Faced with citizens’ concerns, the cities of Quebec, Lac-Delage and Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury will relax their regulations aimed at replacing some 1,600 obsolete and non-compliant septic tanks. Citizens could notably see the 2027 deadline pushed back.
We listened to citizens to best support them in carrying out this action, which led us to optimize the program to ensure its success.
explains Marie-Josée Asselin, vice-president of the executive committee responsible for natural environments and biodiversity at Quebec City.
Announced in 2023, the joint regulation aimed to bring certain autonomous septic installations (ISA) more than 30 years old up to standard.
The objective was to resolve contamination problems caused by outdated facilities and protect the region’s main source of drinking water, Lake Saint-Charles, which supplies nearly 300,000 residents. The settlement was accompanied by financial assistance to owners, in collaboration with the Quebec government.
The changes will provide more flexibility, time and technology choice to affected citizens
explains the City.
Financial aid
The citizens concerned must pay several thousand dollars to bring their installations up to standard. A subsidy program of a maximum amount of $30,000 was offered to citizens until March 2027, but municipalities are considering extending this deadline, which many citizens considered too short.
The subsidy rate and the ceiling will be adapted to the type of system prescribed
by the municipal regulations which will be adjusted, the City informs.
The grant could also cover certain operating and maintenance costs. Many citizens had explained that recurring costs were associated with the installation of superior technology.
These modifications to the regulation are currently being studied by the various provincial ministries concerned, which must approve them.
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-Lake Saint-Charles is the largest drinking water reservoir in Quebec City. (Archive photo)
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Other technologies
Other technologies for autonomous septic tanks will also be offered to citizens located in areas high vulnerability
i.e. those located closest to Lac-Saint-Charles.
In the old regulation, only solutions generally more efficient processing
were eligible for these zones. A requirement considered too restrictive by several citizens.
The 2025 deadline for owners of installations more than 30 years old has also been pushed back, while a research project is completed to better understand these areas of vulnerability.
Concerns
According to the City, the response from citizens has been encouraging since the launch of the program in April 2024, when nearly a third of the owners concerned have taken steps to comply with the regulations.
However, many people have criticized the program. From the beginning, we have heard the concerns of our citizens, particularly those who had to install more expensive systems with recurring costs. These adjustments were essential to ensure not only fairness, but also the success of this pilot project
believes the mayor of Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury.
It is in this municipality that almost half of the targeted owners are located, with 804 owners of installations more than 30 years old.
More details to come
