Bill > S1160

This bill modifies regulations for onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems, which are systems used to treat and dispose of wastewater on a property when a central sewer system is not available. Key changes include requiring these systems to meet specific treatment standards set by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), particularly concerning the levels of biochemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, and total nitrogen and phosphorus in the effluent (treated wastewater). For Monroe County, the bill delays the requirement for some properties to connect to a central sewer system until December 31, 2020, provided their existing onsite systems meet certain treatment standards. Additionally, the bill allows homeowners of owner-occupied, single-family residences to act as their own maintenance entity for their aerobic treatment unit systems, which are advanced systems that treat wastewater, if they receive proper training and certification from the system manufacturer. These homeowners will still need to obtain operating permits and allow for annual inspections by the DEP. The bill also clarifies that septic tank contractors can access training and parts for aerobic treatment units and can use equivalent replacement parts after the warranty period, provided they document their equivalency.