SepticSmart!

U n d e r s t a n d i n g Y o u r H o m e ’ s S e p t i c S y s t e m

Canada
 S e p t i c S m a r t — U n d e r s t a n d i n g Y o u r H o m e ’ s S e p t i c S y s t e m

What Is A Septic System?

Septic systems are also
If you live in a rural area or a small community or if you have a cottage, chances are you known as:
have a septic system. Septic systems are onsite treatment units that eliminate the need • on-lot systems
for municipal sewers in rural areas. Anything that goes down the drain — every shower • onsite systems
drip and every toilet flush — flows to the septic system. Septic systems are comprised of • individual sewage disposal
a tank, a network of pipes and billions of organisms that process your waste. systems
• onsite sewage disposal systems
This booklet will help you become familiar with how your system works and how to keep • onsite wastewater
it working properly. It is important to know that you are responsible for your septic system treatment systems
and that it is in your best interest to take good care of it — from a health, financial and • sediment tank and treatment
environmental perspective. trench systems

How Does It Work?

The most common septic system consists of a septic tank and In the second compartment of the tank, finer particles settle to
leaching bed — all of which is hidden beneath the soil. the bottom. Organic materials break down in the tank. On newer
systems, any remaining organic material is trapped and
All household wastewater exits your home through an decomposes on a screen called the effluent filter located at the
underground pipe that leads to the buried septic tank. The waste outlet of the tank. As of January 2007, effluent filters became
flows to the first compartment of the tank where the heavy solids mandatory on all new installations and upgrades in Ontario.
settle and the lighter materials (fats, oils and grease) float to the
top as scum. Baffles and screens (see illustration on page 3) keep From the tank, the effluent moves to a leaching bed made up of
this scum layer from escaping the tank and flowing to the a network of perforated polyvinyl chloride (PVC) drain pipes.
leaching bed. This scum is removed when the tank is pumped Stone and a layer of unsaturated native soil or imported sand
during regular maintenance (see Why Should I Maintain My Septic surround these pipes. The effluent flows to the leaching bed
System? on page 8). either by gravity or a pump depending on site conditions. The

Leaching beds have

also been known as:
• sub-surface
disposal fields
• tile beds
• septic beds
• trench beds
• conventional beds
• disposal beds
• treatment trenches
• weeping beds

well septic
tank leaching bed

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Effluent filter in septic tank. Septic tank and leaching bed.

leaching bed’s perforated PVC drain pipes disperse the effluent, allowing the

?
liquid to seep into the ground where bacteria and other organisms process the Did You Know?
wastewater further. Soils below the stone in the trench bottom act as a
biological, chemical, and physical filter to remove most remaining organic and The soil under the stone in
biological contaminants. the trench bottom of a
properly working system can
In Ontario, the Ontario Building Code (OBC) governs nearly all rural septic remove 99 percent of the
systems. If you are installing, repairing, upgrading or replacing such a system, E.coli for every 30 centimetres
you must contact your local regulatory agency. It may be your municipality, (12 inches) of unsaturated soil.
health unit or conservation authority that inspects systems, issues permits,
maintains records and enforces Part 8 of the Ontario Building Code.

Parts Of The Septic Tank

access access
riser riser
discharge
to
house leaching
sewer pipe bed

scum scum
inlet effluent
baffle filter

compartment 1 compartment 2

heavy solids finer particles

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 S e p t i c S m a r t — U n d e r s t a n d i n g Y o u r H o m e ’ s S e p t i c S y s t e m

Your Class 4 Rural Septic System

Most rural homes use a Class 4 septic system as Types of Systems
recommended in the Ontario Building Code. A Class 4 In Ontario, the Building Code contains five classes of systems:
septic system uses a septic tank along with a leaching • Class 1 — all forms of privies, composting toilets, chemical toilets,
bed or a filter bed. The same bed types can look very incinerating toilets, re-circulating toilets and self-contained
different from site to site as the specific design is based portable toilets
on flow volumes from the house, space available in the • Class 2 — greywater system
yard, topography, soil material and depth to bedrock • Class 3 — cesspool
and/or other issues related to the property such as • Class 4 — leaching bed systems
proximity to surface water and groundwater. • Class 5 — holding tank

Leaching bed with perforated PVC drain pipes. Filter media bed.

