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DRAFT VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES ISSUED FOR SEPTIC SYSTEMS
Release Date: 10/26/2000
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FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, OCT. 26, 2000
DRAFT VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES ISSUED FOR SEPTIC SYSTEMS
EPA is taking 60 days of public comment on draft guidelines for management of onsite/decentralized wastewater systems, which include what are commonly known as septic systems. These systems treat sewage from homes and businesses that are not connected to a centralized wastewater treatment plant. Onsite systems are often significant contributors of germs that impair thousands of waterbodies nationwide. At least 10 percent of onsite systems have stopped working, some communities report failure rates as high as 70 percent. State agencies report that these failing systems are the third most common source of groundwater contamination. The guidelines are EPA recommendations for improving the performance of these systems. The draft guidelines appeared in the Federal Register Oct. 6. For additional information, see: https://www.epa.gov/owm/smallc/guidelines.htm
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