Implementation of California Septic Regulations May Be Delayed
INDUSTRY NEWS, REAL ESTATE LEGISLATION, SHASTA COUNTY
June 25th, 2009
Public outcry across California is likely to cause the postponement of statewide septic regulations currently scheduled to go into effect in 2010. Scoping sessions held by the State Water Quality Resource Board in various towns and cities across California saw huge turnouts of angry citizens prompting state officials to consider scrapping the regulations and starting over.
The revised regulations may include a matrix table that would adjust the requirements for septic tank inspections and well testing based on parcel size, soil type and whether the property is served by a private well or public water supply. This matrix was proposed early on in the process of formulating the regulations but was later dropped in favor of the current regulations that require septic pumping and well testing every 5 years for all properties.
In the event the regulations are not revised in accordance with the public input, a bill is in the wings that, if passed, would allow local enviornmental health officers to grant local exceptions to the regulations. Currently, local health departments have the authority to approve installation and repairs of septic systems on a case-by-case basis. The new regulations would strip county health authorities of their powers to grant local exceptions.
Major revisions to the EIR would trigger another round of public input sessions that will delay the implementation of regulations for a year or more. A bill proposed earlier this year that would have eliminated the regulations failed due to political reasons.
For more information regarding the proposed regulations, search my website for previous posts that contain more details concerning these new regulations.
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS GMAC
CORNER OF COURT AND PLACER IN REDDING
QUARTER CENTURY LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
Mr. Garbutt,
Thank you for your post. I live in Sonoma County and we are quite concerned about what may or may not happen. Where are we as of today since I thought July 1st of this year was the deadline for these new regulations to be announced?
Thank you again.
Stephen Sogin