Planning and Development Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-961
AN ACT CONCERNING CERTAIN SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS AND
Title: ALTERNATIVE SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEMS.
Vote Date: 3/31/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 3/5/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
N/A
REASONS FOR BILL:
The bill aims to increase the maximum capacity of subsurface sewage disposal systems and
alternative on-site sewage treatment systems to 10,000 gallons per day. The DPH would be
responsible for regulating these systems.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Diedre S. Gifford, MD, MPH, Acting Commissioner of Connecticut Department of Public
Health: In Support of Concept: The bill would increase the capacity of septic tanks to
10,000 gallons per day, and require the DPH to regulate the systems. The DPH cannot
currently comply, and requires time to transition into the role.
Section 1 increases capacity of septic systems from 7,500 to 10,000 gallons per day.
Responsibility would pass from DEEP Commissioner to DPH Commissioner. Section 2
increases capacity of alternative on-site sewage treatment systems from 5,000 to 10,000
gallons per day.
No funding has been recommended for FY 2022-23, and DPH requests that the regulation
adoption deadline be changed to December 31, 2023.
Katie S. Dykes, Commissioner of Connecticut Department of Energy and
Environmental Protection: In Support with Clarifications: The bill does not clarify
jurisdiction over community on-site sewage disposal systems. DEEP recommends that the
deadline for Section 1 be revised to July 1, 2022.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Donna Hamzy, Advocacy Manager of Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM):
Voiced Support. Alternative treatment systems have mitigated towns' wastewater problems,
according to testimony. Testimony requests that a more formal process be established for
installing alternative sewage treatment systems because an improved process will increase
affordability of homes.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Lori Brown, Executive Director, CT League of Conservation Voters: Voiced opposition.
Authority to approve on-site septic systems, otherwise known as Alternate Treatment
Systems (ATS) is changing from DEEP to DPH. These systems work under proper oversight,
however, testimony states it is, " rare for the owner of a small system to be required to
perform adequate oversight or to have the money to do so." If developers are allowed to use
ATS, it will open up thousands of acres of sensitive land to development, according to
testimony.
Alicea Charamut, Executive Director of Rivers Alliance of Connecticut: Voiced
opposition. Testimony states that DPH never received funding to regulate on-site sewage
treatment systems up to 5,000 gallons per day. According to testimony, DPH has not
developed regulations, so it would not make sense increase the threshold for jurisdiction.
Betsy Gara, Executive Director of Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST): Voiced
opposition because of concerns that the bill would undermine the ability of towns to collect
delinquent sewer bills and other fees.
Margaret Miner, Environmental Consultant: Voiced opposition to bill in agreement with
Connecticut League of Conservation Voters. ATS at individual homes or small clusters of
homes are often not in compliance and can be used to evade wetland and well protections.
Reported by: Colin Savino Date: 4/7/2021
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