SAN DIEGO -- Kandhy Franklin is one of 1,400 property owners in Crest who are on septic systems.

"This is quite an expensive project," said Franklin.

If a new state regulation passes, Franklin would have to shell out an average of $325 every five years to have the system inspected. It is one more bill she would have to deal with.

"In the area of Crest, for example, the percentage of people that are retired or on a fixed income is very high," said Franklin.

High levels of pollution found in Los Angeles' Malibu Creek nine years ago spurred a law mandating the state to make uniform guidelines for septic systems.

San Diego County said the one-size-fits-all policy is not going to work.

Mark McPherson of the San Diego County Dept. of Environmental Health told 10News, "The biggest problem is you can't take this blanket approach across the state and assume the geology is the same across the state because it's not."

The county estimates there are close to 100,000 homes on septic systems, and there are already tough rules in place to protect groundwater supplies. They are pushing for a rewrite of the state's proposed regulations.

"Allow local jurisdictions to make site-specific requirements," said McPherson.

Protecting groundwater is vital to Franklin. She said the county is way ahead of the curve when it comes to regulating septic systems.

"Their requirements are more stringent than anywhere else," said Franklin.

For now, the state septic system regulations are on hold -- to give the public a chance to speak on the issue.

The goal is to have the regulations in place by year's end.