We are fully-certified to install septic systems. Septic system installation is a multi-step process that requires careful planning and adherence to local regulations to ensure environmental protection and system efficiency.

As with planning, septic installation follow the standards as set out in the Ministry of Health’s Standard Practice Manual (SPM). The installation begins after a system has been designed and planned by an Authorized Person, either a Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioner (ROWP) or Professional Engineer (P.Eng). Once the system has been filed and the filing number has been assigned to the Record Of Sewerage System (ROSS), the installation can start.

Considerations that go into a design that are important to the install are site access for trucks to deliver tanks and sand and rock. Most systems installed these days are pressurized systems and so at least two tank holes are dug. After the tank locations have been decided, the holes are dug using a Bobcat 35 Mini-Excavator and the bottom levelled and graded. Proper tank installation involves using a laser level to set the grade to ensure all inlet and outlet pipes are correctly aligned to facilitate the smooth flow of wastewater. Most tanks installed are made of concrete, but in some cases fiberglass or polyethylene tanks are used, if access is an issue. All tanks are sized based on the design flow specified in the ROSS.

If the installation is a replacement of an old system, the new tank holes will be dug close to the existing tank and once the new tank is installed, the pipe to the old tank will be cut and plumbed into the new one. The old tank is then destroyed after being pumped out. The time between cutting off from the old tank and using the new one is at max a couple of hours, limiting any inconvenience to the homeowner.

Construction

Next, the dispersal field is constructed, which involves scarifying the native ground with the Bobcat and then applying aggregate, either specified mound sand or pea gravel to the scarified area. On top of the pea gravel 1.25” pipe is layed and orifices drilled at specified spacing in the 12 o’clock position. Each orifice is then covered with an orifice shield. When the system is pressurized, the wastewater sprays up through each orifice and hits the underside of the shield and then disperses down though the rock (and sand if used) to the native ground for further filtration by the soil.

To complete the installation, the dispersal area is covered with bank sand and the system machine graded to limit rain accumulating on the surface. The final step is to measure up the system and then we complete the drawing, again using AutoCad and submitted it and the Operation and Maintenance Manual to Island Health. This submission is known as the Letter of Certification (LOC).

Once received back from Health, copies of the accepted LOC along and ROSS are provided to the client. Chris Bayley of Cowichan Wastewater Plus has the In (Installer) designation on his stamp.