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Published by SLPOA, 2018-01-22 14:18:07

SLPOA Spring 2009 Newsletter

News and articles relevant to members of the Sharbot Lake Property Owners' Association.

Keywords: Spring,2009,Newsletter

June 2009






Spring Newsletter






Sharbot Lake Property Owners’ Association


Volume 27, Issue 1









President’s Message Inside this issue:


By Bill Wilson, President Countless hours were spent on re- President’s Message 1

My term as President is just about searching the root cause – MPAC, 2009 Annual General Meeting Agenda 2
over and I feel as if it had just begun. downloading, etc., and numerous arti-
Time flies as they say and the issues cles were written and published in the Representatives News 3
facing us continually change. A lot has Frontenac News, on our website and in
happened over the past few years and our newsletter. The final conclusion 2008 Annual General Meeting 3
a lot needs to happen over the next being our complaints were generally Approach To The Development Of A
few – specifically finalizing the Lake misdirected towards the township and Lake Plan 6
Plan and septic re-inspection. I will, of the fight needed to be made at the
course, remain active with the Execu- provincial level. Consequently SLPOA How long will you be able to swim off
tive over the next few years holding supports FOCA who, with the backing the end of your dock? 7
the position of Past President. It is of other lake associations is taking on
because I will remain involved for some the province and lobbying for tax re- Septic Re-inspection - An Update 10
time yet that I’d like to deflect my form.
reminiscing and reflection of past ac- Septic Systems - A Refresher 10
complishments to the out-going Past Hazardous waste was, and should al- Want to Help the Environment and Do
President– Rem Westland. ways remain, a major concern. SLPOA Less Work? Create a Buffer Zone 11
was in the forefront in pushing for
Rem has been involved at the executive hazardous waste pickup in Central Picture of the Month 11
level for the past 7 years. During his Frontenac and Rem carried the torch Look inside for:
tenure he faced a number of issues and and dogged council on the issue. His
tackled them head on. published story, covering the process  Annual General Meeting Announcement
of disposing of hazardous waste
through the depot in Kingston, drove  Sharbot Lake Property Owners’
Early on he formed the Tax Committee home just how onerous a process it Association crested garments
to look into the ever increasing tax was. We now have a hazardous waste  Fish Fry Social Event
burden placed upon our members.
 Hazardous Waste Day

solution sponsored by the township. Rem also introduced the Honorary Member status and pre-
sented Ken Hollywood, whose long time devotion and efforts
The involvement in bringing local politics to our members was got SLPOA on its feet, as the first recipient.
also spearheaded by Rem. During the last local election, under
Rem’s guidance the SLPOA brought the candidates and their The dynamics of SLPOA have changed through Rem`s influ-
positions to our members by opening up a public forum on our ence and now we have insurance for the Executive, a website,
website and engaged the candidates. Not only our members – a brochure describing SLPOA, the annual fish fry and a
especially those who live afar – but also everyone was able healthy membership.
read about the issues and responses from the candidates.
Furthermore, REM moderated a number of public all- Well done Rem and many thanks from all of us.
candidates meetings.
Bill Wilson, President

2009 Annual General Meeting Agenda



Soldiers’ Memorial Hall (Oso Town Hall), July 18, 10:00 am to someone who may be, interested in becoming an active
12:00 noon Introduction to the Meeting – Bill Wilson, member of the Association’s executive please let us
President of the Association know by notifying Bill Wilson or Ken Waller so that we
can add the name(s) to the list of candidates for

Association business (30 minutes) consideration at the Meeting.]

