Vermont Revises Rules to Allow Broader Use of Onsite Systems

Also read news from Virginia, Pennsylvania and Missouri.

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources has revised onsite rules to allow constructed wetlands, subsurface drip distribution systems and smaller onsite systems. Previously, design flows for single-family homes had to accommodate at least three bedrooms. The design requirement is now a minimum of two bedrooms.

The rules also waive the replacement drainfield requirement if the primary system handles 150 percent of the design flow and uses pressure distribution. Mound systems also do not require a replacement area if sized for 100 percent of the design flow.

The previous rules did not mention composting toilets, although they have been allowed for years. The revisions specifically allow composting toilets, reduce the size of the onsite system to handle just gray water, and eliminate the requirement to install an onsite system for flush toilets even though composting ones are proposed.

A new exemption allows residences with outhouses or outdoor water pumps to continue as is until they apply for a permit to construct a piped supply or system. Vermont’s rules are at www.anr.state.vt.us.

Virginia

New rules requiring mandatory licensing of onsite soil evaluators, installers and providers become effective July 1, 2009. Licensing will fall under the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, which has created a board to determine the type of training or certifications required.

K.R. Davis’ Coastal Plains Environmental Group manages, operates and maintains small-flow alternative wastewater treatment systems. His company’s lobbying on behalf of licensing resulted in Gov. Tim Kaine appointing Davis to the regulations board. Contact him at 804/966-9190 or krdavis@ cpegllc.com.

Pennsylvania

The state Department of Environmental Protection filed a petition in Commonwealth Court to enforce a 2002 order requiring Cromwell Township to provide public sewers and operate the treatment plant. Malfunctioning onsite systems are causing the township’s problems.

When the township received sewer bids that exceeded initial estimates and would have raised user rates, it signed an agreement to send sewage to the Orbisonia-Rockville Joint Municipal Authority. The DEP approved the plan, but newly elected township supervisors repealed the ordinances.

Missouri

The state Department of Health and Senior Services Onsite Sewage Program is updating its inspection and evaluation forms to allow better assessment and reporting of the condition of onsite systems. The agency will phase in the forms over six months, and conduct mandatory training classes for inspectors and evaluators. The training will qualify for continuing education credits. The phase-in period is expected to conclude in July 2008. After that, no old forms will be accepted.

Nation

The Water Environment Research Foundation has completed the first research phase for responding to reports of illness possibly caused by land-applied biosolids, animal manure, food residuals, septage and compost.

The investigation procedure will undergo pilot testing and refinements before being implemented, but organizations or individuals may use it before the subsequent research phases are completed. The project was the highest ranked priority at the 2003 WERF Biosolids Research Summit. Download the report at www.werf.org.



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