estate Inspection – an inspection performed on an existing sewage system to facilitate a Real Estate transaction when the system was installed/constructed without TBDHU approval or a permit was not found on record.
Compliance Inspection – an inspection performed to facilitate mortgage requirements when the present owner is unable to provide documentation indicating the system was installed/constructed with TBDHU approval.
Complaint/Enforcement Inspection – All complaints or inquiries regarding sewage treatment systems are investigated. If and when a contravention of the Ontario Building Code has been identified, the party in question is given every opportunity and technical assistance to achieve compliance. Enforcement of the Code through legal means is usually employed when all other avenues have failed.
File Searches – This procedure can be requested by the public to search TBDHU files to determine if the property in question is serviced with a sewage system approved by TBDHU. If a permit is found, a copy is provided to the requesting party. Only files dated after 1980 can be accessed in this manner.
Performance Level Review – This service is performed to determine if a proposed addition to a dwelling will reduce the performance of the sewage system. For example, if the proposed addition is expected to increase the daily wastewater flow beyond the capacity of the sewage system, the system may have to be expanded.
Septic System Use Do’s and Don’ts
Do
- Familiarize yourself with the location of your septic system and, if it has one, the electrical control panel
- Keep an "as-built" system diagram in a safe place for reference; provide future owners with a copy
- Divert surface water away from your leaching bed
- Pump out your septic tank on a regular basis (every 3-5 years)
- Repair leaky plumbing fixtures to conserve water and reduce the amount of wastewater that must be treated.
- Replace old toilets with high efficiency models
- Keep lint out of your system by cleaning the lint filters on your washing machine
- Flush toilets with solid waste only. "If it's yellow let it mellow. If it's brown flush it down."
- Run full loads in both your washing machine and dishwasher
- Spread out laundry loads as much as possible
- Have showers instead of baths whenever possible
- Keep the tank access lid secure to the riser at all times
- Keep accurate records of system maintenance and service calls
- Maintain your system as required by cleaning your effluent filter annually, or as often as required
Don't
- Flush hazardous chemicals
- Flush cigarette butts or sanitary products
- Use a garbage disposal/garburator
- Plant trees or shrubs too close to the septic system or leaching bed
- Use special additives that claim to enhance the performance of your tank or system
- Use excessive amounts of water
- Leave interior taps running when attempting to prevent water lines from freezing
- Dig without knowing the location of your sewage system
- Drive over your septic tank or any buried components in your sewage system
- Dump RV waste into your septic tank
- Enter a septic tank
- Connect rain gutters, storm drains or allow surface water to drain into a sewage system
- Flush substances that cause maintenance problems and/or increase the need for septic tank pumping
- Remove and throw away the effluent filter to avoid cleaning it
For Further Information
Call a Public Health Inspector: (807) 625-5900
toll-free 1-888-294-6630