1. Adoption of the 2008 Minutes. The Minutes are Feature Event (30 minutes)
included in this newsletter and are available on the
Website and will go to a vote (moved and seconded, and 5. Report from the Past President. The Report will
show of hands) without further discussion. present our approach to creating a Lake Plan for
2. Report from the President. The Report will observe Sharbot Lake. Observations and general discussion on
upon developments over the last year and forecast the development plan will be welcomed.
what is expected in the year ahead. The orientation of
the Executive towards issues in our area will be Other Business (30 minutes)
described and observations and discussion will be
welcomed. 6. Open Forum. This will be an open discussion, one
3. Report from the Secretary Treasurer. The Report objective of which is to learn from those attending
will update members on our financial position and on the what the priorities of the association should be over
membership. the coming year

4. Report form the Environmental Issues Coordinator 7. Closing of the Meeting. Bill Wilson will close the
5. Elections. There will be requests for nominations from meeting, at which time all members will be
the floor. A number of the existing Executive reminded about the Fish Fry that will
members have indicated their desire to continue to take place on July 25, 2009 at the
participate at some level. [If anyone is, or knows Soldiers’ Memorial Hall (Oso Hall)!





SLPOA Garments
SLPOA crested garments are now available. A wonderful selection of T-shirts, sweatshirts, denim shirts and golf
shirts.

Go to our website for further information.




Page 2 Spring Newsletter

Representatives News


By Joyce Waller, Secretary/Treasurer AREA B St George’s Lake Rd
We currently have a membership of 232 which is about the C Polar Bear Lane & First part Shibley Rd
same as last year at this time. The Area Reps we currently
have are greatly appreciated for achieving these numbers. L Brewer Rd, Country Lane
Also thank you to all who responded to the mail out and e-mail M Elizabeth St & Downtown Area
request sent out in January 2009
M1 Cannon Rd, Legion Rd,
Volunteer representatives are urgently needed for the N Road #38
areas listed to the right.
O Village Woods, Maplewood Dr.
This is a great opportunity to meet your neighbours and pro-
vide the link between property owners and the SLPOA execu- T MacLean Point Rd, Point Lane,
tive. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Joyce Meadow Lane
Waller, SLPOA Sec/Treas, at 279-3035 or e-mail her at W Islands of the West Lake
joyce.waller@slpoa.
If you haven’t been contacted by your area rep and wish to
pay your dues ($10.00), please send them with your name, ad-
dress, phone number, email address and cottage location to: Hope to see you at the AGM.
Sec-Treas SLPOA, Box 333, Sharbot Lake, Ont. K0H 2P0 Joyce Waller, Secretary/Treasurer

2008 Annual General Meeting

MINUTES Day that SLPOA had been lobbying for was indeed
Sharbot Lake Property Owners’ Association 2008 happening on July 26th. Bill reinforced the idea that
Annual General Meeting Held at the Soldiers’ the role of SLPOA is one of education and information
Memorial Hall (Oso Hall) and not as an enforcer. He mentioned that the
Sat 19 July 2008 executive will be working on producing a lake plan during
the current year.
The meeting commenced at 10:15am. Ken Waller (Vice-
President) welcomed the 79 members and guests and Minutes of the 2007 AGM
with regret announced the recent passing of Ada
Hollywood, founding and honorary member of SLPOA. Minutes of the 2007 AGM had been available on line as
Ken then introduced Bill Wilson (President) who well as at the meeting so Ken Waller moved that the
introduced the Executive. In attendance from the minutes be approved. This was seconded by Charmaine
executive were Bill Wilson (President), Ken Waller (Vice Jones. Carried
President), and Joyce Waller (Secretary/Treasurer),
Rem Westland (Past President) and Marie LaForest Membership & Financial Report – Joyce Waller
(Member at Large) Membership Report

Introduction to the Meeting Total paid membership for 2007/08 was 229. This was
similar to 2006/2007. Joyce thanked the Reps for a
Bill Wilson provided a brief summary of the events of great job and also thanked all who responded to the e-
the past year, including the development of a brochure mail and mail-out in January. Several areas are without
to help promote SLPOA. He thanked Rem Westland and a Rep. Joyce asked anyone interested in becoming a rep
Marie LaForest for their hard work on the brochure to contact her.
development. The brochures have been placed in
strategic places around Sharbot Lake. He drew Financial Report
members’ attention to the fact that a Hazardous Waste

