Calaveras County - The Water Quality Control Board will hold a public meeting concerning a comprehensive new set of regulations governing the installation and inspection of all new and existing septic systems in California. The State Water Resources Control Board has proposed the regulations which would take effect on January 1, 2010. The regulations are required by a law passed by the Legislature in the year 2000. The regulations are intended to prevent the discharge of hazardous waste into state lakes and streams. They would require inspection of all septic systems every five years for a fee of approximately 325 dollars. Homeowners with septic systems within 600 feet of bodies of water already designated as "impaired" will be subject to more comprehensive regulation. Senator Dave Cox, an opponent of the regulations, voted against the bill while serving in the State Assembly. “ I felt at the time that its comprehensive nature and the “one size fits all” approach would not work well in rural California, and places an excessive burden on homeowners throughout the state,” said Cox. Over the next year, Californians will have the opportunity to comment on these regulations at workshops held throughout the state, and at hearings before the State Water Board. Calaveras Supervisor Steve Wilensky is encouraging the public to attend the upcoming meetings. The first local workshop is in the community of Mariposa on December 8, 2008. The Water Quality Control Board public meeting takes place December 9 at 7 PM in the Calaveras Board of Supervisors Chambers in San Andreas. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.