ONSITE AD HOC TASK FORCE PRESENTATION_11.3.PPTX
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Ad Hoc Task Force Committee Final Report & Recommendations Andrew Linton : Director : November 3, 2025 Andy Linton Director Maricopa County Environmental Services Department David Pounders Professional Engineer Committee Chair 02 PRESENTERS 03 OVERVIEW At the 7/31/25 kickoff meeting, the committee members were tasked with developing recommendations to streamline review processes, enhance communication, and improve regulatory clarity. Evaluation of Onsite Wastewater Program Onsite Ad Hoc Task Force Committee Recommendations Ad Hoc Task Force Committee David Pounders : Committee Chair 05 Issue: Staff Interpretationofrulesandstatutescanbecommunicatedtocustomersmore effectively. 01 Recommendation Status Develop a procedure for customers to escalate concerns/disagreements regarding rule requirements Complete by 11/30/25 Provide direction in the staff training manual for resolving conflicts with general permits related to proprietary products Complete by 12/31/25 Provide customers with guidance when deviations between General Permits, proprietary products, and product installation manuals present themselves Complete by 11/30/25 06 (Continued) Issue: Interpretationofrequirementsneedstobecommunicatedmore effectively. 01 Recommendation Status Provide the Department’s procedure for accepting Certificates of Completion to stakeholders via the Waterworks Bulletin Complete by 01/31/26 Share new rule interpretations a with stakeholders via the Waterworks Bulletin prior to implementation Complete by 12/31/25 Schedule a quarterly check-in meeting between Environmental Services and Planning & Development to ensure consistency Completed 07 Issue: Requirementsrelatedtoalluvialbasinsareunclearduetoinconsistencieswith publiclyavailablemaps. 02 Recommendation Status Provide a directive in the staff training manual that staff utilize the ADEQ online alluvial map to make compliance determinations Complete by 11/30/25 Issue: Redundantsoiltestingcausesdelaysandunnecessaryexpense. 03 Recommendation Status Create a procedure that allows a health certificate to be issued based on the submittal of a geological report Completed 08 Issue: Sometimes,designersgetasecondholdletterwithnewitemsthatwerenot addressedonthefirstholdletter. 04 Recommendation Status The Onsite Program will develop written guidance for staff to: • Ensure the same plan reviewer reviews plans for contiguous lots • Ensure plan reviewers include all deficiencies on initial hold letters • Prohibit the addition of hold items based on phone conversations and email exchanges • Provide red line annotations when they are required by a municipality Complete by 11/30/25 Develop a list of top hold letter items/deficiencies and other common mistakes and best practices when submitting applications Complete by 11/30/25 09 Issue: Waittimestendtoaverage3-5daysforinspections.Idealwaittimesshouldbe1-2 businessdaystoalignwithbuildinginspections. 05 Recommendation Status Maintain a 1-2 day response time to inspection requests by developing a procedure that allows for virtual re-inspections Complete by 12/31/25 Provide direction in the staff training manual that approval from the designer is sufficient to issue Construction Authorizations for alternative systems Complete by 12/31/25 Develop procedures to better train Onsite Wastewater Program inspectors on alternative systems and network with industry for in-person training Complete by 12/31/25 10 Issue: IfasignificantchangeisneededonaconventionalsystemafterConstruction Authorizationisissued,theoriginaldesignershouldbeinvolvedinapprovingit. 06 Recommendation Status Develop guidance in the staff training manual to ensure revisions submitted after the Construction Authorization has been issued are completed by the original designer or their designee when available Complete by 11/30/25 11 Issue: ADEQ’sonsitewastewaterrulescausedelaysandunnecessaryexpensebecausethey areoutdated,unclear,anddonotadequatelyconsidercurrentpractices. 07 Recommendation Status Send a formal letter to the ADEQ director summarizing the regulatory concerns caused by outdated on-site wastewater rules, to be signed by the Director of MCESD and the Ad Hoc Task Force: Complete by 11/30/25 • There is no process for new owners of properties with alternative systems to be make aware of O&M requirements • Clarification is needed on where SPPT locations should be in relation to the proposed disposal area • Greater consideration should be given to not requiring a reserve area in septic subdivisions • Subdivision soil testing requirements are not clear for health certification approval • The interpretation of a “contiguous site” is inconsistent • Clarity and clear parameters are needed for a determination of sewer availability • There is no way to extend or renew a septic permit construction authorization. Consideration should be given to renew them without a reapplication Action Requested To consider the recommendations, accept the report, whole or in part, as submitted by the Ad Hoc Task Force and to provide guidance and direction to staff. 12 Thank You ONSITE AD HOC TASK FORCE COMMITTEE: David Pounders (Committee Chair), Brian Mings, Dan Caparros, David Bartholomew, Jaime Griffin, Kathy Mills, Mark Basic, Tabitha Zapata STAFF: Ryan Hall, Brian Knisley, Logan Peiman, and Andy Linton