Over the past two years, many Ontario County towns have passed a local ordinance establishing a uniform septic system inspection procedure.  (Click Here to View the Model Law)

Why was this necessary?

            In the past, there was a very limited inspection which may have consisted of just pumping the tank or performing a dye test.  While these procedures may have had some success in determining if a system was properly functioning, very often they did not reveal if all components of the system were in fact functioning.  This could lead to a new homeowner who had his or her system inspected at the time of purchase have a system fail shortly thereafter.  These situations have lead to litigation between buyers and sellers.

A thorough inspection procedure documents the size and condition of the system.  When done at the time of property sale it gives both the buyer and the seller an accurate evaluation of the system.  

How did the uniform inspection procedure come about?

            Over the years, local code enforcement officials were continually dealing with malfunctioning systems that may have been recently inspected.  Most often the source of the problem was an inadequate inspection had been performed.

Ontario County Health Department does not have oversight of individual residential wastewater systems (septic systems). It is up to each town to enact laws regulating septic system inspections. 

As a result, the need for a uniform local inspection procedure was clear. The Ontario County Code Enforcement Officers Association and the Ontario County Planning Department worked over a two year period to develop a model local onsite individual wastewater treatment law that included a uniform inspection procedure.

Which municipalities have adopted the uniform inspection procedure?

             Canadice, E. Bloomfield, Geneva (town), Hopewell, Phelps, South Bristol and West Bloomfield have enacted these procedures.  Many other towns are in the process of adopting this law. 

VIEW THE PROPOSED :

MODEL LOCAL LAW ON-SITE INDIVIDUAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT LAW

Contact the Local Code Enforcement Officer or the Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District (716) 396-1450 Ext. 21 for more information.

Page Last Updated On: Monday, June 25, 2007