| Formal Name: | Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Advisory Committee |
| Contact Person: | Shelley Schneider, Water Permits Division Administrator, Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy |
| Purpose: | To advise the Department on proposed rules and regulations relating to the Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Contractors Certification and System Registration Act; advise the Department on the administration of the act as requested by the director, and advise the Department on rules and regulations for the siting, layout, operation, and maintenance of private onsite wastewater treatment systems. |
| How Many Affectable: | It is estimated that over 200 thousand total homeowners and small business owners in Nebraska use onsite wastewater systems. There are approximately 450 certified onsite professionals in Nebraska. |
| How Many Served: | Since 2012 an average of 600 certified onsite professionals have registered nearly 1600 onsite wastewater treatment systems each year. |
| Year Created: | 2003 |
| Year Active: | 2003 |
| Sunset Date: | None |
| Authorization Citation: | Neb Rev. Stat 81-15, 245 |
| Parent Agency: | Department of Environment and Energy |
| Number Of Members: | 11 |
| Who Appoints: | DEE Director appoints 8; Vice Chancellor at the University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources designates 2; and the Director of Health & Human Services designates 1 |
| Legislative Approval: | No |
| Qualifications Of Members: | Five members are private onsite wastewater treatment system professionals; two are registered environmental health specialists or officials representing local public health departments which have established programs for regulating private onsite wastewater treatment systems; the director of Health & Human Services or designated representative, the director of the Department of Environment and Energy or a designated representative; one representative with experience in soils and geology and one representative with experience in biological engineering. |
| Per Diem: | No |
| Expense Reimbursement: | Yes |
| Term Length: | 4 years; maximum terms served-2 |
| Terms Rotate or Expire At Once: | Terms Rotate |
| Required FY 17-18: | 1 |
| Held FY 17-18: | 2 |
| Required FY 18-19: | 1 |
| Held FY 18-19: | 2 |
| Required FY 19-20: | 1 |
| Held FY 19-20: | 2 |
| Support Staff: | No |
| Shared or Separate: | Shared wDepartment of Environment and Energy |
| FY 17-18 Budget: | $0 |
| FY 18-19 Budget: | $0 |
| FY 19-20 Budget: | $0 |
| Other Funding Sources: | None |
| Spending Authority: | None |
| Since July 1, 2016: | In 2016 and 2017 the Advisory committee was focused on the use of 811 One Call to identify compliance with the onsite wastewater rules and regulations, the potential Linked Deposit program which would provide funding via low interest loans to upgrade or install new onsite wastewater systems, and UNL Extension training, in addition to potential revisions to Title 124 Rules and Regulations for the Designated Operation and Maintenance of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems. In 2019 and 2020 the Advisory committee provided input and reviewed proposed revisions to Title 124. The Advisory committee provided feedback on a wide range of topics, including tire chips used as filter material, the use of alternativeadvanced treatment technologies, the need to apply for a construction permit for a holding tank that receives non-domestic wastewater, and different regulatory mechanisms that would encourage certified professionals to obtain professional development hours (PDH) rather than retaking the exam once their certification has lapsed, amongst other suggestions. The revisions were part of the governors regulatory reform effort. The Advisory committee also provided feedback on setback distances in Title 124 versus those in Title 178, Chapter 12, Water Well Construction, Pump Installation and Water Well Decommissioning Standards. |