Minnesota Trending Toward Required Point-of-Sale Inspections

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More communities in Minnesota are requiring point-of-sale compliance inspections of septic systems. According to The Little Digger newsletter of the Minnesota Onsite Wastewater Association, 116 local government units had such rules in 2013, increasing to 141 in 2014. The survey by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency showed increases in those requiring such inspections: counties up from 60 percent to 69 percent, cities up from 55 percent to 64 percent, and townships up from 31 percent to 45 percent.

Pennsylvania

A federal judge has refused to review his ruling that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was not required to review Pennsylvania’s anti-degradation water-quality standards. The ruling lets stand Pennsylvania Act 41, which states that onsite wastewater systems complying with the state’s Sewage Facilities Act automatically comply with the anti-degradation rules and are not subject to review by the state EPA. Judge Edward G. Smith, of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, denied a petition filed by the plaintiffs in the case seeking a review of his earlier finding. The plaintiffs had claimed the federal EPA was failing to follow the Clean Water Act. The judge ruled that the Clean Water Act was ambiguous on the topic, and that the federal EPA acted properly in deciding that the CWA did not require it to review the state regulations.

Arizona

Public records of 19 databases of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality are now available online, including business operating permits and compliance records. Also available are records concerning any environmental activities for properties in the state, such as spills that have occurred and septic tank permits. The DEQ says it receives about 3,000 public records requests every year. The online access will cover about 40 percent of those requests and allow the public to see the records immediately. DEQ’s Megasearch service is available at megasearch.azdeq.gov.

Colorado

Costilla County has stepped back from proposed land-use rules that created controversy among people who are living off the grid in the area. The changes would have required water, septic and electricity to be installed before final building permits could be issued, and lots smaller than 5 acres would have been limited to one housing unit. Off-grid residents claimed that the changes would have banned such things as composting toilets. County officials argue they have the authority to require proper electricity and sanitation without the changes. The county has also stopped issuing long-term camping permits to discourage using RVs as permanent homes. Campers are now required to be moved every two weeks.

Canada

The British Columbia Ministry of Health has selected the OpusDaytonKnight engineering firm to review bylaws and regulatory tools for onsite wastewater management. The information will be used to develop common regulation and management principles for regional districts and local governments in the province for effective onsite sewage programs with a focus on maintenance. The Ministry says concerns have been raised by the industry regarding a lack of prescribed maintenance. The study will include consultation with the Union of BC Municipalities, the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, and the Capital Regional District to ensure that the final report reflects the needs of local governments and associated agencies. The project is expected to be finished in spring 2016.



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