WHEREAS discharge from failing septic fields poses an environmental risk; AND WHEREAS there is no financial assistance available to property owners faced with a large outlay of cash to fix their failing sewage disposal systems: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the UBCM request that the Province andor the federal government provide no interest, long-term loans to property owners to repair or replace failing septic systems.
Ministry of Health The Ministry of Health has recently formed the Sewerage Systems Leadership Council, sponsored by the Ministry of Health comprising representatives from the BC OnSite Sewage Association BCOSSA, Applied Science Technologists Technicians of British Columbia ASTTBC, Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia APEGBC and the regional health authorities. It is intended that UBCM become a member of this Council, to ensure issues such as this are reviewed. The Council is intended to be a collaborative forum for presenting, openly discussing, and resolving province-wide issues, associated with the implementation of the Sewerage System Regulation-through recommended guidelines, policies, andor possible legislative change. The Sewerage System Leadership Council discussed this regulation at their January 23, 2006 meeting. The Council recognized that dealing with private homes is a complicated issue and that the Council would, at this time, prefer to address failing septic systems on an individual basis, until the extent of the problem can be determined. In addition, before considering a loan program, the Council would like to determine if there are existing assistance programs in place that could help property owners. For example, the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation seems to have at least two programs that might provide assistance: http:www.cmhc-schl.gc.caenprfiasotasprreadaspr001.cfm for communities smaller than 2500 people http:www.cmhc-schl.gc.caenprfiasrereprreadaspr003.cfm for all other homeowners Please note: UBCM was sent a written invitation to sit on the Council. The Council has not yet received a reply. The Council will follow-up with UBCM to determine whether they wish to participate.