Cafaro-Grendell proposal addresses sewage-system laws

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Capri Cafaro

By John w. Goodwin jr.

The senators hope to see the legislation passed by June.

WARREN — Two state senators believe they have created legislation that will help homeowners with septic systems that may need to be updated under state mandates.

Sen. Capri Cafaro of Liberty, D-32nd, and Sen. Timothy Grendell of Chesterland, R-18th, introduced Senate Bill 100 to the public during a Thursday morning press conference. The proposed legislation will address sewage-system laws and establish a loan system for residential upgrades.

Cafaro, the Senate minority leader, said legislation took effect in 2005 that changed the way septic- system dangers are calculated. She said the result of that legislation was more than 30 calls per day to her office from concerned citizens asking if they had to change their system and complaining about the cost to do so.

A moratorium was placed on the legislation governing the septic systems, but it will end June 30. Cafaro and Grendell hope to pass the legislation they are jointly sponsoring before the moratorium ends and the current legislation again takes effect.

Cafaro said the 2005 legislation called for sweeping changes in the upgrading and changing of septic systems, changes that many people cannot afford.

“What I say about these rules is that if you don’t comply with them because you cannot afford it, then they are not really effective,” she said.

Grendell said there are numerous examples of the financial burden placed on citizens, citing one area home worth $50,000 and septic-upgrade requirements totaling $25,000. That house, he said, went into foreclosure. He said there is a more common-sense and economical approach to addressing public safety with septic systems.

Both senators say the legislation is about more than just saving homeowners money, and that it also works to safeguard the public from septic system hazards.

The Grendell-Cafaro proposed legislation says a septic system will be deemed a nuisance if it “reveals odor, color or other visual manifestations of raw or poorly treated sewage.” The system could also be deemed a nuisance by high levels of fecal matter in soil samples.

Cafaro said one major change in the new legislation is that local health boards will have more discretion determining the best and most economical septic system for homeowners in their jurisdictions. A state Technical Advisory Committee would approve a broad range of systems, from low cost to more expensive, and local health boards would then choose the most suitable from that list.

Another critical part of the proposed legislation is the creation of a Household Sewage Treatment System Revolving Loan and Grant Program. Cafaro said making loans or grants to those who meet set criteria will alleviate the burden of septic-system upgrades for many residents.

Cafaro and Grendell said the loans would be covered by taking about $10 million from federal stimulus funds for clean water to be distributed by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

The senators said the idea with the new legislation is to find the most economic means of safeguarding public health.

jgoodwin@vindy.com