Close Alert Banner
Skip to Content
  • Accessibility
  • Careers
  • Report a Concern
  • Contact Us
  • View our Facebook Page
  • View our Twitter Page
  • View our Instagram Page
  • View our YouTube Page
  • I Want To

Township of South Bruce Peninsula Logo white text version Township of South Bruce Peninsula Logo color version

Contact Us icon
  • HouseYour Community
    • About South Bruce Peninsula
    • Animal Services
    • Building and Property
    • Business Directory
    • Community Calendar
    • Community Organizations
    • Fire and Emergency Services
    • Garbage and Recycling
    • Library
    • Health Care
    • Museum
    • New to South Bruce Peninsula
    • News and Notices
    • Open Mic South Bruce Peninsula
    • Parking
    • Places of Worship
    • Property Taxes
    • Public Transportation
    • Roads and Sidewalks
    • Schools and Childcare
    • Social Services
    • Utilities
    • Volunteering
  • TreesExplore and Play
    • Arena
    • Arts and Culture
    • Beaches
    • Boat Launches and Docks
    • Business Directory
    • Camping
    • Community Sports, Leisure Groups and Service Clubs
    • Events and Festivals
    • Facilities and Sports Fields
    • History and Heritage
    • Library
    • Parks and Trails
    • Recreation Programs
    • Tourism
    • Water Activities
    • Winter Activities
    • Wiarton Willie
  • Shaking handsBusiness and Development
    • About South Bruce Peninsula
    • Bids and Tenders
    • Business Directory
    • Business Improvement Area
    • Business Licences and Permits
    • Chamber of Commerce
    • Development and Planning
    • Development Opportunities
    • Employer Resources
    • Grants and Incentives
    • Internet Providers and Information
    • Invest South Bruce Peninsula
    • Municipal Accommodation Tax
    • Plans, Reports and Studies
    • Property Taxes
    • Sponsorship and Advertising Opportunities
    • Short Term Rental Accommodation
  • BuildingTown Hall
    • A to Z Services
    • Accessibility
    • Agendas, Minutes and Council Recordings
    • Applications, Licences, Requests and Permits
    • Bids and Tenders
    • Budget and Financial Statements
    • By-law Enforcement
    • By-laws
    • Careers
    • Cemeteries
    • Committees and Boards
    • Contact Us
    • Council
    • Donations
    • Elections
    • Freedom of Information
    • News and Notices
    • Novel Coronavirus (COVID19)
    • Open Mic South Bruce Peninsula
    • Plans, Reports and Studies
    • Policies
    • Property Taxes
    • Report a Concern
    • Surplus
    • Utilities
    • *Calendar
    • *News

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay of clean countryside drink

Well and Septic Systems

HomeYour CommunityBuilding and PropertyWell and Septic Systems
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Email this page Email

When working correctly, your septic system is a safe and reliable way of treating household waste and wastewater. But just like other parts of your home, septic systems need maintenance, repair and eventual replacement. Failing or improperly maintained septic systems can be a risk to your health, the environment and your property value.

All wells are regulated by the Ministry of Environment. Click here for further information about your well.

Caring for your septic system

  1. Get your septic system pumped every 3 to 5 years.

  2. Regular inspections every three years helps prevent problems. Keep records of your septic maintenance and get your septic tank filter checked and cleaned every year.

  3. Don't pour down the drain cooking oils, food waste, chemicals, and harsh cleaning products.

More information

Septic smart

Septic Smart! is a program provided by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).  This program helps homeowners to understand how a private on-site septic system works. It provides information on to take care of septic systems and how to spot problems. 


You can visit the SepticSmart website to watch videos on septic system maintenance.   

Septic Smart! is a brochure for understanding your home's septic system.

Public Health Grey Bruce

The Health Unit provides water sampling services to homeowners. Water sample bottles may be picked up at Town Hall (315 George Street Wiarton) and are dropped off at the Wiarton Hospital (369 Mary Street, Wiarton) or at the Public Health Unit (101 17th St E, Owen Sound).  


You can obtain more information including videos and fact sheets about private water testing and the importance of protecting your well water by visiting the Public Health Unit website. 

