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installer would then secure the septic permit. This septic permit would not be available until the <br />homeowner had obtained the operating permit. The operating permit would contain maintenance <br />requirements informing the homeowner of what will be required from the homeowner over the <br />life of the system. The operating permit will include approved monitoring and mitigation plans. <br />It will also include a section stating what is going to be required for compliance and the <br />possibility of system use being discontinued if certain parameters, set by the City, are not met. <br />The permit will also contain the frequency of reporting to the City. The City will not be <br />responsible for monitoring performance systems. It will be the responsibility of the homeowner <br />to monitor their system within the boundaries set by the City. The operating permit would be <br />valid in five year increments. The homeowner will need to renew the operating permit every five <br />years. If the operating permit is not renewed, use of the septic system must be discontinued. <br />This operating permit ( or something else?) needs to be recorded on the property deed. New <br />homeowners will need to follow the same regulations as the previous homeowner. This will also <br />prevent "surprises ” for any new homeowner. <br />Public Education <br />It will also be the responsibility of the LGU to provide consumer information to the public. The <br />information needed will include estimated costs for construction, operation, monitoring, service, <br />component replacement and system management. Information will also need to be provided <br />regarding the anticipated system life. It is also the responsibility of the LGU to make <br />information available to the public regarding hydraulic and organic loading rates to the <br />absorption area in relation to flow amounts. <br />Pro*s & Con*s of Performance Systems <br />There is going to be a vast change in the way septic systems are going to be designed and used <br />over the next few years. I see merits to using performance systems. One is that now a <br />performance septic system may be able to be used in places where only holding tanks could go <br />before. Also, using a performance system could reduce the number of mound systems being <br />installed in Orono. The only reason I see this being a benefit is that most homeowners don't want <br />the "hump" in their yard. In no way am 1 saying mound systems do not work properly. It would <br />just be a good public relations move. <br />On the other hand, performance systems are probably going to cost more than a standard system. <br />A performance system is going to need constant monitoring. The homeowner will be required to <br />monitor the septic system and keep the City informed on how it is functioning. I foresee a <br />homeow ner doing this for a short period of time and basically become tired of doing the constant <br />monitoring. Another problem is going to be the operating permit. The operating permit will <br />need to state that if the septic system does not meet certain criteria set by the City, the use of the <br />system will need to be discontinued. It will be very dilTicult for a home to just stop using the <br />septic system. It will also be very difficult for the City to force a homeowner to discontinue use <br />of the septic system. 1 foresee enforcement regarding compliance reports being very difficult. <br />I will be attending classes in November and December regarding these new performance