Agenda - 09-06-2012 - 7a - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

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