Septic Systems

In areas of Bracebridge without municipal sewers, wastewater from your home or cottage is treated directly on your property using an on-site sewage system.

Conventional systems include a septic tank and a leaching bed area, where sewage initially undergoes treatment in the septic tank, then is further treated and filtered through a leaching bed area before being returned to the environment. 

Regardless of the system, they all serve the critical function of treating wastewater before allowing it to return safely to the environment. Properly functioning systems are vital for protecting the health of our residents and the integrity of our lakes, rivers, and groundwater.

A building permit is required to be obtained before you install, replace, or make repairs to an on-site sewage system. 

All permits are now issued online through the Cloudpermit portal.

Very large systems, which are designed to accept a total daily flow of more than 10,000 L of sewage waste, are subject to review and approval directly by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP). 

To protect our shared environment, the Town of Bracebridge conducts an ongoing, mandatory, Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program.

This program involves routine inspections of existing septic systems within the Town of Bracebridge. It may also require property owners to undertake more detailed Phase 2 inspections which are conducted by a qualified professional if a system is older or classified as high risk.

Preventative maintenance is the best way to extend the life of your sewage system and avoid costly repairs. 

Good maintenance practices include pumping out your tank regularly, keeping trees and deep-rooting shrubs away from the leaching bed, and protecting the area from erosion or heavy structures.

Learn more here about how to maintain and operate your system.