Septic Systems, Water Supply, Illicit Discharge to Storm Water

I. Septic Systems 

Our ability to continue the open space and low density atmosphere of our City requires that we take some proactive steps to insure that our wastewater and freshwater systems are kept in good operating condition indefinitely, and not deteriorating.  To this end, the City is partnered with the Washington County Health Department to require that all on-site septic systems are pumped and inspected by professionals at least once every three years.  

The County sends a reminder to homeowners when it is due, and it then becomes our responsibility as homeowners to engage a licensed pumper to pump the tanks and evaluate the operation of the system. Pumpers are required to report the pumping and any deficiencies of the system to the County.  Few, if any, problems ever need to be reported because pumping itself on a regular basis has proven to be extremely effective in prolonging the life of the system indefinitely.  Small problems that are easy and inexpensive to fix today can become huge expenses later if left unattended.

On June 5, 2018, the Washington County SSTS Ordinance was codified in the County Development Code as Chapter 4, Ordinance #206. The SSTS ordinance requires that all systems must be installed and maintained to meet the standards of the Washington County Subsurface Sewage Treatment System (SSTS) ordinance, and Minnesota Rules Chapter 7080-7083.

Washington County is responsible for implementing the ordinance in the City of Pine Springs, including requirements for compliance inspections of existing systems, permitting and inspection of new and replacement systems, site review, maintenance requirements, and operating permits for Type IV Advanced Sewage Treatment Systems.

Septic Permits and Verifications are handled by:
Washington County Public Health and Environment
Telephone: 651-430-6688

II. Water Supply 

We are totally dependent on groundwater to supply our freshwater needs.  Pollution is the number one enemy of the safety of our supply.  The major, and usually commercial, contributors of pollutants have been under public and governmental scrutiny for a long time.  Their contributing actions have been halted by legislation and enforcement.  However, there is another, and equally as dangerous, source of pollution that also threatens our water supply.   You and I, by some of our ordinary actions, can be a source of pollution, which taken cumulatively, can be even more dangerous than the easily identifiable major point sources. This is what is known as non-point pollution or pollution coming in small amounts from many sources.  Two of the actions we as residents should avoid are:  
1) Over fertilizing our lawns and plants, which allows rainwater to carry the chemicals into lakes and streams as well as into the immediate groundwater area around our homes.  
2)  Allowing oil, petroleum products, batteries (most of which contain lead or mercury), or any unnatural chemicals to be put into the ground.  

For water supply regulations, the City of Pine Springs adheres to the current version of the Minnesota Administrative Rules, Chapter 4725, “The Rules Relating to Wells and Borings”. You can view the Minnesota Department of Health Rules handbook titled “A Guide to the Rules Relating to Wells and Borings” here.

III. Illicit Discharge into Storm Water System

Even though we live in a small, rural town, we are regulated by state mandates. An ordinance entitled “Illicit Discharge” was adopted at the May 2015 City council meeting.   This ordinance was required by the MN Pollution Control Agency in order to be in compliance with the City’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems Permit.  Illicit discharge is the direct or indirect discharge of pollutants into the stormwater system.  Any run-off from our yards, driveways and street eventually ends up in our ponds and lakes. Pollutants can be almost anything except stormwater.  It can be the over-use of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides and the dumping of chemicals such as drain oil, cleaning solvents and antifreeze. Yard waste such as lawn clippings and weeds should be composted and not put in the wetlands and ponds.  Animal waste on your yard and public lands is also a pollutant.

Protecting our own land and waterways should be a priority for our own health and welfare.   People caught in violation of this ordinance will be responsible for cleanup expenses and possible penalty.  In the event that you observe a direct violation of the ordinance, the following steps should be taken:

1. Call the Washington County Sheriff’s non-emergency number:   651-439-9381  
2. Call the Duty Officer for the Dept. of Public Safety:  1-800-422-0798

To view the Illicit Discharge Ordinance, click here Ordinance 22 (PDF). 

Guidelines for limiting storm water runoff during construction projects are available from the Environmental Protection Agency and can be found on the following link:  

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-12/documents/cgp_small_lot_swppp_brochure-508_0.pdf