An interim report on Florida’s plans to develop passive strat-egies for nitrogen reduction for onsite sewage systems was released in February. The study is in response to legislative action in 2008 creating a 3- to 5-year project to reduce nitrogen in the state’s bodies of water.
There are 2.3 million onsite systems in the state serving about one-third of the population, according to the report, which also acknowledges several other ways that nitrogen gets into soils and water. The report is available online at www.myfloridaeh.com/ostds/pdfiles/forms/InterimReport.pdf.
Two bills affecting onsite systems in Florida are under consideration. House bill AB 727 and Senate bill SB 1738 would require periodic inspection of septic systems and require the Department of Health to administer an inspection program and a grant program to help owners make repairs to their systems.
According to the Department of Health, only 1 percent of systems in the state are actively managed and most were built at least 30 years ago under less strict rules. The bills would also revise fees for contractors. Both bills are before committees.
Arkansas
The state Department of Health is considering changes to its onsite wastewater rules. Hearings were held in February. A draft of the proposed language is available at www. healthyarkansas.com/rules_regs/ onsite_wastewater_draft_2009.pdf.
Maine
Maine is updating its subsurface wastewater disposal regulations. A stakeholders group was formed to review and comment on the proposed changes. A formal rulemaking process was expected to begin last spring. Audio recordings of the stakeholders group meetings are available at www.maine.gov/dhhs/ eng/plumb/index.htm.
Maryland
Due to high demand for its septic system upgrade program, Maryland is giving priority to grants for systems that pose the greatest threat. It has also added an income-based sliding scale to the grant program.
The Department of Environment has upgraded about 2,000 septic systems through its Nitrogen-Reducing Septic Upgrade Program. Grants are now going only to systems in critical areas — within 1,000 feet of tidal waters. Other applications have been put on a waiting list.
Washington
As of January 1, 2012, only septic tank sizes and models approved and registered by the Department of Health will be allowed. Manufacturers must confirm at the factory that the tanks are watertight. The rule, passed last fall, also encourages watertightness testing after installation for systems below 3,500 gpd (such testing is already required for larger systems). Manufacturers will have to renew their registrations.
Preliminary language for a proposed graywater rule must be completed by December 2010. The rule would provide homeowners with a simple way to reuse graywater for subsurface irrigation and would establish requirements for more complicated subsurface dispersal.
Minnesota
Counties had until June 30 to incorporate the 2008 septic rules overhaul into their local ordinances. Officials statewide are not complying because the state Pollution Control Agency is still correcting flaws discovered in the code after officials raised concerns about the rules.
The Association of Minnesota Counties had a bill before the Legislature that would allow counties to delay accepting the rules for two more years. According to the agency, counties that do not adopt the new rules by the June deadline could have state funding withheld.
Idaho
A bill with amendments approved by the House Environment Committee would eliminate two specific rules: One that limits expansion of homes on nonconforming onsite systems to 10 percent of the current square footage, and another that in some cases requires dual drainfields for community sewer systems. The amended bill would allow expansions of any size as long as no additional bedrooms were added. Other changes would unify the appeal process.
