Governor Chris Gregoire
The Rosemere Neighborhood Association has sent a letter to Governor Chris Gregoire regarding legislation introduced under House Bill 1661 [Reducing the authority of the state board of health with regard to small-scale sewage systems] to remove state oversight on private septic systems. Without state standards, local jurisdictions would have the authority to revoke existing operations and maintenance requirements for on-site septic systems, and local authorities would be faced with public challenges to overturn local codes without the presence of state regulations. In short, this bill would allow failing septic systems to continue to pollute ground and surface water and spread disease. The RNA asserts that a major component of stormwater pollution may be septic tank infiltration through perforated stormwater pipes.
The opponents of improved stormwater management have not offered constructive means to improve water quality for our ill-fated streams, lakes and rivers. Nor have they offered plans to conserve dwindling aquifer resources. The need for stormwater control and septic tank regulations is seemingly overlooked by special interests that have attempted to overturn state and local policy on these subjects. It is time for all parties to recognize that our water resources are vulnerable and are in need of protection before it becomes impossible to reverse the increasing levels of waterborne contamination and decreasing water column levels. The public’s health is at risk without appropriate state oversight.
