There's a new LAMP in town.
As of February 1st, 2025, San Diego County implements an updated process for getting new septic/percolation systems approved. It will affect homeowners, developers, engineers, and installers.
What's a LAMP?
LAMP is the acronym for Local Area Management Program, a new framework adopted by the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, and largely mandated by California's local State Water Board. Like the preceding LAMP, its purpose is to see that onsite wastewater systems are designed well and in keeping with goals of public health and natural resource protection. The LAMP addresses the unique environmental conditions of San Diego County, which include varying soil types, topography, and climate considerations. It should ensure septic systems are well tailored to specific needs of each property and be optimized for sustainability and efficiency.
What's different compared with the previous LAMP?
Under the new LAMP process, there are a few key changes to the way septic systems are designed, approved, and built:
New Design Standards: Many updated standards for septic systems are noted, new requirements for both soil testing and percolation rates.
New Procedures for Evaluation: The county's participation is much greater; county agents will be present from the earliest point, even with selection of test hole locations and with the actual testing as well.
Advanced Treatment Technologies: The LAMP will often seem to encourage advanced treatment technologies, locally referred to as STSs (Supplementary Treatment Systems), resulting in finer effluent and less impact on groundwater and/or nearby surface water.
Streamlined Approval Process: The new process may involve delays in arranging onsite meetings, etc.; but it is hoped that the overall process will be enhanced as review comments should be nearly eliminated and more easily reconciled.
Why This Matters to You
Your overall experience may include larger payments of county fees and increased fees from engineers and installers. Also, all systems will require more land and larger (more costly) perc-line arrays; worse, many sites are likely to be found too small for the bedroom count you may have hoped for. The reduced environmental impact to your local groundwater resource may not apparent, but in the long run, and to the overall community, this can be thought of as a good thing.
How We Can Help
We at Marc Boogay Consulting Engineer have participated in meetings held at the county and provided review comments. We may be more conversant with its details than other consultants. We are ready to help negotiate the new LAMP with you.
Links!
Follow link to the San Diego County website for links and forms: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/deh/lwqd/lu_septic_systems.html
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