Septic System Assessment

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Section 1: Assess your septic system condition

A septic system can impact local water sources and pose a threat to drinking water. The level of risk your system poses is influenced by the type, age, and general condition of your septic system.

Answer the following 10 questions to help you evaluate risks to water sources from your septic system.
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What type of septic system do you have on your property?
Conventional system (two compartment septic tank and leaching bed)
Aerobic system (two compartment septic tank, advanced treatment unit and leaching bed)
Holding tank
I'm not sure
3
Do you know where your septic system is located on your property?
Yes
No
I'm not sure
4
How old is your septic system?
Less than 20 years old
20 to 45 years old
Over 45 years old
I'm not sure
5
Do you know how the size/capacity of your septic system compares to modern building code?
Yes, it is big enough for my house
Yes, it is too small for my house
No, I need to find out
6
Has your septic system ever been upgraded? Select all that apply:
The tanks were replaced
Risers were installed for better tank access
The leaching bed was replaced
An Aerobic Treatment Unit was added
An effluent filter was added
Other
No upgrades have been made
I'm not sure
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Please explain what other upgrades have been completed:
8
What ground covers your leaching bed? Select all that apply:
Grass
Gravel/bare soil
Trees
Driveway
Other
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Please explain what other things cover your leaching bed:
10
What is within 15 metres of your leaching bed? Select all that apply:
Trees
Buildings
Drinking water well
Watercourse
Nothing
Other
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Please explain what other things are within 15 metres of your leaching bed:
12
Is your tank's outflow pipe fitted with an effluent filter?
Yes
No
I'm not sure
13
Section 1 total
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Section 2: Monitoring and maintaining the health of your septic system

Proper monitoring and maintenance of your septic system is crucial to be aware of any issues that may occur. Inspections should be undertaken by a licensed professional. Never enter a sewage tank as the conditions in the tank may cause injury or death.

Answer the following 8 questions to help you evaluate the health of your septic system.
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When was your last septic system inspection by a qualified professional?
Never/Unknown
Over 2 years ago
I have my system inspected every year
16
When was your last septic system pump-out by a qualified professional?
Never/Uknown
Over 6 years ago
3-5 years ago
Within the last 2 years
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When was your last septic system inspection by a qualified professional?
Never/Unknown
Over 7 years ago
6-7 years ago
3-5 years ago
Within the last 2 years
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When was your last septic pump-out by a qualified professional?
Never/Unknown
Over 7 years ago
6-7 years ago
3-5 years ago
Within the last 2 years
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How often do you clean your effluent filter?
As per manufacturer's recommendations
Every year
It gets cleaned during inspections and pump-outs
Never/Unknown
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Have you experienced any of the following? Select all that apply:
Sewage back up into home
System freezing
Slow drains/toilets
Bad smells inside home/outside near leaching bed
Wet, squishy grass over septic bed (with no precipitation)
None of the above
21
Are vehicles larger than a lawnmower ever parked or driven over the septic system?
Yes
No
22
Section 2 total
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Section 3: Assessing the impacts of your wastewater

Everything that goes down your drain can impact your septic system. It is important to be aware of the amount of water moving through your system daily, and what that water contains.

Answer the following 4 questions to help you assess the impacts your wastewater is having on your septic system.
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Do any of the following go down your drain? Select all that apply:
Harsh cleaners (e.g. bleach) or other chemicals
Fats (e.g. bacon grease)
"Flushable" wipes or sanitary products
Excess amounts of salt (water softeners, Epsom salt baths)
None of these go down my drain
25
Do you use a garbage disposal unit in your kitchen sink?
Yes
No
26
How much water is used in your home every day?
Less than 180 litres per person
180 - 270 litres per person
271 - 360 litres per person
Over 360 litres per person
I'm not sure
27
Does your building have water conserving fixtures?
Yes
No
I'm not sure
28
Section 3 total
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Section 4: Is your septic system posing risks to drinking water?

Septic systems can impact groundwater, which means they can impact the water entering drinking water wells.

Answer the following 3 questions to help you evaluate the risks your septic system may pose to drinking water.
30
Is your drinking water well up to current standards (Ontario Reg. 903)?
Yes
No
I am on municipal or communal water
I'm not sure
31
Does your septic system meet the minimum setback from the closest well (15 metres from a drilled well up to current standards and 30 metres from other well types)?
Yes
No
I'm not sure
32
Is your property located within a drinking water protection zone (a mapped area close to a municipal drinking water well or intake where certain activities, if left unmanaged, could contaminate the source water supply)?
Yes
No
I'm not sure
33
Section 4 total
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Section 1: Assessing the condition of your septic system

Risk level: Low

Based on your answers to the questions in section 1, the condition of your septic system is not posing significant risk to local groundwater. Newer and upgraded systems with sufficient capacity for the households they support are less likely to malfunction and pose threats to local water sources.
35
Section 1: Assessing the condition of your septic system

Risk level: Medium

Based on your answers to the questions in section 1, your septic system may pose a risk to local water. It is important to fully understand the system you have in place and how/where contamination can be introduced by your system. The following recommendations are aimed at better understanding the condition of your system, how best to care for it, and finding out if upgrades may be necessary.
36
Section 1: Assessing the condition of your septic system

