A Management Strategy for Oneida Lake and its ... - CNY RPDB Home

Recommendation
Encourage regular maintenance of septic systems
throughout the watershed through educational seminars/workshops.
Potential
Responsible
Organization(s)
Health, CCE,
OTN, RPB
Timeline/Goal
(contingent
upon funding)
On-going
Distribute a septic maintenance log sheet for homeowners. Health, CCE On-going
Offer training sessions for code enforcement and other
personnel that work with homeowners in identifying
problem areas.
OTN, RPB On-going
Funding and Future Needs
Seek funding to conduct annual water quality testing in
high priority areas.
Explore and promote Federal and State legislation to fund
assistance to replace and upgrade septic systems for rural
and small communities and for families with limited
income. 3
Research the benefits/obstacles of creating an Oneida
Lake district for septics. The creation of a special benefit
district could provide funding for improvement projects.
Enhance coordination and communication among agencies
that oversee land use planning, zoning, development,
water resource protection, public health initiatives, and
on-site systems.
All relevant
agencies, organizations,
and municipalities
All relevant
agencies, organizations,
and municipalities
OLWAC, RPB,
OLA
OLWAC, RPB,
OLA
On-going
On-going
1-2 years
On-going
Notes:
1 For example, charge a fee to inspect and pump systems unless the homeowner provides proof of proper maintenance
and/or at the sale of a home, require that the seller either produce maintenance records proving that the system
was inspected and pumped within a certain time frame or identify inspection needs to be completed prior to closing.
2 The purpose of the guidelines is to assist communities in establishing comprehensive management programs for
properly functioning onsite/decentralized wastewater systems. These voluntary management guidelines address
siting, performance, design, operation and maintenance needs and requirements.
3 For example, use the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance to explore what grants and loans are available for
water and waste disposal systems for rural communities; review opportunities through the EPA Office of Wastewater
Management’s “Small Communities Team” for technical and financial assistance to small communities; review
New York Rural Waters Association’s on-site technical assistance for small and rural wastewater and treatment
collection systems through the Wastewater Technical Assistance Program and Wastewater Training and Technical
Assistance Program; and review other federal funding opportunities for decentralized wastewater treatment systems
through programs such as the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, Nonpoint Source Pollution Grants, USDA Rural
Utilities Service, and the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, etc.
Chapter 3: Priority Areas page 53