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

Why is Olmsted County proposing this ordinance? State Law Olmsted County is required to comply with Minnesota Rules Change 7080-7083. State changes provide a regulated approach to subsurface sewage treatment systems (septic system)… Compliance Design Inspection Installation Maintenance By complying with state law, we ensure… Safe drinking water Fishable and swimmable waters Protection of property values Public health for generations to come

Timeline of MN Septic System Regulations Over the Years • Septic Design Standards • Midsize Septic Systems State • Load Program Requirements • Licensing, Program and Product Registration 1996-State State Requires All 1969-First Requires All 2008-2011-MN Rule First Voluntary MN Rule 7080 Counties To Adopt Voluntary Counties to Adopt 7080 Splits into 4 Septic Code Splits Into 4 Parts Septic Code Rules Change 7080 parts Rules Change 7080 1969 1978 1996 2006-2008 2008-2011 2011-2014 MN Rules MN Rules Change Amendment To 1978-MN Rules 2006-2008-MN 2011-2014 – Change 7080 Rules Change Amendment to Change 7080 To Chapter 7080 Existing Rules to Chapter existing rules adopted Adopted In 2011 7080 in 2011 Olmsted County Initial Creation Of 1957- Initial Creation of County Ordinances Current Olmsted County County Ordinances and 1985-Current Olmsted County And Amendments Ordinance Adopted Amendments Ordinance Adopted 1957 1972 1985 TODAY Implementation Of 4 Feet State Changes Require 1972- Implementation a 4’ TODAY - State Changes Vertical Separation Require County Compliance Vertical Separation County Compliance

Olmsted County’s Unique Situation Geologic Factors Olmsted County overlies a karst topography, meaning polluted surface water can drain into ground water very quickly 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 Environmental Commission Olmsted County’s Existing Policies Proposed Changes Bedrock: 4 foot vertical separation 4 foot vertical separation throughout Groundwater: 4 foot vertical separation or County since 1972 3 foot with a pressurized septic system Septic systems installed prior to April 1, 1996, with at least 2 feet of vertical MN Statute 115.55, separation are in compliance unless they are located in a shoreland, Subdivision 5a wellhead, or floodplain area, for which 3 feet of separation is required.

I have an existing septic system that works fine and I don’t plan to sell my home or modify my property. A tank & surface inspection is now required by the state. This basic inspection will be required for all septic system owners once every three years This inspection will determine if the tank needs pumping or if sewage is surfacing Costs Estimated cost of inspection: $125 - $225 Estimated cost of pumping: $200 - $225 Estimated Monthly Maintenance Cost $9- $13 *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? Tank & Surface Inspection Pumping The Tank Compliance Inspection Estimated Cost: $125 - $225 Estimated Cost: $200 - $225 Estimated Cost: $200 - $325 What? This basic inspection will Pumping your system ensures What? This inspection is a review by a licensed determine if the tank needs pumping or waste is disposed appropriately inspector to ensure the septic system is working if sewage is surfacing properly and is suitable for its intended use Most people pump their septic tank at the time of the Tank & • Transfer of property When? This basic inspection will be When? Surface Inspection required for all septic system owners • Metes and bounds lot split once every three years Unless your septic tank has been pumped in the last three years, • Installing/replacing a septic system plan on pumping at the time of • Septic system malfunction Surfacing Sewage the compliance inspection 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 If a problem is found, the system will need repair or replacement *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 Ex 1: Adding a bedroom? Inspection? • The addition of a bedroom would indicate a potential increase YES in water usage • Potential increase in water = potential impact on septic system Compliance Ex 2: Adding a deck to my house? Inspection? • No compliance inspection would be necessary because the NO intended modification would have no impact on a septic system Compliance Ex 3: Building a shed on my property? Inspection? • If your shed will not be connected to a septic system  no NO compliance inspection is needed • If your shed will include a bathroom that will be connected to YES 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 Ex: 1: What if I want to use my house for a day care? Inspection? • In this example, your house would be generating more YES waste water so the compliance inspection would check whether the current system could handle the projected increase in water. Compliance Ex: 2: What if I want to hire more employees? Inspection? • In this example, more employees = the potential for YES more waste water which would directly impact the system. • A required compliance inspection will determine how many additional employees your current system could accommodate.

How do the rule changes affect me if I want to sell my house? MN Statute 115.55 (paraphrased) Before a property sale, the seller must disclose information to the buyer (in writing) explaining how sewage generated on the property is managed. These requirements were Septic system description Disclosure commonplace in property Includes transactions long before the Map of the septic system’s state required them. location on the property Current County Current Proposed County Ordinance Banking Practices* Ordinance SSTS SSTS SSTS Ordinance Compliance Ordinance Compliance Ordinance Compliance Checklist Checklist Checklist Inspection Inspection Inspection NOT Required Required Required *As lender or buyer requires

Cost Comparison of New Septic Systems New In-Ground System New Mound System Low High Low High Capital Costs $10,750 $12,300 $16,100 $23,000 Pumping tank every 3 yrs 3% yearly interest 2% yearly inflation 30 yr lifespan Total $13,444 $16,030 $17,810 $24,710 Monthly Cost $37 - $45 $49 - $69 *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 Proposed County Ordinance Current County New State Rules Ordinance Components Ordinance • 4 Feet to bedrock Vertical Separation 4 Feet 3 Feet • 3 Feet to groundwater Change in pressurized systems Septic System Inside Inside: Households will No state rules govern this Inside: Households will And Outside Urban connect to municipal sewer ordinance component connect to municipal sewer Service Areas No Outside: The county can No state rules govern this Outside: The county can Change issue permits for onsite ordinance component issue permits for onsite treatment treatment 2 septic drain field 2 septic drain field 2 septic drain field Drain Fields No sites are required sites are required sites are required Change Transfer of Property No compliance Full disclosure of septic Compliance inspection is inspection is required system is required required along with full Change disclosure of septic system Expansion of Portions of a septic system being Leaves enforcement of Portions of a septic system being Septic System expanded must meet ordinance ordinance policies to expanded must meet ordinance No standards but compliant Olmsted County standards but compliant Change elements do not need replacing elements do not need replacing For a complete listing of ordinance changes, please see handout below.