Michigan on-site wastewater systems lack state oversight

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When it comes to regulating  septic systems, Michigan is a loner.

Most statewide codes require regular pumping of septic tanks. Image: Environmental Protection Agency

It lacks statewide regulations to oversee the permitting and operations for close to 1.5 million of the onsite systems to dispose of human and household waste.

Unlike the rest of the country, Michigan has separate codes for 39 local health departments.  Five other departments in the Upper Peninsula share a code, according to the Clean Water Fund, an anti-water pollution national organization.

Who needs a statewide code?

Some local officials want a statewide code. Others don’t think it’s as necessary as funds are needed to rehabilitate the increasingly failing systems.

Local health regulations have been efficient in protecting public health by ensuring the safe disposal of human waste, said Ted Loudon, a Michigan State University professor and wastewater consultant.

“For that reason, most people don’t feel the urge to move towards a statewide code,” said Loudon, who is past president of the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association

Still, seven years ago the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality created a task force to develop statewide rules governing septic systems.

The engineers, consultants, public health specialists and researchers created a report and recommendations, but a lack of political will stalled the process, said Rick Falardeau, manager of the agency’s Onsite Wastewater Unit.

“Several bills have been introduced since 2000 and several task forces formed to address the issue — nothing has materialized,” he said.

“Statewide codes will take local politics out of the picture”

 

Local health departments have been managing septic systems through ordinances for about 50 years, said Larry Stephens, consulting engineer and president of the Michigan Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association.

“But many of these codes are outdated and deal only with the traditional systems,” he said.  “They are not updated to address technological changes in the last so many years.”

A statewide law would address such shortcomings, he said.  Local laws overlook problems.

“For instance, inspection and monitoring of systems in operation are mostly done on a complaint basis — not on a regular basis,” he said.

There are exceptions.

 

About 13 county health departments in Michigan require inspections of septic systems before a house is sold.  A few award grants and loans to homeowners to encourage regular inspections and repairs.

The patchwork of local laws forces manufacturers to go from county to county to sell advanced septic technology, Stephens said.  It’s a frustrating effort that slows innovation.

The state also lacks mechanism to review such technology.  And local laws also don’t address regular training and education of practitioners and homeowners.

“It would also be impossible to make timely and uniform response in the state in the case of a pollution emergency,” Stephens said.  “Without a common database and way to access information, even decision makers would be stuck.”

Many health departments feel handcuffed by local politics to suggest better management, Stephens said.  A statewide code would eliminate that.

Opposition

 

But other leaders are opposed to state-mandated regulations.

“They are usually unfunded and legislators aren’t educated enough to make proper legislation that’s competent for this situation,” said Geoffrey Snyder, Jackson County drain commissioner.

The state needs to provide funds for regular inspection rather than meddle in local governance, he said.

“We have books and books of laws in this state,” said Bob Demyanovich, deputy drain commissioner for the Livingston County.  “We need corrective actions not punitive actions,”

Instead, a priority should be to stop water softener industries from using sodium and chloride for ground water treatment, he said.

The elements, which are flushed to septic tanks, corrode the system and harden the drainfield which doesn’t allow water to drain.

 

 

 

“Out of sight, out of mind”

Septic overflow polluting groundwater. Image: Michigan State University Extension Water Quality Bulletin

Numerous systems stay buried without much notice — until they begin to fail, according to the report.

The report proposed statewide options to guarantee septic inspections:

  • At the time of home sale.  This measure has been established by 13 health departments in and outside of Michigan but is not consistent statewide.
  • When issuing a building permit for home remodeling.  It exists in some states like South Carolina.
  • When pumping a septic tank or doing other maintenance.

 

Wisconsin

Wisconsin requires all septic systems be inspected every three years. Newly permitted systems include a management plan, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

In 2000, Wisconsin required all systems to be inventoried and that counties maintain inspection and pumping records. It encourages maintenance by sending reminders to system owners.

Having the maintenance program makes counties eligible for annual septic system grants.

It works well, said Timothy Roach, a zoning administrator in that state’s Outagamie County.

“The extent of involvement of the state in establishing a unified code has been very helpful in preserving Wisconsin’s ground and surface water,” he said.

The county has identified a lot of failing systems and prevented about 14 million gallons of untreated waste in streams and road ditches since starting the maintenance program, he said?.

Roach also said that through the code, there have been many outreach and education programs to septic system service providers. The statewide code can be modified by counties.

Lack of funding

 

But Michigan is leery of new regulations from local governments especially if they are not backed by funding, Stephens said.

“If only onsite septic owners would pay a fee of $10 a month, we’d have $15 million each month to do a lot of things including system repairs and replacements,” he said.

SEPTIC SETBACKS
This special report examines how ill maintained, leaky and overflowing septic tanks are polluting drinking water sources and causing serious health concerns in Great Lakes communities.

One thought on “Michigan on-site wastewater systems lack state oversight

  1. Good series that hit on a number of issues states across the country are struggling with (I am from Oregon).

    Michigan is not alone in not having a state code. California doesn’t have a state code and is currently taking another stab at getting something in place.

    Having a statewide code isn’t the end-all be-all. If the programs are implemented at the local level (which most are), then unless the state has a strong presence then the program is only as good as the jurisdiction implementing the program. Oregon (again with Oregon!) has a state code and yet many practioners in the field bemoan the fact that their is little consistency from one county to another. Some of that is one county may be better resourced than another and some is that local agents ignore some rules and make up others.

    The beat goes on.

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