Stricter septic tank rules proposed by California water quality officials have been put on hold, said Assemblyman Dan Logue.

“It’s a huge victory,” Logue said Friday. “The people in our district have no way to comply.”

The new regulations come from a state law that officials handed off to the State Water Resources Control Board to implement.

The regulations would require inspections of septic systems every five years, said Logue, R-Linda. The new rules also could force homeowners and businesses to replace their systems.

Assembly Bill 885 was written in 2000 after septic tanks polluted Santa Monica Bay. Opponents have said it does take into consideration the distinct soil conditions in other parts of the state.

“Mandating another statewide, one-size-fits-all solution is bad public policy,” Logue said.

Nevada County residents packed a meeting to protest the regulations in mid-December, saying it would cause an unneeded financial burden during tough economic times.

About 25,000 Nevada County residences have septic tanks, according to county Environmental Health Director Wesley Nicks. While isolated cases of groundwater contamination have occurred from septic tanks in the lower altitudes of the county, they do not pose a serious health risk, Nicks said in December.

Water quality officials tipped the state’s Republican caucus Thursday that the new regulations were on hold, Logue said. A bill is being drafted that could counter the regulations if need be in the future, he added.

To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.