Spring Newsletter Page 3

Joyce reported that the SLPOA is in a good financial the lake and the need to check with the proper
position. Income for 2007-08 was $4066.26 and authorities before building or altering anything within
expenses were $3850.69. The expenses included the ribbon of life that could affect the lake quality
brochure printing, signage (reusable) for the AGM and (defined as the first 10 m from the water and the
fish fry, and FOCA Dues. The fish fry was a break-even water area out to the point sunlight fails to reach the
event. Balance as of June 30, 2008 was $2730.82. lake bottom).
Joyce asked for acceptance of the Financial Report.
Moved by Jane Berryman and seconded by Luc Salvador. Septic Re-Inspection Program
Carried
Ken indicated that several of the townships around us
Elections (North Frontenac, South Frontenac and Tay Valley),
have septic re-inspection programs in place. The
Ken Waller (Vice President) called for nominations from inspections are coordinated by the respective
the floor for two Members-at-Large. municipalities and carried out by the Mississippi /Rideau
Septic Services Office, a joint venture of the
Paul King and Marie LaForest were the only nominations Mississippi Valley and Rideau Valley Conservation
and were elected for another year by acclamation. Authorities. Ken had been in contact with the MRSSO
who had informed him that they could carry out a 30-
Environmental Issues Report site test project as early as this year and could
carryout up to 100 inspections per year starting next
Ken Waller went over the highlights of the Mississippi year. The cost to the township would be approx $95.00
Valley Conservation report on water quality that had per inspection.
been provided in 2007 on 2006 data. Levels of algae &
phosphorus must be monitored Ken Waller put forth a motion that ”the executive be
empowered to approach the township with the aim of
Pumping of septic tanks regularly every 3-5 years, using emphasizing the need and our desire to institute a
phosphate-free laundry and dish detergent, and not septic system re-inspection program”. Seconded by Luc
using chemical fertilizers or weed killers on lawns were Salvador. Carried with only 4 opposed.
suggested as starting points toward improving the
quality of the water. It was also suggested that communication with other
Due to an instance last year of a dumping of septic Lake/Property Associations could lead to a common
waste into the lake everyone is asked to be the eyes for front to the township.
SLPOA and report any instances to the Health Dept and
SLPOA. Some island owners requested help to find a means of
pumping out systems on islands. It was suggested that
Ken also addressed issues of set-back of buildings from many of the islands that have septic systems have never





Hazardous Waste Day

This year’s hazardous waste day will be held on Saturday, July 25th 2009 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the
corner of Highway 7 and Road 38.

Check the township website at www.centralfrontenac.com for more details.





Page 4 Spring Newsletter

been pumped. SLPOA will do some research and try and
provide more information.  There is still a fair bit of algae present in some
parts of the lake
Address from Deputy Mayor Bob Harvey
 Zebra mussels are still a problem in the lake. It
Bob brought greetings from Mayor Janet Gutowski who was suggested that there is no magic cure but
was unable to attend due to a family emergency. they will level off over time
Highlights of Accomplishments were as follows:  Fishing before fishing season opens has been a
problem. Suggested that possibly signs posting
 Medical Centre is very near completion with a the dates could be erected and also use a
grand opening scheduled for September; neighbourhood watch approach and speak with the
offending fisherman.
 The Fire Hall in Mountain Grove has been
completed;  Charmaine Jones reported that on the East Basin
there are 20 adult loons and 8 chicks. It was
 Hazardous Waste day will be next Saturday July suggested that special care in boating be taken in
26, 2008 from 10-4pm; May and June as this is nesting time and large
wakes can destroy loon nests. Also loud noises i.e.
 Trailers have been added to provide office space fireworks will cause the loons to leave the nest
and prevent overcrowding in the main building of and leave the eggs unprotected. Lead sinkers are
the Township offices in Sharbot Lake; also bad for loons and other waterfowl and all
anglers should be encouraged to stop using them.
 The new Public Works manager is addressing the
road issues in the township; Conclusion and Adjournment

