Got septic questions, Sonoma?

Public meetings on proposed new septic tank regulations coming up in September and October.|

Homeowners in Glen Ellen, Kenwood and other unincorporated Sonoma Valley areas with questions about proposed new septic system regulations can get information at five upcoming public meetings, one in Sonoma.

The meetings, held Oct. 15 in Sonoma and Sept. 26 and 29 and Oct. 10 and 17 in other locations, will explain proposed changes to the county’s septic system requirements. These changes, mandated by state requirements, could require homeowners to make costly repairs, and the meetings will help guide residents to possible less costly alternatives.

The changes aren’t yet final and feedback from homeowners will be taken into consideration while finalizing the new regulations, county officials said. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors is slated to vote on the proposed regulations in November.

The purpose of the changes is to prevent wastewater systems from contaminating local waters. The county only gets involved with septic systems for two reasons: If the system is failing or has surfacing effluent, or if the property owner applies for a building or septic permit.

“We welcome community input as the county revises its septic policies, policies which could impact many of our rural residents,” Supervisor Lynda Hopkins said in a statement.

She added, “We are exploring creative solutions and some alternative technologies, along with permitting composting toilets at long last – which might help mitigate the stringent environmental regulations coming from our state regulators.”

The meetings will begin with a presentation on the proposed changes to the county’s septic system requirements, followed by a question and answer session. The proposed requirements are outlined in a booklet called, in typical bureaucratese, the Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Manual.

One of the meetings will be held in Sonoma on Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building, 126 First St. W.

For those who wish to come sooner, the Sept. 26 meeting is at 6 p.m. at the Petaluma Veterans Memorial Building, 1094 Petaluma Blvd. S. in Petaluma. The Sept. 29 meeting will take place at 1 p.m. at the Monte Rio Community Center, 20488 Highway 116 in Monte Rio.

For more information, visit www.sonomacounty.ca.gov/Permit/Septic-Policy-Update.

Reach Janis Mara at janis.mara@sonomanews.com.

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