Septic management programs involve monitoring, testing, and required maintenance of private septic systems in order to improve performance and extend life span.  These programs help to protect water quality and prevent widespread system failure, deferring or eliminating the need to extend sewer to neighborhoods with failing septic systems.  

All municipalities where landowners use private septic systems should establish a septic management utility.  These utilities would conduct regular mandatory inspection and maintenance of private systems.  Such a system could be funded through assessments on owners of the systems.   

Since few municipalities have the staff capacity to manage the technical aspects of such a program, a regional program could be developed in which a single contractor conducts inspections, testing, and application review for multiple municipalities.  MAPC’s regional purchasing department is in an ideal position to manage the contracting and administration of such a program. 

34.a    MAPC and the Department of Public Health should develop a proposal for regional septic management programs

34.b    MAPC and the Department of Public Health should disseminate guidance and best practices for regional septic management systems

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