Part 1: Guidelines | V. Wastewater Assessment Linking Wastewater to the Land Use Implementation Element
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Policies and Actions
Once assessments of wastewater capacity needs and water body assimilative capacity are completed for a WRE, the jurisdiction should discuss how it will implement the findings as an appropriate component of the WRE and the comprehensive plan. These implementation policies should clearly connect the assessment findings and the land use element guidance to implementation recommendations and actions. Implementation mechanisms may include existing or new local ordinances or regulatory programs pertaining to wastewater disposal, capacity allocation, authorization and water quality protection. Suggested areas for policy considerations are as follows:
1. To sustain existing wastewater treatment capacity, consider policies and actions to:
- Require the development and use of capacity management plans for each wastewater treatment plant and system as part of the approval process for allocations and connections to the system.
- Limit allocations and connections to a system that would cause the system capacity to exceed a set level under maximum capacity.
- Establish and require water conservation measures to be implemented.
- Reduce inflow and infiltration into the wastewater collection system.
- Develop and implement wastewater reuse applications such as spray irrigation.
- Pursue nutrient offsets such as septic tank connections.
2. To develop new wastewater disposal capacity, consider policies and actions to:
- Require all new wastewater treatment systems to meet the proposed demand for future growth.
- Require that zoning, plat approval and development approval be contingent upon the demonstrated ability of wastewater treatment to meet discharge requirements and, if necessary, go beyond those requirements to achieve the total TMDL or assimilative capacity for other water bodies in the watershed.
- Require approval processes for new development to include meeting verified assimilative capacity requirements prior to final approval.
- Evaluate regional solutions to ensure future wastewater capacity and adequate management planning.
Each of the previous items provides basic guidance for the County Water and Sewerage Plan and will help ensure that the plan is fully consistent with the comprehensive plan as required by law.
