A bill to permit the use of septic tanks for new homes and building construction was announced today.

The measure by Sen. Chris Duenas would require the use of "type-4 nitrogen-reducing toilet technology" that's widely used in many countries, including Japan.

Duenas said this will help reduce the costs for homebuilders who won't have to tie up to far-away Guam Waterworks Authority sewer lines anymore.

"There are over twenty systems in terms of nitrate removing systems type, I wanted to provide this to you because we have a resident of Guam, Dave Damian and his family, who have brought this system to Guam and it's been in operation since 2010," he said. "So it's not new, it's something thats fully accepted, fully understood, and has been studied by WERI and the University of Guam for years as well. So this is something thats not just a concept, it's actually something thats happening in Guam now. 643

Duenas acknowledged there's concern over allowing septic tanks over Guam's main drinking water source, the northern lens.

But he said the "type-4 toilet systems" are reliable, widely-used technology.

Consolidated Commission on Utilities member Simon Sanchez said they're not concerned about the septic systems, but object to the bill's proposal to increase the size of allowable lots to one-sixth of a quarter acre.

They're worried about the density and the resulting increase in sewer outflow.