South Frontenac takes responsibility for On-Site Sewage System Services
Earlier this year, Kingston Frontenac Lennox and Addington Public Health (KFL&A) announced that they would no longer be providing On-Site Sewage Systems Services (Part 8 of the Ontario Building Code) to the Municipalities in Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Counties as of the end of 2020, according to a release from the Township of South Frontenac dated Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020.
Based on the Township’s growth projections and the enhanced capacity over the last year and a half to deliver Building and Planning services within the Township’s Development Services Department, Council has made the strategic decision to bring the delivery of septic services in house.
“With increasing development pressures in South Frontenac, we wanted to make the permitting process as streamlined as possible for our residents and builders” said Mayor Vandewal. “By bringing Part 8 Sewage Systems in house, our Building Services now offers a one-stop shop for permitting under the Building Code. This is just another way that South Frontenac is attempting to get ahead of the curve on our growth, while maintaining the integrity of our natural environment.”
As a result, Council made the decision that the Township of South Frontenac will assume the delivery of Part 8 On-Site Sewage Systems services, which came into effect on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020.
In order to accommodate these services, South Frontenac Township says they have bolstered their staff and other resources in the Building Department, including the addition of a Deputy Chief Building Official and implementation of new software that will make the permitting process more streamlined for both Township staff and applicants.
“There has been a lot of positive change in the Department this past year, in preparation for the delivery of Part 8 On-Site Sewage Systems services and the growth that we see on the horizon,” explained Claire Dodds, Director of Development Services for South Frontenac. “Having building inspectors who are trained across all areas of the Building Code will mean that we can be flexible, resilient and responsive to the needs of our community.”
While South Frontenac has officially assumed this service from KFL&A Public Health, other Municipalities are in the process of determining how they will deliver this service, according to the release.
“The four Frontenac townships would ideally deliver Part 8 services through a single delivery agent, and in light of the recent capacity that South Frontenac has established, we may be in an ideal position to assist our fellow Frontenac neighbours as well,” said Neil Carbone, Chief Administrative Officer for the Township. “We anticipate further conversations about this option in the coming weeks, and a decision about the delivery of Part 8 Service across the Frontenac’s by the end of the year.”
South Frontenac’s Building Department is currently accepting septic system permit applications for properties within the Township. According to the release, residents can obtain applications on our website and submit via email to [email protected], or in person at the Municipal office located at 4432 George St., Sydenham.
Residents with questions are encouraged to contact Tom Berriault, Chief Building Official at 613-376-3027 ext. 2228 or via email at [email protected]. Additional information on Sewage System Services can also be obtained by visiting https://www.southfrontenac.net/en/livinghere/building.aspx
Other Frontenac Townships should be contacted directly regarding Septic System applications at this time.