Ordinance Overview |
Wastewater management ordinance requires regular inspection
and maintenance, and cesspool phase out.
Inspections phased in over 7 districts.
First mainland community to require town-wide cesspool phase
out.
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| Inspections, Maintenance, and Upgrade Requirements |
Private service providers perform inspections as in Charlestown
and Jamestown.
Any system installed prior to 1970 must be pumped out as
part of the first maintenance inspection.
Point of sale inspections required within one year of property
transfer.
Cesspools must be replaced within 5 years of 1st inspection
or within 1 year of property sale, except if causing a public
health threat, then immediate replacement is required.
Cesspools with >2 pumpouts per year must be replaced
within 18 months. (Amendment February, 2006).
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| Treatment Standards |
Advanced treatment routinely required as condition of special
use permit for systems located in wetland buffers.
Treatment standards under review.
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| Management of Alternative Systems |
System owner must have a maintenance contract in place, and
submit most recent service report to the town.
Does not apply to conventional systems with a pump.
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| System Inventory and Tracking |
Private inspectors submit paper reports for processing, town
wastewater specialist manually inputs data into excel based
tracking program. Program developed by Town IT staff. |
| Education and Outreach |
Working with URI for public education and outreach (newspaper
articles, advertisements, mailings, website etc) |
| Enforcement Provisions |
Non compliance mailings to homeowners sent to those not responding
to inspections and to failures of system inspections. |
| Administration |
Program is administrated by the Public Works Department. |
| Staffing |
Wastewater Management Specialist, part time with benefits |
| Budget and Finance |
Projected budget of $46,410.00
Town is considering an administrative fee for septic system
owners to support program. |
| Financial Aid to System Owners |
Low interest loan program in place, $206,342 has been expended.
$1.3 million available.
Town has grant money available for digging and locating
the septic tank as well as riser and filter upgrades
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