New Septic Rules Can Force People From Their Homes !

[EVDebs]

Today's (May 3, 2005 Santa Rosa, CA) Press Democrat story "New rules may be costly for county's septic system owners" by Carol Benfell, shows Sonoma County Supervisors Mike Reilly saying that new statewide SWRCB septic tank regulations "...have the potential to force people from their homes".

The SWRCB is going around statewide and claiming 'bacterial health hazard' in rivers, like Sonoma County's Russian River and its tributary creeks, and labelling them as human sourced pollution. This then enables them to force big pipe sewer projects-- which are now required to be paid for 100% by the affected communities, most of whom in my area can't afford an additional $100 per month sewer bill.

The trouble is SWRCB just goes around taking the word of EIRs that the county has had done in the past that simply state "leaking septic tanks are causing the pollution" and the local media regurgitate that as 'fact'.

DNA testing of e. coli can now be done, as in the article "Sewered Again" by the Pt. Reyes Light shows

www.ptreyeslight.com/columns/pridgen/pridgen09_18_03.html

in the Tomales Bay example where animal e. coli was shown as the source of pollution...and a sewer project being railroaded was derailed by DNA testing which should be mandatory:

"EPA headquarters officials expressed surprise that "any engineer would proceed with a design to reduce e coli in an area with a high wildlife population without DNA testing, especially considering the case studies cited in their Bacterial Source Tracking document. Such testing has potentially saved millions of dollars while insuring that e coli problems are actually corrected."

Before forcing people from their homes, the State Water Resources Control Board SWRCB should be forced to identify the actual sources of pollution by DNA testing ! This would save unincorporated California homeowners from shelling out an estimated $10K-$30K -- around $30 BILLION DOLLARS...three times the size of Enron's $9 billion fiasco...

SWRCB needs to be reeled in FAST on this boondoggle !!!!!!!

[Kolesar]

1. I am about to buy my second septic system (for a second house)

From my reading, I learned that one is better off with an on-site septic system than having to tie into a new municipal system that will have high periodic fees and high fees to pay off the capital costs.

I did not know about DNA testing.

[EVDebs]

2. Democrats should fear Republicans finding out about this

Since with 1 million septics in CA and with around $10K to $30K to fix so-called pollution which may be being caused by animals and not humans in the first place, as in Tomales Bay, this means a total cost of between $10 BILLION to $30 BILLION DOLLARS.

Enron only cost CA $9 Billion.

[Kolesar]

3. I have a personal interest in this subject

My golden retriever developed a bladder infection about three years ago and then was diagnosed with kidney disease three years ago. That began a long period of declining health leading to her death three weeks ago today. She was a tough, strong dog and she should have lived beyond her 13 years.

When I was preparing to buy a septic system for the house I was selling a few years ago, I read that coli form bacteria can cause kidney disease. At the time of her death, she was fighting off yet another coli form bladder infection. I have been wondering if the stream she played in by our house was the source of the bacteria and the cause of her demise.

So, I expect to evaluate the septic systems in our neighborhood and point out anybody with a deficient system. I have a personal stake in this, now.

Your information about animal-derived bacteria was good data. I should mention that to the county health department for use in other locales. My solution to the animal problem is simple: I don't suppor the livestock economy, for I am a vegitarian.

edit: Coincidentally, I was in Marshall 7 weeks ago.