Southington Septic Owners May Get A Break

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Southington officials are mulling a plan to ease up on the town laws that mandate connection to municipal sewers.

Monday, the Southington Town Council will conduct a public hearing on the issue at 7 p.m. at Southington's town hall, the John Weichsel Municipal Center, 196 N. Main St.

Afterward, the council could vote on a measure to increase the threshold making it illegal to repair septic systems where public sewers are available.

As it stands, all building owners are required to connect to the sewer system if they are available in a particular area, but there are rules regarding current properties with septic systems that still work.

Last revised in 1998, the town's sewer mandate makes it illegal to build or repair septic systems in areas where sewers are available, unless those repairs are less than $1,000.

Town officials, however, plan to increase that dollar amount for septic repairs to $10,000 to update the rules with modern costs.

If approved, it would mean property owners with septic systems in sewer areas could still, if they choose, repair their septic system if it would cost less than $10,000.

It would give them a more realistic wastewater option should their septic system require a fix as opposed to just being forced to connect to sewers, which can be more costly and more of a hassle.

For the notice of the Southington Town Council's public hearing, click on this link.

For the proposed changes to the town's sewer regulations (deletions in red, changes in blue) click on this link.