| Ordinance Overview |
Wastewater
Management Ordinance establishes flexible inspection and
maintenance
program, and cesspool phase out.
No town sewer system; currently reviewing a septage management
plan.
First community to offer low interest loans through the Community
Septic System Loan program. |
| Inspections, Maintenance, and Upgrade Requirements |
Town
regulates inspection and pump schedules determined by private
service providers.
Inspections are typically once every 3-5 years based on system
size and use, with tank pump out as needed.
Service providers must register with the town.
Cesspools must be replaced by 2009, except if causing a
public health threat, then immediate replacement is required.
|
| Treatment
Standards |
Town requires two
compartment tanks on every system installed with 1,500 gallon
min.
Treatment standards being investigated. |
| Management of Alternative Systems |
Requires maintenance contract to be filed
at the Town Hall, with minimum requirement of annual maintenance.
All systems with a pump must have an annual operation and
maintenance agreement.
|
| System Inventory and Tracking |
Web-based tracking program in place since
2005.
Service providers provide on-line inspection reports as
of 12/1/05.
|
| Education and Outreach |
Mailings
sent. Working with URI for public education and outreach
(newspaper articles, advertisements,
mailings, website etc). |
| Enforcement Provisions |
Non compliance mailings to homeowners sent
immediately to those not responding to inspections and to failures
of system inspections.
Cesspools owners notified of May 2009 deadline.
|
| Administration |
Program
is administrated by the Wastewater Management Commission. |
| Staffing |
Wastewater
Management Specialist, part time, no benefits. |
| Budget and Finance |
Current EPA program grant support ends
6/06.
Town is considering
an administrative fee for system owners to support program.
|
| Financial Aid to System Owners |
Low interest loan program in place, $276,769
has been expended.
Town has grant
money available for digging and locating the septic tank
as well as riser and filter upgrades.
|
