New Sewage Rule In Works

A new sewage disposal rule may go into effect in early spring, Bob Weaver, Kosciusko County health department administrator, said Wednesday.

The Indiana State Department of Health Systems already has a similar rule on the books, but the proposed rule is more defined.

Weaver said that with the current and proposed rules, sewage systems cannot be put into new private residential lots if the soil is not native to the area. The Indiana State Department of Health Systems said it was not acceptable under Indiana law. A system could be put in if the fill is less than 36 inches. More than 36 inches is not acceptable.

"It's going to be very difficult to build a septic system on a filled lot," Weaver told the board.

A system can be put in if the fill is 12 or 24 inches because the KCHD can dig below the first 2 feet of fill and put in a system. However, a system cannot be placed any deeper than 36 inches.

"On a filled lot where there's never been a home, they don't like to see septic systems put in the fill," he said.

The rule also does not have a grandfather clause in it to protect homeowners who may have previously purchased a home with such a septic system.

"They don't make a difference between lots filled now and previously," Weaver said.

In other news, Dr. William Remington said the Kosciusko Community Hospital and Quorum joint venture may or may not affect the immunization and prenatal clinic programs at the hospital.

"We don't feel threatened as of yet with any of these ventures," Remington said.

"We really don't know, but I really don't think there will be a threat to these two programs."