Orange County NC Website
5 <br />not failing. On-site inspections are the key to protecting the public health. <br />They have concerns about the performance of the private management entities <br />for both the DEH and the DEM systems. They will be monitoring their <br />performance on an ongoing basis and will let the County Commissioners know <br />their findings and negotiate for more stringent measures if needed. The Board <br />of Health agrees with the proposed fees. <br />Julie Andresen spoke as a citizen and said that she is pleased that the <br />County Commissioners are moving forward with a monitoring and maintenance <br />program for on-site alternative wastewater systems. She supports Option II. <br />The problem with Option I is the frequency of inspections. She read through <br />the list of systems and gave comments by Bob Rubin. They are as follows: <br />Conventional, single family dwelling - DEH Type II - an inspection <br />is needed and should be done once every five years <br />DEH Type III - inspection should be required once every five years <br />DEH Type III pumps - Option II is not restrictive enough -- an <br />inspection is needed once every two years <br />DEH. Type IV - she supports Option II, Bob Rubin recommends two <br />inspections <br />DEH Type IV - second category is okay as recommended <br />DEH Type V - is okay as recommended <br />DEH Spray Irrigation and Sand Filter - okay <br />DEM Package Plant - Bob Rubin recommends once a day <br />She made reference to a study she did and said that DEM is unreliable <br />to enforce the minimum regulations-and therefore an agreement with the State <br />would be a very good idea. She agrees with the fees that are recommended. <br />Commissioner Willhoit said that it is unacceptable to just say that DEM <br />cannot do their job and therefore the County must do it for them. Maybe it <br />is time to revisit this issue and try to correct the problem. The problem <br />with the MOA is that the County takes on additional responsibility to insure <br />that the systems work correctly. He asked if the Health Department has the <br />authority to do inspections without a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and was <br />told by Dan Reimer that they do not have the authority without an MOA. <br />Julie Andresen, as Chair of the OWASA Board, asked that the Board <br />consider a future collaborative role with the Authority. She feels there may <br />be opportunities for an OWASA role in design review, monitoring, and for <br />maintenance of certain systems where OWASA and the County can complement each <br />other's capabilities. Also, there will be an eventual need for augmented or <br />modified seepage disposal facilities in Orange County. OWASA would be <br />interested in the County's estimate of how much additional septate may be <br />generated for disposal by informed homeowners having their tanks pumped more <br />frequently. OWASA also suggests that consideration be given to providing <br />appropriate disposal facilities at the Town of Hillsborough's wastewater <br />plant. <br />Commissioner Willhoit made reference to a paper written by Julie <br />Andresen a few years ago and asked that County Staff get a copy of the <br />ordinance from Wake County which requires that a maintenance schedule for on- <br />site waste treatment and disposal systems be attached to the deed. <br />