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placing them in contact with, and where appropriate making initial introductory contacts with <br />regulatory agencies (Division of Water Quality), OWASA, Engineers Without Borders (for 23 <br />assistance in system design), and potential grant and loan funding sources. <br />Summary of the Septic System Evaluation Survey <br />The septic system failure rate of 27% is higher than one would expect based on similar surveys and <br />studies of septic system failure rates. It is generally recognized that a representative survey of septic <br />systems during awet-season evaluation would result in a failure rate of between 10 and 15 percent. <br />Stud Failure Rate Note <br />1982 Orange County Study 10.9% 1333 s stems <br />2005 Wake County Study 10% Systems 5 - 23 years old <br />Orange County WTMP ins ections 4% S stems <8 ears old <br />Oran e County WTMP ins ections 10% Systems > 8 ears old <br />Several factors may influence survey results such as; the age of the septic systems, types of soil, <br />maintenance intervals, household populations, and ground moisture content during the survey. <br />The average reported age of the septic systems in the survey area was 32 years old. 10 of the <br />respondents reported that they had experienced septic problems characterized by sewage backing up <br />into the house or seeping out into the yard. <br />Some of the failing septic systems may be remedied by performing maintenance or implementing <br />appropriate interim measures to restore their functionality. For some, connection to the public sewer <br />may be an option, but this will likely require crossing other parcels of land, obtaining easements, <br />installing private sewer lift stations, or extending the sewer mains at a considerable cost. <br />Page 11 of 11 <br />