OOWA has decided to postpone and reschedule our Greater Golden Horseshoe and Southern Ontario Regional Round Ups to a later date in 2020 yet to be determined.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.  In any event that OOWA offers we always want to be sure that they provide significant value to attendees and our supporters.  We will be notifying all the members in each of these areas to notify them and will keep them all upraised of rescheduled date for these events.  If you have any questions about this don’t hesitate to contact us: 1-855-905-6692 ext. 101 or outreach@oowa.org.

Last year, OOWA partnered with the Federation of Ontario Cottagers Associations (FOCA) and a number of other organizations to produce a review of the best practices of a number of municipal re-inspections that have been conducted in Ontario. 

The study was conducted by Masters students and faculty from the University of Guelph and Memorial University of Newfoundland.  OOWA members WSP Canada and ESSE Canada provided some vital statistics from their respective work in re-inspecting septic systems. OOWA thanks FOCA for taking the lead on this project and for their ongoing work in educating waterfront property owners and rural municipalities on the importance of proper septic maintenance and management. 

Download the full report (PDF).

An OOWA External Relations Committee Update

Trish Johnson
OOWA BOD & Co-Chair of External Relations Committee

If you were fortunate enough to attend OOWA’s Annual Convention and Exhibition at Deerhurst Resort, hopefully you heard the keynote address by Andrea Kahnjin, MPP Barrie-Innisfil, Parliamentary Assistant to Rod Phillips, Minster of Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP). In her speech, she committed the MECP’s help to “ensure that oversight and approvals keep pace” with our industry needs, as well as support to the Open for Business initiative through increased in collaboration between the MECP and OOWA on small systems needs. Read more →

The Convention Organizing Committee is excited to release the draft agenda for our 2019 Convention and Expo.  As in past years we’ve got quality speakers and excellent content that will be of interest to all of our members.  The theme of our agenda this year is “20 Years:  Looking Back and Moving Forward”.

Read more →

On Friday, February 23rd, 2018, OOWA submitted a Request for Review to the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario in collaboration with the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations.  This joint submission requested that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs review the efficacy of the provisions in the Building Code that deal with Maintenance and Management of onsite sewage systems (Reg 332/12, Building Code, Division B, Part 8, Section 8.9 -Operation and Maintenance).  In addition, the submission also requests that the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change consider the need for new provisions and/or Regulation under the Ontario Water Resources Act to govern the operation and maintenance of onsite septic systems.

Outcome Summary

Under conditions set out by the Environmental Bill of Rights, each Ministry had 60 days to respond to our request.  Despite significant data and a detailed analysis of the shortcomings in the current regime, neither Ministry acknowledged or commented on any of the information provided in our case in their responses.  Instead, both Ministries affirmed that the status quo is adequate in protecting the public.  The MOECC cited activities that protect municipal sources of drinking water and suggested that rural residents are sufficiently protected by a provision under the Building Code that allows municipalities to deliver reinspection programs at their own discretion.  The MMA argued that a recent technical review of Part 8 of the Building Code and a political decision not to make tank pump outs mandatory were factors contributing to current regulatory efficacy.

OOWA and FOCA are currently preparing responses to both Ministries challenging their perspectives and their lack of consideration for our supporting data that was generously provided by WSP and ESSE Canada.  OOWA and FOCA will continue to advance the discussion for improved record keeping of all systems in Ontario and will push for regulatory triggers requiring ongoing maintenance and management.  Please read the responses by the MOECC and MMA below.  You can read our full Request for Review to the Environmental Commissioner here (PDF).

Ministry of Municipal Affairs response letter. (PDF)

Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change response letter. (PDF)

If you have any questions please contact us.