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New Septic System Rules
E-Mail Notification Service and Revised Forms Available (see below)
The Department of Environmental Management's new Rules for septic systems will take effect on January 1, 2008. Under the new Rules, the term "individual sewage disposal system" (ISDS) has been replaced with the term "onsite wastewater treatment system" (OWTS) to better emphasize the importance of treatment in system function and environmental protection.
The new Rules update technical standards for the siting and design of septic systems, improve treatment for environmental protection and public health, increase protection of water resources, streamline the permitting process, and reformat the rules to follow the sequence of actions taken in permitting a septic system in Rhode Island. Among the technical changes are revisions to design standards to ensure optimal treatment in soil dispersal trenches, higher performance standards for septic systems in salt pond watersheds and on small lots with drinking water wells, and increased setbacks between large systems and drinking water wells.
The revisions to the septic system Rules were developed in conjunction with a diverse group of stakeholders. The stakeholder group included representatives from the building community, licensed septic system professionals, environmental organizations, municipal government, the University of Rhode Island, and state and federal agencies. In addition, the Department held five public workshops throughout the state, before holding a public hearing on the amendments in September.
Additional information on implementation of the new Rules, including revised forms, will be posted on this website as it is developed.
For more information regarding the new Rules, e-mail Ernie Panciera at ernie.panciera@dem.ri.gov.
Revised Forms Available
The Onsite Program has issued revised forms consistent with the new OWTS Rules. Submittals using the new forms may be made immediately. However, the Department will accept either the old forms or the new forms for applications received by the close of business on Friday, May 2, 2008. After May 2, 2008, only the new forms will be accepted. All forms are available at DEM’s offices in Room 260, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, Rhode Island. The OWTS Construction Permit form replaces the ISDS Application form. This is a multipart form and the version available online is for reference only.
Subscribe to the OWTSINFO E-mail List
The Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Program has created an e-mail list to distribute information on Department policies and rule changes. You can subscribe by sending an e-mail to: majordomo@listserve.ri.gov. In the body of the message, include the following text: "subscribe owtsinfo". Leave the subject line blank. This is an announcement-only list so you will not be able to post messages to other subscribers. If you have difficulty subscribing or have other questions, email owner-owtsinfo@listserve.ri.gov.
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