On-Site Inspection

Maintenance Inspections for the Community Onsite Septic Inspection Program are proposed to start in the Summer of 2024.

• First Stage: Lake shore Areas Years 1-3
• Second Stage: Settlement Areas Year 4
• Third Stage: Rural Areas Years 5-6

Property owners will be notified by mail, of a date and time for their inspection. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to ensure a representative is available during the time of their inspection. 

Please prepare the following before your Maintenance Inspection:

• Locate all septic records for your system, including pumping records. 
• Provide an outdoor water source for the inspector to clean inspection tools.
• System lids must be dug out, if they are buried. Please leave lids on until time of inspection. Provide a means to remove large concrete lids if applicable.
• Have your Sewage High Water Alarm accessible if applicable.
• Ensure approximately 2.5m vertical clearance is provided above septic tank lids. 
• Know the location of your well, if applicable

A one-hour time slot is booked for each inspection and here's what you need to know:

• Please make sure your pets are inside or secured prior to and for the length of the inspection.
• Our inspector has identification with them and does not need to enter your home.
• DO NOT have your system pumped for this inspection, but you can arrange to have it done after if you'd like. Generally, systems should be pumped every 3 to 5 years depending on usage.
• The inspector does a visual inspection of the property and checks levels, filters, and general operation of the system.

No! There is no invoice for this inspection- the annual fee for the Community Onsite Septic Inspection Program will be applied to your property tax bill as a special charge. 

The fees proposed to operate the program are listed below: 

- Sewage System Maintenance Inspection - $55.00 per year 

- Tertiary Treatment Units that are under current service agreements and have reports filed with the Chief Building Official are  exempt from requiring a Maintenance Inspection - $30.00 per year 

- A New Sewage System that was installed within 3 years of the commencement of the Community Onsite Septic Inspection Program is exempt from requiring a Maintenance Inspection during the initial phase – No Charge for initial program cycle 

- A New Sewage System that is installed on a vacant lot is exempt from requiring a Maintenance Inspection during the inspection cycle in which the system is installed - No Charge for cylcle in which exempt.

- Additional copies of the Maintenance Inspection Report - $150.00 

- A Septic Permit that is needed to complete a required action noted in the inspection report, is exempt from the applicable permit fee.

Following your onsite inspection a report will be sent to the owner. A copy will be kept on file at the Municipal Office  and additional copies will be available for a fee.

Complete this form to the best of your ability and submit to cosip@acwtownship.ca prior to your scheduled inspection. 

https://forms.gle/MgCHLsZyG7pRxzkj6

If the inspector arrives at your property, during your scheduled timeframe and a representative is not present, this is considered a missed inspection. 

The inspector will leave a note for the landowner stating they were onsite. 

As per the fee by law 25-2024, missed or incomplete inspections will result in a charge of $200 which will be added to your tax bill.