California continues to move toward implementation of the long-delayed onsite wastewater rules. The regulations are driven by Assembly Bill 885, passed in 2000 to establish a process for developing standard, statewide performance standards for onsite systems.
The original deadline for the regulations was Jan. 1, 2004. Budget cuts and controversy have delayed the work. The State Water Resources Control Board published the following schedule leading up to full implementation in November 2008.
• Dec. 1-Feb. 15: Draft responses to public comments.
• Feb. 15-April 1: Final comment period followed by adoption.
• April 1-May 1: Record review by Office of Administrative Law.
• May 1: Rule becomes effective.
• November: Implementation.
Alabama
The Alabama Onsite Waste-water Board has adopted changes to onsite treatment regulations. The changes include record-keeping requirements affecting both tank manufacturers and pumping contractors. A copy of the new regulations is available from the Bureau of Environmental Services at 334/ 206-5373.
There has also been a change in the licensing requirement for septic tank manufacturers, installers, and maintenance companies that allows them to meet the licensing requirements by hiring a licensed subcontractor. A copy of those new rules is available by calling 888/737-2162.
Florida
The Department of Environ-mental Protection’s updated fee structure took effect in September. The largest increase is for an applicant to use an “innovative product.” That fee increased from $500 to $2,500.
“Innovative system” means an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system that, in whole or in part, employs materials, devices, or techniques that are novel or unique and that have not been successfully field-tested under sound scientific and engineering principles under climatic and soil conditions found in Florida.
The application fee for a plan review or construction permit for a new system increased from $50 to $100, while the cost for an amendment to an operating permit was reduced from $75 to $50. The cost of variances increased from $150 to $200 for single-family homes, and from $200 to $300 for multi-family and commercial buildings.
Illinois
The state Department of Public Works is proposing changes to the rules governing maintenance and inspection of private sewage disposal systems. The new rules were published in November for public comment and can be found at www.idph.state.il.us/rulesregs/ proposedrules.htm.
The changes affect many sections of the regulations, including requiring suitable soils for subsurface seepage systems and clarifying the department’s ability to approve technology tested by other government agencies. The rules update the requirements for contractors, spell out consequences for failing to attend examinations, and address many design criteria such as the sizing of chambers, sample ports, and reduction trenches.
Minnesota
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has published final language for new rules governing subsurface sewage treatment systems (SSTS). The rules were scheduled to take effect on Feb. 19. The changes can be seen on the agency’s web site at www.pca.state. mn.us/programs/ists/index.html.
In addition, the state has formed an SSTS Licensing Stake-holder Task Force to develop clear guidelines for licensing qualifications. The state legislature called for the task force to report back by Feb. 15.
The group is looking at “professional qualifications and appropriate licensure for design, inspection, and operation and maintenance of sewage treatment systems less than 10,000 gallons of waste water flow per day,” according to the group’s Scope Statement. More information is available at www.pca.state.mn. us/programs/ists/news.html.
