Agenda - 01-10-1978 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH Report of North Fairview December 13, 1977 On Noveirber 10, 1977, two members of the Board of Health Brought to the attention ofthe Board and the Director the condition of a large area of con- centrated hou ing with many malfunctioning septic systems. This unincorporated area lies in Census tract 111, north by northwest of the northern corporate boun- dary of Hillsborough, N. C. It is known as Northern Fairview and is predominatel, inh abitated by black residents of low to moderate income. The Director inspected this area on November 15th along with the Environmental Supervisor of the Depart- meet. On Novem�er 17th the Director reported back to the Board that he viewed the septic malfunction problems of this area to be of serious health risk to the residents. Secondly, that since the soils of the area were unsuitable for septic development and the lot sizes were generally 50 feet wide by 75 to 100 feet deep, that no affordable alternative individual on--site liquid waste dis-- Pbs;wl—systems I were feasible. The Director recommended that a community sewerage systeti-'be explored as the answer to this problem. Also, on November 17th, the Board heard toe area problems described by an area resident. The Director was i requested to xpeditously complete an evaironmental and personal health survey of the area. On Novem er 21 thru November 29th (with staff as available) an environmental survey was co pleted. This survey is attached. as Exhibit I pages one and two. Page two is a map ;f the agreed upon boundaries of the Northern Fairview area. The survey was conducted house to house to determine what means of waste disposal was in use and how many were malfunctioning or not approva'bl,e at the time of the survey. The prec eding suttirner had been extremely dry but the month of October and November had been wetter than normal-. Therefore, given the Sani.tari.an's know-- ledge of the ea, the soil. types and the weather a moderate failure rate was expected to be found; a severe rate was not, due to the prolonged dry spell. The area was found to consist of 215 residences. 93 or 43% of the horses had functioning septic systems; 75 or 35% of the homes had malfunctioning septic systems; and 4�7 or 22% of the homes had imporper privies. Given the soil type and housing density, it is the judgement of the Director that the privies should not be allowed) to be in the area. Therefore, 57% of the systems were found to be of a definitive health hazard to residents. The soil types of the area are 65% enon, 15% of lignurn, 10% goldston and 10% georgevil,l.e, Given the mature of these soils to swell, when wet, the winter time failure rate would be expected to be much higher than at this time. Second- ly, odor was found to be obnoxious_ During the summer the odor would be expected to be hostile to living with any degree of comfort. Thirdly, effulent breaking out of the sys�ems generally collects in road ditches , resulting in weed growth and increased i.sease vectors. Such places provide haborage for rats and other vermin and sere as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. On November 29th thru December 1st, the Department's Medical Director pre- pared a personal health survey to use to assess the personal health status of the area. On December Ist and 2nd, meetings were held with area residents and staff of Joint Orange Chatham Community Action. Agency regards giving the survey. On December 5t thru 7th, the JOCCA staff conducted a non-random survey of the area and obtained 128 completed questionnaires (each questionnaire covered all residents of a household: no respondents may be identified with any set of answers).