 the website for Central Frontenac Bill Wilson reminded those present of our goals for the
(www.centralfrontenac.com) provides good access coming year of retaining our focus as an information and
to information about what’s going on in the education association. We will continue with promotion
community; and towards establishing a lake plan. (Volunteers were
requested to be on a committee for this purpose) and he
 Septic re-inspection was not a budget item this reminded everyone of the Fish Fry July 26th, 2008
year but could be in the coming year. from 5-6:30 at the Sodiers’ Memorial Hall (OSO Hall).

Business from the Floor/ Open Forum There being no further business, the
meeting was adjourned at 12:30pm
Some of the issues brought up were as follows:





Water Testing

Do you know you can get your water checked for free? The KFL&A Health Unit on Elizabeth St in Sharbot Lake will
give you free testing bottles and instructions and then send your sample off to the labs in Kingston. In a week or so,
you get the results in the mail. This testing is only for e-coli and coliform bacteria testing but that’s what you want to
ensure your water is safe. Please note that this testing is not available for untreated lake water.





Spring Newsletter Page 5

Approach To The Development Of A Lake Plan

By Rem Westland, Past-President lakes) in CF will be very similar, if not higher.

At the Annual General Meeting of the Sharbot Lake Property If our township was truly serious about water quality in
Owners’ Association (SLPOA) last year I expressed Sharbot Lake (and other lakes in our area) I would expect
reservations about lake plans of the kind that most lakefront Central Frontenac to know how our lakes plug into the local
and cottager associations have produced. My view was that economy.
lake plans focused upon particular lakes do not go nearly far In the Township of Muskoka Lakes report it is said that
enough. I worried that prodigious collective efforts in the cottaging is what the what the township “is all about”. The
production of such plans are akin to Nero fiddling while Rome Township’s official plan aims to maintain and grow area
burns. recreation and the cottaging way of life. The Township’s

The SLPOA executive challenged me after the meeting to vision is “to continue to be a place where the world wants to
elaborate upon my point of view, and this I will do at the AGM live”.
in July 2009. I was also invited to use the opportunity of this I do not think Central Frontenac is anywhere close to
Newsletter to outline my thoughts. It is a question of putting affirming the central place of our lakes in the overall well-
one’s money (or time and effort) where the mouth is! being of our Township and, until that happens, I do not expect
Maintaining water quality in Sharbot Lake requires lake plans specific to one lake or another in our area to have
knowledge of, and attention to, the entire watershed much impact – if any – on political decision-making.
In a report done by Bill Bindmann in 2001 he observed that Sharbot Lake’s contribution to CF Township requires a
the principal inlet to Sharbot Lake flows from White Lake balance between water protection and revenues
into the West Basin, and the main outlet is the Fall River from If the politicians for Central Frontenac are to become strong
the East Basin. Between the inflow and the outflow Bill proponents of our lake’s well-being the SLPOA must
concluded that the “throughput” of water is about 47%, which appreciate the need for balance between water quality
means it takes about 2 years for the water in the lake to protection and the Township’s overall economy and revenues.
replenish itself. Water quality protection requires investment on the one hand.
I have also learned from Mississippi Valley Conservation (Gord The funds for making those investments must come – at least
Mountenay, water management supervisor) that Sharbot Lake in part – from use of the lake and lakefront development on
is predominantly spring fed. But ground water aquifers are the other.
hard to map and I was advised that no one knows the size and We need to know the current value of activities and taxes
location of the watershed that feeds the springs which generated by Sharbot Lake, as a percentage of the Township’s
replenish Sharbot Lake from below. overall economy. There are certain to be times when political
In addition, of course, there is surface water run-off in the leaders must choose between investment in one lake or
Spring and rainfall in the Summer. another. If the economic return coming to the Township from
The best lake plan in the world, if focused upon the water Sharbot Lake is especially high (which I suspect it is) then the
that sits in our lake at any one point in time, will be unable to argument for giving a priority to our lake will always be strong.
prevent loss of water quality if the main culprits of But we need to know the facts, and we need to be supportive
degradation and pollution are to be found well away from our of development plans which increase revenues from Sharbot
shores. Lake without compromising water quality overly much.

