Onsite wastewater disposal.

Existing law prohibits the discharge of sewage or other waste, or the effluent of treated sewage or other waste, in any manner that will result in contamination, pollution, or a nuisance. Under existing law, when the State Department of Public Health or any local health officer finds that a contamination exists, the department or the officer is required to order the contamination abated, as provided. Under existing law, an owner or reputed owner of property included within an assessment district for construction of a main trunkline or collector sewer lines may request the governing board to construct all necessary plumbing to connect his or her property to the adjoining public sewer system, the cost of which constitutes a lien on the property. Under existing law, as an alternative to the enforcement of the lien, the governing body of the public agency is authorized to provide for the payment of costs prior to the construction and connection or in installments over a period, not to exceed 15 years, and to provide a rate of interest not to exceed 6% per annum, as specified. This bill would allow the installments to be over a period not to exceed 30 years and at a rate of interest not to exceed 12%. The bill would also authorize defined entities to use this provision for the purpose of converting properties from onsite septic systems and connecting them to the sewer system and for replacing or repairing existing sewer laterals connecting pipes to a sewer system.