Why is Olmsted County proposing this ordinance? State Law Olmsted - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Why is Olmsted County proposing this ordinance?

By complying with state law, we ensure…

Compliance Inspection

State changes provide a regulated approach to subsurface sewage treatment systems (septic system)… Olmsted County is required to comply with Minnesota Rules Change 7080-7083.

Design Installation Maintenance

State Law

Safe drinking water Fishable and swimmable waters Protection of property values Public health for generations to come

1969-First Voluntary Septic Code 1978-MN Rules Change 7080 1996-State Requires All Counties to Adopt Rules Change 7080 2006-2008-MN Rules Change to Chapter 7080 2008-2011-MN Rule 7080 Splits into 4 parts 2011-2014 – Amendment to existing rules adopted in 2011

Timeline of MN Septic System Regulations Over the Years

1957- Initial Creation of County Ordinances and Amendments 1972-Implementation a 4’ Vertical Separation 1985-Current Olmsted County Ordinance Adopted TODAY - State Changes Require County Compliance

• Septic Design Standards
• Midsize Septic Systems
• Load Program Requirements
• Licensing, Program and Product

Registration

First Voluntary Septic Code MN Rules Change 7080 State Requires All Counties To Adopt Rules Change 7080 MN Rules Change To Chapter 7080 MN Rule 7080 Splits Into 4 Parts Amendment To Existing Rules Adopted In 2011 Initial Creation Of County Ordinances And Amendments Implementation Of 4 Feet Vertical Separation Current Olmsted County Ordinance Adopted State Changes Require County Compliance

State Olmsted County

1969 1978 1996 2006-2008 2008-2011 2011-2014 1957 1972 1985 TODAY

Olmsted County’s Unique Situation

Geologic Factors Olmsted County’s Existing Policies Environmental Commission Proposed Changes

Olmsted County overlies a karst topography, meaning polluted surface water can drain into ground water very quickly 4 foot vertical separation throughout County since 1972 Septic systems installed prior to April 1, 1996, with at least 2 feet of vertical separation are in compliance unless they are located in a shoreland, wellhead, or floodplain area, for which 3 feet of separation is required. Bedrock: 4 foot vertical separation 39% of Olmsted County septic systems are clustered in highly dense areas creating dense clusters of septic discharge 82% of County residents (not served by city water) live in areas which are moderately- highly sensitive to groundwater pollution Groundwater: 4 foot vertical separation or 3 foot with a pressurized septic system

MN Statute 115.55, Subdivision 5a

I have an existing septic system that works fine and I don’t plan to sell my home or modify my property.

This basic inspection will be required for all septic system owners once every three years Estimated cost of inspection: $125 - $225 This inspection will determine if the tank needs pumping or if sewage is surfacing Estimated cost of pumping: $200 - $225 Costs $9- $13 Estimated Monthly Maintenance Cost A tank & surface inspection is now required by the state.

*Estimated costs are between you and your licensed inspector or licensed pumper. The estimated monthly maintenance cost assumes you are pumping your septic tank once every three years.

What’s the difference between a Tank & Surface Inspection, and a Compliance Inspection? How much do they cost?

What? This inspection is a review by a licensed inspector to ensure the septic system is working properly and is suitable for its intended use When?

Tank & Surface Inspection Pumping The Tank Compliance Inspection

• Transfer of property
• Metes and bounds lot split
• Installing/replacing a septic system
• Septic system malfunction

ex: sewage backup

• Any change in property use

affecting the septic system

• Expanding/altering a building that

impacts the septic system

• Conducting major repair,

modification, or upgrading a system Estimated Cost: $200 - $325 What? This basic inspection will determine if the tank needs pumping or if sewage is surfacing Estimated Cost: $125 - $225 If a problem is found, the system will need repair or replacement

Surfacing Sewage

Pumping your system ensures waste is disposed appropriately Most people pump their septic tank at the time of the Tank & Surface Inspection Unless your septic tank has been pumped in the last three years, plan on pumping at the time of the compliance inspection Estimated Cost: $200 - $225 When? This basic inspection will be required for all septic system owners

• nce every three years

*Estimated costs are between you and your licensed inspector or licensed pumper.

A change in a residential property that impacts the septic system’s performance requires a compliance inspection.

Compliance Inspection? NO Compliance Inspection? Compliance Inspection? YES YES NO

Ex 1: Adding a bedroom? Ex 2: Adding a deck to my house? Ex 3: Building a shed on my property?

• The addition of a bedroom would indicate a potential increase

in water usage

• Potential increase in water = potential impact on septic system
• No compliance inspection would be necessary because the

intended modification would have no impact on a septic system

• If your shed will not be connected to a septic system  no

compliance inspection is needed

• If your shed will include a bathroom that will be connected to

the septic system  a compliance inspection is required

A change in a business that impacts the septic system’s performance requires a compliance inspection.

Compliance Inspection? Compliance Inspection?

Ex: 1: What if I want to use my house for a day care?

• In this example, your house would be generating more

waste water so the compliance inspection would check whether the current system could handle the projected increase in water. Ex: 2: What if I want to hire more employees?

• In this example, more employees = the potential for

more waste water which would directly impact the system.

• A required compliance inspection will determine how

many additional employees your current system could accommodate.

YES YES

How do the rule changes affect me if I want to sell my house?

Current County Ordinance Current Banking Practices* Proposed County Ordinance

SSTS Ordinance Checklist SSTS Ordinance Checklist

Compliance Inspection NOT Required Compliance Inspection Required Compliance Inspection Required

SSTS Ordinance Checklist

Before a property sale, the seller must disclose information to the buyer (in writing) explaining how sewage generated on the property is managed. Septic system description Map of the septic system’s location on the property

These requirements were commonplace in property transactions long before the state required them.

MN Statute 115.55 (paraphrased) Disclosure Includes

*As lender or buyer requires

Cost Comparison of New Septic Systems

New In-Ground System

30 yr lifespan

Low High

Capital Costs Pumping tank every 3 yrs 3% yearly interest 2% yearly inflation $10,750 $12,300 Total

New Mound System

$37 - $45 $16,100 $23,000 $17,810 $24,710 $49 - $69 Monthly Cost

Low High

$13,444 $16,030

*Estimated capital costs are between you and your licensed designer and licensed installer.

Comparison of Olmsted County’s Current Septic Ordinance, New State Rules, and Proposed County Ordinance

Current County Ordinance New State Rules Proposed County Ordinance Ordinance Components

Vertical Separation Septic System Inside And Outside Urban Service Areas Drain Fields Transfer of Property Expansion of Septic System 4 Feet 3 Feet

• 4 Feet to bedrock
• 3 Feet to groundwater

in pressurized systems Inside: Households will connect to municipal sewer Outside: The county can issue permits for onsite treatment No state rules govern this

• rdinance component

Inside: Households will connect to municipal sewer Outside: The county can issue permits for onsite treatment 2 septic drain field sites are required 2 septic drain field sites are required 2 septic drain field sites are required No compliance inspection is required Full disclosure of septic system is required Compliance inspection is required along with full disclosure of septic system Leaves enforcement of

• rdinance policies to

Olmsted County Portions of a septic system being expanded must meet ordinance standards but compliant elements do not need replacing No state rules govern this

• rdinance component

Portions of a septic system being expanded must meet ordinance standards but compliant elements do not need replacing

Change Change No No Change Change For a complete listing of ordinance changes, please see handout below. Change No