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Septic Regulations Should Be Rejected
February 15, 2009
The State of California, an exemplar of incompetent governance, has decreed that all owners of septic systems will have to fill out a annual reports and start paying to have their systems pumped out whether they need it or not. In addition, if any problems are found, astonishingly expensive upgrades to systems will be required.
I don't doubt there have been problems with septic tanks. Perhaps the old laws are inadequate. Certainly over time a septic system can fall into disrepair. But the new rules and regulations are a parody of a good solution to any real problems there might be.
Mendocino County residences and businesses depend on their septic systems. I don't think anyone wants to purposefully pollute our streams or groundwater. Maybe some people would not want to spend money to fix a real problem with their septic if one existed. The laws should certainly address that situation.
I've seen this in many areas of government: education, and business regulation in particular. When there are particular problems, instead of fixing those problems, some elected official decides that everyone who might possibly have the problem at any point in the future is going to have to fill out compliance paperwork or put in expensive systems to "prevent" the problem. A problem that causes less that a million dollars of damage in this state can easily become the source of a program that costs citizens billions of dollars in compliance costs.
If there are water pollution found, it should be traced back to the sources. The sources can be fixed. You don't need a bureaucracy peering into every septic tank every year to do this.
Who voted for this legislation? Due to our term limits, the bozos who thought it up have probably moved on to other offices, or have become lobbyists for the real estate or construction or some other industry.
You might try writing to State Assembly member Wesley Chesbro or State Senator Patricia Wiggins. Ask them to stop this nonsense before it is implemented. If they can't stop it, get new elected officials. By the way, AB 885, the source of this threat, was passed quietly back in 2000 with Yes votes by Wiggins and Chesbro. No one told Mendocino County citizens what the bill would really mean for owners of septic tanks. There were no nice newsletters form either party saying "Hey, I just voted for a bill that will cost you $60,000 some day soon if you own a septic tank."
Forget complaining to the State Water Resources Control Board. Like most regulatory agencies, they are set up to take public input, then ignore it. To find our what you are in for, read the SWRCB documents on Assembly Bill (AB) 885.
Protecting the environment is a priority. Even so, there is limited funding for this and other important parts of the civic agenda. Taxpayer money should be used in an effective manner. Forcing citizens to spend time on paperwork or to make unnecessary expenditures is effectively a tax.
How about a little thoughtful Green engineering? How about an inexpensive solution to the problem of inefficient septic tanks? Who lobbied for the frightfully poorly designed systems to be mandatory for upgrades, and who took their money and gifts in return for a vote?
And when septic systems are pumped out, where does the sludge go? Based on local experience, I think some investigation into that angle would turn up some sickening surprises.
Focus clean up efforts only where water pollution from septic tanks is a real problem. Don't create a new bureaucracy when there are many already in existence that should be eliminated or cut in size.
William P. Meyers
