Site Assessment & Design Process

The process to assess the site, design, install and certify the installation is as follows:

  • Client discusses job with CSSi (usually by telephone). CSSi sends the Client via email or fax a copy of:

    1) Owner's Declaration,

    2) Letter of Engagement,

    3) CSSi fee schedule for site assessments and design

  • Client completes the Owner’s Declaration Form. CSSi uses this information to determine the design flow.
  • Client signs and submits to CSSi the Letter of Engagement - retaining CSSi to do the site assessment and design work on the property. The Client includes a deposit with the Letter of Engagement.
  • CSSi meets Client on site for intial overview of site. Client may give CSSi the Owner's Declaration, Letter of Engagement and deposit at this time.
  • CSSi does the site assessment (including soils work) and the design to determine what type of onsite septic system is appropriate.
  • If there are several options, CSSi will discuss with the Client before finalizing a design.
  • For residential properties the site assessment and design ranges from $1000 to $3000 depending on the complexity of the site. (Usually around $1500)
  • CSSi invoices Client for the site assessment, design and Filing. CSSi also provides a copy of the design specifications to the Client.
  • CSSi prepares either a quote or an estimate for the installation.  
  • CSSi submits the "Filing" and the $200 Filing fee to the local Health Authority.
  • A Filing with the Health Authority is required to obtain a building permit from the municipality.  The Health Authority automatically sends the accepted "Filing" to the municipality.

  • Installation of the filed design. Sometimes due to new site constraints, modifications to the design are made during installation.  

  • Installation costs range from $7,000 to more than $30,000 depending on the type of system.

  • CSSi starts up and tests the onsite sewage system and records the initial operating parameters.

  • CSSi prepares and submits to the Health Authority:

1) As- Built Specifications,

2) As- Constructed Drawing,

3) Operations and Maintenance Plan (O&M Plan), and

4) Letter of Certification signed by an "authorized person"

  • CSSi invoices the client for the installation

  • Client pays invoice for installation  

  • Client receives copy of:

    1) As- Constructed Specifications,

    2) As- Constructed Drawing,

    3) Operations and Maintenance Plan (O&M Plan), and

    4) Letter of Certification signed by an "authorized person"

    5) Home owner information about onsite sewage systems

    6) Maintenance contract (CSSi would do the maintenance)

    7) 2 copies of the Acknowledgement page

    8) Client comment page

  • Client signs and returns the Acknowledgement page, Client comments and a signed copy of the Maintenance Contract if they wish to have their system automatically maintained in conformance with the Filed maintenance plan.

  • By retaining CSSi to do the maintenance, the system will comply with the new Capital Regional Districts CRD bylaw #3479.


Call 250-478-1158