If your property's water supply is not serviced by the West Elgin water and sewer system, you must have your own private septic system to dispose of sewage safely.

Do I need to apply for a permit?

We issue building permits and inspect all sewage systems with a daily design flow of less than 10,000 litres per day. The following are examples of when a permit is needed to meet the requirements in the Ontario Building Code:

• Adding a new septic system.
• Repairing or replacing a septic system or leaching bed.
• Connecting a private septic system to a municipal sewer.
• Decommissioning a septic tank.

The owner of the property must also sign the application.

Before you start

Onsite sewage systems must be designed and installed by a licensed professional qualified by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

You can install your own septic. However, you will require a permit and inspection. For more information, or to obtain a copy of the Individual Sewage Treatment Worksheet, please contact the Chief Building Official by email or by calling 519-857-9605.

Code requirements

Review the Ontario Building Code requirements for the design of an onsite sewage system:

• It must be 3 metres from property lines.
• The tank can be a minimum of 1.5 metres from buildings.
• The bed area can be a minimum of 5 metres from buildings.
• The bed should be a minimum of 15 metres from a drilled well or a minimum of 30 metres from a dug well.

How will I know if I have a problem with my septic?

Faulty or poorly designed septic systems can be harmful to the environment and can threaten public health by contaminating our local ground water. You should be aware of the warning signs of a failing septic system to help keep your family and the community safe. These include:

• The ground in the area is wet or soggy;
• Grass grows greener of faster in that area;
• Sewage odours in the house or yard;
• Plumbing backups into the house;
• Slowly draining sinks and toilets;
• Gurgling sounds in the plumbing;
• Test results of well water show the presence of bacteria.

Please note

Your completed septic system must be inspected before it is backfilled. Once we've issued your permit, you cannot make any changes to the approved design unless they're approved by our Chief Building Official.