Septic Systems in Rural PA: What Homeowners Should Be Watching

Let's talk about something exciting today: septic systems! Okay, maybe "exciting" isn't quite the word. But if you own a home in rural Pennsylvania, this is something worth paying attention to.

A Heads-Up From Harrisburg

Pennsylvania DEP has been working on proposed changes to the regulations governing on-lot sewage systems. These proposals are still moving through the regulatory process, so they are not final requirements at this point.

One of the proposed changes I'm watching would expand sewage-management requirements, including inspections of individual and community on-lot sewage systems every three years.

Why It Matters Here in Western PA

Why does that matter? Here in Western Pennsylvania, septic systems are a very normal part of homeownership. I work with properties all the time that have conventional systems, sand mounds, older systems and sometimes systems where very little historical information is available.

More regular inspection and maintenance could certainly help identify problems before they become BIG problems. The other side of that coin is cost: if an inspection discovers that an older system needs repaired or replaced, that can be a significant expense for a homeowner.

I'm Watching This One Closely

So I'm going to be watching this proposal as it works its way through Pennsylvania's regulatory process. There are still plenty of questions about what the final regulations will look like, how municipalities would implement them, what homeowners would be required to do and, of course, what it would cost.

Good News: PENNVEST Financing Exists

But here's the positive part I discovered while researching this: Pennsylvania already has a PENNVEST Homeowner Sewage Program that can provide eligible owner-occupants with low-interest financing to repair or replace an on-lot septic system, repair a sewer lateral or connect an existing home to public sewer for the first time.

• Financing from $2,500 up to $25,000
• Repayment terms of up to 20 years, subject to eligibility and credit approval
• No current household income limit

What You Can Do Now

So while new septic regulations may not qualify as the most exciting news coming out of Harrisburg, knowing what's happening BEFORE it affects your property is important. I'll keep watching this one as it develops. And if you own a home with a septic system, this might be a good reminder to know:

• What kind of system you have
• Where it is on your property
• When it was last pumped or inspected
• Where those records are kept

Rural homeownership comes with a few extra moving parts. Knowing about them before there's a problem can save a whole lot of headaches later.