Governor Walz signs executive order waiving road restrictions for septic pumping trucks
Mar 15, 2022 04:59AM ● By Editor
From Boreal Community Media - March 14, 2022
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed an executive order waiving seasonal weight road restrictions for septic system service trucks on Monday. The order is in response to the large number of both residential and commercial septic systems which has failed due to this winter's cold weather. Without the executive order, some septic systems could not be serviced without violating seasonal road restrictions.
More than 600,000 homes and businesses in Minnesota rely on septic systems, which treat an estimated 42.3 billion gallons of wastewater per year. Properly functioning septic systems are critical to protecting our water quality, environment, and public health.
According to data collected by the Minnesota State Climatology Office, January 2022 was the coldest January on record since 2014, with below-normal temperatures continuing through February and into March. The combination of cold weather, along with the lack of snow cover that typically serves as insulation for septic tanks, has caused septic systems to freeze throughout Minnesota.
The Executive Order reports the Minnesota Onsite Wastewater Association has reported that septic service companies have been receiving a high volume of calls from homeowners in need of emergency pumping services and some companies are operating with waiting lists several weeks long.
The seasonal load restrictions will go into effect on March 14, 2022 in the south and southeast zones, and on March 16, 2022 in the metro zone. Restrictions will go into effect soon in the other parts of the state. These seasonal weight restrictions on Minnesota roads will hinder the efficient removal of sewage from septic systems and increase the risk of harm caused by failing or overused septic systems.
