Info campaign on new septic system rules launched

This is misleading. Permit Sonoma is requiring a septic report for almost any type of permit. Neighbor rebuilding deck had to get a septic report before permit was issued at great cost.

“One of the key objections from residents earlier this year was that the new rules could force them to make costly and unnecessary upgrades to their septic systems when seeking building permits. Now, county officials are looking to require septic upgrades only when a homeowner seeks a building permit that would result in an increased strain on their septic system, according to west county Supervisor Lynda Hopkins.”

Info campaign on new septic system rules launched

SONOMA COUNTY »

Upgrades only needed if water usage increases

By

J.D. MORRIS

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Sonoma County is launching a series of public meetings today to gather public input as it prepares to update rules for the estimated 45,000-plus septic systems in the unincorporated areas.

Tonight’s meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the Petaluma Veterans Memorial Building, the first of five such gatherings planned in the coming weeks for each of the more rural quadrants of the county.

The campaign comes after the Board of Supervisors asked state regulators in May for a six-month extension on creating new septic system policies, following a series of concerns raised by rural homeowners. The county has been working in good faith with the state since then, county officials said this week.

One of the key objections from residents earlier this year was that the new rules could force them to make costly and unnecessary upgrades to their septic systems when seeking building permits. Now, county officials are looking to require septic upgrades only when a homeowner seeks a building permit that would result in an increased strain on their septic system, according to west county Supervisor Lynda Hopkins.

“In other words, not any building permit will trigger a septic upgrade,” Hopkins said. “Only building upgrades that increase the flow of water through the system would trigger a septic upgrade.”

The county also is exploring the use of composting toilets in unincorporated areas, an alternative wastewater technology that Hopkins said many of her constituents want to try. If ultimately approved by supervisors, the policy change would allow homeowners to follow the footsteps of the Occidental Arts & Ecology Center, which already has a composting toilet through a trial program authorized by the county.

“They had to jump through a lot of hoops in order to get that pilot program approved,” Hopkins. “This would be opening that up to constituents throughout the county.”

Following today’s meeting in Petaluma, the county will host another septic policy session at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Monte Rio Community Center.

Additional meetings are planned Oct. 10 at Healdsburg’s Villa Chanticleer Annex; Oct. 15 at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building; and Oct. 17 at the Guerneville Veterans