At the November Santa Clara Town Board meeting, a septic system working group made up of members from the Town and Planning Boards presented findings on wastewater treatment and proposed revisiting the Town’s Land Use Code to address septic system management. The group requested authorization for the Planning Board to evaluate the current code and recommend changes if needed. However, the Town Board declined to advance the proposal, effectively rejecting it without further discussion.
Other Adirondack towns have recognized the pressing impacts of failing septic systems on water quality, tourism, and property values, implementing laws that mandate periodic inspections to ensure system functionality.
Recognizing these trends, the working group’s presentation provided a high-level overview of septic systems in Santa Clara, drawing on data from the Upper Saranac Foundation’s (USF) 2022 Upper Saranac Watershed Management Plan and its 2017 Wastewater Survey. The presentation also highlighted current regulations, ongoing septic upgrades, and successful actions taken by other municipalities.
Upper Saranac Lake has experienced an increase in Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), which are associated with nutrient pollution from phosphorus—that can be linked to septic system failures and stormwater runoff. According to the Upper Saranac Watershed Management Plan, septic effluent accounts for 32% (1,041 pounds) of external phosphorus loading into the lake. Despite these findings, the Town Board engaged minimally with the proposal before dismissing it.
Currently, Santa Clara requires septic system inspections only for short-term rental (STR) properties. Alarmingly, over 10% of STR applicants have failed to meet Health Department standards, requiring upgrades or replacements before obtaining permits. Beyond STRs, there are no formal inspection requirements for the watersheds 980 other homes reliant on septic systems.
The 2017 Wastewater Survey further revealed concerning trends: 24% of septic systems in the watershed are over 30 years old or of unknown age, while 35% of households surveyed reported inadequate septic maintenance. Public sentiment also supported the need for change—41.6% of respondents believed current wastewater practices were insufficient, 47.9% were unsure, and only 10.5% felt existing measures adequately protected water quality.
A study conducted in Lake George, similar to the one proposed by the working group, uncovered widespread neglect in septic system maintenance, upgrades, and pumping. These findings led to adopting new wastewater regulations, including mandatory inspection and pump-out programs, to address the issue. Santa Clara’s rejection of the working group’s proposal stands in contrast to these proactive measures.
You can view the working group’s detailed PowerPoint presentation for additional information.