Good water quality in the lakes of Central Frontenac relate The enjoyment of Sharbot Lake requires codes of conduct
directly to local government revenues
This is what most lake plans are all about.
As an economic model I suspect Central Frontenac is a “single It is indeed very important to be reminded of the kinds of
sector” community, meaning we are economically dependent behaviour, primarily by lakefront owners, that impact
for the majority of township revenues on lakes-related negatively upon water quality, safety, or peace and quiet. At
activities and taxes. the Annual General Meeting in July 2008 our members voted
In a report done for the Muskoka Lakes in 2007 it is observed in favour of a number of initiatives that reflect agreement
that the Township’s lake-dependency ratings for all annual among us, specifically with regard to septic tank inspections
purchases in community retail stores, property tax revenues, and hazardous waste. At the meeting in July 2009 I
and labour force income were in the orders of 42%, 73% and understand we will be revisiting last year’s discussions, and
82% respectively. I suspect the lakes-dependency ratings (all our shared commitment to the development of an overall code

Page 6 Spring Newsletter

of conduct is likely to be reaffirmed. comprehensive plan (watershed issues, “single sector”

Next steps economic model, sustainable growth, and code of conduct).
Each responsible party (provincial government, Township, local
The kind of lake plan I describe as a “code of conduct”, businesses and institutions, and the SLPOA itself) must
however, is not a lake plan that – in my view - can make a great contribute its part in the development of a comprehensive
deal of difference. Lake plans, to be effective, must be lake plan in order for the plan to be successful.
comprehensive and must engage a number of different
responsibility centres.
At the July 2009 meeting I will suggest whose responsibility By: Rem Westland, Past-President, Sharbot Lake
it should be to contribute to each of the four components of a Property Owners’ Association

How long will you be able to swim off the end of your dock?


