Senate panel approves bill requiring review of new sewage plants within five miles of existing systems

Senator Kim Hammer presented Senate Bill 546 and the committee voted to pass the bill after questions from members and brief testimony from the DEQ director.

Hammer said the bill authorizes the Department of Environmental Quality to be involved in reviews of proposed domestic sewage treatment works that are located within a five-mile radius of existing systems so the agency can determine whether future municipal hookups or regionalization opportunities exist. “It’s just putting a little bit of oversight to make sure that that is being taken into consideration,” the sponsor said. He also described an adjustment in the bill that reduces a contribution percentage from 10% to 8% not to exceed $100,000, noting the fund’s cap remains at $2.1 million and that the change is intended to spread contributions more equitably among participants as the fund is now being used.

Bailey Taylor, director and chief administrator of environment for DEQ, testified that the division does not currently have authority to dictate where a wastewater plant is located but that when a plant is proposed the agency evaluates whether its discharge is protective of human health and the environment. Taylor said the bill would permit consideration of regionalization when multiple private or non-municipal wastewater treatment plants are proposed near each other.

Senator Payton asked about the five-mile radius and whether DEQ already has authority to consider proximity to other plants; Taylor replied DEQ does not have authority to dictate location but can ensure a plant’s discharge meets environmental protections. No members of the public testified for or against the bill. The committee adopted the bill on a voice vote; the chair announced “ayes have it.”