About Us

In the world of onsite wastewater, it is easy to get distracted by flashy technology and complex, "high-tech" designs. However, if you talk to any veteran Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioner (ROWP), you will likely hear the same piece of advice: when it comes to your septic system, simpler is almost always better.

At Savage Septic Services, my design philosophy prioritizes simplicity and gravity whenever the site allows. While advanced secondary treatment systems have their place on challenging properties, a well-designed, simple system is often the most reliable, cost-effective, and low-maintenance solution for a homeowner.

Every time you add a mechanical component to a septic system—such as a pump, an aerator, or a computer-controlled dosing mechanism—you are adding a potential point of failure. Complexity isn't just about the initial design; it’s about the lifetime burden you place on your property.

• The Maintenance Burden: A gravity-based Type 1 system is incredibly resilient because it relies on basic physical principles rather than mechanical parts. Conversely, high-tech systems require rigorous, ongoing maintenance by a certified provider to stay operational. Skipping a single maintenance visit on a complex system can lead to immediate performance issues.
• The Hidden Costs: Mechanical systems require electricity to operate, and eventually, pumps, sensors, and aerators will need repair or replacement. A simple system, by contrast, has very few moving parts to wear out, saving you significant money in long-term operating costs and emergency repair bills.
• Ease of Use: Simple systems are designed to be forgiving. They aren't as sensitive to the minor fluctuations in household usage that can sometimes overwhelm more complex, fine-tuned biological treatment technologies.

My goal as an ROWP Planner is to provide you with a system that works effectively without becoming a constant source of stress or expense. 

1. Reduced Liability & Risk: A simpler system minimizes the risk of mechanical malfunctions that could lead to sewage backing up or environmental health hazards. By focusing on proper site and soil assessment, I can often design a gravity-based solution that is just as safe as a complex one, but far more robust. 
2. Long-Term Reliability: Systems with fewer mechanical components have a longer expected service life. When you invest in a simple system, you are investing in a "set it and forget it" piece of infrastructure that performs its job quietly and reliably for decades.
3. Owner-Friendly Operation: Maintenance for a simple system is straightforward. It is easier to understand, easier to inspect, and—most importantly—easier to keep in compliance with the Standard Practice Manual (SPM). 

I am not suggesting that we ignore the limitations of a site. If your property has high groundwater, unsuitable soil, or extreme proximity to sensitive water bodies, a simple gravity system may not be legally or environmentally feasible. In those cases, secondary treatment is a necessity, not an option.

However, my duty as your practitioner is to exhaust the possibility of a simpler, more robust design first. My due diligence process—including thorough test pits and permeability testing—is specifically aimed at finding the most efficient, least-complex solution that meets all provincial regulations. 

Your septic system is the most critical piece of infrastructure on your property. You shouldn't have to worry about its maintenance every month, and you shouldn't have to face a constant stream of repair costs for complex mechanical components.