Sacramento, CA, January 4, 2016 – Sacramento County is the first county to receive approval from the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board for its plan to meet all new State regulatory and reporting requirements for septic systems.
The State of California implemented a new policy to continue the protection of public health, ground water, surface water and the environment. To comply with these new standards, all counties have been directed to develop a comprehensive Local Area Management Plan (LAMP) by May 2016. This plan must meet numerous specific requirements.
The Sacramento County Environmental Management Department (EMD) regulates and permits liquid waste systems in the County. In anticipation of these requirements, the Department previously updated both the
County Liquid Waste Ordinance for septic systems and the Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Guidance Manual. EMD then drafted and submitted a comprehensive LAMP for State review and has now been approved.
Val Siebal, Environmental Management Department Director, said, “Sacramento County has required septic tank permits since the 1960s, and currently, all key elements of the LAMP are reflected in the existing County ordinance. Therefore, customers will not notice any procedural differences after it’s officially implemented in Sacramento County.”
The Environmental Management Department will report septic system related information to the State on a regular basis and the
Sacramento County LAMP can be viewed by the public. The document explains by what methods Sacramento County will meet State requirements to continue to protect public health and the environment.
Going forward, the Environmental Management Department will periodically review and analyze the septic system program and will adjust or implement processes or requirements based on the conclusion of the analysis.
Learn more about the septic system permitting process and other water-related services.
Brenda Bongiorno
bongiornob@saccounty.gov, Communication and Media, 916-874-7798