Testing Your Drinking Water

Well aware

Well Aware is a project of Green Communities Canada. It encourages residents to protect their wells and our common groundwater supplies.  Their publications and resources provide homeowners with information on water quality, common problems experienced by homeowners and maintenance requirements for private wells. There may be charges for well testing for those who use the Well Aware testing packages.  


For more information, visit the Well Aware website. 

Well Aware Booklet

Canada mortgage and housing (CMHC)

CMHC provides guidelines for people purchasing a home and to people who have owned a home for many years and require help with repairs. Their publications  provide information on the different types of wells and septic systems, protection methods, inspection checklists and health indicators. 

Buying a House with a Well and Septic System 

Ontario rural wastewater centre

This organization is gives education and resources in order to help with septic system care.  Their brochure on septic systems gives good information for homeowners. 

For more information, visit the Ontario Rural Wastewater Centre website. 

Your Septic System:  Protecting Your Investment and the Environment

Septic re-inspection program

Through our septic re-inspection program, Town building inspectors visit properties to look for evidence of a failing septic system. We'll notify you by letter before we visit your property for a non-invasive site inspection. If any failure is found at the time of inspection, the property owner will be notified. 

Septic permits

Learn about septic permits and fees on our building permits page.

    • Building and Property
    • Development and Planning
    • Entranceways
    • Inspections
    • Install a Pool
    • Property Standards
    • Source Water Protection
    • Special Event Tent Permit
    • Well and Septic Systems
    • Hide Full Your Community Menu
      Toggle Section Your Community Menu
    • About South Bruce Peninsula
      Toggle Section About South Bruce Peninsula Menu
      • Local Communities
        Toggle Section Local Communities Menu
        • Allenford
        • Berford Lake
        • Clavering
        • Colpoy's Bay
        • Elsinore
        • Hepworth
        • Hope Bay
        • Howdenvale
        • Oliphant
        • Park Head
        • Purple Valley
        • Red Bay
      • Maps
    • Animal Services
      Toggle Section Animal Services Menu
      • Dog Licences
      • Kennel Licences
      • Livestock Claims
      • Report a Concern
      • Wildlife
    • Business Directory
    • Community Calendar
    • Community Organizations
    • Fire and Emergency Services
      Toggle Section Fire and Emergency Services Menu
      • Book an Inspection
      • Emergency Planning
      • Fire Prevention
      • Fireworks
      • Open Air Burning
    • Garbage and Recycling
      Toggle Section Garbage and Recycling Menu
      • Bagged Leaf Collection
      • Hazardous Waste
      • Landfill
      • Recycling
    • Library
    • Health Care
    • Museum
    • New to South Bruce Peninsula
    • News and Notices
    • Open Mic South Bruce Peninsula
    • Parking
      Toggle Section Parking Menu
      • Pay a Parking Ticket
      • Sauble Beach
    • Places of Worship
    • Property Taxes
    • Public Transportation
    • Roads and Sidewalks
      Toggle Section Roads and Sidewalks Menu
      • Construction Projects
      • Entranceways
      • Report a Concern
      • Winter Maintenance
    • Schools and Childcare
    • Social Services
    • Utilities
      Toggle Section Utilities Menu
      • Water and Sanitary Sewers
    • Volunteering

Get In Touch

Never miss an update!

Subscribe to this page to get notified when this page has updated content.

Notify Me

Town of South Bruce Peninsulas footer logo

  • View our Facebook Page
  • View our Twitter Page
  • View our Instagram Page
  • View our YouTube Page

Town Hall

315 George Street

PO Box 310

Wiarton ON N0H 2T0

Contact Us

Phone: 519-534-1400

Fax: 519-534-4862

Email Us

Translate this page

Accessibility

Designed by eSolutionsGroup

Copyright 2020 Town of South Bruce Peninsula

  • Accessibility
  • Freedom of Information
  • Terms of Use
  • Sitemap
  • Website Feedback
  • Contact Us
X icon

I Want To...

MAX 8

Apply or Register

  • Activities and Programs
  • Burning Permit
  • Dog Licences
  • Rent a Facility
  • Freedom of Information Request
  • Job Opportunities
  • Speak at a Council Meeting
  • Water Connection
MAX 8

Pay

  • Dog Licences
  • Rent a Facility
  • Parking Ticket
  • Permits
  • Taxes
  • Utilities
MAX 8

Report

  • Issue
Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.