Onsite Wastewater Management Program

A conventional septic system showing septic tank, distribution box and leaching field. (Courtesy of National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Assoc.)

The area where sewers will be installed consists of only about 1/3rd of the total area in town.  Most of town, however, still has very poor soil for installing On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) more commonly known as septic systems. 

Modern OWTS work very well even in poor soil conditions, however, it is important to monitor and maintain an OWTS to insure that the ground water does not become contaminated.  An On-site Wastewater Management Program was adopted in July 2006 to insure that our precious water resources do not become contaminated from failing OWTS.  I have included a link to two documents for those readers who want to learn more about the program as it is proposed.  The On-site Wastewater Management Plan which was approved by DEM last year and the On-site Wastewater Management Ordinance which was adopted by the Town Council in July 2006. 

If you have any questions concerning the web site, contact the webmaster. If you have questions about the town, contact the appropriate official.

IMPORTANT NOTICES

*****ALL PROPERTIES WITHIN THE*****
STAFFORD POND WATERSHED

Property owners within the Stafford Pond watershed must have their septic systems inspected by an Approved Septic System Inspector by September 30, 2007. Each of these inspectors has completed the RI Septic Systems Inspector’s course and passed the certification exam. They have also submitted proof of insurance.

The inspection will gather baseline information about your septic system and set an initial routine inspection/pump-out schedule for the property. The inspector must file his report directly into the Town’s on line reporting and tracking software. Please click on the link below to see a list of approved septic system inspectors.

The University of Rhode Island has produced a number of very informative brochures that will help you understand how your septic system works and what to expect when you have your system inspected and pumped. Click on the links below for more information.

*****ALL PROPERTIES WITH CESSPOOLS*****

Cesspools are a sub-standard method of treating your wastewater. Our goal is to phase out all cesspool usage in Town by 2014. There are two triggers that will require a resident to upgrade a cesspool.

The first trigger is a phased approach, requiring cesspools in the most sensitive critical resource areas to be replaced first. The schedule for phase out is as follows:

· July 2007 Stafford Pond Watershed

· July 2008 Nanaquacket Pond Watershed

· July 2010 Nonquit Pond Watershed

· July 2012 Sakonnet Waterfront

· July 2014 Remainder of Town

Beginning on each of these dates, residents who live in these areas will be required to inspect and maintain their septic systems. At that time, those properties that have cesspools will need to upgrade to a system that conforms to RIDEM regulations.

The 2nd trigger is the sale of a property. If a property that is serviced by a cesspool is sold, the new owner will have 12 months to upgrade the cesspool to a system that conforms to RIDEM Regulations. Properties that were already listed with a real estate agent or were under a purchase and sales agreement between a buyer and seller as of January 1, 2007 may be exempt from this requirement. Please call the Wastewater Superintendent to see if your property is exempt.

CHECK BACK OFTEN FOR UPDATES

DOCUMENTS ON THE WEB:

Onsite Wastewater Management Plan

Community Septic System Loan Program Application

Church Community Housing Loan Application

“The Onsite Wastewater Ordinance has been incorporated into Section 9 of the Town’s Sewer Use Ordinance. Please CLICK HERE for the Sewer Use Ordinance.

IMPORTANT LINKS

Approved Septic System Inspectors
Updated 4/14/08

Septic System First Maintenance Inspection

Septic Tank Pump-Out

Access Risers, Effluent Screens & 2 Compartment Tanks

URI ONSITE WASTEWATER TRAINING CENTER
http://www.uri.edu/ce/wq/

The following links go directly to the lists which are in Adobe PDF format, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to open them.

Licensed Septic System Designers: http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/benviron/water/licenses/isds/pdfs/deslist.pdf

Licensed Septic System Installers: http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/benviron/water/licenses/isds/pdfs/instlist.pdf