Upon applying for a Part 8 permit or requesting a renovation review under Part 10/11, an inspector may conduct a site visit to the property within 5 to 10 business days. During this site visit the inspector will require three (3) test pits to have been dug within the area of the proposed septic system. The inspector will confirm that the site plan provided by the applicant accurately matches the site and will perform an inspection of the test pits to confirm the proposed septic system has been designed for the soil conditions on site.

Required documents that must be provided:

• A complete application package including:
  • Site plan of the proposed septic system [see Schedule 7],
  • Cross-section drawings with proposed elevations, and
  • Test pit logs [see Schedule 6]

If the proposed septic system work is located in clay soils or on bedrock, a subgrade inspection will be required. Clay soils will need to be scarified, and septic systems built on bedrock will require a clay seal. Subgrade inspection requirements will be indicated on the approved application. At the inspection, the septic bed area must be fully excavated to the approved elevations and the base of the bed prepared as noted on the permit. If noted on the approved permit, a subgrade inspection is required before sand fill is placed within the excavated area.

All Part 8 permits issued will require an installation inspection. Request your inspection when the installation work is complete but components remain exposed. The inspector will ensure the system has been installed as per the approved permit before its final cover is placed. It is important that installer and homeowner reach out to their inspector if they have any questions regarding the requirements of this inspection.

Required documents that must be provided at this inspection phase:

• As-Built drawing and components page
• Weigh bills for specified system sand or aggregate
• Grainsize analysis for specified system sand or aggregate
• Maintenance contract from approved service provided for Level III or IV treatment unit
• ESA permit for electrical components

Invoices from manufacturer for system components

All Part 8 permits issued will require a final grading inspection. Prior to the final grading inspection, the following must be completed:

• Septic bed and tank must be covered with backfill and topsoil which has been properly graded to direct all runoff away from the bed, and a sufficient amount of cover over the distribution system has been applied as per the Ontario Building code;
• To allow verification of the bed cover, three holes from an outside corner to another (in diagonal) must be provided. The openings must expose the geotextile or paper on top of the distribution pipes and the four corners of the bed must be staked;
• Mantle (if required) must be in place and all conditions of the approved Sewage System application must be met;
• If applicable, electrical and alarms must be operational, and an ESA permit number is required. Note: Where applicable, it is best practice to install any electrical or alarms on the exterior of the dwelling or provide a disconnect to ensure the safety of those conducting maintenance on pumps or advanced treatment units.
• Lastly, all required paperwork must be provided before the inspector conducts the final grading inspection.

Once the conditions are met and the final grading inspection is completed, a Certificate of Completion will be issued for your septic system. This certificate means that the completed installation has progressed through the inspection cycle and the septic system can now be used. This document is required to obtain an occupancy permit of a dwelling. Some systems may require an additional maintenance contract agreement [link to ATU compliance page].

Septic beds designed as a Shallow Buried Trench will require a Pressure Test to be completed before the Certificate of Completion can be issued. The installer of the septic system must meet the inspector onsite to complete this inspection anytime after the installation inspection has been approved.