October 2, 2007

Public Is Invited to Comment on Proposed Septic System Size Changes

Hayden, Idaho -The Panhandle Health District (PHD) will take formal public comment Oct. 10 and 11 regarding a proposed change to the minimum required sizes of new residential septic systems in the five northern counties.

    The October 10 public hearing is at 5:30 p.m. at the Panhandle Health District office in Hayden, 8500 N. Atlas Rd. The Oct. 11 hearing is at 5:30 p.m. at the Panhandle Health District office in Sandpoint, 1020 Michigan. Written comment will be accepted until the end of the day Oct. 11.

    PHD is proposing the rule change to protect and preserve the area's water quality. Idaho's standards for septic systems are among the lowest in the western United States. Under-sized septic systems can be major contributors to water quality degradation. Recent data collected shows people in northern Idaho are producing more wastewater than current septic systems are designed to manage.

    Under PHD's proposal, a septic system for a single family home of three or fewer bedrooms would be required to handle 400 gallons of wastewater per day. That's an increase of 150 to 250 gallons, depending on the number of bedrooms, to the current requirement.

    The proposal requires a septic system in a four-bedroom home to handle 500 gallons per day, a 200-gallon increase. The requirement for a five-bedroom home would increase 250 gallons a day to 600 gallons. Each additional bedroom would require septic systems to handle 50 gallons more per day.

    The proposed rule change requires final Board of Health action October 25. Northern Idaho residents who want their comments on the issue in the public record and available to the Board of Health during their decision-making process are encouraged to attend one of PHD's public hearings.

    PHD also encourages written comments from those people unable to attend the public hearing. The written comments should be addressed to Dale Peck, Panhandle Health District, 8500 N. Atlas Rd., Hayden, ID 83835, for delivery no later than October 11.

    A chart that compares Idaho's current septic system requirements and PHD's proposed standards with those of other states is on the PHD Website: www.phd1.idaho.gov. All negotiated rulemaking information can be found via the Septic Flow Rule Making Portal under Current Health Topics on the PHD website.