Municipality of Grenville-sur-la-Rouge
Septic Tank Emptying
Program
Oriana Farina, MSc.
Environnemental Inspector
Introduction
Since 1999, blue-green algae blooms have been reported in more
than 200 water bodies in a number of watershed areas across
Québec
Protecting the health of our lakes and watercourses is in our
outmost interest
Laurentides is one of the most
affected regions
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Introduction
Responsible for the input augmentation
of nutrients in lakes and watercourses.
Wastewater
Blue-green
algae blooms
more frequent
It is very important to be sure that the septic
systems have a good performance and are
emptied within the legal timeframes, in order to
prevent the environmental degradation.
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Introduction
The Precautionary Principle always applies in environmental management
The precautionary principle (or precautionary approach) is formulated, in a direction other than
scientific.
The principle implies that there is a social responsibility to protect the public from exposure to harm,
when scientific investigation has found a plausible risk.
Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, 1992, Principle #15
« In order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States
according to their capabilities. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full
scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent
environmental degradation. »
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Introduction
The Precautionary Principle always applies in environmental management
We must not forget that:
« Man has the fundamental right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of life, in an
environment of a quality that permits a life of dignity and well-being, and he bears a solemn
responsibility to protect and improve the environment for present and future generations (...) »
Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm 1972.
This declaration also states that:
« The protection and improvement of the human environment is a major issue which affects the
wellbeing of peoples and economic development throughout the world; it is the urgent desire of the
peoples of the whole world and the duty of all Governments. »
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Introduction
Regulation respecting wastewater disposal systems for isolated dwellings
(Q-2, r.22)
“A Regulation that protects the environment”
What is an isolated dwelling?
An isolated dwelling is a single or multi-family dwelling containing 6 bedrooms or fewer which is not
connected to a sewer system authorized under section 32 of the Act; any other building discharging
wastewater only and whose total daily flow is no more than 3,240 litres is considered to be an
isolated dwelling.
For the past 30 years, Quebec municipalities have been mandated by the provincial government to
apply the Regulation Q-2, r.22 :
-
the issuing of construction permits,
emptying of tanks, and
the control of nuisances with regard to septic systems
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Introduction
Regulation respecting wastewater disposal systems for isolated dwellings
(Q-2, r.22)
“A Regulation that protects the environment”
Article 6. Sludge and other residue management: Sludge and other residue from the accumulation
or disposal of wastewater, greywater or toilet effluents must be treated, reclaimed or disposed of
in compliance with the Act.
Article 13. Emptying: A septic tank (...) used only for some part of the year must be pumped out at
least once every 4 years.
A septic tank (...) used year-round must be emptied at least once every 2 years.
(...)
Article 59. Emptying: Every holding tank must be pumped out as needed to prevent overflow of
the toilet effluents collected.
Measures aimed at reducing the risk of contamination of watercourses,
wells and groundwater.
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Goal
•
In order to protect the public health and the environment and to maintain a high
quality of life for its residents, the municipality will proceed to the residential
Septic Tank Emptying Program.
The contractor appointed by the Municipality is:
FOSSES SEPTIQUES MIRON
Address: 751, chemin de la 2e Concession, Brownsburg-Chatham, QC, J8G 1S9
Phone: 450-562-5516
Email: [email protected]
Web site:http://www.fossesepticmiron.com/
•
The septic tank emptying program will allow the Municipality to ensure that all
septic tanks are emptied within the timeframe stipulated in the provincial
regulation Q-2, r.22. It will also ensure that the sludge from septic tanks is sent to a
treatment facility duly authorized by the MDDELCC, in order to meet the objectives
of the Waste Management Plan of the MRC d'Argenteuil under the Québec Policy
on residual materials management.
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Septic Tank Emptying Program Guide
The information presented below, is part of the Septic tank emptying program guide
developed and adapted for the citizens of Grenville-sur-la-Rouge
The guide is available in English and French and can be downloaded directly from the
website of the municipality at: www.gslr.ca
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Emptying procedure for septic tanks
The Municipality’s territory has been
divided in two sectors:
- West of the Rivière Rouge.
- East of the Rivière Rouge.
All sectors are serviced each year between
mid-May and December 1st.
