ISDS 



Principal recommendations of the Task Force comprise the following elements: 



1 . Improve management of existing systems through community- 

 operated programs to require regular septic tank pumping in 

 conjunction with more aggressive enforcement of state ISDS 

 standards. This is authorized by 1987 legislation enabling 

 communities to establish ISDS maintenance districts. At the state 

 level, authority for ISDS inspection and enforcement should be 

 consolidated at DEM, with provision for necessary funding. 



2. Establish special siting and design criteria for new systems in 

 critical areas to address buffers, separation distance to groundwater, 

 filled systems in shallow soil, use of subdrains and impacts of large 

 systems and subdivisions. 



3 . Update minimum standards to include criteria for review and 

 approval of variance applications, improved site suitability and 

 system sizing methods to reduce reliance on percolation tests, 

 prohibition on use of system additives and other revisions applicable 

 state- wide. 



4. Allow certain innovative technologies such as mound systems as 

 replacement systems where conventional design is not possible. 



The specific objectives of the Regulations Subcommittee were to review and recommend 

 modifications to the DEM Rules and Regulations for ISDS, focusing on sensitive areas 

 where minimum standards have been found to be insufficient Particular attention, 

 therefore, was accorded to development of standards for the recommended critical areas 

 (Item 2, above). 



For the purposes of the Task Force analysis, critical areas were identified as 

 "surf ace/ground waters that, due to natural limitations, require protection from ISDS 

 impacts because of their value for public water supply, recreation, shellfisheries, aquatic 

 habitat and other uses." 



The Subcommittee selected four specific critical areas, having specific characteristics 

 representative of the four area types, as priority critical areas where model standards for 

 ISDS design, siting, and maintenance would be applied. These priority critical areas 

 include the Scituate Reservoir Watershed, the Coastal Pond Watershed, groundwater 

 recharge zones of municipal water supplies, and groundwaters used for individual wells. 



Based on Subcommittee findings, the ISDS Task Force submitted a set of findings and 

 recommendations addressing specific deficiencies in regulations pertaining to ISDS design, 

 siting, and maintenance. Although the Task Force findings indicate that implementing 

 these recommendations in the Scituate Reservoir Watershed and Coastal Ponds Watershed 

 is of critical importance, the Task Force presented its recommendations as being "applicable 

 to general ISDS permitting statewide" (Regulations Subcommittee Final Repon, p. 17). 



The Task Force findings and recommendations were formally presented to RIDEM in 

 January 1987. DEM assumed the responsibility of preparing regulatory language and 

 adminisu^tive procedures to implement the recommendations, and has proceeded with that 



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