Model Ordinances for Local SSTS [Subsurface Sewage Treatment System] Regulatory Programs (Association of Minnesota Counties: 2008).
Also see the MN Pollution Control Agency SSTS page that provides assistance to cities on development and implementation of their SSTS program, a training video for SSTS program administrators, and an audit questionaire to be done with MPCA - or done as a self-assessment - to determine compliance with SSTS program requirements and program viability.
The County implements the septic system ordinance for the City.
The city modifies, adopts and enforces an ordinance.
Include a provision that requires yearly monitoring reports on the effectiveness of indentified septic systems, as needed; conduct audit with MPCA, or self-assessment, to determine compliance with SSTS program requirements and program viability.
Who's doing it
Maplewood - 3 star
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Maplewood has an ordinance based on the Association of Minnesota Counties model ordinance that adopts the subsurface sewage treatment program outlined by the MPCA.
The ordinance was recently updated by staff to reflect new changes required by the MPCA that all cities must completed an update to Minnesota rules governing Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (SSTS) in 2008.
Major changes to the ordinance include:
1.Management Plans: Management plans are required for all new or replaced SSTS. A management plan describes operational and maintenance requirements and the frequency of each to ensure system performance, including a planned course of action to prevent an illegal discharge.
2.Operating Permit: An operating permit is required for SSTS with a pretreatment device, custom engineered design, design flow of more than 5,000 gallons per day. Operating permits specify system performance, operating, and maintenance requirements and schedules, monitoring locations, procedures and recording requirements.
3.Compliance Inspections: Compliance inspections are required for construction of a new system; modification, upgrade, or repair of existing systems; prior to issuance of building permits for bedroom additions; expansion or change in use of the building or property being served by the system that might impact performance of the system; and at time of property transfer. Compliance inspections ensure that an SSTS is working properly.
4.Maintenance: SSTS are required to be inspected and if needed be emptied every three years. The owner must submit the required MPCA Septic Tank Maintenance Reporting Form to the City. This will allow the City to create a system of tracking the required maintenance inspections.
5.Abandonment: Requires the abandonment of SSTS no longer in use.
On September 23, 2013, the City Council adopted a new SSTS ordinance which complies with those new rules.
Mower County has a current SSTS ordinance and is ºinprocessº of writing and reviewing a new ordinance based on the Assn ofMN Counties model ordinance. This ordinance will be adopted on orbefore Feb 4, 2014, as required by the legislature.
City’s ordinance, section 11.26 also required all households connect to the City’s wastewater system within two (2) years of availability. The City took an active role in bringing these systems into current compliance. Each household was evaluated on a case to case basis, but there were no additional funding track or sources dedicated to help homeowners connect to the City’s system.
The City of Isanti requires the use of sewers within city limits where infrastructure is available. The City recently turned over inspections of subsurface treatment systems to the County. Isanti County updated their ordinance in 2014 based on the Association of Minnesota Counties model ordinance.
Stillwater has adopted the County's septic system ordinance, as stated in Sec. 29-9:
"Washington County's subsurface sewage treatment system regulations, as set forth in Ordinance No. 179 (Washington County Development Code Chapter 4) as in effect on August 18, 2015 is hereby adopted by reference in its entirety, except as specifically modified by this chapter."
have own Subsurface Sewage Treatment System (SSTS). See ordinances (currently being updated) at: http://library1.municode.com/default-test/home.htm?infobase=13070&doc_action=whatsnew
The City of Hermantown seeks to require the use of sewers within its limits, whether it be public, building, or private. Policies, procedures, and ordinances are to be consistent with WLSSD policies.
The City contracts with Washington County for Subsurface Sewage Treatment System inspections and has also adopted the County's Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Regulations.