September 2015

Latest info on building sewer regulations now on the web; changes on public notice through September

The August SSTS Bulletin covered pending changes to Minnesota building sewer regulations requested by the 2015 Legislature that are designed to simplify the regulation and administration of work having to do with the pipe that carries sewage between a residence or business and a septic tank (See "Building sewers connected to SSTS: What septic professionals need to know) .

The proposed changes to building sewer regulations are available for review and public comment through September 2015. Visit the MPCA website to sign up to receive updates on the rule-updating process.

Grants again available to help counties raise SSTS compliance rates, assist low-income homeowners

In a continuing effort to assist county SSTS programs, the MPCA works with the Legislature to secure funding to support and enhance the work counties do to promote effective sewage treatment. In August, the MPCA awarded grants to counties for the following related SSTS activities: administration of local SSTS programs, special projects to improve SSTS compliance rates and assistance to low-income homeowners to upgrade their systems. The Legislature provided funds for county base grants of $18,600/year and incentive grants for counties that have adopted "triggers" to promote SSTS compliance or are implementing special projects to improve compliance. Funding was also made available for grants to low-income homeowners to help them bring their septic systems into compliance. Just over $440,000 was granted to counties that are working to improve compliance by adopting compliance inspection triggers when a property is sold or a property owner applies for any type of permit. Others are improving record-keeping and conducting septic system inventories. Over $840,000 dollars was granted to counties to assist low-income homeowners with SSTS upgrades. Sixty-two of 86 eligible counties submitted grant applications this year. Of these, 44 qualified by requiring compliance inspections triggered by a property sale and 12 qualified by requiring inspections any time a home owner applies for a permit. Twenty counties received money for having plans to improve compliance and 38 counties received low income fix-up funds. Another area where the MPCA is able to support county SSTS programs is by providing grants for work done by advanced inspectors on systems designed to handle more than 2,500 gallons per day. These grants reimburse the county for 75 percent of the cost of this work, whether it is done by county staff or licensed Advanced Inspectors hired by the county. Currently, there are 22 counties participating in this grant program. The application period for this grant is currently open. Contact Aaron Jensen for more information as well as the MPCA website. The advanced inspector grants are distributed by the MPCA. All other grants flow to counties through the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) Natural Resources Block Grants. There will be additional funding available in FY17 for the add-on competitive grants.

Replacement septic systems installed over past 13 years treating 5.33 billion gallons of wastewater

The 2014 MPCA SSTS Annual Report will be available soon. One of the important pieces of information contained in the report is the number of replacement systems installed each year. This is an important statistic because existing noncompliant systems represent a potential threat to groundwater and/or human health.

The statistics on new and replacement systems in 2014, and over the past 13 years, are shown in the chart above.

Local units of governments reported that 3,767 new systems and 5,393 replacements were installed in 2014.  Replacement systems included both residential systems (year-round and seasonal) and systems used by other establishments (i.e. restaurants and resorts).

Replacement systems represent existing sewage disposal systems that are replaced through various local triggers, such as point of sale, land use permits, building permits, conditional use permits, variances, and complaints. The replaced systems could include old systems (i.e. 55 gallon barrels, cesspools), straight pipes, imminent threats to public heath, and systems without adequate vertical separation to groundwater (seasonally saturated soils) and shallow bedrock.

The volume of wastewater generated at these 5,393 systems is significant, estimated at over 369 million gallons per year (assuming 2.5 person/permit, 75 gal/person, 365 days/year).

Over a period of 13 years, the number of reported replacement systems was 77,919 systems. This represents an estimated flow of 5.33 billion gallons per year now treated with a modern septic system. Flow was conservatively estimated as follows: 77,919 systems x 2.5 people per residence x 75 gal per day x 365 days per year.

Counties, cities, townships, and special purpose units of government, are collectively playing a significant role in assuring noncompliant systems are upgraded or replaced. We recognize the important role that local units of governments have in wastewater treatment improvement efforts.

MPCA updates guidelines on managing septage, including land application

In August, the MPCA updated a document called "Septage and Retaurant Grease Trap Waste Management Guidelines." The guidelines focus mainly on requirements to properly land apply septage but also provide additional information on managing waste and restaurant grease trap wastes.

High strength waste guidenlines up for review; volunteers wanted

The MPCA has drafted a revised section of the Design Guidance document dealing with high strength waste. The draft guidance provides decision making tools and design options for anticipating and addressing the waste streams of other establishments (e.g. restaurants, etc.)

We are looking for individuals who to review the draft guidance and provide feedback. If interested in reviewing the draft, please contact Mark Wespetal at 800-657-3864 (651-757-2817 direct) or by email. We would be happy to provide assistance if you are interested in piloting some of the decision making tools or design standards.

It's SepticSmart Week, do you know where your septic tank is?

The MPCA is joining other agencies and local governments around the country in September in raising awareness of how human waste is treated in areas not served by centralized wastewater treatment systems. Last year Governor Mark Dayton declared the third week in September SepticSmart Week in Minnesota. Nationwide, SepticSmart Week will again be the third week in September. Nearly a quarter of all households in the nation are served by septic systems. Households that are not properly maintaining their septic system may not only be hurting the environment, they may also be putting their health at risk—and may be flushing thousands of dollars down the drain. Find out how and why. To avoid accidents associated with your septic system, ensure that the cover or covers on your septic tank(s) are secure  (locked, bolted or screwed). This will prevent accidental access by a child.

MPCA SSTS staff - who to call

Detailed contact information for MPCA SSTS staff is available on the MPCA website. All MPCA staff can be reached at 651-296-6300 or toll-free at 1-800-657-3864. Past editions of the SSTS Bulletin are available on the MPCA website.