Relating to the treatment of private sewage disposal systems, including monitoring, maintenance, and reporting requirements, and including applicability provisions

This bill relates to the treatment of private sewage disposal systems, including monitoring, maintenance, and reporting requirements. The bill defines key terms, including “aerobic treatment unit”, “private sewage disposal system”, and “proprietary treatment system”, classifying proprietary treatment systems into class A systems, which are media-based or passive secondary treatment systems, and class B systems, which rely on mechanical aeration or fixed film processes. The bill requires, prior to installation of a private sewage disposal system, the owner to enter into a monitoring and maintenance contract with a certified technician. The contract is required for the life of the system, and a copy must be provided to the county sanitarian. The bill requires systems to be inspected, monitored, and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications, and sets minimum inspection frequencies for each system type. The bill requires a certified technician to perform monitoring and maintenance and to report the results to the system owner and the county sanitarian. The bill requires the county sanitarian to perform all inspections and report the results as provided in the bill. The bill allows a class A system to use a media filter when a site is unsuitable for a soil absorption system and an intermittent sand filter, and expresses a preference for class A systems. The bill allows the use of an aerobic treatment unit only when a site is unacceptable for a soil absorption system or an intermittent sand filter, and expresses a preference for packed bed media filters where conditions allow. For a class B system, the bill only allows an aerobic treatment unit and modular fixed film system when a site is unsuitable for a soil absorption system, intermittent sand filter, and class A system. The bill also prohibits the use of a class B system for a vacation home, church, event facility, and any other infrequent-use facility. The bill requires an aerobic treatment unit that discharges on the surface of the ground to use either an intermittently operated slow sand filter or a free access sand filter that meets certain specifications. The bill requires a county sanitarian to record certain information when inspecting a private sewage disposal system, including the date of review, the type of system, whether the system is functioning correctly, and, if not, the primary reason for the deficiency. The county sanitarian must submit the information to the department of natural resources (department). The bill requires the department to compile the information and maintain a publicly accessible database summarizing inspection outcomes, without including personally identifiable information. The bill authorizes the department to adopt rules as necessary to administer the bill. The bill applies to the monitoring, maintenance, and inspection of private sewage disposal systems installed on or after July 1, 2026.