SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5135

                      AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 5, 1992

Brief Description:  Granting right to a permit for an on‑site sewage system under certain conditions.

SPONSORS:Senators McCaslin and Nelson.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Roach, Vice Chairman; and Matson. 

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786‑7754)

Hearing Dates:February 4, 1991; February 14, 1991

BACKGROUND:

In 1974 the state Board of Health adopted minimum area requirements for the installation of on-site sewage systems (which are usually septic tanks) on residential property.  The requirements are intended to insure a sufficient drain field for sewage treatment.

Effective June 30, 1984 the board revised these requirements and made them applicable to all development.  On-site sewage systems installed prior to that date are not subject to the revised requirements, although they may have been subject to local requirements adopted earlier by a local board of health.

It is suggested that under certain circumstances, a permit for the installation of the septic tank or other on-site sewage system should not be denied for failure to meet these requirements.

SUMMARY:

An on-site sewage permit for a residential structure may not be denied because minimum area requirements are not met when the property on which the structure stands is surrounded by property served by on-site systems approved prior to June 30, 1984.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The situation is eliminated where a property owner is required to connect to a sewer system where his or her parcel is totally surrounded by parcels with on-site septic systems.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

Subdivision standards could be undermined.

TESTIFIED: Karen Van Duesen, State Dept. of Health (con); Gary Lowe, Assn. of Counties (con)