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RURAL LANDOWNER STEWARDSHIP GUIDE

for the Ontario Landscape

Self-assessment for your environmental performance as a property ownerSecond Edition

AgendaAgenda

IntroductionIntroduction Purpose of the GuidePurpose of the Guide Goals of the workshopGoals of the workshop WhatWhat’’s in the Guides in the Guide How to work with the GuideHow to work with the Guide Worksheet and Action Plan (small groups)Worksheet and Action Plan (small groups) Discussion (large group)Discussion (large group) Evaluation and Commitment FormsEvaluation and Commitment Forms

Purpose of the GuidePurpose of the Guide Help us understand how our actions affect the Help us understand how our actions affect the

larger landscape.larger landscape. Protect and enhance the quality of our natural Protect and enhance the quality of our natural

environment.environment. By doing so, you will:By doing so, you will:

Help to conserve our natural & cultural heritageHelp to conserve our natural & cultural heritage Protect your investment as a property ownerProtect your investment as a property owner Save time, money and frustration Save time, money and frustration

To help YOU make a difference.To help YOU make a difference.

Goals of the WorkshopGoals of the Workshop

Begin to develop or expand environmental Begin to develop or expand environmental awareness.awareness.

Learn how we can improve our practices to Learn how we can improve our practices to mitigate negative impacts.mitigate negative impacts.

Work together to accomplish this.Work together to accomplish this. Have fun!Have fun!

WhatWhat’’s in the Guide?s in the Guide?

1.1. Introduction to Local EcologyIntroduction to Local Ecology What is a watershed?What is a watershed? Why should we be concerned?Why should we be concerned? Local scale featuresLocal scale features

2.2. The Workbook:The Workbook: 14 different worksheets14 different worksheets

Each worksheet asks you to rate your activities Each worksheet asks you to rate your activities on your property.on your property.

Worksheet ThemesWorksheet Themes1.1. Getting to know your propertyGetting to know your property

• buying a rural property, constructionbuying a rural property, construction

2.2. WaterWater• wells, septic systems, runoff managementwells, septic systems, runoff management

3.3. Gardening & LandscapingGardening & Landscaping• water efficiency, buffers, trees, plant selection and usewater efficiency, buffers, trees, plant selection and use

4.4. Ecosystems & WildlifeEcosystems & Wildlife• forest, stream/drain, wetland and meadow managementforest, stream/drain, wetland and meadow management

5.5. MiscellaneousMiscellaneous• waste management, storage of fuels/chemicals, lowering waste management, storage of fuels/chemicals, lowering

your energy billyour energy bill

How Does it Work?How Does it Work?

Pick the worksheets that apply to your Pick the worksheets that apply to your property.property.

Read the introductory page, then use the Read the introductory page, then use the worksheet to rate the topics that apply to you.worksheet to rate the topics that apply to you.

For each topic, there are four conditions each For each topic, there are four conditions each having a rating (4 Best to 1 Poor).having a rating (4 Best to 1 Poor).

Circle the condition that best describes your Circle the condition that best describes your property and mark your rating in the box on property and mark your rating in the box on the right hand side.the right hand side.

R U R A L L A N D O W N E R S T E W A R D S H I P G U I D E

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• In urban areas, household wastewater is treated at a treatment plant before it is discharged into a lake or river.

• In rural areas, people use a septic tank or similar system to treat household wastewater. All the water that flows down your drains ends up in your septic system. It must be able to safely handle all the wastewater to prevent contamination of ground and surface water.

• Household wastewater contains disease-causing bacteria and viruses, household chemicals, and excess nutrients. All of these contaminants can cause serious health problems.

• Household water should be tested regularly for total coliform and E-coli. If present, these bacteria indicate that the water is unsafe for drinking or food preparation. Your septic tank system could be one source of contamination.

• If your home treatment system has to handle too much wastewater, it will not be as effective and may cause premature failure. Increased use of water, through additional appliances or a second bathroom will increase the load on your septic system.

• Not only can septic system failure be highly inconvenient, it can also be very expensive. New regulations and higher standards may mean that the system should be replaced instead of repair or an upgrade.

• Facilities such as outhouses and chemical toilets can be effective and environmentally responsible. Contact your local Health Unit or municipality to learn more.

1. Make sure your septic system is large enough to meet your needs. Look for ways to reduce the amount of wastewater that enters the septic system.

2. Protect your health and the quality of your drinking water by disposing of contaminants properly.

3. Keep your septic system in good repair. Pump the septic tank out regularly (every 3-5 years).

4. Keep trees and shrubs out of your septic field.

5. Consider renting a portable privy when hosting large gatherings.

6. Keep kitchen grease and household chemicals from entering wastewater system.

Worksheet #5

Worksheet #5 – Wastewater & Septic Systems

Why should you be concerned?

What can you do?

Use this worksheet to determine whether household water is treated safely on your property.

R U R A L L A N D O W N E R S T E W A R D S H I P G U I D E

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QUALITY OF WASTEWATER continued

Water softener dischargesto septic tank but the system

is properly designed to accommodate discharge

water.

Water softener discharges into septic tank not

designed to accommodate

discharge water.

Water Softener

Discharge

5

No disposal of household grease or

oils into plumbing system,

AND household wastes only.

Water softener does not

discharge to septic tank.

Grease and Oils

6

Design and Construction

7 Has Building Permit orCertificate of Approval,

AND system adequately sized,

AND system installed by a licensed installer.

Minimal disposal of household grease or

oils into plumbing system and oil and grease wiped from

cooking utensils before washing.

Moderate disposal of household grease or

oils into plumbing system,

OR no attempt to reduce disposal of grease and oil from

household.

Frequent disposal of household grease or

oils into plumbing system.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM

No Building Permit or

Certificate of Approval,

OR system not sized according to

regulatory requirements,

OR system not installed by a

licensed installer.*

* These conditions may violate provincial legislation or municipal by-laws.

All septic systems eventually need

replacing, but with proper

maintenance your system can last at least 15 years or

longer.

All septic systems eventually need

replacing, but with proper

maintenance your system can last at least 15 years or

longer.

If on clay soil, plant grass over the

leaching bed. If on sand, plant beach

grass or leave without a ground cover.

Don’t park or drive any vehicle or any

heavy equipment on the leaching bed of

your septic system.

If on clay soil, plant grass over the

leaching bed. If on sand, plant beach

grass or leave without a ground cover.

Don’t park or drive any vehicle or any

heavy equipment on the leaching bed of

your septic system.

Worksheet #5

tip

tip

YourRating

4

?

2

A-1Use this sheet to help develop your Action Plan. Fill in the relevant information, then determine what actions you can take in the short- and long-term to reach your goal of improved environmental stewardship. Make extra copies as needed.

Action Plan Worksheet

and Topic Number

Page

Worksheet Theme

Your Ratin

g

Short-term Actions Long-term Actions

5-5 W5-3 Septic ? Find out where discharge goes

5-6 W5-3 Septic 2 Wipe utensils

Your Turn!Your Turn!

Work through worksheet(s).Work through worksheet(s). This is an individual assessment, but feel free This is an individual assessment, but feel free

to discuss potential action plan items with your to discuss potential action plan items with your group.group.

We will come back together to discuss action We will come back together to discuss action items.items.

Thanks for coming!Thanks for coming!