The "flush tax" in Maryland is set to double after both houses of the state legislature passed bills this year. The $30 annual fee will increase to $60 to fund programs to protect the Chesapeake Bay, including wastewater treatment plant renovations, septic system upgrades, and cover crop programs to help farmers prevent soil erosion. A new provision of the tax exempts areas where wastewater is not discharged to the bay.
The tax was instituted in 2004. The fee is paid on sewage bills for those on municipal systems or on property tax bills for those who have septic systems. An amendment that would end the tax in 2030 was defeated in the Senate. Before the most recent session, a legislative committee had recommended tripling the fee to $90 by 2015.
The legislature passed another plan from Gov. Martin O'Malley designed to further protect the Chesapeake Bay. Counties will have to develop a four-tiered system to control where septic tanks can or cannot be used. The bill was amended to put that power in the hands of the counties rather than the state, and it prevents the state from overturning the county plans.
Georgia
The Georgia Onsite Wastewater Association worked with legislators to delay for two years the implementation of the Department of Natural Resources land application and permitting rules. The postponement gives members and lawmakers time to rewrite the language before the rules become effective in July 2014.
Association members stated that the new rules were expensive and harsh and would force many out of business because they could not afford to comply. The rules also made it more difficult to dispose of septage. GOWA president Dart Kendall spent two days at the state Capitol discussing the problem with legislators and winning support for the delay. GOWA lobbyist Bruce Widener worked with them to draft the amendment.
Colorado
The oil boom in the northern U.S. is prompting at least one county in Colorado to investigate illegal "man camps" – temporary living places for workers who can't find housing. According to the Denver Post, an overflowing septic tank at an RV park in Weld County revealed that its owner may have been renting illegally. The newspaper reported that 11 modular trailers housed six to 10 people each, and others were living in 36 smaller RVs. County officials say oil and gas workers are welcome, but there is enough available housing for those who want to rent or buy.
Indiana
Fears that some homes damaged or destroyed by spring tornadoes could not be rebuilt until their septic systems were updated have been calmed. A disaster declaration made recovery funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) available to people in five counties. The funds will help pay for septic repair and replacement; homeowners and renters could also apply for housing assistance while their home was being repaired or rebuilt.
Iowa
The Department of Natural Resources is considering several changes to its regulations covering private sewage disposal systems. A public notice of the rulemaking states that no significant changes were proposed. Updates to the Iowa Time of Transfer rules for septic systems were designed to "simplify the inspection process" in accordance with a 2010 law, according to the notice. Other technical changes were intended to improve consistency and uniformity.
Michigan
Five counties have teamed up to develop regional septic system regulations to protect waters around Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron. Bay, Tuscola, Huron, Arenac and Iosco Counties make up the Saginaw Bay Coastal Initiative.
The regulations now in development would rank septic systems by age, require permits for installation and operation of systems, and mandate regular inspections. Bay County has established a low-interest loan fund to help homeowners repair faulty systems, and other counties hope to develop their own programs. O
