Taking Action on Surface Discharging Septic SystemsSupport IEPA's Septic System Regulation Permit Surface discharging systems are prevalent in some parts of Illinois, particularly rural areas with soils that are unsuitable for traditional subsurface septic systems. There are around 140,000 active systems in the state, with nearly 5,000 more installed annually. In June of this year, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) issued a draft permit under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) that would regulate surface discharging septic systems throughout the state for the first time. Until now, these systems that discharge treated wastewater directly to the ground’s surface, a collection tile, or a body of water, have not been regulated by IEPA, contrary to requirements of the Clean Water Act. The draft permit sets effluent limits for some pollutants, and requires that effluent be tested twice per year to ensure that systems are functioning as they should. Opponents of IEPA’s draft permit, including the Onsite Wastewater Professionals of Illinois, a trade group, and some local health departments have objected regulation of these systems, and have enlisted the assistance of a few state lawmakers. IEPA plans to hold several public hearings on the draft permit late this year. Prairie Rivers Network, working with the Environmental Law and Policy Center and the Sierra Club, will attend these hearings and continue to press for IEPA to comply with the Clean Water Act and regulate these point source discharges of pollutants. What you can do: Write to IEPA and tell them you support regulating surface discharging septic systems as proposed in the draft General Permit (Proposed NPDES Permit No. ILG4) because:
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