Escaping to a retreat in the woods, a cottage by the lake, or a charming home in the country can feel like a dream come true. But even dreams must account for some hard facts: like where does your wastewater go?People who have only ever known municipal water and sewer services are often surprised at how much is involved in choosing the right septic system – or in ensuring that the one you have is right for your family.
Anything that goes down the drain from sinks, showers, and toilets finds its way to the septic system, explains Jason Bailey of Cottage Septic and Plumbing. The typical septic system consists of a tank, a network of pipes, and billions of organisms that process the waste. But the details of that system can vary enormously.
“You need to start by considering how many people will be using the septic system,” says Jason, a licensed septic installer and designer. “There really isn’t a one-size-fits all solution. If you have more people, you need a product that can handle the usage.”
So, changes to an existing cottage – like adding bedrooms, bathrooms, or water-using appliances – may require a septic upgrade.
Other pertinent information includes the size of the property, the nature of the soil, and an array of provincial and municipal regulations. Those and other factors help Jason know what kind – and what size – of system to design, and where to install it.
The process begins with a site inspection, which includes a percolation test. “The percolation test finds out how fast water is absorbed by the soil,” explains Jason. “Clay soil, which absorbs water very slowly, will require a different system design than sandy soil.”
This needs to be done on every property. “The Muskoka landscape differs greatly, even between two properties that are side-by-side.”
Because of the varied terrain and other factors, Cottage Septic and Plumbing offers a range of septic systems. Some are gravity-fed systems that use natural downhill flow to receive waste; others rely on pumps to get the waste where it needs to go.
Jason says there are plenty of great options, depending on your property, including the Waterloo Biofilter, Ecoflo, Enviro-septic, Bionest, and conventional systems.
“We’ll work with you to find the right system for your needs, your property, and your budget,” says Jason. “We create custom septic solutions for all our clients.”
TEXT CHRIS OCCHIUZZI
