Improve the design, operation and maintenance of on-site sewage disposal systems in the basin. Promote adequate plan review, inspections, enforcement of existing on-site sewage disposal regulations, and development of new regulations where needed. City utilities should report known failing on-site systems within their service area to the county health districts. A renewable permit program for all commercial, residential and non-standard septic systems should be explored as a funding source for increased efforts at conducting inventories and inspections. Contamination from failing systems is often a hidden source of water pollution since septic drainfields lie underground.
Systems can fail for years with no obvious signs of failure.
Current public education efforts dealing with the proper maintenance and operation of on-site sewage systems should be continued and expanded. All buyers of homes with on-site sewage disposal systems should be provided with information about the design and capacity of their systems and proper maintenance techniques including waste water reduction, handling of hazardous products, and appropriate scheduling of inspections and pumpouts. New on-site sewage disposal systems should be designed, installed and maintained under strict guidelines to protect surface and ground water quality from contamination. Repairs in areas of marginally permeable or impermeable soils should include low-flow plumbing fixtures. Water conservation training and education should be encouraged.