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Septic Systems

Municipal water and sewer services do not exist in the Township of Wainfleet. Instead, every developed property in Wainfleet has a septic system because the Township does not have municipal infrastructure to move wastewater from homes and businesses to a Regional treatment facility. All wastewater produced on any property is either treated on site or held in a tank to be pumped out and treated at a Regional facility. The following information gives an overview of the information you should know about your system.

Septic Permits

For permits, please visit our Building Department.

Frequently asked questions

What is a septic system and how does it work?

A septic system is an onsite system to treat or hold solid and liquid waste from sinks, bathtubs, showers and toilets. Watch septic expert Rob Davis explain how septic systems work.

How can I keep my septic system working properly?

If you rent your property to others or have guests staying with you, make sure they are aware of the dos and don'ts.

Do:

  • Familiarize yourself with the location of your septic system
  • Keep the tank access lid secured to the riser at all times
  • Keep an as built system diagram in a safe place for reference
  • Keep accurate records of septic system maintenance and service calls
  • Test your well water at least three times a year (spring, summer and fall) for indicator bacteria
  • Have your tank inspected for sludge and scum buildup on a regular basis (3-5 years) and clean out when a third of the depth of your tanks is full of sludge and scum
  • Have your effluent filter checked and cleaned every year – if you don't have an effluent filter consider adding one
  • Divert surface water away from your leaching bed
  • Conserve water in the house to reduce the amount of wastewater that must be treated
  • Repair leaky plumbing fixtures
  • Replace inefficient toilets with low-flush models
  • Consider installing a lint filler on your washing machine's discharge pipe
  • Spread the number of loads of laundry throughout the week

Do not:

  • Enter a tank – gasses and lack of oxygen can be fatal
  • Put cooking oils or food waste down the drain
  • Flush hazardous chemicals, pharmaceuticals, cigarette butts or sanitary products
  • Use garbage disposal unit/garburator unless your system has been designed for it
  • Use special additives that claiming to enhance the performance of your tank or system – you do not need them!
  • Dig without knowing the location of your leaching bed
  • Drive or park over your tank or leaching bed
  • Pave over your leaching bed
  • Allow livestock on the leaching bed
  • Plant trees or shrubs too close to the septic tank or leaching bed
  • Connect rain gutters, storm drains, sump pumps or allow surface water to drain into a septic system
  • Connect leaching bed or greywater system to agricultural field drainage
  • Discharge water softener backwash to the septic system unless your system has been designed for it
  • Drain hot tub and spa water to the septic system

How will I know if there is a problem with my septic system?

  • Sinks, showers and toilets back up with sewage or drain slowly
  • The lawn over the leaching bed has patches of abnormally healthy-looking grass
  • There are soggy areas, areas with surfacing grey water, or areas with surfacing sewage on or near the leaching bed
  • The lawn above the leaching bed is wet
  • There is a sewage odour in your home or over the area of your leaching bed
  • Large amounts of algae growth occur in or around nearby lakes or water bodies
  • Nearby well water tests indicate high levels of nitrates, bacteria, or other contaminants
  • Dosing pumps, if your system has them, run constantly or not at all

What should I do if I suspect a problem with my septic system?

Contact a qualified septic contractor to conduct an inspection to determine if a problem exists and possible remedies. Any repairs or replacements of any of the components (tank, leaching bed) will require a building permit. The Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association (OOWA) has resources available to find qualified contractors.

Contact Us

Chief Building Official
31940 Highway 3, PO Box 40, Wainfleet ON L0S 1V0
T. 905-899-3463 x 272
F. 905-899-2340
Emal the CBO
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Township of Wainfleet footer logo

31940 Highway #3
PO Box 40
Wainfleet, ON L0S 1V0

Phone: 905-899-3463
Fax: 905-899-2340

After-Hours Urgent Contact
Region of Niagara Central Dispatch
Phone: 905-984-3690

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