acw-septic

COSIP 2026 Program Update

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:32:47 GMT

The Community Onsite Septic Inspection Program will continue this summer. The Township has retained the services under contract with Envision Consultants to complete the inspections for the 2026 season.

The Program will work to complete inspections in the areas identified in the First Stage of Cycle One and will begin inspections in areas identified in the Second Stage. Most inspections will occur west of Highway 21 ( Bluewater Hwy) south of Shoreline Road, moving inland to the settlement areas of Saltford, Benmiller, Carlow and Nile. Properties with outstanding deficiencies or missed inspections from 2024 and 2025 will be provided the opportunity to rebook their inspection and demonstrate remedial work through rescheduled appointments.

In advance of opening season, the Township will be offering open house for anyone looking to know more about the program and ask questions in advance of their inspection. Stayed tuned for more details.

Onsite Inspections are to commence the week beginning June 8, 2026. Residents will receive their appointment letter with a scheduled date and time that the inspector will be available to conduct their onsite septic/sewage system. The appointment letters will be sent out in May and require an immediate response to confirm your desired appointment date. All residents will receive a reminder letter two weeks prior to their confirmed inspection.

Residents are encouraged to fill out the Landowner Information Form included with their appointment letter and return it to the Township Office. The form may also be accessed on our website: https://www.acwseptic.ca/landowner-septic-information .

Residents are reminded of the following:

The resident/owner or their representative must be onsite during the time of inspection.
All septic access lids are to be readily accessible and able to be removed by the onsite contact at time of inspection. Most systems have two access lids.

Residents will be able to discuss the safe operation of their onsite septic/sewage system with the inspector, receive literature, and learn about resources available to residents to continue maintaining and receiving optimal performance from their systems.

An inspection report will be made available to the residents immediately following their inspection and further a Septic Information Package will be prepared for the residents once the inspection process is deemed to be complete and the system is functioning in the manner intended.

We encourage all residents to contact the Building Department if they have questions regarding the operation of the Community Onsite Septic Inspection Program.

COSIP 2025 Update

inspector@acwtownship.ca (Joy Lindsay) — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:53:48 GMT

The Program will continue to work through the First Stage area of Cycle One. Most inspections will occur in the area south of Mackenzie Camp Road, working south along the Lakeshore west of Bluewater Highway (Highway 21) to Shoreline Road/Nile Road, including Port Albert. Properties with outstanding deficiencies or missed inspections from 2024 will also be given the opportunity to reschedule appointments.

Inspections are expected to start the week of June 10, 2025. Residents will receive a letter in the mail with the expected time and date when an inspector is available to inspect their onsite septic /sewage system. These appointment letters will be sent out six weeks before their scheduled appointment. The resident will also receive a reminder letter two weeks before their appointment.

Residents are encouraged to fill out the information form included with their appointment letter and return them to the Township Office. The form may also be accessed on our website, https://www.acwseptic.ca/landowner-septic-information .

Residents are reminded of the following:

The resident/owner or their representative is required to be onsite at the time of the inspection.
All septic access lids are to be readily accessible and able to be removed by the resident at time of inspection. Most septic tanks have two access lids.

Residents will be able to discuss the safe operation of their onsite septic/sewage system with the septic inspector, receive literature and learn about resources available to residents to continue maintaining their onsite septic/sewage system. An inspection report will be made available to the resident immediately after the inspection takes place and a Septic Information Package will be sent to residents once the inspection is deemed to be functioning in the manner intended and any deficiencies are corrected.

We encourage all residents to contact the Building Department if they have questions regarding the operation of the Community Onsite Septic Inspection Program.

August 2024 - COSIP Fee

communications@acwtownship.ca (Kelly Thomson) — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 17:17:50 GMT

The new Community Onsite Septic Inspection Program Fee has been included in the 2024 Final Tax Bills as a separate line item for local improvements. This charge applies only to properties with septic systems. If you believe you have been incorrectly billed for this fee and do not have a septic system, please contact the Township to inquire about reversing the charge.

Community Onsite Septic Inspection Program FAQ

July 2024 - Inspections

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 18:30:22 GMT

The Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh COSIP inspections are starting on Tuesday, July 30. If you have received a letter in the mail, your property is included in the first cycle of inspections. Please complete the form and return it prior to your scheduled inspection date. Cycle One inspections will be completed by mid September.

June 2024 - Inspection Letters and Form

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 15:25:46 GMT

The Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh has started mailing letters to the first stage of properties along the Lakeshore. Included in the letter is the date and time frame for your inspection as well as a form to complete regarding your septic system to return to the Township.

The form can also be found here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3jAdhMmB-t-zY2Uegp486jr6-45UI5iEI_zk5134KgBtYNg/viewform?usp=sf_link

May 2024 - Lakeshore Associations Presentation

Fri, 24 May 2024 19:27:18 GMT

The Township of Ashfield - Colborne - Wawanosh has been hosting outreach presentations to the Lakeshore Associations.

The lakeshore communities at the northern end of the Township, working south, will be the first to receive inspection booking letters. Septic information forms will be sent out in the mail commencing this summer.

February 2024 - By-Law 05-2024 Passed

inspector@acwtownship.ca (Joy Lindsay) — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 18:20:07 GMT

The Township of Ashfield - Colborne - Wawanosh Council passed the By-Law 05-2024 to enact the Community Onsite Septic Inspection Program on February 6, 2024. Inspections are expected to start April 2024 in the lakeshore communities at the northern end of the Township, working south. Inspection booking letters and septic information forms will be sent out in the mail in the near future.

January 2024 - Community Onsite Septic Inspection Program By-Law Proposal

inspector@acwtownship.ca (Joy Lindsay) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 17:47:07 GMT

Upon receiving direction on January 16, 2024 from Council, staff are proceeding with bringing the Community Onsite Septic Inspection Program By-Law to the February 6, 2024 Council Meeting as proposed.

Maintenance Inspections are proposed to start in the Spring of 2024.

September 2023- Septic Socials

communications@acwtownship.ca (Kelly Thomson) — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 19:17:57 GMT

Join us at the Municipal Office for Septic Socials on September 12th, 14th, 19th or 21st from 3:00-4:00 p.m.! This is an opportunity for members of the public to talk to staff about the proposed Community On-site Septic Inspection Program.

May 2023 - Progress

Tue, 16 May 2023 16:58:27 GMT

At the May 16, 2023 Regular Council Meeting Council supported the launching of the Sewage System Maintenance and Inspection Program by the end of June 2023.

March 2023 - Progress

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 16:39:11 GMT

At the March 20, 2023 Regular Council Meeting Council supported the continued development of a sewage system maintenance and inspection program. With the approval of the budget, staff began taking the first steps in the initiation of a sewage system maintenance and inspection program. This included:

Development of a public engagement strategy
Establishing the logistics of operating the program
Development of the software to operate the program

February 2023 - Progress

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 17:31:16 GMT

At the February 7, 2023 Regular Council Meeting Council proceeded with the initiation of a Township administered sewage system maintenance and inspection program and that the estimated cost of $130,000 for the initial setup be brought back for approval in the 2023 Budget. This amount was subsequently approved at the 2023 Budget meeting.

September 2022 - Progress

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 16:24:30 GMT

After receiving direction on September 6, 2022 to investigate the implementation of a Septic Maintenance and Inspection Program, Township Staff began working at researching the implementation and execution of the program. Staff met with neighboring Municipalities who currently run a Community Septic Inspection Program and attended on-site inspections. Staff also met with an engineer firm to discuss the program in which they facilitate and operate for a neighbouring municipality.