Onsite Systems for All of Us Doug Joy School of Engineering University of Guelph
Overview The onsite situation in Ontario Potential impacts You Your neighbors Others Legal framework Approaches to onsite What can go wrong? Reinspection programs
The situation Formal Onsite systems have been around for about 150 years in Ontario 1.2 million systems in Ontario we think! 20,000 new systems every year Discharge 250 billion L/year of wastewater to environment Lifespan of 20 to 30 years
Why should we worry about onsite systems? They represent a huge investment ($5000 to $50,000) Or this? Do you want to spend on this?
Why worry? Poor performance may make property unsellable, useable, liable Can your kids use this yard?
Why worry? Poor performance may impact neighborly relations
Eutrophication Lake near Parry Sound
Any of you live here? McCharles Lake McFarlane Lake Grant Lake Long Lake Windy Lake Middle Lake Bethel Lake Etc. Oct 08 & Oct 11 Oct08, Nov08, Jul11 Nov 08 Nov 08 &Jun 11 Nov.08,09; Aug 10 Aug 11 Sep 11 B-G Algae
Blue green algae Don t drink it Don t touch it Don t let your pets touch it Don t fish in it Ouch!
e.g. Lake Simcoe phosphorus loading Note contributions on next slide Solution: 100 m setbacks from waterfront for all buildings including onsite systems
Legal Framework Small systems governed by the Ontario Building Code Typically administered by the Local Building Department (HU and CA s in some areas) Permit required for all new, repaired and replaced systems
Legal Framework Minimal oversight for conventional systems You own it you take care of it Treatment systems annual maintenance/sampling is required Some oversight, but may depend on area
Legal Framework New system Investigation Design Permit application Permit approval * Construction * Final approval *
Legal Framework What is process if another system is failing? Complaint to CBO Building inspector investigates complaint Inspector cajoles owner to fix Failing that, building inspector issues an order to comply
Systems Old New
Systems - Old Outhouse Holding tank Trench system Filter bed Can be either in ground or raised with imported soils
Outhouse
Holding Tank Module 1 20
Systems - New Shallow Buried Trench (15 years) Area Beds (10 years) Effluent Filters (10 years 5 in Ontario) Treatment Technologies (0-15 years)
What is new 40 years ago Added filter bed to systems allowed in Ontario We were pioneers What was the benefit? Reduced foot print (400 ft2 vs 2000 ft2) Imported soil requirements greatly reduced Later added to area requirements for fill based systems that eliminated much of the area reduction.
What was new 30 years ago Initial phase of treatment technologies introduced into Ontario What was the benefit? Reduced areas of filter beds (25 to 50%) Reduced areas of leaching beds (33%)
What was new 15 years ago Newer (and better technologies) with shallow buried trench systems What was the benefit? Smaller areas (60% smaller) but needed a pump Now required to have annual servicing done and periodic sampling must demonstrate continuing to work Later increased areas of systems
What was new 10 years ago Newer treatment technologies with area beds What was the benefit? Areas smaller than leaching beds and filter beds Not as small as a SBT but often no pump Reduced thicknesses of soil required
Puraflo
Area Bed with Waterloo Biofilter
Area Bed with Clearstream System
Approved Treatment Systems in Ontario Trickling Filter Systems Waterloo Biofilter Ecoflo Orenco sand filter Puraflo Advantex Suspended Biomass Systems Whitewater Norweco Clearstream Nayadic Aquarobic Aqua-Aire Aqua Safe Submerged Attached Growth/Forced Aeration Systems F.A.S.T - BioMicrobics BioNest Rotordisk WSB
What to look for in a treatment technology? Make sure the system is approved under the Ontario Building Code Cost to install the system Who will be the Installer? Familiarity with installation of this type of system Are they OOWA Member?
This is not an approved system!
What to look for in a treatment technology? Can the system adequately treat for the contaminants of concern Nitrogen? Phosphorus? What about Maintenance? Who will do it? What will be the cost ($250-$500), frequency? How far away is the service provider if we have problems?
What to look for in a treatment technology? What needs to be replaced periodically in the system and how much will it cost? What are the power requirements for operating the system? How will the system work with my intended landscaping? Raised system? How much space?
What was new 10 years ago Gravel-less systems Benefits: No gravel required Often no pipe required Easier to construct and get materials to site
EZ Flow Styrofoam Systems
Chamber Systems
What was new 6 years ago Introduced the requirement for all systems to have an effluent filter Benefits: Improved treatment Better protection of leaching bed Now need to maintain filter annually or semi annually
Effluent Filter Installed
Effluent Filter Cleaned
What was new 1 year ago Maintenance programs mandated by Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Mandatory or Discretionary Benefits: Added protection for source water protection areas (e.g. wells, lake and river intakes) Provided mechanisms for municipalities to have their own re inspection programs
Re-Inspection Programs Mandatory Source Protection areas (e.g. near municipal wells or intakes) = Vermilion River, Ramsey Lake, Wanapitai River. Near Lake Simcoe Discretionary For any municipality that wants one They need to pay for it them selves Note that 25+ municipalities have done this before the program was created
Discretionary Re inspection Programs What might they involve? Examination of leaching bed confirming no obvious problems Examination of plumbing to ensure all is connected to system and not leaking Examination of (perhaps pumping) septic tank to ensure not full of solids and structurally sound Outcome? Lots of systems need to be repaired Improvement of overall performance
What is new - ongoing Improved treatment technologies Targeting more contaminants Nitrogen we are getting better Phosphorus still at beginning stages, but some are now approaching commercialization Remote sensing of system performance
Contact Information Doug Joy Ontario Rural Wastewater Centre School of Engineering University of Guelph Ph: 519.824-4120x53048 email: djoy@uoguelph.ca