Mandatory septic tank inspections
Comments(2)
I live on Crookneck Lake in the northern parts of Morrison County. The Crookneck Lake Improvement Association (LCIA) created a Lake Improvement District (LID) in 2006 to combat curly leaf pondweed, an invasive, and exotic, species of weed that, like Eurasian milfoil, can take over a lake.
The LCIA has gone one step further to clean up its lake.
Members have applied for, and received, a grant from the Initiative Foundation to inspect as many septic tanks around the lake as possible. The LCIA feels if residents discover their old systems are leaking or are cracked or are just plain out of date, they will be willing to replace them.
It is a known fact that leakage from septic systems around lakes puts nutrients into the ground, lakes and streams. When these nutrients enter a body of water, they add to the growth of weeds, which choke out fish habitat and make recreational activities on lakes difficult.
A septic system’s job is to accept liquid wastes and prevent biological and nutrient contaminants from getting into wells or nearby lakes and streams. But, nothing lasts forever. These systems need to be checked at least every three years and repaired or replaced, if necessary.
How do you feel about making it mandatory to have inspections of septic tanks on a regular basis?
Currently, Morrison County requires a septic tank be inspected when a home sells. If repairs or replacement is needed, the seller or the buyer work out who will be responsible for the cost. They have two years to get the job done.
But, Morrison County does not have the manpower to make sure that happens. It’s probably the case in many counties. Therefore, septic systems that are leaking never get repaired.
What about the scenario of a landowner who has lived on property for 50 years? The family insists there has never been a problem, so why should they have an inspection. Fifty years! That should send up red flags immediately.
This does not only occur on lakeshore, but in all rural areas. Lakes and streams are not the only waters that can be contaminated. What about ground water?
I advocate mandatory inspections of septic systems when a property sells. I also would like to see the buyer and seller unable to close the real estate deal until the septic system in question is brought up to the standards set by the county.
I also advocate periodic checks of septic systems to make sure they are working properly. I think counties needs to make this more of a priority than they do.
How do you think issues of septic tank inspection and compliance be handled?
I think the inspections are a good idea as the health of the lake is effected by systems that are not working properly. I think that is a no brainer.
Well maintained and managed onsite systems add value to your property. Sewage surfacing on the ground or into waterways is an environmental and human health hazard. Generally well maintained systems provide a higher level of treatment at a much lower cost than government owned sewer systems.