?
Did You Know?

Gravelless trench technology can be

used instead of stone and perforated
PVC drain pipes.

Leaching bed with gravelless trench technology.

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In-ground Leaching Bed In-ground Filter Bed max 1.2 m
grass existing grade
topsoil
swale swale
grass 1.6 m porous backfill
topsoil existing grade
swale swale
existing
native
soil approved filter sand 750 mm 900 mm
existing soil 900 mm

groundwater table/bedrock/impervious soil groundwater table/bedrock/impervious soil

Raised Leaching Bed Raised Filter Bed max 1.2 m

1.6 m 15 m grass 15 m
grass
topsoil sand mantle
topsoil sand mantle
existing grade sand fill approved filter sand 750 mm 900 mm
sand fill 900 mm may be up to 1.5m existing grade
groundwater table/bedrock/impervious soil groundwater table/bedrock/impervious soil

topsoil
Absorption 325 mm to 625 mm (for 75 mm dia.)
sand 300 mm to 600 mm (for 100 mm dia.)
Trench
geotextile 50 mm
End view 600 mm to
cross- perforated PVC 900 mm
drain pipe 75 mm – 100 mm
section.

stone 150 mm Absorption Trench

Longitudinal cross-sectional view.

Leaching Bed — in-ground leaching bed or raised leaching bed* Filter Bed — in-ground filter bed or raised filter bed**

Description: Description:
• a series of trenches with stone on the trench bottom and • no trenches, one large bed
perforated PVC drain pipes above • the bed is prepared with a special “filter sand” that is a
• stone and geotextile fabric cover the drain pipes specified grain size to allow for optimum percolation while
• backfilled with sand and topsoil treating the effluent
• the length and number of absorption trenches depends on • perforated PVC drain pipes are laid on a continuous stone
percolation rate of the native soil and daily sewage design flow layer over the filter media sand

Advantages: Advantages:
• less expensive because you can use native soil as backfill • the system is smaller making it ideal for small lots where
• usually a gravity-fed system where no pumps are required separation distances may be an issue

Disadvantages: Disadvantages:
• space may be an issue on smaller lots • filter sand is costly because it is hard to find and in most
• may be hard to find good quality stone for absorption trenches cases needs to be processed to a specific criteria
• raised leaching beds are more expensive than the • can’t process heavy flows as effectively as a conventional bed
in-ground type because imported sand is required to • raised filter beds are more expensive than the in-ground type
construct the trenches because imported sand is required to construct the bed
• raised leaching beds require increased separation distances • raised filter beds require increased separation distances

* Raised leaching beds are the same as in-ground leaching beds except ** Raised filter beds are the same as in-ground filter beds except they
they are above existing grade. Raised beds are built above grade are above existing grade. Raised beds are built above grade
because regulations require certain separation distances between the because regulations require certain separation distances between
bottom of the absorption trenches and high groundwater levels, the bottom of the absorption trenches and high groundwater
bedrock or impervious soils. levels, bedrock or impervious soils.

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 S e p t i c S m a r t — U n d e r s t a n d i n g Y o u r H o m e ’ s S e p t i c S y s t e m

What Could Be Hiding Underground?

You could have some very old technology working for you. Today’s pipes used in leaching beds are plastic, but in the past
In the past, steel tanks, cinderblock tanks or poured-in-place clay tiles, asbestos pipes and non-corrode pipes were used.
concrete tanks were used. Septic system technology is Today’s spacing for leaching bed pipes is 1.6 metres (5.25 feet),
constantly changing and improving. Today, septic tanks are but you may find only 0.9 metre (3 feet) spacing in older systems.
either pre-fabricated concrete or plastic.
If you find these older features, it doesn’t mean your system
Since the mid-1970s, septic tanks are required to have two isn’t functioning properly, but it certainly indicates its age and
compartments. Old tanks may only have one compartment. that it may not be working to today’s standards.

Septic Systems And Your Health

There are many contaminants in wastewater that can affect There are legislated minimum separation distances required
your health and the environment. They include bacteria, between your septic system and your home and well,
viruses, parasites and nitrate. If contaminants reach your neighbouring homes and wells and nearby bodies of water.
drinking water supply, they can cause diseases or other health Respecting these distances and planning your lot accordingly
or environmental problems. will lead to a healthier, longer-lasting system.

