California Regulations Back on the Docket

California’s Assembly Bill 885, which affects 1.2 million households with septic systems, is again up for review, according to the State Water Resources Control Board. During a public comment period, Mendocino County residents sent hundreds of letters and more than 2,500 e-mails voicing concerns about cost and the practicality of the bill’s requirements.

The board promised to make significant changes to regulations that require septic tanks and private wells to be inspected every five years. If the Regional Water Board found pollution in a body of water, owners of septic tanks within 600 feet of the water would see additional requirements, including hiring an inspector to determine if the system was contributing to pollution.

Wisconsin

Proposed state legislation would change the definition of plumbing to include installing systems that treat wastewater and stormwater. It also would protect the right of those with a master plumber restricted service license to install systems that collect stormwater for subsequent uses. This item is not addressed specifically in state statutes.

Georgia

The state Department of Revenue ruled that providing portable restrooms is a sanitation service, and rescinded its classification of restrooms as taxable leases or rentals of tangible personal property. Mandatory services associated with the units are also no longer subject to sales and use taxes. The ruling went into effect Oct. 1. The department issued written guidance, available from the Georgia Onsite Wastewater Association. Call 678/646-0379 for more details.

New Mexico

A proposed restoration plan by the New Mexico Environment Department would provide money for qualifying indigent homeowners in several counties to replace cesspools or failed disposal systems with a conventional or advanced treatment system. The plan also would pay for removal of cesspools or failed systems, and all or some of the fees to connect to centralized wastewater collection systems.

Washington

After more than two years work, Cowlitz County commissioners approved an ordinance providing consistent rules for septic systems. Previously, vague rules and definitions meant one inspector might approve a system while another would deny the same design. The regulations also allow homeowners to inspect their own systems instead of hiring professionals to do it every one or three years, depending on the type of system. The county will offer classes to teach homeowners how to inspect and maintain their onsite systems. The ordinance takes effect Jan. 1.

Massachusetts

The Nantucket Board of Health adopted onsite regulations limiting homeowners to one bedroom and 110 gallons of effluent per 10,000 square feet of lot area. The regulations will help lower the density of many lots by prohibiting homeowners from expanding existing buildings and pursuing new construction.



Discussion

Comments on this site are submitted by users and are not endorsed by nor do they reflect the views or opinions of COLE Publishing, Inc. Comments are moderated before being posted.