Septic waste bill spurs debate

By XINJUAN DENG
Capital News Service
LANSING– Municipal waste facilities would be required to accept all septic waste produced within 25 miles under a bill awaiting action in the Senate. Under current law, local governments can decide whether to allow septic waste to be applied on land. If a locality requires that all septic waste be disposed of in a receiving facility or prohibits land application of septic waste, it must make available a treatment facility. This bill is intended to make it easier to treat the waste that can cause serious health problem, supporters say. Chuck Hersey, environmental programs manager of the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments said, “This is a bit of a chicken-and-egg issue.