Joan's Blog

Stone County Confusion on Septic Certificates

TO BE OR NOT TO BE.... THAT IS THE QUESTION

In July, a notice came from the Stone County Health Department that effective August 1st, a certificate would be required that the septic system of any property sold was in good working order.

As a REALTOR selling alot of Stone County and Shell Knob homes and land, it seemed like one more hoop to jump thru, and expense for the seller.  Only $25.00 for a clean bill of health, but much bigger dollars to dig up and possibly replace a septic or laterals.

Living on Table Rock Lake, I want to retain the clean water we have, and I understand that there are still some of the 'old' septic systems out there which consisted of an old drum barrel with some holes punched in it for drainage.   It was buried at the end of the drain running out from the house.  This served the early vacationers and lake cottages, who only used the facilities occasionally.  These have to be found and  replaced.

Preparing for a mid-August closing of a 2 year old, but still new spec house in Shell Knob, I contacted the person in charge of this new program.  Should have known this was not a well thought out program, when  3 phone calls did not establish the location of the home I sold, or the well and septic permit paid for by the builder. 

Guess I wasn't the only one  who ran into problems trying to follow the new rules.  Just received the following email:

 

The Stone County Health Department Administrator, Angela Ford and Stone County  Health Department Environmental Section Manager, Todd Fickbohm, met with the Stone County Commissioners today.  Discussion was held and the following was done:
 
The Stone County Commissioner voted today to indefinitely suspend Section 5.11, Property Transfer Certificates of the Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Ordinance as of this date.  This Section has been removed to be reviewed by REALTORS, Lending Institutions, Appraisal Companies, Title Companies, Wastewater Inspectors and others to be re-instated in the near future.