HB 5749 — AN ACT CONCERNING ADVANCED SEPTIC SYSTEMS WITH NITROGEN-REMOVAL FEATURES.

General Assembly ProposedCommittee Bill No.

16405658 Referred to Committee on ENVIRONMENT Introduced by:

th(ENV) REP.AN ACT CONCERNING ADVANCED SEPTIC SYSTEMS WITH NITROGEN-REMOVAL FEATURES.

GAUTHIER,Be 38it Dist.enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1.

(NEW) (Effective October 1, 2025) (a) For purposes of this section:

(1) "Nitrogen-reducing septic system" means a septic system that incorporates advanced treatment technologies to reduce nitrogen levels in effluent before discharge into the soil and groundwater;

(2) "Environmentally sensitive areas" means those areas designated by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection where nitrogen pollution poses a risk to water bodies, including coastal zones, watershed protection areas and locations near drinking water sources;

and (3) "Conventional septic system" means a standard onsite wastewater treatment system that does not include nitrogen-reducing technology.

(b) (1) On and after October 1, 2026, any new residential or commercial development in an environmentally sensitive area shall LCO No.

5658 1 of 3 Committee Bill No.5749 install nitrogen-reducing septic systems that meet the performance standards set by the Department of Public Health.

(2) Any renovation or expansion of an existing residential or commercial structure that increases wastewater discharge by twenty- five per cent or more shall require the upgrade to a nitrogen-reducing septic system.

(c) Whenever a conventional septic system in an environmentally sensitive area fails or requires replacement, the property owner shall be required to install a nitrogen-reducing septic system in compliance with the performance standards established by the Department of Public Health.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any municipality from enacting a local ordinance that requires nitrogen- reducing septic systems in any additional area where nitrogen pollution poses a risk to water quality.

(e) (1) Not later than March 1, 2026, the Department of Public Health, in consultation with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, shall establish nitrogen-discharge limits for nitrogen- reducing septic systems to ensure that nitrogen-reducing septic systems achieve a discharge level comparable to the average discharge level achievable by such systems that are readily available for consumer purchase.

(2) Not later than March 1, 2026, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection shall designate environmentally sensitive areas.

(f) (1) Any nitrogen-reducing septic system shall be installed by a licensed professional who is certified by the Department of Public Health to ensure compliance with all applicable state regulations for the installation of any such system.

(2) Any property owner who installs a nitrogen-reducing septic LCO No.

5658 2 of 3 Committee Bill No.

5749 system, or causes such a system to be installed, shall conduct, or cause to be conducted, an annual inspection and maintenance of such nitrogen-reducing septic system to ensure continued effectiveness.

(3) Each local health department shall maintain a database of installed nitrogen-reducing septic systems in such applicable areas and conduct periodic compliance checks of such systems.

Such local health departments may enforce the provisions of this section.

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:

Section 1 October 1, 2025 New section Statement of Purpose:

To develop programs like those that exist in neighboring states for the installation and use of advanced septic systems that have nitrogen- removal features.

that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.] REP.

GAUTHIER, 38th Dist.;

MENAPACE, 3737th Dist.

Co-Sponsors:

RYAN, 139139th Dist.Dist.;

CHAFEE, 3333rd Dist.

ANREP. ACT CONCERNING ADVANCED SEPTIC SYSTEMS WITH NITROGEN-REMOVAL FEATURES.

BeSHANNON, it117th enactedDist. by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

ThatH.B. the general statutes be amended to provide for incentives for the use and installation of advanced septic systems that remove nitrogen.

Statement5749 ofLCO Purpose:No.

To5658 develop3 programs like those that exist in neighboring states for the installation and use of advanced3 septic systems that have nitrogen removal features.

LCO No.

1640 1 of 1