A properly functioning septic system will remove most To learn more about the basics of rural wells, pick up a Private
contaminants to acceptable levels. However, treated wastewater Water Systems Information Package or a copy of the Best
that percolates through the soil may still contain contaminants Management Practices book Water Wells available free from
that can enter the groundwater table. To reduce the risk to nearby your local health unit.
ground or surface water supplies, the location of your septic
system is critical.

Septic systems recharge to groundwater and can impact

the quality of your drinking water. A properly functioning
septic system is part of a healthy water cycle.

leaching bed

septic
dug well tank treatment zone
percolation

groundwater table

saturated soil

bedrock — deep aquifer

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Minimum Separation Distances For Leaching Or Filter Beds

lot line

15 m any drilled well

in-ground leaching
or filter bed
5 m garden

1.5 m
3 m lot line 6 m tree
creek
d septic
15 m watercourse
she tank
5m
5 m pool 5 m house/deck
lot line

lot line
lot line

30 m any dug well

Raised leaching and filter beds have increased separation distances.

Building Code required separation distance The elevation of finished grade minus existing grade x 2 is added
recommended separation distance to the minimum separation distances.

For Example: The difference between existing grade and

finished grade elevation = 1.5 metres (5 feet)
1.5 metres (5 feet) x 2 = 3 metres (10 feet)
Therefore, add 3 metres (10 feet) to all separation distances
i.e., 15 metres (50 feet) to drilled well now becomes
18 metres (60 feet)

A properly functioning septic system will minimize the impact on water quality
in lakes, rivers, wetlands, creeks and streams.

septic leaching
tank bed

groundwater table
watercourse
drilled saturated soil
well

bedrock — deep aquifer

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 S e p t i c S m a r t — U n d e r s t a n d i n g Y o u r H o m e ’ s S e p t i c S y s t e m

Why Should I Maintain My Septic System?

Did you know that septic systems are the responsibility of replacing a failed system. Failed systems can be hazardous to
you the homeowner? It is up to you to keep your system your health, the environment and your pocketbook. It can
working properly to protect your environment, your health degrade water supplies and reduce your property value. Below
and your investment. are some valuable tips to ensure the longevity of your system.

When properly designed, constructed and maintained, a septic

system should provide long-term, effective treatment of your A licensed sewage hauler or onsite sewage system
household wastewater. If you take good care of your system, professional should remove the septic tank cover and
you will save yourself the time, money and worries involved in inspect the system every three to five years and pump
out the solids and scum when required.

Do: Don’t:
• familiarize yourself with the location of your system • enter a tank — gases and lack of oxygen can
• keep the tank access lid secured to the riser at be fatal
all times • put cooking oils or food waste down the drain
• keep an as built system diagram in a safe place • flush hazardous chemicals, pharmaceuticals, cigarette
for reference butts or sanitary products
• keep accurate records of septic system maintenance • use a garbage disposal unit/garburator unless your
and service calls system has been designed for it
• test your well water at least three times a year — • use special additives that are claimed to enhance
spring, summer and fall — for indicator bacteria the performance of your tank or system — you
• have your tank inspected for sludge and scum don’t need them!
buildup on a regular basis (3-5 years) and clean out • dig without knowing the location of your leaching bed
when a third of the depth of your tank is full of • drive or park over your tank or leaching bed
sludge and scum • pave over your leaching bed
• have your effluent filter checked and cleaned every • allow livestock on the leaching bed
year; if you don’t have an effluent filter, consider • plant trees or shrubs too close to the septic
adding one tank or leaching bed
• divert surface water away from your leaching bed • connect rain gutters, storm drains, sump pumps
• conserve water in the house to reduce the amount or allow surface water to drain into a septic system
of wastewater that must be treated • connect leaching bed or greywater system to
• repair leaky plumbing fixtures agricultural field drainage
• replace inefficient toilets with low-flush models • discharge water softener backwash to the septic
• consider installing a lint filter on your washing system unless your system has been designed for it
machine’s discharge pipe • drain hot tub and spa water to the septic system
• spread the number of loads of laundry throughout
the week

!
Ask To See The License!

Anyone in the business of pumping and cleaning septic tanks must be

licensed by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment.