By Elaine Stillwell is a volunteer-based water quality monitoring program which
Last summer was the second summer in a row that we could tests for total phosphorus (tp) and water clarity. Sharbot
not swim off the end of our dock because of algae and weed Lake is a Canadian Shield lake as it is located on the Precam-
growth. In the past we have had weeds and some algae to deal brian Shield and as such is less likely to show seasonal differ-
with come the last couple of weeks of August, but over the ences in tp. Because of this, like all other Canadian Shield
past two years these have been in full ”bloom” at the beginning lakes that are tested as part of the Lake Partner Program, it
of July. is tested once a year, in May. There are three Lake Partner
Program test sites on Sharbot Lake; two in the West Basin,
As an area representative I visit with my neighbours to renew one is across from the Provincial Park and the other is north-
their SLPOA memberships every year. Last summer, while can- east of Green Island; and one in the East Basin at the deepest
vassing, it wasn’t long before I noticed a recurring theme to point. There was a period of time when only the West Basin
the conversations - the issue of algae and weed growth. Two was sampled annually, however in 2008 the East Basin sample
of my neighbours and I decided to try to find out as much as site was reactivated. These are also the same test sites that
we could about the problem. This is some of what we learned. the MVCA has used. The results which are published on the
Algae and weeds are important to the health of a lake. Algae Lake Partner Program’s web site, (www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/
is the base of the food chain - if there is no algae in a lake, water/lakepartner/index.php ) show that Sharbot Lake has
then there would be no fish. Problems arise when there is too low tp levels.
much plant growth, it depletes the oxygen in the water result- So if the testing is showing that Sharbot Lake is basically a
ing in reduced fish populations. healthy lake, why are there early algae blooms and excessive
Some of the factors that affect algae and weed growth are weed growth? Susan Lee of the MVCA, who has been a great
water temperature, sunlight and the concentration of nutri- help and a wonderful resource, suggests that perhaps in-
ents in the water, particularly phosphorus. The higher the creased water temperature and areas with calmer water, such
concentration of phosphorus the more weeds and algae in the as bays and inlets, are more susceptible to these problems.
lake. Testing for total phosphorus (tp) and water clarity is She kindly provided us with names of experts in the field and
done by a number of provincial and local departments and suggested that we contact them for more information. As yet
agencies. The Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority we have not had the opportunity to do this, but will do so in
(MVCA) tests lakes in the Mississippi Watershed annually the near future.
through its Watershed Watch program, however due to lim- Susan also provided us with information as to how individual
ited resources, testing can only be done on each lake every cottagers and home owners can test the water in their area.
five years. Sharbot Lake was last tested in 2006. The report The MVCA uses Maxxam Analytics in Mississauga (905-817-
is available on-line at www.mvc.on.ca/water/Sharbot2006.pdf 5700) they charge $15.00 for a phosphorus sample plus the
While the report shows Sharbot Lake to be generally healthy, $1.75 disposal fee per sample. Other labs include:
there was one alarming reading at the test site in the East
Basin where the mean of the samples was 36.1µg/l Accutest Laboratories (Ottawa) 613-727-5692
(micrograms per litre) one meter from the bottom. These City of Ottawa (Rope Lab) Michael Ziebell 613-580-2424 ext.
were the only samples that showed such a high level of tp, but 22836
it is a concern given that anything over 20µg/l is considered to She states testing the water yourself is very easy. The lab
be high. should give you sampling instructions, so that you know how to
The Lake Partner Program of the Ministry of the Environment sample (e.g. do not rinse the bottle because it has a preserva-

Spring Newsletter Page 7

tive, etc.). Remember to wear gloves so that you don't contami- 1970’s!
nate the sample with the oils on your hands or get any pre- The Province of Ontario is gearing up for mandatory septic
servative on your hands as it can ruin your clothes. system inspections in the next five years and has already
Everyone we spoke to reminded us of the importance of good started to develop a course for training the inspectors. Your
water stewardship system will have to pass inspection in the not too distant fu-
 Leave your shoreline natural. ture, so be prepared for it. The cost of pumping your system
is a very small fraction ($150 to $500) of what it would cost
 Don’t cut your lawn to the water’s edge, as a matter of you to replace it, which you will have to do if you don’t pump it
fact, some said don’t cut your lawn at all! If you have to out regularly. Oasis also recommends that you use an additive,
cut it, don’t cut it too short. Maintaining a natural such as EcoEthic to encourage the growth of bacteria that will
shoreline allows plants to take up the nutrients that break down the waste in your septic system. There is an ex-
might leach into the lake and also reduces shoreline ero- cellent resource on-line at the Oasis web site that explains all
sion. this far better than I can at http://oasisontario.on.ca/
 Don’t use fertilizers faq.html

 Use low phosphate detergents, particularly laundry and For cottages that are on islands and water access only, there
automatic dishwasher detergents – most dishwashing is a barge that provides service to the Rideau Lakes system
liquids used for hand washing are phosphate free ([email protected] ) and can be transported over land to
Sharbot Lake. As transporting the barge overland is difficult
 Keep shampoos and soap out of the lake and expensive, the cost per cottage would depend on how many
cottagers would be using the service. This might be something
and last but not least …have your septic system pumped every that we could look to the Township for help in arranging, as it
3 to 5 years. would benefit anyone who uses the lake by improving the water
In speaking to the people at the Ontario Association of Sew- quality.
age Industry Services (Oasis …I now know more about septic systems Composting toilets are an excellent option, and there are many
and sewage than I ever wanted to know!) it became clear that there is a good ones on the market - not surprisingly the Swedes have
myth “out there” that septic systems take care of themselves and really perfected the technology. The problem is that compost-
don’t need to be pumped out. Ignore the care and mainte- ing toilets only deal with the sewage, a grey water system is
nance of your system at your peril! Sweden was so concerned also needed to prevent the nutrients and chemicals we use
about the problem that septic systems pose to the environ- every day from entering the lake, particularly the phosphates
ment and public health that it outlawed septic systems in the
































