The State Water Board in California is preparing draft regulations with final adoption scheduled for summer 2008. One effect the rules will have is to require existing O&M service pro-viders to obtain state certification.
The bill redefines wastewater treatment plants to include private systems for which the board or a regional board has issued waste discharge requirements. The state water board has not decided whether to require certified operators for those systems.
According to the regulations, Class 1 plants treat up to 1 million gpd. Every onsite system falls into this category. Class 2 plants provide biofiltration using sand, gravel, and textile filters. Class 3 plants use the activated sludge process, a sequenc-ing batch reactor, or technology that treats to a tertiary level. Class 4 and 5 plants have higher design flows.
The legislation accepts documented experience as a service provider, making it possible to obtain the Grade 3 level within the required 36 months. Furthermore, passing each grade level exam counts automatically for 12 months of experience.
Service providers and system owners must take the requirement to have certified operators seriously. The State Water Code includes civil and criminal penalties that could send violators to jail. The California Onsite Wastewater Association is working with the state to provide educational opportunities. The draft regulations are at www.cowa.org.
Nebraska
As of June 20, the cost to register an onsite system is $140, with a new $25 late fee if registrations are submitted more than 45 days after the system is complete. Regulators are considering increasing the amount of the late fee. The legislature adopted regulations that allow for a separate fee structure for reviewing subdivisions, an inspector clause for testing and certifying governmental inspectors, and allow-ing smaller community and county inspectors to start or continue septic system inspection functions.
Washington
The latest set of rules Clark County commissioners are considering to comply with a new state environmental law may require septic tank owners whose lots end within 300 feet of a sewer to connect to it if their tank fails. The county has an estimated 40,000 onsite systems, many in urban neighborhoods with sewers.
Most changes to the county septic rules focus on preventing tank failure. For example, they require annual inspections for most tanks with moving parts. Inspec-tion fees are expected to rise, too, so the county plans on offering classes for people who wish to inspect their own tanks.
For details, visit www.clark.wa. gov/health/environmental/septic/ or contact Public Health Services Manager Jonnie Hyde at 360/397-8122.
Wisconsin
The latest version of the state budget proposes a 10 percent reduction in the Private Sewage System Replacement Program for 2007 and eliminates it on July 1, 2008. Funded at $3 million annually, the grants help eligible households and small business owners cover some of the expense of repairing or replacing failing onsite systems.
One Senate proposal increases vehicle registration fees for trucks weighing more than 4 tons by 10 percent, while the Assembly version asks for a 15 percent increase. Both would go into effect on Oct. 1. The legislature is negotiating state budget provisions.
