Agenda - 03-10-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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64 Another area of past problems in the Rural Buffer is the Falls of New Hope subdivision. Although posing no serious health risks. coliform bacteria has been detected in some samples. - Two additional groundwater problems have also occurred in the Rural Buffer. Both are unrelated to source pollution. The middle quarter of Hideaway Estates has had some problems with dry holes. Aside from this particular instance. availability of groundwater is not a problem in the Rural Buffer. The geologic condition in the Rural Buffer poorest for well yields. Triassic formations. are found only along the border with Durham County. Even that particular condition. however. has average yields which are well within acceptable limits. High levels of iron and manganese have been detected in area wells. Hardness is a natural occurance in Orange County groundwater. though. and these levels are probably unrelated to any contamination. The presence of these minerals. while posing no health risk. can present minor odor and staining problems. III. asummalissamma The overriding concern is the provision and maintenance of safe drinking water supplies to Rural Buffer residents. The question is whether this can be done with groundwater supplies in the face of increasing septic tank usage and potential leachacte problems in the area around the landfill. The implications of groundwater contamination in the area near the landfill center on extension of water lines into the Old Field Creek sub-basin. For other areas of the Rural Buffer the implications are less clear. The constant recharge and flow of groundwater will most likely dilute and eventually eliminate contaminants within a reasonable amount of time if the source of contamination is fixed and the amount of pollution is not so much as to overwhelm the groundwater system. Individual septic tanks can be repaired and individual wells treated and. to some degree. protected from further contamination. Water hardness can be remedied with conditioning equipment. Seepage from the landfill. though, poses a much greater and more long term problem than seepage from an individual septic tank. Extension of water lines is not an inexpensive proposition. The demand component base charge. acreage surcharge for a two acre lot. and tap-in fee to tie into an OWASA water line runs over $2100. with front footage costs adding at least $1400 more. These costs are exclusive of force main and waterline installation costs. which run a minimum of $22.70 per linear foot. IV. REFERENCES 1. Orange County Health Department comments. December 1985