Orange County NC Website
• Supply lines <br /> • Tankage <br /> • O & M <br /> • Repairs <br /> The "Good" (photo) <br /> The "Bad" (photo) <br /> The "Ugly" (photo) <br /> Operation and Maintenance <br /> • Issues <br /> • Out of sight out of mind <br /> • That's not my system <br /> • Who's responsible? <br /> • Certified Operator <br /> Drain Field-poorly maintained (photo) <br /> Drain Field-well maintained (photo) <br /> Best Planning Practices for Remote Systems <br /> • Locate and use the best soils for drain fields <br /> • Designate the appropriate type of remote fields for the type of development proposed <br /> • Allow for dedicated all-weather access to the drain fields instead of easements <br /> • Design for operation and maintenance <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if the drain field could be used for any other purpose. <br /> Alan Clapp said yes. He said the field in the picture is used as a community playing <br /> field, used for playing Frisbee, dog walking, running, etc. He said this drain field is about <br /> fifteen acres and is an asset to the community. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if anything could be built on top of the field. <br /> Alan Clapp said no structures can be built on a drain field. <br /> Commissioner Rich asked about the financial pros and cons of having an individual <br /> septic system versus a community one. She asked if it is controlled by the HOA. <br /> Alan Clapp said there are models where the home owner owns the house lot as well as <br /> the septic lot. He said with an HOA it can be more expensive, and this is an area ripe for <br /> abuse by an HOA. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said there could be smaller property lots, and the septic system <br /> could be put in a community area. He said this could work well with a development for safe <br /> and affordable housing. <br /> Commissioner Rich asked if the maintenance is different depending on the system. <br /> Allan Clapp said the maintenance from the health department would be same whether <br /> the system is on site or off site. He said there is a maintenance difference with an offsite <br /> system and an HOA has to hire an operator to go out yearly and check the system. He said an <br /> on the lot system is checked every five years. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier asked if there is any data that indicates which works best. <br /> Allan Clapp said the HOA model seems to work best. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier asked for clarification about the tri-party agreements. <br />