In a letter published in The Barre Montpelier Times Argus, the Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds is asking the Vermont House or Representatives to act on a water quality bill and an outdated septic system capacity statute. According to Pat Suozzi, author of the letter and president of the lakes protection group, Vermont’s antiquated limitations on septic system design capacity don’t reflect today’s new, innovative, alternative systems.
Here’s some background: In 2023, the Vermont Senate passed Senate Bill 146 related to the permitting of indirect discharges. However the House Committee on Environment and Energy has not acted on it. The bill clarifies how indirect discharges of wastewater are permitted, including compliance with the state’s water quality standards.
Several lakes that exceed the Vermont Water Quality Standards are eligible for reclassification from B2 to A1 watersheds, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation. Reclassification would allow earlier intervention if phosphorus levels rise and would prioritize the lakes for restoration funding. However, reclassification is on hold because of state limits to septic system capacity.
The current statute reads, in part: “No person shall cause a discharge of wastes into Class A waters, except for on-site disposal of sewage from systems with a capacity of 1,000 gpd or less that are either exempt from or comply with the environmental protection rules, or existing systems, which shall require a permit.”
Suozzi urged the House Committee to take up the water quality bill, review septic system capacity standards and broaden discharge rules.
Kansas
Two rural communities in Riley County, Kansas, were awarded a combined $3 million to improve their wastewater systems. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment Bureau of Water announced the State Water Plan grant awards in the spring.
One grant of $460,000 will be used for construction of a nondischarging wastewater treatment lagoon facility at University Park. The facility will replace a mechanical wastewater treatment facility. The $1.96 million project is primarily funded by a $1.5 million Small Town Water and Sewer Infrastructure Assistance Grant.
The second project, at Keats, Kansas, will replace aging onsite treatment systems with a new wastewater lagoon facility and collection system. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Bureau of Water is investing $2.5 million in the project.
Ohio
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency awarded $4,600 to the Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District to hold an educational outreach event in Loudonville, Ohio. The event will help to educate residents in Knox, Ashland and Holmes counties about water quality. Participants will receive information about septic system installation and maintenance, drinking water and wells. The state’s large river study determined that failing septic systems played a significant role in the water quality of the Mohican River watershed.
Rhode Island
Residents in Cranston, Rhode Island, can apply for interest-free loans to repair or replace failing septic systems and cesspools, reported Providence Now ABC 6. Rhode Island Housing and the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank developed Cranston’s Community Septic System Loan Program and will administer the loans. Residents can apply for loans of $1,000 to $30,000, with loan terms of up to 10 years. Septic systems in the program must include risers to grade and an effluent filter.
In a statement, Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins said, “This initiative not only ensures compliance with regulations but also promotes the well-being of the entire community. By ensuring that septic systems are properly maintained, residents can help protect the environment and prevent potential health hazards.”
Loan applications and more information are available at cranstonri.gov/csslp/.
Colorado
Denver Water’s Administration Building is the first in the state of Colorado to operate an onsite water recycling and reuse system, the Denver Post reported. The system is called RUFUS, short for ReUse For US. RUFUS collects and cleans water from the administration building’s sinks, toilets and urinals, and the cafeteria. The water is then reused in the six-story building’s urinals and toilets.
RUFUS is part of Denver Water’s water management initiative that began in 2012 when the water utility started to redevelop its 35-acre Operations Complex near downtown Denver.
Before RUFUS became a reality, several laws and regulations needed to be set. For example, state legislation in 2018 made it legal to use recycled water to flush toilets. After this law passed, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment created regulations related to the use of recycled water in toilets.
