Lake of the Ozarks, along with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR), has been the subject of numerous media stories in the last two years due to elevated levels of E. coli and how DNR should have responded to that potential health threat. I spent two days last August at the Lake of the Ozarks attending the Missouri Attorney General's symposium entitled, "Protecting Water Quality at the Lake of the Ozarks: An Environmental Roadmap for the Future." The Attorney General's stated goals for the symposium included the following: (1) establish an understanding of the Lake's current health; (2) learn what additional water quality monitoring or studies may be needed in the future; (3) discuss the laws that exist to protect water quality and the effectiveness of current enforcement; (4) determine what changes in state law may be needed to afford better long-term protection; and (5) gather information and ideas to address challenges and opportunities for water quality preservation on a long-term basis.
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| Speakers at the MO Attorney General's symposium |
I must applaud the Attorney General. He assembled an impressive cast of speakers with expertise in water quality, sewage treatment, science, government, education, regulation and legislation. At the end of day two, anyone in attendance should have acquired an understanding of the problems and potential solutions. But more impressive was the fact that the Attorney General sat through every minute of the two day symposium not only listening intently but asking many insightful questions on the issues.
Last week the Attorney General released his 46 page paper outlining 12 recommendations. (Click here to view: "Protecting Water Quality at the Lake of the Ozarks: An Environmental Roadmap for the Future.") I encourage you to take the time to review the recommendations. It is interesting to note that half of the 12 recommendations deal with septic systems and onsite wastewater treatment. A paragraph from the paper states:
Another intriguing issue discussed during the symposium involved on-site sewage disposal systems around the perimeter of the Lake. Many of these systems are exempt from minimum construction standards required by state law because they were installed prior to the enactment of such standards in 1995. The actual number of these pre-1995 systems is unknown, but is estimated to be in the tens of thousands. These old and often inadequately maintained systems will be pushed to their limits as baby boomers retire and move to the Lake over the next ten to twenty years. Failing on-site sewage disposal systems are widely viewed to be the primary challenge to the Lake's future water quality. I heard extensive testimony about how local city and county governments are handling on-site sewage disposal system issues. Many participants at the symposium expressed strong support for a regional authority to provide sewer coverage around the Lake of the Ozarks.
I have spent the last 10 years focusing on these identical issues dealing with failing septic systems around Table Rock Lake and for 5 of those years as Program Coordinator for the Table Rock Lake Onsite Demonstration Project. While the Attorney General has identified failing septic systems as a major threat to water quality and the public health, what he may have failed to consider is that failing septic systems are a statewide problem, not just at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Of all the recommendations, # 8 in my opinion can head us down the road to solving the problem:
RECOMMENDATION NO. 8: The Missouri General Assembly should enact legislation requiring owners of on-site sewage disposal systems to pass an inspection at the time of sale for all real estate transactions located within 2,500 feet of the Lake of the Ozarks. While this undertaking would require a significant legislative effort, from environmental, public health, and economic perspectives, requiring mandatory inspections at the time of sale is the best way to protect this recreational water body.
Granted this is a long term solution, but it starts solving problems immediately. But I believe if it is important to repair and/or replace failing septic systems within 2,500 feet of the lake, it is just as good to do so across the entire state. In fact, the Health Department of Stone County Missouri, in which the majority of Table Rock Lake resides, enacted an ordinance effective January 1, 2011 requiring a full septic system inspection at the time of ownership transfer (Stone County Health Code: See Section 5.11) and system repair or replacement if needed.
The problems the Attorney General has identified at the Lake of the Ozarks are real and need attention, BUT they are not unique. The solutions we implement at the Lake of the Ozarks must be implemented statewide. The surfacing effluent from a failing septic system smells the same, has the same health risk from E. coli bacteria and contains the same excessive nutrients whether it is 2,500 feet from the Lake of the Ozarks, on the shores of Table Rock Lake or in a small unsewered Missouri community.
Quote of the Week
"If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water."
-- Loren Eisley
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