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Planning commission pushes back on proposed ban of engineered septic systems, recommends study and amendments
Summary
Commissioners questioned proposed Ordinance 2026-19, which would restrict engineered and aerobic wastewater systems, citing environmental tradeoffs, maintenance responsibility gaps and thresholds for subdivisions; the commission recommended denial and asked for further study and targeted amendments.
The Awendaw Planning Commission reviewed Ordinance 2026-19, a proposal that would change the town’s water and sewage disposal rules and would, in staff’s account, restrict or prohibit many engineered and aerobic wastewater treatment systems.
Staff (S5) told the commission the ordinance’s language would effectively bar some engineered systems and cited EPA documentation supporting aerobic-treatment units for replacing failed septic systems. “One of the most common reasons to select aerobic wastewater treatment units is to replace failed septic systems, which are a major source of groundwater pollution in some areas,” staff said during the report.
Commissioners and public commenters raised two broad concerns. First, several members said an outright ban might contradict the town’s environmental stewardship goals by removing an option that can be appropriate on sites with poor soils or high water tables. Second, commissioners worried the draft does not address long-term maintenance and management: “They require a lot more maintenance, and we’re not addressing how and who’s gonna be responsible for that maintenance,” said Committee member (S2).
The commission discussed alternatives including limiting engineered systems to retrofit cases for failed systems, requiring recorded maintenance plans in HOA documents, applying the prohibition only above a lot-count threshold (for example, major subdivisions of 10+ lots), or requiring planning-body review and specific siting criteria for engineered-system proposals.
On a motion from Chair (S1), the commission voted to recommend denial of Ordinance 2026-19 as drafted and asked staff to prepare amendments and additional research for council consideration, including clearer definitions and maintenance/monitoring provisions.
Next steps: Staff will return with proposed amendment language, options for maintenance-recording mechanisms, and suggested thresholds tying engineered-system approval to subdivision scale or site specifics. The commission noted statutory timelines for pending ordinances and recommended council receive the commission’s recommendations before any final adoption.
