should test the water periodically after the disaster because the damage may not be immediately apparent.
If your water is contaminated and you must make repairs to the well or the water
supply system or if you must locate a new water supply because your water supply cannot be fixed, you must contact the Department of Environmental Conservation before you do work on the water supply. You may need a permit before doing the work, and you may need the help of a professional engineer or site technician to determine what work is needed and where it is appropriate to construct a new water supply system. The Regional Engineers of the Department of Environmental Conservation are assigned to one the 4 regional offices in the state. If you have access to the Internet, you can find the location of your regional office at
http://www.anr.state.vt.us/site/html/location.htm or you can call the Agency of Natural Resources at 802-241-3808 and they will help you find the appropriate regional office.
If the disaster damaged or destroyed your wastewater disposal system (leach field
or any of the other treatment facilities) you should contact the Regional Engineers office to determine if you need a permit to repair, restore or replace your wastewater disposal system.
The applicable Environmental Protection Rules require that you obtain a permit to
operate a failed water supply system or a failed wastewater disposal system. The purpose to that provision is to encourage land owners with damaged or defective water supply or wastewater disposal systems to contact the Department of Environmental Conservation to determine how best to make the water supply safe and the wastewater system functional. The rule provide that if you cannot repair your water supply or wastewater system to the standards set out in the regulations, the Department will work with you to find a “best fix” that will improve the safety of your water supply and the functioning of your wastewater system.
Checking with the District Environmental Commission is a key step in making the
repairs to your water supply and wastewater disposal system. If you make repairs, install a new water supply or do work on your wastewater disposal system without the proper permits, you may create a problem with the title to your real property. The law in Vermont presently holds that not having the proper permits for your water supply and wastewater disposal system creates an encumbrance on the title to your property that can only be resolved by obtaining the proper permits.
Hazardous Materials/Solid Waste If there is debris from a natural disaster on your client’s property, the method for
removal will depend on the type and amount of waste on the property. In any case, advise the property owner to be careful in handling and disposing of the debris.
Large debris may be removed by the municipality or the Army Corps of Engineers. For instance, following Irene, many towns took charge of removal of gravel, 48
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