Camping In Ontario Update Newsletter June 2019 March 2013 | Page 17

17 | march 2013

Water—Sewage System Upgrades: What You Should Know
As the winter winds begin to subside, thoughts of summer pursuits
The Private Services Options Assessment (PSOA) which is based on
begin to stir the seasonal business operators from the post holiday the Ministry of Environment’s servicing options guidelines is designed
lull. As we move forward in 2013, campground owners and operators to carefully identify which technologies represent the most economshould be aware that the onsite wastewater industry awakens from its ical and ecologically applicable solution for the client. By identifying
wintery hiatus and this often includes those monitoring inspections the site conditions or treatment requirements for the client, it is posfrom a host of government inspectors. Public health officials and sible to sort through the options and develop a cost comparison to help
Environmental Officers descend on public campgrounds armed with develop a budget for the operator. Most times, this also includes a strata variety of provincial regulations designed to protect the public or egy for “quick fixing” the deficiency to keep the facility in operation,
the environment, but do you know how to interpret their reports? which translates into income versus closure. Most government inspectWhat do you do if they issue a deficiency report, an Order or Provincial ors are not out to close a business if there is a severe breakdown in water
Offenses summons or ticket? The first order of business is to under- or sewage treatment, but they do want to see a commitment to resolvstand completely the impact of those inspection reports. What oper- ing the deficiency. Completing the site audit and PSOA will assist the
ators may not realize is there are legal ramifications and costs to these business to remain in operation while the designing, engineering, appliactivities that can only be managed with a well thought out game plan. cation preparation and permit approval process continues to ultimateOften this means identifying: a) the legal obligaly completion of the repair or replacement work. So,
tions to respond to these types of reports, and b)
rather than qu