Halifax Water offers temporary solution to septic woes

Halifax Water and the Halifax Regional Municipality will be offering a short-term solution to septic tank woes startingnext week.

On Monday, private septage haulers will be able to dispose of septage loads at "a secured, monitored site compliant with regulatory requirements," according to a joint news release.

This short-term solution comes after GFL West Hants Landfill, a major septage dumping site in West Hants,told haulers last week itcould no longer accept waste from the Halifax area because of capacity issues.

The news release described the issues as "an unanticipated mechanical failure at a privately owned facility."

The temporary dumping site, which is near the Aerotechwastewater treatment plant, will be available for up to three weeks.

While private septic systems are the responsibility of property owners and are regulated by the province, Kenda MacKenzie, Halifax Water's acting manager, said in the news release thatthe utility and the municipality"understand how essential septic tank pumping services are for residential and commercial properties to safeguard health, safety and the environment."