Cat. 50 Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program Septic Systems

Relevant BMP Practice Codes: 5001, 5002 and 5003

Cost-share funding exists through the Ontario Ministry of the Environment’s Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program for eligible participants to undertake inspections/upgrades to existing septic systems on agricultural land that may fall within or extend into designated source water protection zones (100 meter radius of a designated municipal well or 200 meters radius of a designated municipal surface water intake.) or the 2 year time of travel area for a municipal well that has been accepted by municipal resolution, or the intake protection zone-one (IPZ-1) around a municipal surface water intake that has been accepted by municipal council
resolution. An 80% (to maximum contribution of $7,000 or to $15,000 for advanced septic systems) cost share incentive is available to qualified participants to undertake appropriate measures to upgrade existing septic systems.

Components to Application:

• Complete a Third Edition EFP and have it peer reviewed
• Complete a Growing forward Enrollment form and a Project Proposal Application (available from your local OSCIA County Program Representative) 
• Read the Background Eligibility Information (attached to Project Justification and  Assurances Form)
• Return the completed and signed Project Justification and Assurance Form
• Include with the application a map identifying the municipal well and a signed Permission to Share Form available from Local OSCIA Program Representative

Required Justification and Assurances Forms:

• Project Justification and Assurances Form - Z

Eligible Expenses. Eligible expenses include, but may not be limited to:

• See detailed Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program 2008 - 2009 brochure
• Visual inspection of existing systems by a qualified inspector
• Modification or replacement of existing septic systems
• Removal of existing system and connection with lateral pipe to municipal sewer line

Applicant Responsibilities:

• Refer to Septic Smart publication for design and maintenance of residential septic systems
• Obtain all building, siting, and design permits or approvals that might be required and ensure that the proposed project complies with all Municipal, Provincial and Federal Regulations

Project Requirements: Opportunities in this category are only available to projects
on parcels of agricultural land that is within or extend into the designated source
protection zones around municipal wells or surface water intakes. Check with local
OSCIA Representative for designated zones in local Counties.

May 2009