County Seeks Community Input on Septic System Policy Updates

The County of Sonoma is updating County regulations for septic systems in order to meet state mandated regulations that protect water quality and public health. Permit Sonoma invites the public to attend upcoming community meetings to share feedback on the proposed Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Manual.

“We welcome community input as the County revises its septic policies. Policies which could impact many of our rural residents,” commented Fifth District Supervisor Lynda Hopkins. “We are exploring creative solutions and some alternative technologies, along with permitting composting toilets at long last - which might help mitigate the stringent environmental regulations coming from our state regulators.”

Details below:

• September 26, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Petaluma Veterans Memorial Building
  1094 Petaluma Boulevard South, Petaluma
• September 29, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Monte Rio Community Center
  20488 Highway 116, Monte Rio
• October 10, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Villa Chanticleer Annex
  900 Chanticleer Way, Healdsburg
• October 11, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Farm Bureau
  3589 Westwind Boulevard, Santa Rosa
• October 15, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building
  126 First Street West, Sonoma
• October 17, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Guerneville Veteran's Building
  16255 First Street at Church Street, Guerneville

These meetings will consist of a presentation on the County’s proposed septic system policies. There will be a question and answer session following the presentation, along with additional opportunities for attendees to share feedback. Members of the public who are not able to attend but would like to provide feedback are encouraged to watch the livestream of the workshop and share ideas through an online survey.

Second District Supervisor David Rabbitt emphasized that the County’s septic policies “need to balance housing needs and environmental impacts without adding unnecessary regulatory burdens on the residents responsible for maintaining their septic systems.”

Community feedback on these proposed septic system regulations will inform the draft Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Manual, which will be considered by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors in November 2018.

• For more information regarding the proposed Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Manual, including frequently asked questions, please visit www.sonomacounty.ca.gov/Permit/Septic-Policy-Update

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