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VERMONT
Pollution from nonpoint sources continues to be the major source of water
use impairment in Vermont. The state has identified a series of management
objectives and action plans to respond to NPS problems and threats. Vermont
plans to achieve visible water quality improvements and protect high quality
waters from degradation through education, financial assistance, technical
assistance, monitoring and evaluation, regulation, and continued planning.
Septic System Cleanup Stems Discharges
As one of the most prevalent sources of groundwater contamination in
Vermont and one that poses a serious health risk, discharging septic systems
recently became the target of a program designed to identify and clean them up.
The majority of Vermont's population relies on individual septic systems to
treat and dispose of domestic waste- water. The 1988 Vermont Nonpoint Source
Assessment Report identified untreated waste from domestic septic systems as a
source of pollution affecting nearly 90 miles of rivers and streams. In
addition, 53 of 96 designated waterbodies have discharging septic systems that
contribute to NPS. These discharges are not only in violation of state law,
they also pose a serious risk to human health. They - contribute nutrients,
pathogens, and organic matter and discourage or prevent important public uses
such as swimming and boating. Failing septic systems are the state's third most
prevalent source of groundwater - contamination. To reduce the problem of
discharging septic systems, the state surveyed homeowners in high priority
targeted watersheds. Field technicians interviewed homeowners and took
discharge surveys--for example, dye flushing or streambank surveys--to
determine if the septic systems were leaking or discharging improperly. If the
technicians discovered a faulty system, the homeowner received a notice of
alleged violations (NOAV) along with a compliance schedule. Technicians
followed up with visits to monitor the homeowner's progress in cleaning up the
system.
The domestic discharge enforcement activities program received $146,706 in
section 319 funds from FY 1990 to 1992. An additional $42,461 was awarded in FY
1993. During the project's first 2.5 years, over 4,800 - inspections were
completed. Of the 227 violation notices issued, 136 violations have been
corrected, resulting in a 61 percent compliance rate (Table 1-1). The desire to
have swimmable waters in Vermont is of high priority to the majority of those
contacted in the survey.
The public's reaction to the project has been positive, and public
involvement has contributed to the program's success. Tips from citizens about
possible discharging septic systems in other areas of the state have led to the
correction of 5 out of 12 citizen complaints.
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