Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Septic Permits topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Richland County committee moves to tighten septic reporting: owner signatures required, pumpers to be notified
Summary
Members discussed late septic filings, clarified the county ordinance requires owner and inspector signatures, asked staff to notify pumper companies, and debated how fines should be assigned; staff reported more than 200 late filings and will update permit forms and outreach.
Richland County officials discussed steps to tighten compliance with septic reporting rules, emphasizing that county ordinance requires owner and inspector signatures on sanitary forms and that failure to submit on time can trigger fines.
Staff told the committee it will send a letter to pumper companies reminding them that the property owner’s signature is required and that, beginning next pumping season, the county expects signed forms to be left with the landowner rather than the pumper submitting bundles on behalf of owners. A staff member said more than 200 filings required a second notice this year after forms were not returned by the August due date.
Committee members debated whether to impose a $50 (or higher) fine on owners when a pumper submits late, and whether the county should make exceptions in cases where pumpers withheld forms pending payment. One member said the fine “is just my opinion” but emphasized the need to clarify who bears responsibility; staff responded the ordinance language places responsibility with property owners. Members asked staff to add wording to the form to discourage pumpers from telling owners they will submit paperwork for them.
The committee also discussed longer-term improvements, including whether the county should adopt an online submittal system; staff said the county recently implemented the Catalyst permitting system and wants to finalize current permit types before expanding electronic access. Members supported clearer outreach and form wording as an immediate step.
The committee did not adopt a new enforcement policy at the meeting but directed staff to (1) send reminder letters to pumpers, (2) update the bottom of the septic form to clarify owner responsibility, and (3) prepare a recommended approach on how fines will be applied if late filings continue.