● The septic tanks of dwellings
permanently occupied (permanent
occupancy), are emptied every 2
years.
● The septic tanks of dwellings
temporarily occupied (seasonal
occupancy), are emptied every 4
years.
● Holding tanks and sealed septic tank
are emptied on an annual basis.
Regulation RU-950-02-2016
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Emptying procedure for septic tanks
The tank emptying schedule is established based on the date
on which each tank was last emptied.
A list of residences scheduled for tank emptying will be
published on the Municipal website (www.gslr.ca) at the latest
April 1st of each year.
You will be notified by the appointed contractor two weeks
prior to the scheduled visit.
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Emptying procedure for septic tanks
Access to the septic tank
To benefit from the septic tank emptying service within the meaning of By-Law RU—950-02-2016 of
the Municipality of Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, the property owner must comply with the following
conditions:
• The road giving access to the septic tank must be clean and cleared of any material so that the
service area to receive the contractor's vehicle is located at a distance of less than or equal to 30
meters from the opening of the septic tank. The emptying service area must be a minimum width
of 4.2 meters.
• The bearing capacity of the access road must be sufficient for the septic truck to circulate, all the
way to the septic tank.
• All caps, covers, or other elements closing the opening of a septic tank must be free of any
obstruction, meaning that 20 cm (8 in) of free space must be left around the cap, cover, or
element.
• The occupant of the property must clearly indicate the location of the opening of the septic tank.
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Emptying procedure for septic tanks
The right emptying method for your septic tank
Complete emptying
Complete emptying is an operation consisting of the complete removal from the septic tank of all its
contents, including liquids, scum and solids, up to full capacity. Complete emptying is mandatory for holding
tanks, sealed septic tanks and cesspools.
Selective emptying
Selective emptying is an operation consisting of completely removing from the septic tank all its contents up
to full capacity, and returning part of the liquid to the tank, up to a depth of 60 cm from the bottom of the
tank or 60% of the total capacity of the tank. The residual water returned to the tank has a suspended
particulate matter concentration of less than 350 mg/l. This method meets high sustainable development
standards and is mandatory for conventional septic tanks.
** All removed contents (including liquids, scum and solids) are then transported to a septic sludge treatment
facility authorized by the MDDELCC. **
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Emptying procedure for septic tanks
Additional emptying (non-scheduled)
Any additional emptying of a septic tank to be carried out by request of the resident (extra or more
frequent emptying, emptying outside of the scheduled emptying period or emergency emptying) is the
responsibility of and at the expense of the property owner and must be carried out by the contractor
appointed by the Municipality at the price agreed.
After emptying your tank, the contractor will provide you with a document detailing the work done.
Holding tanks:
systems requiring complete emptying at regular intervals
The Municipality’s septic tank emptying program provides one service call per year for holding tanks and
sealed septic tanks.
Your holding tank or sealed septic tank may need to be emptied more often, or at a different time than that
scheduled by the Municipality. All additional requests to empty tanks should be made directly to the
contractor appointed by the Municipality. You will be charged by the contractor for the additional service
call at the price agreed.
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Emptying procedure for septic tanks
Price plan, including taxes
(RA-188-02-2016)
Emptying method
Unit price
($)
Selective emptying (Septic Tank Emptying Program)
151,00*
Complete emptying (Septic Tank Emptying Program)
187,00*
Additional Selective emptying (non-scheduled)
142,00
Additional Complete emptying (non-scheduled)
192,00
The units prices include the emptying, the sludge transport and valorisation
and *the program management.
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Emptying procedure for septic tanks
Taxation according to the frequency (dwelling occupancy*)
and the emptying method
(RA-188-02-2016)
Frequency and emptying method
Amount in the
annual tax bill
($)
Permanent occupancy (every 2 years) and Selective emptying
(Septic tanks)
75,50
Permanent occupancy (every 2 years) and Complete emptying
(Cesspools)
93,50
Seasonal occupancy (every 4 years) and Selective emptying
(Septic tanks)
37,75
Seasonal occupancy (every 4 years) and Complete emptying
(Cesspools)
46,75
Annual and Complete emptying (Holding tanks and Sealed septic
tanks)
*except
187,00
for holding tanks and sealed septic tanks, the frequency of emptying is
«Annual» and the emptying method is «Complete emptying»
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Emptying procedure for septic tanks
Steps to take:
Before emptying, five steps to take
1. Clear the tank's two covers, two days prior to the date scheduled by the
contractor appointed by the Municipality. For example, if the visit is scheduled
for a Friday, the covers must be cleared on the previous Wednesday.
