New DEM septic system rules take effect on Monday, July 9
By Will Collette
Thanks for months of work and hard-nosed negotiation led by
Rep. Donna Walsh, starting Monday, July 9, coastal homeowners will be able to
proceed with home improvement projects that have been held up by DEM
regulations that also required them to install new, $30,000 denitrification
systems.
DEM had been using the issuance of a building permit as the
“trigger” to compel homeowners in environmentally sensitive areas about our South County
ponds to replace fully operational septic systems with new high-tech systems,
even when the permit was for a simple home improvement project that has no
effect on the home’s “footprint” or water usage.
No more, starting Monday.
One hoped-for by-product of this regulatory deal is jobs
creation. Lots of small home improvement projects have been stalled by DEM’s
current regulations, stifling an already badly damaged construction industry.
Coming at the peak of the construction season, these new rules might give the
local economy a little bit of a boost.
The new DEM regulations also will make it easier to expand the
menu of choices for homeowners when it does become necessary to install new
state-of-the-art systems. Companies that meet industry standards or have been
approved by other states with similar regulations and environmental conditions
as Rhode Island will find it easier to get Rhode Island approval.
Expanding the choices will hopefully bring some less expensive,
but equally effective, options into the state and may also give homeowners
another edge if more options leads to increased competition.
The new rules will also allow companies to conduct pilot
projects to demonstrate whether their systems can work under Rhode
Island conditions and meet Rhode
Island standards.
The new rules package is a limited-time-only deal. Two
years. So start that home improvement project now! The deal is premised on
achieving a permanent, practical solution to protecting the ponds, something
that will probably take either legislation or another regulatory effort by
RIDEM.
For the details on these new regulations, go to Rep. Donna
Walsh’s newly re-designed webpage. Click here.
To read the new regulations for yourself, click here.