State Sen. Tim Grendell (R- Chesterland) has recently introduced legislation to revise the requirements governing septic treatment systems and to establish standards and guidelines for approving household sewage treatment systems.

HB 231 of the 125th General Assembly, which Sen. Grendell vigorously opposed, required the Public Health Council to adopt rules governing household sewage treatment systems. Sen. Grendell, along with many interested parties, has serious concerns regarding the proposed rules, which are set to be adopted prior to May 6 of this year.

I am proposing this legislation in response to concerns raised by home owners, builders, realtors, and my local department of health. HB 231 was sold to the Legislature as opening options for septic systems in a cost-neutral way. I voted against that bill because I believed its effect was unnecessary and most likely costly to homeowners. I was also concerned that it was being misrepresented to the Legislature, and from everything we are seeing today, that seems true.

Grendell cited a few of his specific concerns, noting, "After hearing horror stories of home sewer systems costing $30,000-$40,000 under the proposed rules, and after seeing research from OSU that the proposed rules will increase homeowner costs by 80-100%, I am incredibly concerned that the increased costs will make the system unaffordable or unduly burdensome to homeowners. Other concerns include the fact that the new rules will be politically and technically unenforceable in many areas and the unwillingness of the Public Health Council to respond to concerns with the rules.

"As someone who has been fighting this legislation from day one, I believe we should stop and take a step back before placing this unnecessary burden on homeowners. There has to be a rational approach to household sewage that meets health requirements without breaking the bank."