Community Onsite Septic Inspection Program
Protect Your Community, Protect Our Water
About the Program
The objective of the program is to aid in keeping our lakes, rivers, streams and groundwater free from pollution caused by faulty septic systems and protect our drinking water sources. Septic systems that are improperly maintained, deteriorating or malfunctioning may have a negative impact on the groundwater, the surrounding water bodies and the environment. All septic systems in the Township will be inspected with septic systems on waterfront properties being first priority.
Program Updates
The new Community Onsite Septic Inspection Program Fee has been included in the 2024 Final Tax Bills as a separate line item for local improvements. This charge applies only to properties with septic systems. If you believe you have been incorrectly billed for this fee and do not have a septic system, please contact the Township to inquire about reversing the charge.
The Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh COSIP inspections are starting on Tuesday, July 30. If you have received a letter in the mail, your property is included in the first cycle of inspections. Please complete the form and return it prior to your scheduled inspection date. Cycle One inspections will be completed by mid September.
The Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh has started mailing letters to the first stage of properties along the Lakeshore. Included in the letter is the date and time frame for your inspection as well as a form to complete regarding your septic system to return to the Township. The form can also be found here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3jAdhMmB-t-zY2Uegp486jr6-45UI5iEI_zk5134KgBtYNg/viewform?usp=sf_link
The Township of Ashfield - Colborne - Wawanosh has been hosting outreach presentations to the Lakeshore Associations. The lakeshore communities at the northern end of the Township, working south, will be the first to receive inspection booking letters. Septic information forms will be sent out in the mail commencing this summer.
The Township of Ashfield - Colborne - Wawanosh Council passed the By-Law 05-2024 to enact the Community Onsite Septic Inspection Program on February 6, 2024. Inspections are expected to start April 2024 in the lakeshore communities at the northern end of the Township, working south. Inspection booking letters and septic information forms will be sent out in the mail in the near future.
Upon receiving direction on January 16, 2024 from Council, staff are proceeding with bringing the Community Onsite Septic Inspection Program By-Law to the February 6, 2024 Council Meeting as proposed. Maintenance Inspections are proposed to start in the Spring of 2024.
Join us at the Municipal Office for Septic Socials on September 12th, 14th, 19th or 21st from 3:00-4:00 p.m.! This is an opportunity for members of the public to talk to staff about the proposed Community On-site Septic Inspection Program.
At the May 16, 2023 Regular Council Meeting Council supported the launching of the Sewage System Maintenance and Inspection Program by the end of June 2023.
At the March 20, 2023 Regular Council Meeting Council supported the continued development of a sewage system maintenance and inspection program. With the approval of the budget, staff began taking the first steps in the initiation of a sewage system maintenance and inspection program. This included:
At the February 7, 2023 Regular Council Meeting Council proceeded with the initiation of a Township administered sewage system maintenance and inspection program and that the estimated cost of $130,000 for the initial setup be brought back for approval in the 2023 Budget. This amount was subsequently approved at the 2023 Budget meeting.