Anyone who installs, repairs or services septic tanks must be licensed by

the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

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How To Find Your Septic Tank
The first step in finding your septic tank is to find your records. the house. As a good starting point, measure out 1.5 metres
All recent septic system approvals paperwork should contain an (5 feet) from the house. Using a blunt metal probe, try to identify
as built drawing that will help you find the system. If you don’t the corners of the tank. It may take some time based on how
have a copy of the paperwork, a copy may be available from deep the tank is buried. Be sure to exercise proper caution — if
your local regulatory agency. gas pipes or utility lines lie close by, be sure to call before you dig.

If you don’t have an as built drawing, start by trying to locate the If you can’t find the septic tank using these methods, contact
septic tank. Go to your basement and look where your sewer pipe your licensed sewage hauler or onsite sewage system
leaves the foundation. Try to find this same spot on the outside of professional for help.

Septic System Location rements.

drainage field and measu property to ensure
. Include your house, tank, planning changes to your
n Draw your septic system s. It will also help when
doing maintenance check
ing where your system is will help when as pools, sheds , trees, gardens, etc.
n Know other featur es such
ce between the system and
proper separation distan

SEPTIC
PERMIT
NO.
AS BUIL
N Elevatio T DRAW
Exact size
and
ns of in
stalled
system
(required
prior to installatio ING
location must be n inspec
of all stru supplie tion)
ctures, w d
Septic/H ell(s) and with th
olding Ta system(s
)
is report
Manufac nk : and its com
turer: ponents
must be
q concre L shown (in
te q N am cluding ne
Filter: q polyethyle e of owne ighbourin
no q ne q other r: g lots).
yes Inst aller:
Treatmen
t: Make Installer
Unit: M make Signature:
odel License N
Diameter umber:
of pipes Date of In
Make of stallation:
pipes: Civic Ad
Ends: q mm/inch dress or
capped es Legal Des
cription of
Number q interc Property:
of runs: onnected
Length of
runs: Township
Filter m m
edia: Pump S
Amount m ystems:
Purchase Volume di
Date Purc d: scharge
hased: Alarm lo rates:
Supplier: cation:
kg Dimension
Grain/siz of Pump /15min
e analysis Height of Chamber:
Analysis by: Float Sw
dated: itch:
EXAMPLE Grease
Intercep
*Grain q no tor:
Size Ana q yes
All rights ly si s and wei Size:
reserved
. No part
of this wo gh t bills m Lo ca tio n:
rk may be
reproduc ust be su
ed or used pplied w
in any for
m without it h th is report
NOTE: A the prior
n permiss writte .
ll as built ion of the
copyright
drawings holder.
must be
cross-re
ferenced
to the ho
use in tw
>3 m o (2) loca
tions.
x1= 98.45
x2= 98.5

7m
Septic
mantle System
10 m
# Runs
# 8m
Metres
1.5 m House
x4= 98.45 Septic
Tank
x3= 98.5
?m
9m
= 2 metre
s

Lane

well
NOTE:
Drilled w
ell • 15
metre
• 15 – 18 s to septic tank
metres to
distributio Dug well
n pipes • 15 met
Paperwork from the septic system’s approval and re
• 30 – 33 s septic tank
metres to
construction is valuable reference material along distributio
n pipes
with pumping, maintenance and service records.

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 S e p t i c S m a r t — U n d e r s t a n d i n g Y o u r H o m e ’ s S e p t i c S y s t e m

What Happens When There’s A Problem? Some Symptoms of a

Malfunctioning Septic System:
Septic systems have a lifespan of approximately 15-40 years. To If a homeowner has a • household drains slow down
maximize the lifespan of your system, follow the “Do and Don’t” malfunctioning septic • toilets back up
list on page 8. system, the big • sewage smell in yard
question is, “Do I have • grass over sewage system is
A malfunctioning septic system is easy to see . . . and smell. If to replace the whole unusually green and/or spongy
you suspect you have a problem with your septic system, it is system?” Repairs can • bacteria or nitrate
important to fix the problem quickly. A malfunctioning septic range from cleaning a contamination shows up in
system is a risk to your environment and your health. It can few lines to replacing well water
quickly contaminate groundwater and surface water used as entire leaching beds • surface ponding of effluent
drinking water sources. and removing
contaminated
If failure occurs shortly after construction, it may be the result of and clogged soils. An onsite sewage system professional
poor site assessment, poor design, poor construction practices should be retained. Their first task will be to determine the
or homeowner abuse. cause of the failure.

