Source: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/bills/intro/H-296.HTM
Timestamp: 2017-12-15 04:39:05
Document Index: 50908900

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1973', '§ 1974', '§ 1975', '§ 1976', '§ 1978', '§ 1981', '§ 1981']

Introduced by Representatives Jewett of Ripton, Bray of New Haven, Clark of Vergennes, Fisher of Lincoln, Maier of Middlebury, Nuovo of Middlebury, Oxholm of Vergennes, Sharpe of Bristol and Stevens of Shoreham
Subject: Conservation; potable water supply; wastewater
Statement of purpose: This bill proposes to make amendments to the potable water supply and wastewater systems permitting requirements prior to implementation of universal state permitting. Under the bill, universal state permitting would go into effect when the agency of natural resources finalizes the proposed rules to the wastewater systems and the potable water supply rules. The bill would amend the definitions of failed potable water supply and failed wastewater system and would set forth the testing requirements to determine when a wastewater system is a failed system. The bill would also replace the majority of exemptions for single-family residences with one exemption for all buildings, structures, and campgrounds and associated water supplies and wastewater systems substantially completed prior to July 1, 2007. In addition, the bill would authorize the agency of natural resources to pursue enforcement against designers of improperly designed or installed potable water supply or wastewater systems. The bill would also require the agency of natural resources to amend the design flow requirements in rule to include standards for one-bedroom houses, to reflect actual wastewater system use, and to allow for the use of maximum efficiency standards.
(iii) where the source, treatment, or conveyance equipment used to provide potable water is broken or inadequate. the secretary affirmatively determines as not potable, due to the presence of a contaminated site, a leaking underground storage tank, or other known sources of groundwater contamination or naturally occurring contaminants, and that information has been posted on the agency of natural resources website
(i) that allows, after completion of a wastewater system inspection, is determined to allow wastewater to be exposed to the open air, pool on the surface of the ground, discharge directly to surface water, or back up into a building or structure, unless, in any of these instances, the approved design of the system specifically requires the system to function in such a manner; or
(iii) that presents a threat to human health; or affirmatively determined by the secretary to be a failed supply and that information has been posted on the agency of natural resources website.
(11) “Wastewater system inspection” means a test to determine if a wastewater system is a failed system. The inspection shall include:
(A) A site visit and visual inspection of the property;
(B) Pumping and visual inspection of a septic tank or other tank, if one is present; and
(C) A dye test of the wastewater system, conducted according to the instructions and timing requirements recommended by the manufacturer of the test.
Sec. 2. 10 V.S.A. § 1973(j) is added to read:
(j) The secretary shall be available upon the request of a property owner or licensed designer to conduct inspections or review of the site conditions or design of potable water supply and wastewater systems in order to determine compliance or the need for compliance with the rules adopted under this chapter.
Sec. 3. 10 V.S.A. § 1974 is amended to read:
Sec. 4. 10 V.S.A. § 1975(f) is amended to read:
Sec. 5. 10 V.S.A. § 1976(b) is amended to read:
(b) As of July 1, 2007 Upon adoption of rules filed after January 1, 2007, those provisions of municipal ordinances and zoning bylaws that regulate potable water supplies and wastewater systems are superseded by the provisions of this chapter and the rules adopted under this chapter. However, to the extent that local ordinances and bylaws apply to potable water supplies and wastewater systems that are exempt from the permitting requirements of this chapter, and to the extent that those local ordinances and bylaws establish procedural requirements that are consistent with this chapter and the rules adopted under this chapter, those provisions of existing and any future ordinances or bylaws shall not be superseded in municipalities that receive delegation under this section.
Sec. 6. 10 V.S.A. § 1978(a) is amended to read:
(A) design flow standards for a single-family residence on its own lot with a minimum of one bedroom; and
(B) an amendment of the design flow standards for wastewater systems that updates the design flow requirements in the agency of natural resources wastewater system and potable supply rules in order to reflect existing or proposed actual use of a wastewater system;
Sec. 7. 10 V.S.A. § 1981 is added to read:
§ 1981. WASTEWATER SYSTEM AND POTABLE WATER
SUPPLY REPLACEMENT LOAN PROGRAM
(a) The agency of natural resources shall establish and administer a low- to no-interest loan program for the removal and replacement of failed wastewater and potable water supply systems.
(b) The agency of natural resources shall adopt rules to implement the
wastewater system and potable water supply loan program. The terms of the loans shall be determined by the agency of natural resources by rule, but shall not be made in an amount in excess of $20,000.00 to any single applicant, nor at a rate to exceed two percent. Rules adopted under this subsection shall also establish eligibility criteria based on an applicant's income.
(c) A wastewater system and potable water supply replacement revolving loan fund shall be established for the wastewater system and potable water supply loan program within the agency of natural resources. The fund shall contain appropriations provided for that purpose and all repayments of principal and interest of loans under this section. Interest earnings may be used for administration of the wastewater system and potable water supply replacement program.
In addition to any other funds appropriated to the agency of natural resources in fiscal year 2008, there is appropriated $1,000,000.00 in fiscal year 2008 from the general fund to the wastewater system and potable water supply replacement revolving loan fund for the purpose of establishing and administering a low- to no-interest loan program for the removal and replacement of failed wastewater and potable water supply systems.