Effective last July 1, onsite systems must be inspected and provisions made for necessary repairs before properties can be sold. Only state-certified service providers can perform inspections and pump tanks. The Department of Natural Resources estimates that 100,000 systems still have direct surface discharges. The legislation authorizes investigations to identify their locations.
Colorado
New Pitkin County Board of Health regulations for onsite systems, effective last July 1, require sellers to have their septic tanks pumped before transferring the property. If the tank was installed within the past five years, the county will waive the requirement, but it will not grandfather nonconforming properties. The law requires county-approved service providers to inspect the systems and pump the tanks.
Florida
As of Jan. 1, septic tanks must be inspected and pumped every five years, and replaced or retrofitted if they fail to meet state standards. The legislation became law on July 1, but the Department of Health Bureau of Onsite Sewage Programs had not written any rules. Certified service providers doubt there is enough manpower in certain areas of the state to meet the mandate. They also are concerned about another law that bans land-applied septage by 2016. Most municipal plants do not accept it.
Virginia
The state General Assembly removed the ban on alternative onsite systems from the Code of Virginia, but gave localities some regulatory oversight of those systems.
Washington
The deadline for the first inspection of all onsite systems was last July 1. The state mandate requires annual inspections for pressure-dosed systems and inspections every three years for conventional systems. The Department of Health created a $62 filing fee in May to help cover managerial expenses, as its time-of-sale septic system inspection fee created in January was not enough to fund the program. Inspector fees are separate.
West Virginia
The Legislature approved a $100 permit fee increase for alternative onsite systems effective last July 1. The fee for correcting a failure is $250 and for new construction $400.