Please note that a minimum allowance of 20 cm (8 in.) is required around each
cover.
Fig. Clearing of septic tank prior to
emptying
2. Make sure that there are no infrastructures (e.g. patio, wooden
structures) or decorative elements (e.g. mulch, flowers) covering the tank.
There should be no obstacles within a 1.5 meters radius around the tank or
within 3 meters above the septic system.
Fig. Mandatory
clearance zone
3. Clearly identify the location of the tank (e.g. use a stake) so that the
company responsible for emptying the tank can easily find it.
Fig. Identifying the location
of your septic tank
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Emptying procedure for septic tanks
Steps to take:
Before emptying, five steps to take
4. Make sure the site is safe and accessible (unlocked fence, pets tied up if
needed, tree branches cut).
Your civic number must also be visible from the public road.
Fig. Visibility and access to
your property
5. Refer to your septic system's manufacturer's instructions for directions on
emptying the tank. For example, some advanced secondary treatments such as
Bionest systems are equipped with a circulation pump that must be turned off
during emptying to avoid damage.
Fig. Manufacturer’s
instructions
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Emptying procedure for septic tanks
Steps to take
During emptying
You do not need to be on site during the emptying of your septic
tank, unless otherwise requested by the Municipality.
In principle, the tank will be emptied between 7 AM and 5 PM on the
date indicated on the notice provided by the contractor at least 14
days prior to the visit.
Please note that the Municipality of Grenville-sur-la-Rouge empties
septic tanks ONLY. If you have an advanced secondary treatment
system, its maintenance and emptying must be carried out by the
manufacturer.
After emptying
After emptying your tank, the contractor will leave a document detailing the work carried out and any
other relevant information.
Make sure the site remains accessible until you have received confirmation from the contractor that the
work has been completed.
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Emptying procedure for septic tanks
Tips and Tricks
Permanent accessibility to your septic tank
Your septic tank must be accessible at all times to allow
emptying. Go for a permanent solution.
For tanks that are deeper in the ground, access risers should
be installed. Place an insulating material over each tank cover
that can easily be removed to allow emptying, and install an
access riser at ground level
Fig. For a deep tank, installation of an access riser over the covers.
Tank covers or covers added to the access riser for deeper tanks are then
surrounded by a French drain to ensure that vegetation growth does not
limit access.
Fig. Installation of French drains
around each cover
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Municipality of Grenville-sur-la-Rouge
88, rue des Érables
Grenville-sur-la-Rouge
QC J0V 1B0
Telephone: 819 242 8762 #3136
Fax: 819 242 9341
Thank
you
Visit our new web site
www.gslr.ca
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Annexe
Sanitary installation use
1 person every 2 years
Stool output
Between 150 to 200 g / person per day
Average 2 years: 128 Kg / person
Use of drinking water
Average : 274 liters / person per day
Average 2 years: 200 020 liters / person
This represents 200 m3 of water / person / 2 years
The capacity average of a septic tanks is 3.4 m3 (evacuation capability in 72 h)
The capacity average of a sealed tanks is 4.8 m3 (without evacuation)
The Precautionary Principle
The standards and regulations regarding the components of a sanitary installation, sewage
management, location, construction, emptying frequencies, etc. are always designed using the
precautionary principle to ensure a good performance and avoid pollution.
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Annexe
Benefits of selective emptying for septic tanks
•
•
•
•
Selective emptying trucks help to reduce the amount of sludge to handle since only the
sludge and scum are transported.
With a truck transporting only sludge and scum it is possible to clean more septic tanks.
So there is less emptying trucks on the road and less sludge to treat and dispose. The
environmental benefits is significant.
Selective emptying makes it easy and economic cleaning, transportation, disposal and
treatment of biosolids.
The selective emptying truck recovers all the contents of a septic tank, separating solids
and liquids. The liquids are treated and freed at 98% of all organic matter, but still
containing the bacterial flora necessary for its proper functioning.
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