Municipal Wastewater Systems
The Township of Selwyn owns the infrastructure for the municipal sewer services available in both Lakefield Ward and Woodland Acres subdivision, and has an agreement with Peterborough Utilities Services Inc. to maintain the day-to-day operations of these systems.
If you are located in Lakefield or Woodland Acres subdivision and are experiencing a sanitary or sewer issue, please contact the Peterborough Utilities Services Inc. Water Department.
Lakefield Wastewater System
The Lakefield Wastewater Treatment Plant (Lagoon) receives effluent from approximately 1,100 homes and business in the Village of Lakefield, the water is reclaimed and returned back to the watershed.
- 278 sanitary sewer structures
- 20 km of sanitary sewer collection mains
- 6 pumping stations
Woodland Acres Wastewater System
The Woodland Acres Wastewater System is treated at the City of Peterborough Waste Water Treatment Plant. It contains:
- 59 sanitary sewer structures
- 4 km of sanitary sewer collection mains
Sewer Rates
Municipal sewer services are available in the Lakefield Ward and in the Woodland Acres Subdivision. The Township of Selwyn owns the infrastructure for both these systems and has an agreement with Peterborough Utilities Services Inc. to maintain the day-to-day operations of these systems.
Woodland Acres Sewer & Water Rates
Lakefield Sewer Rates
Private Wastewater Systems
Privately owned sewage disposal systems such as privies, leaching pits, cesspools, septic tank systems and holding tanks must be installed and maintained in accordance with the Ontario Building Code.
Permits and inspections are required for installations of sewage systems and alterations to buildings or sewage systems under the code. Peterborough Public Health is the agency responsible for privately owned sewage systems in the County and City of Peterborough.
Other Resources
| Sump Pump Inspection Program |
|
The Township of Selwyn's Sump Pump Inspection Program provides homeowners in the Village of Lakefield with the opportunity to schedule an inspection with a specialist to verify that the residential sump pump is appropriately connected to a drainage system and not to the sanitary sewage system.
The inspector will work with homeowners to ensure proper sump pump installation and provide recommended solutions for suitable connections, if required.
In addition to the inspection, there will be an opportunity to review best practices in water and wastewater with the inspector including:
- A property walk around to ensure proper extension of downspouts away from the home's foundation
- Discussing best practices for water conservation and the Township regulations on lawn watering
- Reviewing the clean-out location of the sanitary service within the home
- Exploring the location of incoming water services and related turn off valves
To schedule an inspection, contact Alex Ernst, Project Coordinator - Water & Sewer at 705-292-9507 ext. 225 or email aernst@selwyntownship.ca. Please specify your full name, address and preferred inspection time.
| Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) |
| What is a Residential Sump Pump? |
|
A sump pump is a small pump installed in the lowest part of a basement or crawlspace. Usually, sump pumps are installed in specially constructed sump pits. Ground water flows into the sump pit through drains or by natural water migration through the soil. The sump pump's job is to pump the water out of the pit and away from the building so that the basement or crawlspace stays dry and to prevent it from flooding.
|
| What Happens During an Inspection? |
|
An inspection for a typical home will usually be completed in less than one hour. The inspector will walk around the exterior of the house looking at the discharge points for downspouts and area drains, such as yard, patio, window well, driveway or stairwell drains. He will also look in basement areas or crawl spaces to identify the sump pump and its point of discharge.
|
| How do I Prepare for an Inspection? |
| The only preparation needed for the inspection is to make sure that the sump pump is accessible for the inspector, please clear a path if needed. |
| What is the Inspector Looking For? |
| The inspector is looking for improper connections to the sanitary sewer system. An improper connection is defined as a connection that allows for clear water to be discharged directly into the separate sanitary sewer system. Clear water should either be going to the storm sewer or be allowed to soak into the ground without entering the sanitary sewer. |
| What Happens After the Inspection? |
| Depending on the result of the inspection, nothing may need to be done. If the inspector determines that there are improper connections and drainage, he will work with the home owner to provide a list of solutions. A second inspection may be booked if necessary. |
| How do I Book an Inspection? |
|
To schedule an inspection, contact Alex Ernst, Project Coordinator - Water & Sewer at 705-292-9507 ext. 225 or email aernst@selwyntownship.ca. Please specify your full name, address and preferred inspection time.
|
|
|
| What Not to Flush! |
| Wastewater treatment equipment is designed for toilet paper and human waste. Items like fats, oils, greases, feminine hygiene products, and wipes of any kind should never be flushed down the toilet or poured down a drain. Flushing these items causes equipment to fail, poses a health and safety risk to staff – and can even put your home at risk of sewage back-ups. |
| Protect Your Pipes |
- Use toilet tissue mist that adds moisture to toilet paper and can be used instead of personal wipes. Wipes clog pipes, and should never be flushed, even if the packaging says you can.
- Use a washable microfibre e-cloth, which can be used instead of disposable cleaning wipes.
- Use reusable baby wipes that can be washed and dried.
- Use menstrual cups or washable cloth menstrual pads, which are environmentally-friendly alternatives to feminine hygiene products. Never flush any feminine hygiene product or its packaging.
- Keep cooking fats, oils and greases (FOG) out of the drain. Food scraps, butter, cooking oil, soups and sauces are all types of FOG. When poured down the drain, they solidify and build-up inside plumbing pipes and can create a sewer back-up in your home.
- Use a hair trap for your shower and bathroom sink that can capture hair that otherwise clogs your plumbing and gets caught in lift-station pumps.
- Other top clog offenders that should never be flushed include paper towels, rags, dental floss and hypodermic needles.
|
| Other Resources |
|
|
Contact Us
