Frequently Asked Questions

Current guidelines/standards recommend that septic tanks should be pumped every 2-3 years. Why do you say that your design cycle is 12 years and you recommend a 7-10 clean-out cycle?

If the municipality is responsible for maintaining my clarifier is there an easement to get access to my tank/laterals?

What if my jurisdiction does not have established easements?

The most common method of providing access is a blanket bylaw process that permits access to the operating authority for system maintenance. This has been successfully employed for previous SBS™ installations. Clearford retains the necessary expertise to assist clients in assessing local current and/or required easement requirements. Clarifiers can also sometimes be placed in service corridors in the road allowance where no easements are required.

My existing septic tank is under my deck and my backyard is too small for another tank. How are you going to install your tank? Decommission the old one?

We have a high water table. Will your tanks stay submerged?

Traditionally municipal guidelines have the sewer systems in the middle of the road. Do you require amendments to these guidelines? If so, to what standard?

If the pipe did clog, how would you find and remove the blockage?

How can a 3" pipe carry the effluent for 300 homes?

If we expand beyond the service area of the area under EA, are we limited to using SBS™?

If you encounter bedrock, isn't the cost of installing 3" pipe versus historic pipe almost the same?

Does your system limit wastewater treatment options?

If you build a treatment plant to only perform secondary and tertiary treatment, what do you do with the septage from the tank?

Does your clarifier produce septage that is worse in any way than standard septage?

We would prefer not to deal with the sludge through periodic pumping. Is it better to transport it daily via the historic system or by a pressurized grinder/vacuum pump system?

Will your sewer system meet our local standards for procurement and maintenance? What if we don't have a standard?

Is your system approved in Ontario?

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