In rural areas, individual sewage disposal (or septic) systems use natural treatment and filtration to clean waste water before it is dispersed underground.
When septic systems work properly, they are efficient, inexpensive to maintain and environmentally friendly; when they fail, they cause odours, water pollution and major expense.
By properly maintaining sewage disposal systems, homeowners play a significant role in protecting our health and natural resources.
Why is it important to be “septic smart?” |
Septic systems that are not properly taken care of can cause serious health ricks to humans, pets and the environment. Lack of maintenance can also lead to untreated sewage which can pollute nearby streams, lakes and groundwater. Neglect or improper use of a septic system can also cause damage that can be very difficult and expensive to repair. |
Septic system installation |
Recommended septic tank capacity
Size and dimensionsThe average septic tank requires a space about 10 ft. x 10 ft. The disposal (or drain) field should be 30 ft. x 50 ft. or larger, with an additional area of similar size held in reserve in case of drain field failure. The drain field must have 4 ft. of good native soil from the surface to the water table or hardpan and a minimum of 2 ft. vertical separation from trench bottom to the water table or impervious material such as hardpan. |
How do I maintain my septic system? |
An important way to keep your septic system safe is to monitor what goes down the drain and keep up with regular inspections. Taking precautions will protect your loved ones, reduce costs and safeguard drinking water. The following points will help keep your septic system safe:
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Do's and don'ts |
Things to do
Don't do any of the following
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Failing septic systems |
Lack of maintenance is the number one reason septic systems fail. Failing septic systems cause serious problems such as contaminating groundwater, streams, rivers and lakes – all of which impacts the quality of our drinking water. When septic systems fail, untreated or partially treated wastewater can be exposed, which carries dangerous viruses and pathogens, resulting in illness and pollution in our community. Some signs to watch out for
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Commercial dumping practices |
Waste from your septic tank is to be hauled for treatment to the regional septic receiving facility located off Beaver Lake Road in Lake Country by a commercial hauler. In April 2021, for the first time in six years commercial tipping fee rates for effluent treatment have increased. Bylaw No. 1479 reflects the current disposal rates. RDCO bylaws prohibit the disposal of any sludge, deposit, or material contained in, or originating from, any septic tanks, portable holding tanks, or recreational vehicles into the regional sewer system (Westside Sewer System | Bylaw No. 1315 and Central Okanagan East Sewer Systems | Bylaw No. 1316 (amended by Bylaw 1514). |
For more information on septic systems, including the approval process, approved designers and installation companies and the care and maintenance of systems, please follow this link to the Interior Health onsite sewage systems webpage.
Contact us
Emergency water contact - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
T. 250-469-6241