My septic installation project: Where to start?

Has your septic system reached the end of its useful life? Do you want to build on land not serviced by a municipal sewer system? Are you adding a bedroom to an existing building? Our experts will show you the 3 easy steps to follow in your project.

1. Know the characteristics of your land with a professional

Provincial regulations require that you hire a professional to accompany you in this first step. This may be a technologist or an engineer specializing in septic systems. Our Soluo technologists are able to support you anywhere in Quebec for this first step.

The first step in your project is to know the specific characteristics of your land in order to know its capacity to accommodate a septic installation. Provincial regulations require several key elements to consider in order to assess the capacity of your land before installing a new septic system.

For a vacant lot, these criteria could restrict the building capacities on this lot.

For an existing home, these criteria will guide us in the type of septic system that can be installed on your property.

The reception capacity of your land is established by different elements:

• Soil composition: This is commonly called a soil test. This involves knowing the composition of the soil in order to measure its wastewater infiltration capacity, the depth of the rock and the height of the water table.

• Available space: Thanks to topographical surveys, you must measure the space available to position the various elements of your septic installation. It is important to note that a purifying element (ex. Disposal field) cannot be positioned in the same place as an old element.

• Location of constraints: As required in the provincial regulation, it is also essential to locate the various elements constraining the positioning of your future septic installation on your property and that of your neighbours. (Ex. Wells, Septic Installations, Embankments, Buildings, etc.)

Depending on the regulatory requirements and the characteristics of your land, your professional will be able to establish the best possible solution for your land.

The solution proposed by your professional is therefore the most advantageous solution according to the reality of your field. The proposed solution must be presented in a document entitled Feasibility Report accompanied by the construction plans of the septic installation. These documents will be required by your city or municipality to issue you a building permit.

If you have not worked with Soluo for the production of these documents, our experts remain available free of charge to present the solution chosen by your professional and issue you a construction budget for your work if you wish.

2. Apply for a permit from your city or municipality

Once you have received your feasibility report and your construction plans for your new septic system, you can apply for a permit from your city or municipality.

During this step, it is important to inform yourself of the existence of incentive programs in your region for the replacement of your septic system. Some cities or municipalities offer funding or subsidies for upgrading your septic system.

Note that most of the time they will require the name of your contractor before issuing your permit to ensure that your contractor has all the licenses required to carry out the work.

3. Plan the work with a competent contractor

In Quebec, the Régie du Bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) requires your contractor to hold a 2.4 Private sewerage systems license in order to perform septic installation work.

This is therefore an essential element to check before entrusting your work to a contractor. It is also important to verify that your contractor has some experience in installing a septic system and, if your feasibility report requires it, that it is accredited by the treatment technology proposed in the construction plans.

Soluo is able to assist you free of charge in the selection of your contractor and, if necessary, to suggest certified contractors in your region. Remember that your septic system will manage all of your wastewater treatment and that it is essential that the work be done well to ensure long-term peace of mind.

Once the contractor has been selected, he must notify your professional of the date of the work so that he can inspect the work and issue you a compliance report as required by provincial regulations. If you have chosen Soluo as a professional and one of our certified contractors for the work, you do not have to worry about this step, it will be done automatically.

Conclusion

The compliance report produced by your professional will be sent directly to your city or municipality and to you in order to complete your file. If your land requires additional treatment, the manufacturer of the chosen technology will contact you to schedule your first annual maintenance, as required by provincial regulations.

Finally, if you have brought an existing septic system up to standard, don’t forget to apply for a tax credit for bringing residential wastewater treatment systems up to standard with your annual taxes. This credit can go up to $5,500 depending on the value of the services and work rendered.

If you have chosen Soluo as a professional and one of our certified contractors for the works, you will automatically receive your tax credit form in December.

This completes the main steps involved in setting up a new septic system. Our Soluo experts remain available to assist you in each of these steps and to answer all your questions about septic systems.

Contact us today to start your project.