Statewide Septic System Rules Advance

• Workshop Slated to Take Place in Malibu in January

BY BILL KOENEKER

The California Water Resources Control Board is moving forward with Assembly Bill 885, which is intended to provide regulations on a statewide level for the monitoring of onsite wastewater treatment systems.
All properties in Malibu would be subject to the terms of the new law. The agency is presenting a number of community workshops throughout the state, including a session in Malibu on Jan. 15, 2009 at 7 p.m. at Malibu High School.
California is one of the few states that does not have comprehensive rules and regulations for onsite wastewater treatment. Oversight of wastewater treatment, for the most part, is left to counties and cities under the aegis of regional water boards.
The draft of legislation has been stalled in the state Senate and governor’s office for several years. However, SWRCB officials now insist they are ready to move forward and have formed a rulemaking committee to educate the public and receive comments.
The SWRCB recently issued a letter outlining the proposed regulations, proposed waivers and draft environmental impact report, which are available for public review and comment.
The new regulations are intended for all onsite wastewater treatment systems and contain differing requirements for new and existing wastewater systems.
Under the statewide rules, owners must have their septic tanks inspected for solids accumulations every five years by a qualified inspector.
Owners with an onsite domestic well on their property would have to have a state certified analytical laboratory analyze well water (groundwater) for specified constituents once every five years and report the results to the state water board.
Owners whose existing septic systems are within 600 feet of a surface water body that does not meet water quality standards would have special requirements.
Owners of existing septic systems within 600 feet of an impaired water body would be required to have a qualified professional determine if the septic system is contributing to the impairment and, if so, retrofit the septic system with supplemental treatment that could cost up to $45,000.
There are over a half-dozen requirements that would apply to new systems.
The state water board staff is conducting a total of 11 workshops, including the session in Malibu, regarding the state board’s proposed regulatory actions.
Written comments must be received by Feb. 9, 2009. Emails can be sent to AB885@waterboards.ca.gov, or mailed to State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality, Attn: Todd Thompson, 1001 First Street, 15th Floor, P.O. Box 2231, Sacramento, CA 95812.