Examples of the negative and positive effects of high nutrient levels in Sharbot Lake


Page 8 Spring Newsletter

from soaps and detergents. Have you ever noticed on days be better than the last couple of summers have been as far
when the water is very rough or choppy that foam develops as algae blooms and weed growth are concerned. Sharbot
around the shoreline? This is the result of soaps and deter- Lake is a beautiful and precious resource and we are lucky
gents that have not been filtered through a healthy septic or that we are able to share it and enjoy the many pleasures it
grey water system and have run-off directly into the lake. provides to us. Since it gives us so much in the way of recrea-
This is some of what we learned and we aren’t finished yet, tion, be it swimming, fishing, boating or just staring at its
we still have experts to contact and we will be doing more fabulous scenery, shouldn’t we repay the favour by taking a
investigation on the barge service. Hopefully this summer will few simple actions to protect it?
































Soap suds that formed on a beaver dam under the Elbow Lake bridge - Oct/08

Other resources:
http://www.watersheds.ca/whatwedo/what_we_do.html with thanks to Elaine O’Reilly and Pam Hickman

http://www.foca.on.ca/index.php? by Elaine Stillwell
option=content&task=view&id=148
http://www.bobsandcrowlakes.ca/lake_plan/index.shtml









Tip

A great resource for people living on or by the water can be found at http://www.livingbywater.ca/main.html. Here
you’ll find tips and suggestions on everything from septic systems and water quality to docks and native plants. It
also has instructions for giving your property a make-over to make it more environmentally friendly. Check it out.








Spring Newsletter Page 9

Septic Re-inspection - An Update

By Ken Waller, Vice President that the Township will pursue the creation of a re-inspection

Last year, at the AGM it was agreed to pressure Central Fron- program. Such a program must have some teeth to allow in-
tenac Township to implement a program of re-inspection of all spectors onto the property of reluctant homeowners. Only
septic systems. Since that time, progress has been slow, but then can a complete inspection of all properties have any hope
there has been progress. I attended the Kennebec Lake Asso- of success. Developing such a program will require time. The
ciation (KLA) AGM and found support for our endeavours. In report from the Township is now not expected until the fall.
the spring of this year, the KLA made a submission to the One piece of good news is that the septic re-inspection report
Township calling for a septic inspection/re-inspection program. is now listed on the Townships “Unfinished Business Report”
It included a letter of agreement and support from SLPOA. presented to Council on a monthly basis. Want to help? Send an
So, where is the Township standing on this issue? Initial indi- e-mail to the township telling them that you support this pro-
cations were that staff at the Township would not support gram as an effective measure toward ensuring the quality of
such a program. Since the submission of the KLA presentation the water of our lakes and rivers. Send it to
and the documented support from several lake and property [email protected]
associations in the Township, the initial draft of the staff re-
port has been sent back for re-drafting. Indications are now Ken Waller , Vice President

Septic Systems - A Refresher


By Ken Waller, Vice President waste is allowed out of the tank and into the leaching bed. This
There are numerous brochures and guides available to help you can result in the leaching bed becoming clogged and the septic
understand your septic system. The Ontario government has system rendered unusable. The worst case? Your household
such a guide on its website at http://www.obc.mah.gov.on.ca/ waste has nowhere to go and backs up into the house. You can
Asset6.aspx?method=1. The local health unit (KFL&A Public do two things to greatly reduce the risk of this happening.
Health) has a nice brochure entitled “Care and Feeding of Your Firstly, limit what goes into your system. This means only
Septic System”, yours for the asking (we hope to have copies waste and bathroom tissue. Don’t throw paper towels, facial
th
at the 2009 AGM on July 18 ) tissue or the like down the drains. Also, don’t put things detri-
mental to bacteria into your system. These include chlorine-
Most septic systems consist of a septic tank and a leaching based cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners and large quantities of
bed. All waste water from your house or cottage must be bleach. Grease and cooking oils are also bad for your system.
treated through your septic system. Waste water goes to the Secondly, have your septic tank pumped out on a regular basis:
septic tank where solids settle to the bottom and a bacterium every 3-5 years. The cost, around $200, is significantly less
breaks it down. Liquid and small-particle waste then flows out than the cost of replacing your system. Most septic pumping
of the tank to the leaching bed where it enters the ground via companies will check out your system or portions of it, and
perforated pipe. Once in the ground, the waste is further advise you of any necessary repairs or maintenance. With only
worked on by bacteria in the soil. It’s quite a simple and basic a little care and attention, your septic system can provide
system as long as it is able to work. Problems can occur in sev- years of efficient operation. Neglect it at your
eral areas. The most significant can arise because solids, which peril.
cannot be broken down in the septic tank by bacterium, accu-
mulate. This means there is less space for new waste to occupy
to allow the solids to settle. What can happen is that solid Ken Waller , Vice President





2009 Annual General Meeting

This year’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday July 18 commencing at 10:00 am in the
Soldiers’ Memorial Hall (Oso Hall). Please plan to attend as we have a number of important issues
concerning the continuation of the Associations business (see page 2 for details)




Page 10 Spring Newsletter

Want to Help the Environment and Do Less Work? Create a Buffer Zone

By Ken Waller, Vice President ferred to as the “ribbon of life”, plays a large role in the envi-

A buffer zone is the transition area between land and water. ronment. The denser plant life acts as pollution prevention,
It is “an area of natural vegetation, including fallen trees and water quality control and erosion devices. It also provides a
branches, natural rocks and pebbles. Ideally it contains vege- healthy environment for the growth of animals and birds. So,
tation that would normally grow in your area…” (On the Living what do you say? Role up your sleeves, pull up the hammock, do
Edge- Your Handbook for Waterfront Living, Kip & Calloway). nothing and create a buffer zone.
How do you create a buffer zone? Easy, do nothing. Really!
Simply leave the last 10 feet (or more) of your land along the Ken Waller , Vice President
shore untouched. Just think, no mowing, no weeding. Within
the first year, native plants will start to regrow. Over 2-3
years, native trees will start growing. This area, often re-
Picture of the Month — June 2009

























































Title: A lazy day fishing at the lake. (Karen Brown’s 9 year old grandson on his first lake visit.)
Photographer: Karen Brown , Date: June, 2009, Location: Climie Island

Spring Newsletter Page 11

Your Executive:
President:
Bill Wilson
(613) 720-6060, 279-2362
[email protected]
Vice President:
Ken Waller
(613) 279-3035
[email protected]

Secretary/Treasurer:
Sharbot Lake Property Joyce Waller
Owners’ Association (613) 279-3035
[email protected]
Past President:
Rem Westland
(613) 748-3945, 279-2143
We’re on the web: [email protected]

www.slpoa.ca Member-at-Large:
Paul King

(905) 239-3117
[email protected]
P.O. Box 333 Marie Laforest
Sharbot Lake (613) 748-3945, 279-2143
Ontario K0H 2P0
[email protected] [email protected]


















Fish Fry
Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 25th. SLPOA will be holding our annual Fish Fry. The meal will include
delicious deep fried cod in a scrumptious batter, french fries, coleslaw, additional salads and desert. All for just
$12.00 for adults and $8.00 for children This social event will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Soldiers’
Memorial Hall (OSO Community Centre) and is open to everyone, members and non-members alike. So bring your
friends.













Page 12 Spring Newsletter


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