Risk level: High

Based on your answers to the questions in Section 1, the condition of your septic system is posing significant risk to local water. Older systems, as well as those that are not sufficient to support the households they support, are more likely to break down and release contaminants that can negatively impact local water sources. It is important to ensure your septic system is up to the task of supporting your household to mitigate this risk of contamination. The following recommendations are aimed at helping you better understand the condition of your system, how best to care for it, and finding out if upgrades may be necessary.
37
Understanding an anaerobic septic system
38
Understanding an aerobic septic system
39
Learn more about your septic system
40
Ask a contractor if an upgrade to your septic system is recommended
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Your septic system may require an increase in capacity
42
Your septic system may be nearing the end of its lifespan
43
Consider maintaining grass over your leaching bed
44
Be aware of what features are nearby your septic system
45
Consider having an effluent filter installed in your septic tank
46
Ask your contractor if your septic tank has an effluent filter
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Section 2: Monitoring and maintaining the health of your septic system

Risk level: Low

Based on your answers to the questions in section 2, your approach to monitoring and maintaining your septic system does not pose significant risk. Properly and regularly monitoring and maintaining your septic system helps to ensure that any issues which might arise are swiftly addressed. Keep up the great work!
48
Section 2: Monitoring and maintaining the health of your septic system

Risk level: Medium

Based on your answers to the questions in section 2, your septic system may be at risk. It is important to be aware of the signs of a failing system, and regular monitoring and maintenance helps to ensure you are on top of any issues that might arise. The following recommendations are aimed at helping you ensure your septic system continues to operate effectively.
49
Section 2: Monitoring and maintaining the health of your septic system

Risk level: High

Based on your answers to the questions in section 2, your septic system may be at risk. Properly monitoring and maintaining your system requires regular inspections and pump outs, which can help to reduce the risk of contamination posed by a failing system. Being aware of the signs of a failing system also helps to ensure you swiftly address any issues that might arise. The following recommendations will provide you with information on how to monitor and maintain your system more effectively.
50
Have your septic system inspected regularly
51
Have your septic system inspected regularly
52
Have your septic system pumped out regularly
53
Have your septic system pumped out regularly
54
Have your system inspected by a licensed contractor as soon as possible
55
Clean your effluent filter regularly
56
Avoid parking or driving heavy vehicles over your septic system
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Section 3: Assessing the impacts of your wastewater

Risk level: Low

Based on your answers to the questions in section 3, your approach to water management in your home does not pose a risk to your septic system. Being mindful of the items you allow down your drains, as well as the amount of water you utilize, can help to ensure your system continues to function efficiently.
58
Section 3: Assessing the impacts of your wastewater

Risk level: Medium

Based on your answers to the questions in section 3, your home wastewater may be posing risks to your septic system. Putting things down your drain that might harm your septic system increases the likelihood of system failure and increases the likelihood of contamination. The following recommendations aim to provide advice on wastewater management so that your system continues to function efficiently.
59
Section 3: Assessing the impacts of your wastewater

Risk level: High

Based on your answers to the questions in section 3, your home wastewater is putting your septic system at risk, increasing the likelihood of system failure and contamination events. It is important to recognize that things you put down your drain will have to be passed through your septic system. The following recommendations aim to provide advice on actions you can take and/or avoid to reduce the risk of your septic system failing.
60
Avoid putting things other than wastewater down your drain
61
Be aware of water usage in your home and consider water saving practices
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Section 4: Is your septic system posing risks to your drinking water?

Risk level: Low

Based on your answers to the questions in section 4, your septic system does not seem to pose significant risk to your drinking water. Your septic system and well are in line with existing standards.
63
Section 4: Is your septic system posing risks to your drinking water?

Risk level: Medium

Based on your answers to the questions in section 4, your septic system may pose a risk to your drinking water. A failing septic system poses risk to drinking water, especially if in close proximity to wells that do not meet existing standards. The following recommendations aim to provide you with actions you can take to reduce this risk.
64
Section 4: Is your septic system posing risks to your drinking water?

Risk level: High

Based on your answers to the questions in section 4, your septic system poses significant risk to your drinking water. Risk of contamination events from a failing septic system, coupled with a well that is not up to existing standards, presents a great risk to the health of those in your household as well as others in you community that may depend on shared groundwater sources. It is important to maintain both your well and septic system, as well as to be aware of how your septic system can present a risk to local drinking water sources. The following recommendations provide actions that you can take to learn more about the relationship between wells and septic systems, and reduce this risk.
65
Find out more about your drinking water well
66
Contact a contractor to discuss potential well upgrades
67
Be aware of the distance between your septic system and drinking water well
68
Find out more about Source Water Protection
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Section 1: Assess your septic system condition

Section 2: Monitoring and maintaining the health of your septic system

Section 3: Assessing the impacts of your wastewater

Section 4: Is your septic system posing risks to drinking water?

Section 1: Assessing the condition of your septic system

Section 1: Assessing the condition of your septic system

Section 1: Assessing the condition of your septic system

Section 2: Monitoring and maintaining the health of your septic system

Section 2: Monitoring and maintaining the health of your septic system

Section 2: Monitoring and maintaining the health of your septic system

Section 3: Assessing the impacts of your wastewater

Section 3: Assessing the impacts of your wastewater

Section 3: Assessing the impacts of your wastewater

Section 4: Is your septic system posing risks to your drinking water?

Section 4: Is your septic system posing risks to your drinking water?

Section 4: Is your septic system posing risks to your drinking water?