Work with homeowners and businesses in environmentally sensitive areas and areas where standard septic systems are not the least-cost option to promote innovative waste water systems, including central sewer extensions.
Best Practice of this action
Resources
- Innovative or advanced systems and innovative systems research include composting toilets, greywater systems, cluster systems, constructed wetlands, floating islands, recirculating sand filters, and ozone disinfection systems.
- Recognizing that the cost of septic systems was a barrier to affordable housing development, Cook County worked with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to pass an award-winning new ordinance that resulted in creative low-tech, ecological, affordable options (including composting toilets) for the treatment of graywater and septic waste for individual homeowners. A traditional septic system can cost up to $25,000. The new design can be built for between $250 and $7,000
Order Number
6