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NEW 11/98 <br />WASTEWATER TREATMENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (ON-SITE) <br />GOAL: TO DEVELOP A PROGRAM THAT ASSISTS HOMEOWNERS IN <br />MAXIMIZING THE LIFE OF ON-SITE CONVENTIONAL WASTEWATER <br />TREATMENT SYSTEMS, THEREBY PROTECTING AND PROMOTING THE <br />HEALTH OF THE PUBLIC, PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT AND <br />PRESERVING NATURAL RESOURCES. <br />STATUS REPORT <br />The Wastewater Treatment Management Program (WIMP) was appproved <br />by the Board of Commissioners in 1994 as a program of education, <br />design review, construction inspections, operational inspections, <br />compliance inspections, and enforcement for alternative <br />wastewater treatment systems in orange County. Staff for the <br />program was first hired in May 1995 and has implemented the <br />program as designed. There are approximately 617 alternative <br />systems and 2,000 pump conventional systems currently permitted <br />in Orange County. There are another 75 systems that are <br />permitted by the state. These alternative systems make up a small <br />percentage of the on-site wastewater treatment systems prevalent <br />in the county. Conventional systems (septic tanks) are present <br />in approximately 20,000 households in the county, with about 500 <br />new systems being permitted each year. There has been increasing <br />concern in the public . arena over the potential failure of <br />conventional septic .systems. While in some areas this is a <br />serious problem due to unsuitable soils, in many cases, failing <br />systems can be attributed to improper use or maintenance of the <br />system itself. The OCHD Environmental Health staff developed a <br />draft proposal to.expand the current WTMP to include conventional <br />septic systems. Staff proposed developing a three pronged <br />approach of education, inspection, and homeowner incentives with <br />the outcome being extending the life of current septic systems. <br />The Board of Health formed an ad hoc committee with broad <br />representation to develop a proposal for expanding the program <br />and selected options from the proposal at its last meeting. if <br />the BOCC adopts this goal the draft proposal will be developed <br />into specific tasks with completion dates. <br />