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CK Ventures Ltd. Constructed Wetland Dispersal Field
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Submitting a building permit application? You will first require an Onsite Wastewater system design which will be filed with the Local Health Authority. Pacific Onsite Solutions can provide you with a complete set of construction drawings which will be submitted on your behalf to the local health authority. Once the documentation has been approved you will receive a copy of the filing forms which must accompany your building permit package.
1.1 Filing a Record of Sewerage with the Health Department
In British Columbia the filing process begins with the homeowner retaining a Planner or a Professional to determine what will be the best system for a particular property for the expected usage. When designing a system, Planners take into account soil assessment, lifestyle, usage and site impacts, as well as engineering and health considerations. The Planner then files a ‘Record of Sewerage System’ with the Health Authority. Once the system is planned and a filing has been made, the homeowner engages an Installer to install the system. This may or may not be the same practitioner. After installation the Planner or a Professional reviews the installation and participates in commissioning the system. To commission a system is to essentially perform necessary adjustments, tests and inspections to ensure the system is operating properly. Once done, a ‘Letter of Certification’ is then filed with the Health Authority and provides the owner with a maintenance plan specific to that system. When homeowners are purchasing a bare lot or a house that is known to need a new system, a Planner or a Professional may be retained to provide a site assessment prior to being engaged to provide a design.
1.2 Site Inspection
A site inspection is necessary for a new Onsite Wastewater Treatment System to determine specific site variables. It is important to be aware of any nearby wells, lakes or streams, or other potential breakout points. Once a planner is comfortable with the lay of the land, a test pit is excavated to expose the depth and type of soil present in the proposed field area. A Planner will be looking for an indication of seasonal high water table, permanent high water table or restrictive layer such as hard pan or bedrock. The amount of vertical depth and type of soil identified will tell a planner how much he or she can rely on the natural soil to provide an adequate level of treatment before coming in contact with the ground water. If the soil is not ideal to provide treatment, other options for treatment will be considered.
1.3 Septic System Planning
There are many different options for onsite Treatment systems. The type and complexity of the treatment system required depends entirely on soil conditions and site constraints found on your property. Treatment can include Aeration, fixed media filters, longer retention time in a septic tank or a packaged batch treatment plant. All of these methods of treatment effectively create an atmosphere which is for favorable for microbial growth to occur. Once a microbial colony has formed it will provide treatment before dispersal.
1.4 Required Documentation for Filing
To submit a record of sewerage filing, a site plan, soil data, system type and components, site constraints and certification of findings must be submitted to the local health department. The documentation is submitted by the planner and an approved copy of the form must be received by the owner before the installation can begin.
2. Septic covenanted area for Sub-dividing your property
As part of your application to subdivide, you will require an authorized person to evaluate suitable locations on your property for a septic field. Our services will provide you with the documentation required as well as lot plans outlining the location of the covenanted areas.
3. Septic System inspections for Real Estate transactions
If you are buying or selling a home one question often comes up. What is the working condition of the septic system? This is an important question to ask due to potential health risks as well as the cost of replacing a failed septic system. It is prudent to have the septic system inspected at the time of a Real Estate transaction to assist in determining a property’s value. This inspection service will provide you with the knowledge of how well the septic system is currently operating, an evaluation of future life span, and also determine the cost of any immediate repairs that may be needed. With this information you can carry out your purchase without risking being stuck with unforeseen costs in the future.
Drastic changes in approach of the Local Health Authorities have put the majority of the responsibility in the hands of an “Authorized Person.” An authorized person is an Engineer or a person with the appropriate training in this field. An Authorized Person is responsible for the design installation and maintenance of your system. It is the responsibility of the home owner to ensure the system is maintained by an Authorized Person.
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