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 would first have to be developed by the regional water board. The draft regulations will be unveiled in spring for public comment. The water board could adopt the regulations by late summer 2011.
Florida
The Orange County commission became the 15th such organization to introduce a resolution calling for state lawmakers to repeal newly passed septic tank rules. The law requires septic tanks to be inspected every five years and replaced if they do not meet new state standards that are still being drafted by the Florida Department of Health.
Sen. Don Gaetz and Rep. Marti Coley planned to introduce legislation to repeal the mandates during the 2011 legislature session. Sen. Evelyn Lynn filed her version of a new septic system bill. While inspections started in January, the bill becomes fully operational by January 2016.
Delaware
A makeover of rules for onsite wastewater systems is in the works in Delaware after a series of workshops that began in 2009. The Department of Natural Resources says key changes include new language to separate small systems (under 2,500 gpd) from large systems and incorporate spray irrigation guidance as an option for land treatment of wastewater. There will be other changes in requirement for licensing, nonhazardous liquid waste transportation, and regional systems.
The proposed regulations were scheduled for publication by January. They include minor revisions to the sections covering small systems, since those regulations were updated in 2005. “With demand for larger, more regionalized projects, the department is trying to keep pace and be proactive in providing up-to-date and technologically advanced regulatory guidance,” says a DNR notice of the proposed changes.
