Elbert County adopts updated on-site wastewater regulations effective June 15

The Elbert County Board of County Commissioners voted May 13 to adopt updated on-site wastewater treatment system regulations required by the state, with the new rules set to take effect June 15, 2026.

Sarah Macintosh, Elbert County Public Health Director, and Marissa Ginger, Environmental Health Specialist, presented the regulation changes and explained homeowner and contractor impacts. Major changes highlighted included a state-required operations-and-maintenance contract requirement for higher-level treatment systems, the ability in limited cases for the local public health agency to approve a reduced three-foot property-line setback without a variance, a Schedule 40 pipe standard to prevent bellies in lines, and secondary safety features under septic-tank lids to reduce child-safety risks.

Macintosh said the county posted the draft updates in April and had received no substantive public comments before the meeting. Commissioners asked about timing and penalties if the county failed to adopt; staff said the state will adopt regulations for the county if the county misses the June 15 deadline and that some counties have adopted more stringent rules but Elbert is aligning to the state minimum.

A motion to adopt the OWTS regulation changes carried unanimously by voice vote.

The board’s action aligns Elbert County with statewide standards; staff advised contractors are largely already meeting many of the new requirements. The board closed the Board of Health portion of the meeting after approving the resolution.