U.F. developing checklist for new alternative septics
New rules proposed for alternative systems
BY JANE MEGGITT
Staff Writer

UPPER FREEHOLD - The public will soon get to have a say on whether the township should adopt alternative septic guidelines.

After months of discussion, the township's Board of Health voted 5-2 at its July 10 meeting to introduce an ordinance regulating the use of alternative septic systems in the township. Board members George King and Nancy Amontis voted against the introduction.

A public hearing on the proposed ordinance will be held at the board's Aug. 14 meeting.

The ordinance notes that new technologies are emerging to improve the quality of wastewater discharged by below-ground sewage disposal systems to enhance the effectiveness of sewage disposal. The ordinance establishes requirements for the design, construction, installation and registration of these new technologies.

Chairman Dr. S. Perrine Dey said that any lot under consideration for the use of an alternative septic would have to pass a perc test for a conventional system before an alternative system can be considered for that lot.

No property owner or occupant would be allowed to operate the alternative system unless the owner or operator holds a valid certificate of registration that has been issued by the Board of Health, according to the ordinance.

Under the provisions of the ordinance, all alternative wastewater disposal systems would have to be covered by a minimum two-year service contract that is renewable and fully transferable and cannot be canceled. The contract would have to stipulate that the manufacturer of the system or its agent would inspect the system at least once every six months and ensure that the system is installed and functioning properly, according to the ordinance.

The service contract would also have to include the costs of repairing any routine problems associated with inadequate function of the disposal system, the ordinance states.

Board member James Rosenbauer asked what recourse the township has if homeowners with alternative systems do not renew their service contracts. Board Attorney Granville Michael Magee said the Freehold Area Health Department (FAHD) would send a letter to the homeowner informing the individual that he or she must be registered with a service contract.

Rosenbauer also asked how the township will be able to track the use of alternative systems. Magee said that the FAHD will create a database and send a letter to the owner before the renewal date of the service contract asking for proof of that renewal.

Rosenbauer said it is critical for the board to have a means of identifying all the alternative systems in town.

"If [alternatives systems] fail, they could damage the environment more than a conventional system," he said.

Magee said there are already alternative systems being used in town because the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) permits their use.

Rosenbauer commented, "If we don't have an ordinance, we won't know 50 years from now who has these systems."

FAHD officer Margaret Jahn said existing service contracts stipulate that the parent company of the system must notify the DEP of any problems.

Jahn said the FAHD will charge an additional $300 to review an alternative system on top of the $400 charge for a standard permit review.

King said he thinks $700 is too low and does not reflect actual costs.

Magee noted that the fee structure can always be amended.

Jahn said that the board shouldn't discourage such systems with high fees. She also said the cost for inspections would not change but that the permit review time period would.

King said that since all the septics the FAHD currently reviews are standard, the department will have a learning curve for reviewing various alternative systems.