Septic system inspections begin on Lake George shoreline properties

LAKE GEORGE | The Lake George Park Commission's new program of inspecting septic systems on Lake George shoreline properties is now underway, the state agency's executive director, David Wick, told Warren County officials April 28. Wick told county supervisors attending the county's Environmental Concerns Committee that the inspections began in late April with an inspection of a septic tank on the premises of a residence built in 1967 on Lake George's Assembly Point. He said that the septic system, the first to be examined and evaluated under the state law enacted last year, failed the inspection and will have to be upgraded or replaced as required by the measure. "We know that there will be quite a few of these legacy systems," he said. Wick and two of his staff members were on site making the inspection, he said. "The homeowners understood that they will be moving forward to update their septic system, working with the town of Queensbury." Wick reported that his state agency recently hired three new septic inspectors — they started work last week and were undergoing initial training — and eight inspections are set up for this current week, while 30 to 40 more are scheduled to follow. The law requiring initial inspections and recurring examinations every five years — and upgrades or replacement if the system is not working as it should — applies to septic systems within 500 feet from the lake's shoreline and 100 feet from all state-regulated streams flowing into Lake George. Wick also informed the county supervisors that about 550 inspections will be conducted per year until all 2,700 or so septic tanks that are subject to the law are examined and tested. Wick said that David Hatin, the former director of the town of Queensbury Planning Department, was now on the Park Commission's staff, and would be training the agency's septic system inspectors. "He's very knowledgeable," Wick said, noting that Hatin had developed Queensbury's septic inspection law that has been in place for years. Wick added that this summer would be "very busy" for his agency's staff.

Signup for our newsletter

Septic system inspections begin on Lake George shoreline properties

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS