Healthy Lakes and Wetlands For Tomorrow - Species at Risk

Avoid This
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ON-SITE SEWAGE SYSTEMS
It is more cost effective, time saving, and environmentally friendly to properly install and
maintain your sewage system than to try and repair a failing system. Poorly maintained
sewage systems increase the chance of contracting diseases, degrade terrestrial and
aquatic wildlife habitat, and can contaminate the surface and ground water we rely on for
drinking.
Plymouth Gentian
Eastern White Cedar
Purchase a CSA approved tank made of reinforced
concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene.
If you have a steel tank replace it with a tank made of one of
the materials above before it starts to corrode and leak. Under
the provincial Environment Act and the On-site Sewage Disposal
Regulations, you must obtain approval from Nova Scotia Environment before putting in a sewage system
and hire a qualified professional to do the installation.
Cover the area over your septic tank and disposal field with plants such as native
wildflowers to allow easy access for maintenance and cleaning.
Plants with deep roots (trees, shrubs, bushes) are not well suited as they can damage the system.
Have your tank pumped and inspected every 2-3 years by a registered septic tank
cleaner.
Record the date of your tank inspection so you know when to book the next visit. Poorly maintained
sewage systems are likely to become blocked and leak into the environment, which can decrease the value
of your property and cause odour problems and costly repairs. More seriously, leakages can cause health
problems, contaminate drinking water, and degrade wildlife habitat. CAUTION: Do not enter on-site septic
systems by yourself because dangerous gas may be present.
Spread water use over the week and practice water conservation techniques.
Sewage systems can only handle a certain amount of water. The most common reason for septic malfunction
and failure is water overuse.
Do not flush materials down the drain that can clog and back-up the system.
On-site sewage systems are designed to break down solid waste through bacterial processes and water
flow into the disposal field. If it can’t be broken down, don’t flush it down.
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