Helpful info

What is a septic system??

A septic system is an underground wastewater treatment system commonly used in rural or suburban areas where there are no municipal sewer systems. It consists of a septic tank that collects and treats wastewater, along with a drain field that disperses the treated water back into the environment.

How often should I get my septic tank pumped?

Maintaining your septic system is much cheaper than replacing it! We recommend getting your septic tank serviced every 2-3 Years, in order to help prolong the life of your septic system!

How do I locate my septic tank?

To find your septic tank, first thing you want to do is measure from the corner of your house to the pipe that is going out of the wall (inside the house). Then go out side and use that same measurement, thus will help to determine where the pipe is. Take a small piece of rebar and poke it in to the ground until you hit something solid. This will likely be your tank. Try not to hit the pipe directly (as it can damage it). Start about 10 feet away from your house, then go every 5 feet after that. Be sure to find the two lids as there is two sides to your septic tank. Make sure you find both lids.

What should I do & don't do with my septic system?

DO: Know The Location Of Your Septic System Keep Record Of When You Had Your Septic Serviced Have your Septic Tank Serviced Every 2-3 Years Clean Your filter atleast once or twice a year (if your system as one) Try To Conserve your water usage.

DON'T: Ever enter a septic tank, Drive over or park on your septic system, Plant trees on or near your septic bed, Flush coffee grounds, dental floss, disposable diapers, or kitty litter, sanitary napkins, tampons, cigarette butts, or condoms, gauze bandages, fat, grease, or oil, paper towels etc.

How do I know if there is a problem with my septic system?

Gurgling sounds or slow-draining household drains Spongy or unusual wet ground Plumping or septic tank back-ups Sewage odor in the house or yard Water coming up in sinks, showers or bathtubs after water usage; laundry, toilet flushing, showing/bathing.

Signs that your septic system may need maintenance include:

Slow drains or toilets
Foul odors near drains or the septic tank
Pooling water or lush vegetation over the drain field
Gurgling noises in plumbing If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to contact a professional immediately.

Can I flush anything down the toilet or sink?

No, you should avoid flushing or pouring anything harmful to the system, such as:

Non-biodegradable items (e.g., wipes, paper towels, feminine products)
Grease or oils
Harsh chemicals or cleaners These can disrupt the natural bacteria in the septic tank and cause clogs or damage to the system.

Septic Tank System

How a septic system works

All of the water that you use through out the day from doing laundry, showering, flushing the toilet, dished etc. all runs in to your septic tank through pipes. The Septic tank itself is bauried underground made of concrete, or plastic. the septic tank holds the water water inside the tank, the solids will then settle to the bottom of the tank which turns in to sludge. Oils and grease that gets into your septic tank will float to the top of the septic tank which is then called scum.

Trout Lake Residents & Callander Residents

Callander Residents - Septic bylaw information

Callander Resisdents living on the shores of Lake Nipissing If you live on the shores of Lake Nipissing in Callander, The Municipality of Callander by-law 2010-1210 states that you must have your septic pumped out every 3 years for year round living or every 5 years for seasonal living. Once complete you then have to submit a pump out form to the Municipality Of Callander, which is signed by us. Click here for more information regarding By-law 2010-1210 - Municipality of Callander .

For a copy of the proof of septic tank pump out form for the Municipality of Callander click here

Trout Lake Residents - Septic bylaw information

If you live on Trout Lake, By-Law 2014-054 applies to you. The City of North Bay requires that septic systems on properties that are on the shores of Trout Lake or homes that are on a natural watercourse which leads into Trout Lake, must have their septic tank pumped out at least once every 3 years for permanent residences and once every 5 years for seasonal residences. After you get your septic serviced by us, you then have to submit a Proof of pump-out form and mail or e-mail it to the City of North bay. Click Here for more information regarding North Bay's By-Law 2014-054. - City of North Bay Click Here for the City of North Bay's proof of pump out printable form. - City of North Bay Click Here to see if the by-law applies to your property (See maps at bottom of document) - City of North Bay