But according to Clarendon Director General, Patricia Hobbs, there is nothing to worry about because the homeowner has gone through the proper channels and received approval.

“The request for authorization was sent to the Ministry of Natural Resources who had to authorize the system to be put in,” Hobbs said. “So all that authorization was put in place and the permit was given.”

She says the property owner’s options were limited because of the small size of the property.

“Because of the size of their property, there are certain restrictions that they’re held to,” Hobbs said. “So this was a system that their septic designer recommended.”

The specific type of septic system that’s being installed is called a Bionest and it’s designed for tight spaces.

According to the company’s website, the system uses a combination of bacteria and non-biodegradable media to filter effluent in a self-contained reactor. Additionally, the system does not require an external clarifier or a sludge storage bin.

The Bionest uses two tanks that are separated by a partition. The first tank has a filtration system that stops any solids. The second tank has a non-biodegradable media that promotes the growth of bacteria, which helps with the decomposition process.

A pump sends air into the tank to create turbulent conditions in order to enhance the water’s treatment.

The Quebec government’s standard for wastewater is a maximum of 15mg/L of both organic pollution and suspended solids. The Bionest website claims its system achieves 4 mg/L of organic pollution and 3mg/L of suspended solids – coming in well below the provincial regulations.

Hobbs also said the municipality followed up with the Quebec Ministry of the Environment.

“The Ministry of the Environment has contacted us and assured us that there is no reason for them to be involved,” Hobbs added.

The pipes for the system are buried two-and-a-half feet under the ground, which is technically municipal property.

“The part down by the shore obviously belongs to the government,” Hobbs said. “But the upper part is in the name of the Municipality of Clarendon.”

But with all of the attention suddenly heaped on this parcel of land, Hobbs said the municipality is going over the documentation to confirm who owns what part of the land.

“We’re double checking all of those ownerships to make sure,” she said.

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