JOSHUA ALLAN
The 1510 West

About 30 homeowners in Baie d’Urfé are being told they will have to dole out thousands of dollars to replace old, out-of-date septic systems within the next two years as the town looks to meet the latest provincial standards. But more could soon be in the same situation.

The residents live on two streets – Magnolia and Balsam – who had their septic systems inspected last year. The results of the inspections show the waste systems do not meet provincial standards and will have to be replaced before the end of 2026.

According to Quebec’s latest wastewater law passed in 2019, homeowners are required to foot the bill for their own septic system replacement, Baie d’Urfé Mayor Heidi Ektvedt told The 1510 West.

The municipality, she explained, has been communicating the importance of maintaining up-to-date septic tanks with residents since the law was enacted, adding that the urban planning department will keep its door open to residents and “provide them with any guidance and information that they need.”

Over a dozen residents from Magnolia and Balsam who have been informed of the upgrades required attended the March 11 town council. They questioned council why the town was not providing financial support.

The example of tertiary systems – known as one of the most advanced septic systems – was quoted to cost between $30,000 to $35,000 to replace.

Ektvedt took around 30 minutes to address the issue. The province’s wastewater law, she explained, places the responsibility for septic system upkeep and replacement on the homeowner, while municipalities are required to ensure that their citizens are complying with the law. The differing septic systems and soils from one property to the next would further complicate the issue if the project were carried out by the town, the mayor continued.

“We cannot get involved in telling you what contractor or professional service to use for your private property,” Ektvedt told the group.

Some residents have voiced concerns about the price and timeline for this project.

Magnolia resident Ping Wu had brought the issue before the council at the Feb. 11 meeting. He explained that he and his family were new homeowners and that paying for a new septic system was “completely out of our financial planning.”

Wu added that the high cost was “kind of turning our life into a little bit of a bouleversement,” and requested that the town extend the deadline to replace the system to four or five years.

While Ektvedt understands that expenses like this “can be very stressful,” she said, these necessary upgrades are, regrettably, an aspect of homeownership.

“The timeline that was given was very generous,” she said in an interview with The 1510 West. “Even a two-year timeframe is a very long time to do work like this.”

The council pointed out that homeowners can take advantage of a provincial government tax credit for this project of up to $5,500.

Ektvedt said inspections will be extended to septic systems on other streets, but she did not have a clear timeline.

Cutline:

About 30 homeowners on Magnolia and Balsam streets in Baie d’Urfé have been told they must have their septic systems replaced.