Huron-Kinloss to see mandatory septic re-inspection program

By Darrell Ziegler

Following reports from experts in near shore water quality, Huron-Kinloss council decided at its meeting in Ripley on Monday, January 8, to move forward to the first stage of the inspection this summer.

Matt Pearson, from B.M. Ross and Associates in Goderich, along with Lou D’Alessandro from the Grey Bruce Health Unit were on hand to discuss the condition of our beaches and the water around it. Both agreed that bacteria levels in many cases are higher than they should be in several areas of the township.

Although the reports list many factors that play a part in elevated E.coli counts, including geese and other wildlife, weather conditions, water temperature, etc, poorly operating septic systems and farm run-off are both listed as large contributors.

It is hoped that by identifying, repairing or upgrading out-dated and poorly operating systems throughout the township, the adverse effects to the lake caused by these septic systems will be minimized.

Council would like to see 150 homes inspected this summer in various “hot spots” throughout the township, with the number increasing to 300-per-year in 2008.

Old systems, those near waterways and those in areas that have been identified as trouble spots will be targeted first. These hot spots are areas where water quality test results have consistently showed higher-than-normal bacteria levels.

The Jardine Creek area in Point Clark is one example of an area that has consistently tested high since the water quality program came into effect nine years ago. It was recommended in the B.M. Ross report that about 50-homes be tested there.

“Jardine Creek is relatively land-locked,” when it comes to influences from agricultural run-off, said Pearson. Over the years, most run-off has been diverted from entering it, “other than drainage from about 25-acres of land.”

With minimal input from agriculture, the evidence points to septic systems as the main bacteria contributor in the case of Jardine Creek.

Another areas of concern along the lakeshore are Poplar, Emmerton and Bruce Beach, where some systems date back 50-years.

The program will not be a short, one-year program, but permanent, on a rotating basis. Pearson recommends 150-tanks be checked in the first year, with the number increasing to 300 in the years to follow. Once all the tanks have been tested, the process will start again from the beginning, ensuring all are operating efficiently and tested regularly.

There are anywhere from 3,000-4,000 septic systems in the township, however, some tanks are relatively new and will not require testing at this point.

Although the majority of the inspections during the pilot year will be done in the lakeshore area, rural areas are immune to the program. Pearson recommended about 25 systems be tested in a hamlet area such as Kinlough or Kinloss, “somewhere with different soil conditions.

Although sometimes farther from the lake, there are aging and inefficient systems that need to be checked in rural areas as well. Pearson says he knows of systems in Huron County that were not working properly, so they were simply re-routed and hooked into a drainage tile going into a field. “It’s pretty obvious where it went after that.”

D’Alessandro from the health unit agreed rural areas could also be a part of the problem, along with improperly installed systems. “There are also tanks that have been put in at midnight. Then there’s those that are simply a 45-gallon drum. Those can cause problems.”

A project of this size is a daunting task for a municipality as small as Huron-Kinloss, as there is no provincial money to go towards projects of this nature.

The total cost estimate for this year’s pilot project, according to Pearson, adds up to about $65,500. Of that, $35,500 goes towards the delivery and $30,000 will pay the health unit’s inspection costs.

The delivery includes designing the project, education, awareness and marketing. “We can’t just walk up to someone and say, we’re inspecting your system. They have to know why we’re doing it, etc. It’s something new, something people aren’t used to.”

Under the plan, the township would pay for the delivery portion, however it was suggest that each homeowner pay $50 towards that cost when their turn comes for inspection.

The health unit’s $30,000 inspection cost would be paid out-of-pocket, by the septic owners, anywhere from $175-$200 each. The homeowner would also be responsible for covering the cost of emptying their tank before the inspection. “We’re looking at trying to get a bulk rate on the cleaning to try to cut some of the cost for homeowners,” he said.

Even at a “bulk rate,” the cost to those inspected could run about $350 total.

Deputy mayor Wilf Gamble asked wondered what would be involved as far as the physical inspection. “Will they just be lifting the lids and checking the tanks?”

Pearson said the inspections would be as “non-invasive” as possible and include checking the tank, asking a detailed list of questions, walking the property, looking at plant life, (in the area of the weeping bed) and gathering information. “No one’s going to be digging any holes in people’s yards.”

Council agreed that the issue of septic re-inspections came up often during the recent election campaign, with many residents requesting that it begin this year. They also agreed that there would be some that will not be happy with the program. “Mandatory or not, we’ll have to face the wrath of the taxpayers,” said councillor Jim Hanna. “I have no problem with that.”

“If repairs are needed, the township will have to help out by talking with the property owners or persuade them to do repairs. If necessary, do it by order,” said Pearson. Referring to the councillors, he said, “You’ll have to back it up and stand behind it.”

The idea of septic re-inspection is nothing new to the township. It’s been in the works since 2004, following a B.M. Ross report on the Implementation of Septic System Re-Inspection, which is the model for this year’s project.

It was last discussed at the 2006 budget meeting. Due to the large number of capital projects in the township last year, including the Lake Range extension, the Statter’s Lake Road re-building/paving and the re-construction of Seneca Street, the pilot project was put off.

The Point Clark water quality monitoring program, which identified some of the problem areas, is done because of a commitment made by the municipality to the Ministry of the Environment as part of the approval for continued development on septic systems in Point Clark.

Twolan said that he has requested that Bruce County councillors consider putting anywhere from $700,000-$1,000,000, towards a Healthy Futures type project to help municipalities improve water quality. The project would not be limited to any particular municipality and could possibly be used in a variety of improvement projects from septic re-inspections, to keeping cattle out of the rivers.

Mayor Mitch Twolan asked D’Alessandro if there was anything else the township could do to be more pro-active with the issue of water quality. D’Alessandro replied, “I think Huron-Kinloss is being very pro-active in terms of monitoring and on the right track with the septic program.” He recommends that the township “go ahead with septic re-inspections.”

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