Connecticut Senate Bill SB01013

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/19
• Refer: 3/7/19

Caption

An Act Concerning Certain Sewage Disposal Systems And Alternative Sewage Treatment Systems.

Impact

The bill, if enacted, would potentially streamline the permitting process for systems of increased capacity, thus enabling a more efficient approach to sewage treatment in areas where capacity limits may have previously hampered development or upgrades to existing systems. It also includes provisions for the Commissioner of Public Health to establish minimum requirements and regulate aspects of alternative treatment systems without being constrained by previous funding appropriations, which could improve responsiveness to community needs around waste management.

Summary

SB01013 seeks to amend existing regulations concerning sewage disposal and alternative sewage treatment systems in the state. Specifically, the bill proposes to increase the maximum capacity for certain subsurface sewage disposal systems and alternative on-site sewage treatment systems from a maximum of 7,500 gallons per day to 10,000 gallons per day. This change is aimed at allowing for greater capacity in treatment systems serving both households and small commercial operations, which could facilitate new permits and approval processes under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Health.

Contention

While the bill aims to benefit public health and environmental management, it may also raise concerns among certain stakeholders. Critics might argue that increasing capacity limits without corresponding regulations could lead to overloading systems, affecting groundwater and overall water quality. Additionally, the changes might prompt discussions about local control versus state regulation regarding the management of sewage systems, particularly in the context of addressing unique local environmental conditions and needs.