September 14, 2007

Health District Offers Information on Proposed Septic System Rule Change

Hayden, ID - The Panhandle Health District (PHD) will meet with the public in Sandpoint Tuesday, Sept. 18, and in Hayden Wednesday, Sept. 19, to explain proposed changes to PHD's rules that determine the size of septic systems in the five northern counties.

    Under PHD's proposal, new septic systems installed would be sized to process a larger amount of wastewater per home than the current state rules require. Idaho's method of calculating residential wastewater flow is the lowest in the western United States. The proposed change would increase septic system sizes to handle the amount of wastewater research shows northern Idaho residents generate.

    PHD is proposing the change to protect the area's clean water.

    "If surface and ground water become contaminated from on-site sewage disposal, then we haven't done our job," said Dick Martindale, PHD Environmental Health section manager. "Prevention is what public health is all about."

    The informational meetings are part of a rule-changing process that began in the spring with developers, design professionals, citizens and agency representatives from the five northern counties studying and analyzing septic system standards and use. Among the materials considered was winter water use data from more than 6,000 northern Idaho homes.

    The groups reached the consensus that a change in the standard is needed.

    Initial findings were presented to the Board of Health July 26. The Board of Health voted at that meeting to pursue a rule change. On Aug. 30 after testimony from state legislators and the public, the Board of Health voted to propose raising the required flow standards for septic systems.

    Now, the state requires residential septic systems to handle 150 gallons of wastewater per day for a one-bedroom house and 50 gallons per day for each additional bedroom. Under the proposal, new septic systems would be sized for 400 gallons a day for a house with three or fewer bedrooms.

    A septic system for a four-bedroom house would be sized for 500 gallons a day, and a five-bedroom house would require 600 gallons a day. Fifty gallons a day would be added for each bedroom over five.

    This week's meetings will offer information about the proposal. Participants are invited to ask questions. Comments on the proposal will be heard during a formal public hearing scheduled for Oct. 10. The proposal will return to the Board of Health Oct. 25 for a final decision on whether to submit it to the Legislature at the next legislative session.

Tuesday's meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. at Panhandle Health District's Sandpoint office at 1020 Michigan. Wednesday's meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. at the Panhandle Health District Hayden office, 8500 N. Atlas Rd.

PHD issues 1,200 septic system permits annually in the five northern counties. Fourteen percent of the state's population lives in the district and 23 percent of the state's septic permits are issued here. Thirty-three percent of the state's surface water is in northern Idaho and 9 percent of the state's surface area.

For information on this week's meetings, call Dick Martindale, 415-5212.

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