DEM sets workshops on septic-system rules

PROVIDENCE – Possible changes in the state’s guidelines for the siting and design of septic systems and related administrative and procedural issues will be the subject of three workshops this month, according to the R.I. Department of Environmental Management.
“Significant regulatory changes” have been proposed by the DEM’s Office of Water Resources, according to the DEM’s announcement. They include revising design standards for soil dispersal trenches; tightening performance standards for septic systems in salt-pond watersheds and on small lots with drinking-water wells; and streamlining the handling of simple requests for variances.
Even the name by which the department refers to septic systems would change – from individual sewage disposal system or ISDS to onsite wastewater treatment system or OWTS – a change that “emphasizes the importance of treatment to ensure that drinking water sources remain protected … and recognizes the advances made in technology,” the DEM said.
The public workshops, each of which will include a brief presentation followed by a question and answer session, are slated for:
• Wednesday, June 20, from 4 to 6 p.m., in Room 300 at DEM Headquarters, 235 Promenade St., Providence.
• Wednesday, June 27, from 7 to 9 p.m., in the Council Chambers at Portsmouth Town Hall, 2200 East Main Road, Portsmouth.
• Thursday, June 28, from 7 to 9 p.m., in the cafeteria at South Kingstown High School, 215 Columbia St., Wakefield.
Comments from the workshops and those submitted in writing will be considered as the DEM drafts a final version of the rules, which it plans to announce in August.
Additional information is available at www.dem.ri.gov, where two sets of the draft rules are available for review by going to Timely Topics on the home page, then clicking on Draft Septic System Regulations. Written comments – sent to Jon Zarg in the DEM Office of Water Resources, 235 Promenade St., Providence, or at Johnathan.Zwarg@dem.ri.gov – will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Friday, June 29.