FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2008

For More Information:

Robert Lazaro, PEC, Director of Communications

571.225.0198

PEC Issues Position Paper on Non-Conventional Septic Systems

Urges Immediate Monitoring and Maintenance

Further Study Needed Regarding Impact on Rural Economy

(Leesburg, VA) The Piedmont Environmental Council has issued a position paper regarding the use of non-conventional septic systems in Loudoun County.

Since 2000, a wide range of non-conventional septic systems were approved for use in Virginia. By 2002, the Loudoun County Health Department had become aware of, and notified local decision makers of failures in some of those systems, which caused concern due to the very short period of time that they had been in use.

In a recent public hearing, one thing that all members of the public agreed on was the value of a regulated maintenance and monitoring system. There appears to be no dispute that if the county required such a system for every well, it would provide a safeguard against failing septic systems, or would prevent failing systems from going undetected for very long.

PEC is an advocate for the rural economy and recognizes that a general ban on non-conventional systems raises the specter of unintended consequences. Conversely, a blanket approval for all types of rural economic uses could have uncertain impacts since those uses are broadly defined. It may allow larger commercial entities to operate without any oversight, with potentially much greater impacts to the groundwater if their systems were to fail. Drawing a legally valid distinction between the various types of entities will take much time and careful deliberation.

Before deciding what to do about septic systems in rural western Loudoun, we really should first answer the question of: How much residential growth can be sustained by the green infrastructure and the built infrastructure of the Rural Area in keeping with the vision set forth in the Comprehensive Plan?

Loudoun County's Comprehensive Plan outlines specific sewer and transportation limits for the rural area. It also highlights the preference for rural economic land uses. Implicit in the vision is a recognition that the County will preserve and support those uses. However, the County lacks a comprehensive analysis of the level of residential growth and related impacts which can be sustained by the natural systems upon which that growth depends (i.e. water & soils), as well as the transportation network and other public infrastructure. But this analysis is essential in deciding how to govern the future use and types of septic systems which should be allowed in rural Loudoun. The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) supports a comprehensive analysis of sustainable development in the rural area and beyond.

Before that occurs though, PEC supports the immediate adoption of the maintenance and monitoring program outlined in the revised 1066 ordinance. This maintenance and monitoring program should apply to all private and public non-conventional systems in the county. In addition, the county should develop a pump out and maintenance program for conventional systems, and move to adopt that as a second phase of an overall maintenance and monitoring program.

To read more, download the pdf file.