Scugog Lake Stewards

09/02/2026

WANT TO DESTROY YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM QUICKLY? THEN USE 'FLUSHABLE WIPES' AND FLUSH THEM DOWN YOUR TOILET! Whether you are on a private system or a public system, NEVER flush these wipes down your toilet because they do not degrade, they plug your filter and without a filter, ... they will plug your leach field.

Even for our Scugog |Bmunicipal system, they combine with fat and create 'fatbergs' in the pipes, or build up in the prefilter and require constant expensive and nasty cleaning.

Because problems that interfere with the functioning of your septic system around the lake are a direct threat to the health of the lake; the Lake Stewards must get involved! Dispose of these and other non-biodegradable items in the trash.

09/01/2026

SCUGOG IS KNOWN FOR ITS HARD WATER OFTEN WITH A HIGH IRON COUNT. If you choose to treat these two problems you must have a septic system specially designed to deal with their regular regeneration backwash volume of water, etc.. Older systems will not be able to cope with the new large volumes of water this entails or their residue. It is suggested that water softener backwash, etc. should not be discharged into your septic system because of this. Also, the salt and/or the toxic compounds in their effluent ... are hard on concrete tanks.

What to do then? We suggest that you look into creating a simple french drain to handle just this backwash water separately so it does not create problems for your septic system or leach field. However, please contact Durham Region Health before planning such an installation for their guidance; call them by just dialing ... 311. (Below a typical installation including: Well pressure tank, water softener tank, iron filter tank and water softener salt storage tank)

08/29/2026

If you’re out on the water this summer, keep an eye out for water soldier!

Water soldier is an invasive aquatic plant with sharp, serrated leaves that can form dense mats both above and below the water’s surface.

Not sure what to look for? Check out this guide to learn how to identify it.

If you think you’ve found water soldier, report your sighting online at www.EDDMapS.org.

To learn more about water soldier, visit www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/water-soldier

08/29/2026

NOW IS THE TIME TO BOOK YOUR NECESSARY SEPTIC TANK and FILTER CLEANOUT! Early fall is best, because the tank will have time to recover its anaerobic or aerobic action before winter. While you are having that done, install easy access risers and a filter between your tank and the leach field if you don't have them already. Your septic field is the most expensive part of your system to replace ... so take care of it! Pump out every 3 to 4 years. Synthetics do not biodegrade in your tank and their residues build up quickly.

08/25/2026

ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM: that's what your 'septic system' should be called. They are an effective and sustainable solutions to managing wastewater in rural areas. They are sustainable because they work effectively nature and also keep up the natural groundwater cycle.

But proper design, use and maintenance is essential.https://wcowma-bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/WCOWMA-homeowner-manual.pdf For any newcomer, or new owner, we suggest reviewing the above well written manual. It even includes a printable schedule of pump-outs and maintenance that must accompany a sale to any new owner. In the picture below see two features that should be installed in every system: A filter to keep undigested larger material from entering the leach field, and easy access risers to the surface to enable easy pump out and filter cleaning.

08/21/2026

08/21/2026

THE LAKE IS DOING WELL FOR THE 20TH OF AUGUST! It is only about 3 inches below the max level, and well above the average lake level for this time of year. All the logs are in Trent-Severn Waterway Dam 33 in Lindsay with Lake Scugog water still pouring over the 60 ft.+ spillway to the side. However, very interesting is that the logs in the dam are not tightly stacked as usual and is water spilling through the cracks! This could be attributed to horizontal water pressure on the dam during placement, or manual equipment or choice. There are 160 dam and control features on the TSW system with just a handful of non-automated systems like Dam 33. (see that the logs of the dam are all in but there are some large spaces open.)

08/19/2026

THERE'S STILL TIME TO SIGN UP TO TAKE PART IN OUR CHAMBER 'COFFEE AND CONVO' SESSION IN THE GAZEBO, PALMER PARK, PORT PERRY ... TOMORROW and hear about our program and meet some of the Lake Stewards working to protect the lake! It looks like it will be a great day!
Thurs., Aug. 20th | 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Register here: https://business.northdurhamchamber.ca/.../2026-coffee...

Grab a coffee & a treat, meet some new and old friends and take some time to learn about health of our beautiful lake from members, the Scugog Lake Stewards.

08/12/2026

FALL IS COMING! IT'S THE BEST TIME TO SHOW OFF YOUR NEW "MY LAKE SCUGOG HOODY!" Brock's on Queen Street Brock's will be selling these very special hoodies and donating $25 dollars from every hoody to the work of the Scugog Lake Stewards until the end of August. If you want to check out what we, the Stewards, are doing this year ... go to: https://scugoglakestewards.com/about-the-lake/2026-work-in-progress/

Great community supporter, Julie Brock co-owner of Brock's, is seen below selling hoodies at our Lake Discovery Day. Thank you so much Brock's.