March 2014

New statistics in 2013 MPCA SSTS Annual Report, including 12,000 compliance inspections of existing systems

A new law passed in 2013 required the MPCA to request additional information from local SSTS programs, which resulted in the addition of four new questions to the 2013 SSTS annual report questionnaire sent to local SSTS program staff. The new questions asked for the number of:

• Compliance inspections of existing SSTSs conducted in the jurisdiction
• Noncompliant properties connected to a centralized sewer
• Noncompliant properties mitigated by abandonment or removal of a dwelling
• Noncompliant properties mitigated through government buyout

The requirement to report this information went into effect Aug. 1, 2013, but local governments were asked to look back and report data for the entire year. So while the new requirement came mid-construction season and the numbers reported may not fully reflect all the work that was done in 2013, the numbers are still impressive as shown in the following chart. A total of 567 problem systems were discontinued in three ways: connection to a central sewer (352), removal or abandonment (211), and through buyouts (14). Buyouts can occur when a property is tax-forfeited, or when a local government  purchases properties for highway expansion, etc.   

The number of compliance inspections of existing systems reported by Local Government Units (LGUs) in 2013 is show in the table below. There were 12,095 inspections reported, roughly 2 percent of the more than 500,000 systems in the state.  Nearly 11,000 of the inspections were reported by counties. Cities reported 908 and townships 185. A Joint Powers Board reported four compliance inspections.  

Inspecting existing septic systems is helping Minnesota improve SSTS compliance rates. When old systems are inspected, those that pose an environmental or human health risk get on the list to be upgraded in the near future.  Local governments include inspection triggers in their ordinances, such as at the time of property transfer or when a building permit is sought, to create a mechanism for finding and fixing problem SSTS.

Sherburne County reported 1,018 compliance inspections for existing systems in 2013. The other five highest reporting counties were Otter Tail County with 933, Cass County with 776, Crow Wing County with 688 compliance, St Louis County with 609 and Stearns County with 525.

The final 2013 SSTS Annual Report will be available this summer.  Watch for more highlights from the report in future Bulletins.

150 attend SSTS Talking Tour despite blizzards, reschedules

During the SSTS Talking Tour that ran from December through February, MPCA staff hosted 18 group meetings and six individual meetings at locations around the state to discuss SSTS issues with local program staff.

In spite of blizzards, sub-zero temperatures, and several re-scheduled meetings, more than 150 people attended the 2-hour sessions.

Participants represented 74 counties, 34 townships, and 25 cities. Most agreed these meetings foster a better understanding of Minnesota's SSTS regulations and how to effectively implement programs at the local level. We're looking forward to seeing you all again next year.

Geothermal systems good for homes, not so hot for septic systems

A geothermal system is used for heating and/or cooling of buildings by using the earth as a source of heat in the winter and for cooling in the summer.

There are two main types of geothermal systems: closed-loop systems and open-loop systems. A closed-loop system consists of piping installed in the earth and circulates a heat-transfer fluid through the piping to a heat exchanger and then returns the fluid to the piping in the earth in a completely closed-loop system. An open-loop system pumps groundwater from a well through a heat exchanger and then discharges the water to the ground surface, infiltration gallery, surface waters (lake/river), or an injection well.

The discharge from an open-loop geothermal system must never be discharged to a subsurface sewage treatment system. The hydraulic loading may damage the SSTS, causing it to not perform properly. The MPCA encourages the use of closed-loop systems whenever possible to avoid potential impacts to the ground surface or surface waters.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) regulates geothermal systems. Go to MDH’s website for additional information.

EZflow media no longer blue, now happily light grey

Infiltrator Systems Inc. recently notified the MPCA of a change in product color of the EZflow media product. The manufacturer says EZflow will be made without a blue colorant added to the expanded polystyrene synthetic aggregate. So, the result is EZflow products will now be light grey; everything else about the product will remain the same.

Spring ahead on tank fees

SSTS Tank Installation fees were due to MPCA on Jan 31. If yours are still outstanding, now’s a good time to take care of this.  Remember to use the “MPCA tank fee reporting form” so you are properly credited for the fees. If you have any questions about the form, please contact Wendy Gardner-Pritchard at 651.757.2090. Tanks a lot!  

Fix a Leak Week good time to check your home for problems

March 17-23 is Fix a Leak Week in the U.S. Leaking faucets, toilets and appliances not only waste water but, in the case of onsite septic systems,can also cause unnecessary loading of your treatment system which if severe could lead to overloading the system. The EPA website has tips for checking whether or not your house has leaks. For example, to see if your toilet is leaking (often as a result of a poor seal of the flapper in the tank) you can place a few drops of food coloring in the tank. Then check the toilet bowl within 15 minutes. Any color in the bowl indicates a leak in the tank. Be sure to then flush the toilet a few times to eliminate the food coloring from the toilet tank and bowl.

Minor SSTS rule changes take effect

Minnesota Rules Chapters 7080 to 7083 have undergone minor rule changes for clarity.  The changes were not intended to change any standards or procedures. They became effective Jan. 20, 2014. Due to the small number of changes, it is suggested that you make handwritten changes to your purple copy of the rules or print out the changes below and keep them with your rule book.  If confused about the changes give us a call or check the final revised language.

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.

SSTS Bulletin feedback, questions welcome

If  you have a question or comment about something you see in the MPCA SSTS Bulletin, let us know. Contact Dan Olson (218-846-8108) or Gretchen Sabel (651-757-2686).