Millers Septic ServiceSouthampton ON | Tom MacDonaldSauble Beach ON | Barfoot Contracting & ExcavatingGeorgian Bluffs ON |
Wayne Davidson ConstructionAllenford ON | Ron Nickason Plumbing-HeatingAllenford ON | |
TA Stewart & Son ContractingSouthampton ON | Hilker Septic SystemsSauble Beach/Kitchener ON |
There are other septic installers in the area. Are these the only acceptable ones for the SFN or are they the ones they have dealt with so far?
The Band wants to be sure septic contractors are legitimate, licensed and have a good track record. The list that is posted are those contractors who have been working on the Saugeen First Nation. Other licensed contractors are likely to be acceptable but you should check with the Lands office to be sure 519-797-3039.
Beirnes Contracting has just notified the Band they they should be removed from the list because they are completely booked up for the rest of this year
Morning. Just a quick question regarding septic inspection.
Have all the septic inspectors agreeded upon a flat rate for inspection or will there be a bidding war for their business. Just curious as there are so many septics to be inspected.
We do not know the answer to this question but suspect they are each operating independently.
Any update on the timelines for inspection by the band?
The Band is asking that cottage owners gather together any documentation they may have on the installation and pump outs of their septic systems. Then they are asking that cottagers arrange for one of the septic contractors to inspect their system and determine what, if anything, needs to be done.
If it is obvious that the existing system is not functioning properly, it will be given a high priority for an upgrade. There is no deadline per se. The Band knows it will not likely have all systems up to code by spring 2021 (lease renewal time) but expects to have them all assessed and in a line waiting for a contractor to do the work. Those that represent to greatest risk to ground water will have the highest priority.
If you don’t have documentation, you should contact a contractor (there is a list posted here) to come and do an inspection. This is particularly important, because if the Band through their own investigations sees that there is no documentation, they will likely come and have a look. If they determine you have a high risk situation, you may be required to stop using your septic system immediately and then have to wait for a contractor to fit you in. This could seriously upset your summer plans. Being proactive is a much better way to deal with this situation.
If my system was recently installed (10 years) and has been annually emptied by a septic company do I need to do anything or is inspection requirement already met?
If your system is 10 years old and you have the documentation associated with its installation and receipts for the yearly pump out, you should take them to Kirk Roote at the Land Management office to see if they want you to have an inspection. The code was updated about 4 years ago, so it is likely that your system no longer meets code. However, if it is determined that your system is still functioning as it should, bringing it up to code will have a lower priority that many others and it may be some time before the Band will insist that something be changed.
I used Tom and Nancy MacDonald and they were great!
We also used Tom & Nancy MacDonald from the list and we very pleased with their work. They were very professional and easy to work with. We would recommend them.
We used Tom and Nancy MacDonald to install our new septic system. Everything went awesome. I would receive updated photos of their progress. They are very professional and answered every question we had. We would highly recommend them.
I have heard some stories already regarding replacement of septic. Customer quoted a price and once started company doing the septic jumps the price up quite high. This leaves the customer with not many options other than to pay not knowing if they are getting ripped off or not.
I have also heard that the rules are different in town owned compared to lease land regarding the septic systems . Is this true.
We have had no reports of this happening.
The list of contractors posted on the SCOI website was sent to us by the Band’s Land Management office. The Band is knows these contractors and has confidence in the work they do on the Reserve. However, if someone feels that their contractor has charged more that was quoted without there being some unforeseen cost/complication, they should report it to Kirk Roote at the Land Management office (519-797-3039).
Are there specs available to read for acceptable grey water system? We installed composting toilet in 2011.
We suggest you contact Kirk Roote at the Lands Office (519-797-3039) for specifications for handling grey water.
Hi Anne,
Did you end up having a discussion with the Land Management office regarding the grey water system and composting toilet?
Should we expect to receive a letter from the band, not just information SCOI has relayed, that outlines these septic expectations? To date, we have received no communication from the lease holder (the Band) regarding these changes. We have several neighbours that are not members of SCOI. How are these individuals to learn of these expectations? We are somewhat hesitant to proceed with any kind of changes to our property without receiving formal notification from the Band itself. We think upgrading septic systems is a good idea but are confused why there has been no direct communication from the Band. Can you please advise. Thanks.
Mark,
Great question and comments. There are about 1200 land lease cottagers. About 640 are SCOI members and there are only 370 subscribers to the website (presumably some not members). So you are right to assume many cottage owners are not very plugged in to what is happening in their cottage community except what they hear from their friends and neighbours…. and often this is not very accuarate. So we encourage you to get your neighbours signed up.
The SCOI executive is hoping to meet with the Chief late next week to discuss a number of issues. We will raise this issue of notifying all lease holders about the Band’s expectations re: getting all septic systems on the Reserves up to code.
Thanks for the feedback.
What would I expect to pay for an inspection? Can someone post what they had to pay for the inspection, then the price of installation of the holding tank and a separate price for installation of the weeping bed tiles. Not all of us may need the whole system renewed. Then the rest of us will have an idea of what is the going rate as well as if we are being overcharged. I understand that there will be some differences in price due to access, but then we will have an idea of what to expect. Thank you.
We are not sure what an inspection would cost if you decide not to go with the contractor doing the inspection. Our experience is that the contractor does the inspection, creates a plan and submits it to the Band for approval, all of which will be included in his quote.
When the contractor visits the site to determine what is needed and where it should go (things that will go into the plan) he will give the cottage owner an estimate of the cost of doing the work.
The cost will be determined by the size of the septic tank, if a lift pump is required, whether it is better to go with a weeping bed or a filter bed and other considerations like tree removal, electrical hook up if there is a lift pump, and plumbing to connect the new system to the cottage, moving a sand point….
Installations we are familiar with have been between $10k and $13k. Installing a holding tank or not having to replaced all components of a system will be less expensive. Each location and situation will be different.
Is a septic system upgrade required every time the code is updated? Does the concept of “legal non-conforming” not apply in this situation?
The current code was updated about 4 years ago. The Band is undertaking this septic initiative in a way that will address the oldest and most at risk systems first.
Many Cottagers, aware of the age of their systems, are stepping up to have them inspected. Some of their systems were installed/upgraded in the past ten years and they have documentation to show where and what was installed as well as records of maintenance/pump outs etc.
In these cases the Band has made a site visit, reviewed the documents and inspected the system to determined if it continues to function as it is supposed to and that no other considerations have changed I.e. separation distances. In this case they would probably decide that the system is a low priority for upgrading at this time given its more recent installation (but not up to the most recent code) and given the long list of other systems with a much more urgent need for attention.
The decision on whether an upgrade is needed resides with the Lands Department and Indigenous Services Canada. If a cottager feels they fit the above situation they should submit their documentation to the Lands office and ask for them to make a determination.
If you have a septic system and want to replace it with just a holding tank that you would have pumped out regularly, would that be an option?
The Band and Indigenous Services Canada have indicated that holding tanks are a last resort used for situations where a septic system is not feasible. If you already have room for a septic system then you should presume they will want you to bring it up to code and won’t approve a plan to replace it with a holding tank.