Colorado legislation offering regulatory exemptions to a potentially large number of recreational, short-term rental properties passed the State Senate but failed in the House of Representatives.
The current law authorizes county commissioners to set fees and terms for issuing and revoking licenses for short-term lodging units. The short-term lodging regulations include onsite wastewater treatment system permits or variances. The proposed bill would have allowed exceptions to their authority for recreation properties in unincorporated areas of the county that don’t receive municipal gas, water or sanitary sewer services.
The Crested Butte News reported that county commissioners, including Gunnison County Commissioner Liz Smith, expressed concern over the proposed bill. Smith contended that the regulatory exemption would create a loophole, so any structure associated with recreation wouldn’t necessarily need to comply with building codes or health and safety standards.
New York
Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an amendment into law allowing Suffolk County, New York, to increase its sales tax rate by one-eighth of a cent, reported Riverhead LOCAL. Before the increase takes effect, Suffolk County residents must approve it; a referendum is slated for the Nov. 5 general election. If approved, half of the new funding will finance individual septic system projects while the other half will finance wastewater treatment facilities.
The sales tax initiative is an upshot of the Suffolk County Subwatersheds Wastewater Plan adopted in 2020. The plan recommends using sewer systems where it’s feasible and replacing septic systems and cesspools with innovative/alternative onsite wastewater treatment systems.
Also in the state, property owners with aging or substandard septic systems near the waterfront may be eligible for funds to replace their systems. New York State’s Environmental Facilities Corporation opened Round 4 of the State Septic System Replacement Fund Program, reported the Daily Sentinel.
Property owners can receive up to 50% of the cost to design and install a new septic system, not to exceed $10,000. To be eligible for funding, the property must be located within 250 feet of one of the 18 lakes or tributaries included on a Priority Waterbody List. Property owners can view the list and apply for funding at the Lewis County Planning and Community Development website.
Michigan
A new funding program will provide low-interest financing to Michigan homeowners looking to replace failing or near-failing septic systems. A state-issued news release reports that the Septic Replacement Loan Program offers loans up to $50,000 to qualified homeowners.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy partnered with the nonprofit bank, Michigan Saves, for this statewide program. The State of Michigan allocated $35 million to EGLE’s Onsite Wastewater Management Unit to develop and implement the Septic Replacement Loan Program.
Tier One of the program offers income-based financing of up to $30,000 per project. Tier Two offers market-based financing of up to $50,000 per project. Terms, loan amounts, and rates vary. Eligibility requirements and other information are available at the Michigan Saves website.
North Carolina
The Haywood Waterways Association was one of nine grant recipients selected by the Pigeon River Fund of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, reported the Mountain Xpress, of Asheville, North Carolina. The waterways association received a $9,150 grant for its wastewater management program. HWA will use the funding to educate residents in Haywood County about septic tank maintenance and help them repair failing septic systems.
CFWNC awarded nine grants totaling $223,686 to environmental groups in Buncombe, Haywood and Madison counties.
Rhode Island
Residents in the city of Cranston and the town of Scituate now have access no-interest loans to repair or replace failing septic systems and cesspools. The Providence Business News reported that the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank approved $800,000 in loans for the two municipalities — $500,000 for Cranston and $300,000 for Scituate. In turn, the municipalities will offer no-interest loans to qualifying homeowners for septic replacement.
Pennsylvania
Supervisors in Penn Township, 25 miles east of Pittsburgh, are cracking down on residents who fail to have their septic tanks inspected and pumped every three years. Lancaster Online reported that violators prosecuted for noncompliance will be required to pay legal fees of $350.
Indiana
Randolph County Commissioners granted initial approval to a revised onsite wastewater systems ordinance, reported the News Gazette, of Winchester, Indiana. The ordinance requires approval on its second and third reading before taking effect.
The current ordinance hadn’t been revised in the past 20 years, and county sanitarian Eric Devon said the ordinance didn’t align with state standards. Devon said the most significant change in the proposed ordinance involves the definition of a bedroom. A bedroom will be defined as any room of 40 square feet or more that also has a closet and a point of egress. Whether homeowners use these rooms as bedrooms is irrelevant in determining the size of the septic system required for the property.
Minnesota
Homeowners in Stearns County, Minnesota, can apply for funding to replace, repair or upgrade their noncompliant septic systems, the Tri-County News reported. The Minnesota Clean Water Fund makes money available through the Stearns County Environmental Services Department. To be eligible for grant or loan funding for a noncompliant system, applicants must own and live in a single-family home or duplex where the work will be done. Grant applicants are subject to income limits, but loan applicants are not. More information and applications can be found on the Stearns County website.
Alabama
The Organized Community Action Program and the Black Belt Unincorporated Wastewater Program have formed a new partnership to help low-income families pay for septic maintenance, reported The Lowndes Signal. OCAP’s donation to BBUWP will assist about 40 households in Lowndes County, Alabama, pay their $20 monthly maintenance fee.
Isaiah Scott, planner for OCAP’s service area, said the donation helps those who can’t afford the fee.
“I have clients in their 80s and 90s. They just don’t have the funding. But I also have younger people [who pay] but I have received money orders and checks that have bounced. This local organization has stepped up to the plate,” he said.
OCAP is subsidizing the fees for a year.
