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A new state law regulating septic tanks is designed to reduce the 19 million gallons of untreated wastewater dumped every day into Iowa waters.
The law, signed by Gov. Chet Culver on April 3, requires septic tank inspection at the time of sale or transfer of a property.
Under the law, a property owner must provide evidence the tank has been properly pumped out within the past three years by a licensed septic tank cleaning company.
Deficient septic systems must be brought into compliance with building codes befor property can be sold.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is charged with certifying inspectors. Counties can employ inspectors and set inspection fees.
About 300,000 to 400,000 rural Iowa households depend on septic tank systems. About 100,000 of those discharge untreated waste, according to the DNR.
In Iowa, 21 of 99 counties already had mandatory septic tank inspection ordinances.
The new requirements should not to hold up the sale of a property. As long as the inspection is scheduled when the property is listed or before an offer is made, any repair required can be done within a “reasonable period of time,” but does not have to be completed before the closing.