Homeowners will be given more time to comply with the new and tougher septic tank regulations in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge. However, municipal officials stress that everyone will be forced to respect the new rules, regardless of the condition of their installations.
Although March 31 had been set as a deadline for residents to register their systems with the municipality, “If people cannot access their tanks because of snow and ice, they have until June 30 to get it emptied,” municipal inspector Annie Rochefort told about 60 people at a council meeting Tuesday night.
“I have received an enormous amount of phone calls” about the regulation, Rochefort said. In accordance with Québec’s environmental protection laws, every septic tank at a permanent residence must be emptied every two years while a tank at a seasonal home must be emptied every four years.
However, citizens argue that the enforcement ought to be flexible to account for the size of individual tanks and the number of people living in residences. But, although she said she understood citizens’ frustration, Rochefort noted that the provincial law does not permit for exemptions.
“The law does not work like that. I agree that it should be amended, but it would be a huge job. I would be up against the government,” the inspector said.
However, homeowner Bill Mott contended that the province did indeed allow for exceptions. The law does not apply to homes that are not a source of contamination, he said.
“I will look into that,” replied Rochefort.
Mott wondered why the municipality was cracking down on septic installations when there “are other by-laws that are not as enforced as vigorously as this one.” He commented that it was unreasonable for the municipality to expect people “to dig through ice and snow” to find their tanks.
The municipality is attempting to ensure action is taken to remedy pollution problems created by inadequate septic systems. “We are going to make sure that all systems meet regulations and do not pollute,” Rochefort reiterated. “The rule will be applied to everyone.”
The new campaign stems from last year’s rejection by Pointe-au-Chêne residents of a proposed $6.3 million communal system designed to correct contamination in the village. Residents said they could not afford the system, but the consensus was that action was required to deal with the many defective tanks in the community. The municipality then opted for “Plan B” – identifying defective tanks and giving the owners time to make corrections on an individual basis.
Under the law, residents must present bills as proof they have had their tanks emptied by a qualified entrepreneur.
Offenders could be fined $300 for the first offence, $600 for a second infraction and $1,500 for the third offence.