Currently:
300 system designs have been approved
200 systems have been completed
By lease end April 30, 2021:
All cottagers must have an approved plan and be on a contractor’s wait list
Kirk Roote, manager of Land Management and Leasing, estimates that over 300 system designs have been approved so far. 200 of those have been installed.
The Band’s expectation is that everyone will need to either have had an inspection and passed (already meets code) or had an inspection and a plan approved by the Band before the end of the current lease period.
Kirk is confident that he and George Korzeniecki (Indigenous Services Canada) can cope with getting all plans approved by the end of the current lease period.
Contractors are booked well into next year, so many systems may not be installed by April 30, 2021 but cottagers are expected to have an approved plan and be on a contractor’s wait list by that time.
Cottagers who have not done so should gather together all available paperwork related to their septic systems (including installations and clean-out frequency). Then call a contractor to come and inspect your system. The contractor will be able to determine what is required and can develop a plan to bring your system up to code. The contractor will quote on the project and if acceptable will submit a plan to the Band for approval and subsequent site visit.
Thanks for the information. I’m curious what their plan is with respect to extending leases. There’s no clause in the current lease that requires replacement of septic systems by the end of the lease (2021). This should be a requirement for entering into a new lease beyond 2021 where the cottage owner has the benefit of reviewing all of the terms of the new lease, then deciding if the large capital investment for a septic system is worth it. Personally, I’m not keen on making a relatively large capital investment without seeing the terms of the new lease.
SCOI hopes to meet with the Chief sometime next week (first week of June) to discuss a number of issues. Lease renewal or lease extension is on the list.
The current lease (sections 14 and 15 and schedule A) makes it very clear that cottage owners are responsible for maintaining their septic systems to the standards set by Health Canada, Bruce County and Saugeen First Nation. The lease term is not relevant since the obligation is ongoing.
At this time it remains unclear if leases will be renewed when cottagers fail to bring their septic systems up to code. At that point and even now, the sale of a cottage without its system up to code will be reflected in the price buyers are willing to pay knowing they will be required to make the investment to upgrade.
Thanks, the more certainty on a prospective new long-term lease the better for everyone.
The term of the current lease is relivant, for me at least, since there is no obligation to renew the lease. All improvements to the land could be lost in 2021. While that’s probably unlikely, it has happened elsewhere and is clearly reflected in the current prices of cottages.
I have a recently installed septic tank and have it emptied annually. I believe that means my system is fine. How do I document that? Get my septic company to provide a statement?
Jane
If your system has been recently installed (within the past 4 years) it probably meets code. You can check with Kirk Roote in the Lands Office (519-797-3039) to see if he has a record of the installation and if he thinks you are good to go. If he has no record of it, you will need to call you contractor to provide that information to you and the Lands Office.
Is there any restrictions to converting to a holding tank system as opposed to a complete septic system?
The Band and Indigenous Services Canada have stated that holding tanks are a solution of last resort. So if your lot can accommodate a septic system, they are highly unlikely to approve conversion to a holding tank
I too am concerned that we are expected to foot the bill for major improvements to the land which we neither own or are confirmed with long term leases in place
It is good to know that proper sanitation is expected on our leased properties. There should be no exceptions when sewage systems are not safe and up to code.
We all benefit.