After five years of work, the Delaware Groundwater Discharges Section of the Department of Natural Resources has updated its septic regulations. The new regulations governing the design, installation and operation of onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems became effective on Jan. 11, 2014. 

According to information provided by the Section’s Environmental Scientist Jack Hayes, the order of the regulations was changed to better follow the permitting process, and spray irrigation guidelines were added so it can be used with large systems (more than 2,500 gpd). A new section for large systems was also added to better address their installation and use. Guidelines include the need for three reports to better characterize sites; soil investigation, hydrogeologic suitability, and surface water assessment. 

All advanced treatment systems are now required to meet new nitrogen levels. Homeowners also have new responsibilities, including maintenance of their systems to meet the regulations (they can be certified in a homeowner training program) and hiring only licensed system contractors for repair or replacement of any components. All septic systems must now be inspected before a change in property ownership. 

In the areas of licenses, there is a new Class I construction inspector license for inspecting new and replacement system installations and repairs. Class C designers must now pass an exam for licensing, Class H system inspectors must also pass an exam and have their first three inspections supervised by the department. The new regulations also create a new tiered license for Class D soil scientists and Class E system contractors. 

In January 2015, the regulations will eliminate cesspools and seepage pits in certain situations, and require the upgrade of all new and replacement systems within 1,000 feet of tidal portions of two rivers to help meet goals to clean up the Chesapeake Bay. All manufacturers of concrete components will also have to be certified through the On-Site Wastewater Accreditation Program. Beginning in January 2016, waste haulers will be required to report all septic pump-outs. 

The new regulations are the result of 13 workshops and three public hearings that gathered questions and input from homeowners, state legislators, real estate agents, businesses, the wastewater industry and public utilities. After each workshop and hearing, the draft regulations were amended to reflect public comment.   

Maryland

Those developing commercial properties on septic systems may see a reduction in the amount of sewage they can discharge. The Carroll County Board of Commissioners met with representatives from the Carroll County Health Department recently to discuss proposed state septic regulations on future commercial properties. 

According to the local environmental health director, the requirement would increase the size of septic systems by 1.5 to two times the current requirement for commercial sites with sewage flows of less than 5,000 gallons per day. To reduce sewage flow, a developer would either have to reduce the number or the size of the businesses on a property. 

Some legislators are concerned about the effect the regulations would have on economic development, and corresponding tax revenue, throughout the state. The existing regulation allows for a higher loading rate for commercial properties compared to residential properties.

West Virginia

After a recent chemical contamination incident in West Virginia, one local health department was at odds with West Virginia American Water’s recommendation that residents flush their home plumbing systems of contaminants. The department contacted the governor’s office to address the potential impact flushing could have on septic systems. 

Too much flow can cause septic system failures and blockages that can lead to repairs; a drainfield flood means the system will need to rest for 30 days. The worst-case scenario would be replacing the entire septic system — a costly alternative. Chemists working on the chemical spill told health departments the chemical should break down in soil after about 30 days, but it’s unclear what impact the chemical will have on the structural integrity of septic tanks.