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Lake association urges septic inspection requirement; selectmen to refer proposal to planning board
Summary
The Swansea Lake Protective Association asked the selectmen to adopt septic inspection and maintenance regulations for watershed properties to reduce non‑point source pollution and pursue an NHDES 319 grant; the board asked the presenter to take the draft to the planning board and governance committee for refinement and public hearings.
Kathy Burkstrom, speaking for the Swansea Lake Protective Association, told the selectmen the group’s watershed survey showed about a 50% response rate and that roughly 20% of respondents reported they had not had a septic inspection while owning their house. The association urged the town to adopt a regulation requiring periodic septic inspections and documentation to protect lake water quality.
Burkstrom said the association has worked with regional planning and observed other towns (e.g., Spafford) require inspections every three years and pumping every two years; other examples in the region impose fines for noncompliance (examples cited in the packet included $100/month or other phased penalty structures). She also said an NHDES 319 grant opportunity is available with pre‑proposal consultation due Sept. 4, and asked the selectmen to support proceeding with planning board review and public education.
Selectmen and staff discussed implementation logistics: whether the health officer would accept submitted paperwork, whether inspections should be administrative or require town inspection authority, phasing inspections for 60+ homes in the Swansea Lake watershed, and potential waivers for low‑use systems. Scott and other board members recommended a phased approach and suggested sludge‑depth rules or targeted inspections rather than forcing every system to be pumped on a fixed schedule.
The board agreed the presenter should refine a proposal with planning staff and bring a draft to the planning board (and potentially the governance committee) for review, with public hearings to follow as required by the chosen approach (regulation vs. ordinance).
