Our groundwater is being steadily contaminated by leaking septic tanks, according to the state’s Water Resources Board.

Nationally, an Environmental Protection Agency study estimated that up to 20 percent of the septic tanks are in bad shape, even for septic tanks.

In the 2002 report the EPA claimed that 50 percent of the more than 27 million septic tanks in the nation are more than 30 years old.

And unlike fine wine, septic tanks do not improve with age; quite the opposite.

So what to do? Well, of course the state legislature has a plan, and it is called AB 885.

This legislation will institute rules (scheduled to take effect next year) that will require people with septic tanks to have the units inspected, a process expected to cost about $700.

If it is deemed your tank needs replacing, the bill could reach upwards of $30,000.

That new rule does not sit well with local lawmaker Kevin Jeffries, whose district includes many Southwest County homes that are connected to septic tanks, according to a release issued by his office.

Jeffries is frustrated at more government intrusion into taxpayer’s wallets. It is likely that anyone using a septic Advertisement

[ Chatton and Associates ] system will be less than eager to put out the money required to be in compliance with the new regulations.

Recent public comments made by Jeffries’ Chief of Staff Jeff Greene (The Californian, 1/23/09) express the Assemblyman’s concern that many people who have septic tanks are not aware of the changes and will be caught unprepared.

The period for public comment on the new regulations commenced in November 2007 and will end on Feb. 9.

In support of his statements, Greene noted that few formal comments have been made to date.

The requirements are part of legislation that passed in 2000 dealing with sewage-collection tanks and the disposal of liquid and solid household waste.

The new rules are scheduled to be adopted in June and go into effect next January.

There are only a couple of weeks left, but interested individuals may submit written comments to:

Todd Thompson, Program Manager

State Water Resources Control Board

Division of Water Quality

PO Box 2231

Sacramento, CA 95812-2231

Or, e-mail may be sent to ab885@waterboards.ca.gov.

Dave Reynolds is a political consultant/writer currently residing in Menifee. During the 1990s he served as chief of staff to the State Assembly Representative from the 66th District.