The Rural Voice, 1994-03, Page 17Water Matters
ments to its waste disposal system.
This becomes a problem because the
original cottage system was sized for
the cottage's needs. Usually, to be con-
verted to a permanent residence, addi-
tional upgrades to bathroom facilities
take place. The system must then
struggle to treat the extra water and
waste for intended year-round use. It
cannot do this for long. If no problems
occur after this type of conversion,
without improvements to septics,
chances are very high that the old
system did not treat waste in the first
place but is allowing contaminants to
leach away. Another possibility is the
main drain is directly connected to a
field drainage tile. (These tiles outlet
into waterways like creeks.)
Maintenance of septic systems must
be on-going. Regularly used systems
should be pumped out every 3-5 years.
At the time of the pumping, the overall
condition of the system can be
assessed. This will help prevent a
small problem from becoming a major
problem such as the ones discussed.
As you can see, long-lasting,
properly functioning septic systems
require in-depth thought on the part of
the designer and installer and regular
care on the part of the landowner. Any
changes to septic systems should be
handled by the experts. Many
contractors are knowledgeable in this
regard but remember, in order to have a
legal system that conforms to
regulations, the Health Unit must be
involved. Regulations regarding waste
disposal are in place to protect public
health and the natural environment.
There is some GOOD NEWS
associated with septic system problems.
The Ministry of Environment and Ener-
gy has a grant program available known
as Clean Up Rural Beaches (CURB)
which provides funds towards projects
such as improvements to septic systems.
Contact your local Conservation
Authority for information on the CURB
Program. Next month's issue will look
at how these failures may affect public
health and the aquatic environment.0
This is another in a series of articles
by Janette Smiderle of the Saugeen
Valley Conservation Authority,
highlighting information on water
quality in the rural environment.
Project Tree Cover -
A New Approach to Reforestation
Project Tree Cover is a new FederalProvincial program designed to
help landowners reforest their land in rural Ontario.
Private landowners in Huron and Perth Counties interested in
improving at least five acres of idle, marginal or highly -erodible
farmland are invited to contact the Wingham Office of the Ministry of
Natural Resources. The Project Tree Cover program will provide:
- technical expertise to assist the landowner in
preparing the reforestation project
- tree seedlings
- site preparation, tree planting and maintenance
services, as required, and
- project monitoring to ensure quality control.
For more information contact:
Marvin Smith
Ministry of Natural Resources
R. R. #5, Wingham, Ontario NOG 2W0
Telephone: (519) 357-3131
Ontario
Other tree planting services
are provided by your local
conservation authority.
KMM
F
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Walton
TILE DRAINAGE PAYS!
Let a good drainage system
work for you to help improve:
• Soil erosion • Aeration
• Crop yields • Soil warm' up
• Crop rotation • Harvest length
• Land values • Soil conditions
• Plant growth • Fertilizer efficiency
CALL THE EXPERTS!
Ron McCallum 519-887-6428
Paul McCallum 519-527-1633
"We install T
ar
drainage tubing."
MARCH 1994 13