If you think there’s a problem, start by having the septic system If repairs are required to correct your septic system problem,
inspected. The tank may just need a cleaning. However, if there is contact your local regulatory agency to obtain the appropriate
a problem with the leaching bed, you will want to speak to an permit before proceeding. The local regulatory agency varies
onsite sewage system professional for their advice. Onsite sewage from municipality to municipality. Local grant programs may also
system professionals include installers, professional engineers, exist to help you with repair costs.
certified engineering technologists and registered sewage system
designers. A second opinion is always recommended.

Scum level is too high. Time to pump your Effluent pond on top of the leaching bed. A failed system exposed.
tank and inspect your leaching bed.

New Technology
Alternative technology for treating wastewater for individual through local source water protection studies. Contact your local
homes has been around since the 1970s but uptake has been conservation authority or municipality to learn about any
slow. Only in the late 1990s did new technologies become more programs for cost sharing opportunities, technology upgrades
readily available thereby providing more choices for homeowners. or replacements.

Sometimes alternative technology may be the only option. The research and development of alternative technologies have
Conventional systems sometimes don’t work on smaller lots, made it possible to produce an effluent of the same quality or
waterfront properties or when replacing systems in a confined area. even better than some large municipal treatment plants.
Homeowners should not be afraid to consider new approved
Alternative technologies may be required to reduce certain technology such as Aerobic Treatment Units (ATUs) and Media
contaminants (e.g., nitrate) if your property is located in a Filters. Your local onsite sewage system professional can help you
vulnerable groundwater or surface water area as identified select the right technology for your site.

10
Water Conservation
Greywater Recycling
Water conservation is always a good thing.
When it comes to your septic system, the
sink
more a household conserves, the less
toilet
water enters the septic system. Efficient
water use can improve the bacterial bath & shower
action of the septic system and reduce
the risk of failure.

• Check for leaky taps and leaking

toilets. Each small drip adds up. greywater recovery line

greywater recovery line

• Replace your inefficient toilets with a

black water line

low-flush, high-efficiency or a dual flush
toilet (up to a 50 percent reduction in washing machine

greywater supply line

water use).
• Use faucet aerators and high-
efficiency showerheads to reduce
water use (up to a 30 percent
reduction in water use).
• Take short showers instead of baths.
• Consider purchasing a high-efficiency
washing machine (up to a 50 percent
reduction in water and energy use). to septic system
• Wash full loads of laundry or use
the appropriate water level or load
size selection.
• Consider water-efficient models when
replacing your dishwasher (up to a greywater
40 percent reduction in water use). treatment tank

If you have recurring potable water

shortages and are building a new home,
you may want to consider recycling your greywater. Greywater Your local onsite sewage system professional can help guide you
recycling collects wastewater from the bath, shower, dishwasher on greywater systems suitable for your new home construction.
and washing machine. It is treated and reused for toilet flushing.
Greywater is not to be used for drinking water or bathing. It
requires disinfection to prevent fouling the system.

Other Information Sources:

• Municipal Building Department
• Local Health Unit
• Local Conservation Authority
• Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
• Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
• Ontario Ministry of the Environment
• Ontario Rural Wastewater Centre
• Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation
• Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association
• Ontario Association of Sewage Industry Services

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Funding for this booklet was provided by: Technical Review Committee Members:
• The Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the • Andrew Graham — Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association
Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem • Doug Joy — Ontario Rural Wastewater Centre
• The Canada-Ontario Environmental Farm Plan • Wade Morrison — Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Program, through the Agricultural Policy Framework • Jim Myslik — Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada • Will Robertson — University of Waterloo
• Ontario Ministry of the Environment through Cataraqui • James Ross — Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Source Protection Area, Mississippi-Rideau Source • Hugh Simpson — Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Protection Region and Quinte Source Protection Region • H.J. Smith — Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
• Bob Stone — Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Technical writing by: • Ted Taylor — Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
• Terry K. Davidson — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority

Plain language editing by:

• Diane Downey — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority

Design and illustration by:

• Laurie Dool — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority

Cette publication est également disponible en français.