A new version of a State Water Resources Control Board proposal to regulate septic systems in rural areas recognizes that not all installations are identical and systems should not all be lumped together in a single, restrictive regulation. In preliminary form, the proposed regulations would divide installations into Tier 1 (low risk), Tier 2 (greater risk), and Tier 3 (impacted area). Tier 3 systems would have to meet a total maximum daily load (TMDL) requirement for bacteria or nitrates, depending on which is causing problems, within five years. Routine system monitoring would also be required. In many cases, the TMDL
