Grey Highlands council is going to take a serious look at implementing a mandatory septic system inspection program for lakefront homes in the municipality.
At its meeting on Nov. 6, council voted 5-2 in favour of discussing the possibility of mandatory septic system inspections for lakefront homes and voluntary inspections for all other homes in the municipality at a future committee of the whole meeting. Mayor Paul McQueen and Coun. Dan Wickens voted against the idea.
The possibility of some form of septic system inspection program has been percolating in Grey Highlands due to recent water quality issues at Lake Eugenia, including blue-green algae blooms. At the meeting, Grey Highlands staff delivered a report outlining options for such a program.
Essentially staff said there are three avenues to pursue: a public education program on the importance of having septic systems inspected and maintained, a voluntary inspection program or a municipally mandated program. Staff recommended a combination of public consultation/education and a voluntary inspection program for lakefront homes.
The council discussion on the matter focused on whether or not the municipality should take a go-slow or move-fast approach to the issue.
Coun. Paul Allen amended the resolution to eliminate immediate public consultation on the matter and instead have a committee of the whole conversation on a pilot program of mandatory lakefront inspections and voluntary inspections everywhere else. Allen said once council made that fundamental decision, it could then proceed with public consultation in the future.
“Going to the public now, we’re going to get two answers: yes or no,” said Allen. “I think we as council need to make this decision.”
Other members of council agreed.
“I do believe we need a mandatory program around the lakes. A voluntary approach for the whole municipality is very palatable,” said Coun. Nadia Dubyk. “There are going to be those who love it and there are going to be those who hate it.”
Wickens said he wanted more information about the whole subject before making a decision on implementing inspection programs.
“We need to get some experts in here, honestly, to tell us what the options are,” he said. “This isn’t an easy fix. We’re not going to do it with one fell swoop of a pen.”
McQueen argued in favour of starting with public education around the importance of healthy and functioning septic systems. He warned council that proceeding with mandatory inspections would result in “push back” from the public and would require significant staff resources for enforcement of the program. McQueen also said the municipality doesn’t have strong evidence that septic systems around the lakes are a major issue.
“This all came from a suggestion that there are failing septic systems around Lake Eugenia,” McQueen pointed out. “I haven’t seen something that says there is an example of something failing.”
The mayor also said council should to be wary of implementing an inspection program without public buy-in.
“To include all properties in Grey Highlands? I will tell you, I have not heard from the general population that we need to be doing that,” said McQueen. “This is a big thing. When you start telling people what to do with their property, you may get compliance or you may get a lot of pushback.”
