Septic tank owners aren't 'getting off easy' under O'Malley plan

In response to the letter to the editor about septic tank owners getting off easy on the flush tax, it should be said that septic owners get nothing out of this tax ("O'Malley flush tax proposal goes easy on septic owners," Feb. 22). We just have to pay it.

I'm sure the majority of septic tank owners would love to have sewer and water lines. I have inquired about this over the years and the answer from our representatives is always that "it's too expensive."

Well, a new septic system runs around $24,000. You can get a grant for approximately $10,000 of that, leaving the homeowner to pay the rest. Plus you have to dig up your entire lawn, which means paying for a new lawn and probably landscaping too.

After that, the average yearly cost to keep the septic tank pumped is $200 to $500. So tell me, how is it that septic tank owners are getting off easy?

Dorothy Barber, Pasadena