Beginning July 1, all concrete septic tanks installed in New Mexico are required to have a cast-in resilient connector certified to meet or exceed ASTM Standard C923 on the outlet connection.
Only licensed installers or qualified homeowners may install or modify onsite systems. Qualified homeowners, however, may install only conventional systems, and only at their primary residence. Installers are designated Specialist 1 for graywater and conventional onsite systems, and Specialist 2 for all types of onsite systems.
Only installers, site evaluator/system designer, or professional engineers with a specialty sub-discipline of onsite wastewater engineering may inspect onsite systems for property transactions. Manufacturers of advanced treatment systems must provide annual training and certification for maintenance service providers.
Michigan
A state Senate bill would require homeowners to hire only licensed inspectors to inspect conventional or alternative treatment systems, and to have their systems inspected every 10 years. If passed, these rules would take effect Jan. 1, 2010.
Beginning July 1, 2010, the Department of Health would have to approve all alternative systems, and installers would need a groundwater discharge permit. The bill also would create an Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Advisory Council.
Licensed septage haulers in Michigan may be entitled to reimbursement of conference registration fees and continuing education courses under an existing state law. More than $73,000 exists in a contingency account set up for that purpose. One hauler per company may apply. Information is at www.michigan.gov/deqseptage.
Kansas
Officials in Topeka want urban households with onsite systems to switch to the municipal sewer system. To locate septic tanks, Topeka’s GIS staff crafted a map with layers showing houses near sewer mains that receive water service but no sewer service.
Idaho
The state Senate voted to overturn rules issued by the Department of Environmental Quality to increase the drainfield capacity of onsite systems, thereby bringing the state’s septic code more in line with the rest of the nation. The House is expected to follow suit.
Idaho’s standards, among the least stringent in the nation, are about half what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expects. The DEQ and representatives of Idaho’s regional health districts may resort to gathering more data on system failures and requiring property owners to pump their septic tanks periodically.
