NDACo Supports Sewer System Changes Offers Testimony to Interim Committee

Sewage Treatment Systems had its second interim legislative hearing this week with the Interim Commerce Committee. Brent Beechie, Secretary and Chief Inspector, State Board of Plumbing weighed in on the issue from the Plumbing Board’s perspective. Mr. Beechie agreed with NDACo and ND SACCHO recommendation to move the technical code in ND Century Code from the State Plumbing Board to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) along with resources to provide this oversight. While the code offers some guidance and may be used for reference, Mr. Beechie noted that most local boards of health have adopted their own codes since NDCC codes have not been updated in years. Mary Korsmo provided testimony on behalf of the NDACo and the ND SACCHO highlighting the county commissioners resolution passed at the state convention and the position statement adopted by the local public health units at its September meeting.

The NDACo Resolution states:
North Dakota Administrative Code outlines standards and requires licensing for the installation of onsite sewage treatment systems, placing responsibility for these standards with the State Board of Plumbing. The plumbing board has limited staff and has sought few changes to the standards since 2000, causing their use and enforcement to vary across the state. This Association supports legislation moving responsibility for statewide minimum standards and installer licensing to a single state agency provided with adequate resources to fulfill the responsibilities. Further this Association supports the development and adoption of updated statewide onsite sewage treatment standards which allow for modification to address local conditions, and for uniform statewide educational requirements. However, this Association believes that responsibility for local licensure and inspections remain with the local public health unit and the fees supporting that activity be retained locally.

ND SACCHO position statement reads: The ND SACCHO supports statewide adoption of a unified onsite sewage treatment system consisting of basic standards while allowing for local modifications. This Association supports enabling legislation in ND Century Code with the technical code in administrative rules moved to the newly created Department of Environmental Quality. This Association further supports uniform interpretation, education of installers and inspectors, coordination with NDSU extension services for technical assistance and vendor product review at the State level.