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69 <br /> SEPTIC TANKS AND SOIL SUITABILITY <br /> I . QUALITATIVE DATA <br /> In areas that are not served by sewer lines soils <br /> unsuitable for septic tank use are probably the major <br /> obstacle to development. While soils presenting moderate <br /> problems cover a majority of land in the Rural Buffer, soils <br /> presenting severe problems cover a significant portion . <br /> Soils presenting no septic tank suitability problems do not <br /> exist in the Rural Buffer. Four different suitability <br /> problems are associated with the soils in the Rural Buffer . <br /> Severe slopes, slow absorption, wet soils, and shallow <br /> bedrock . <br /> As such, the problem of wastewater disposal in the Rural <br /> Buffer is much more a potential one than an existing one. The <br /> poor soils that predominate in the Rural Buffer have <br /> precluded much development and, as such, have also precluded <br /> the problems that could occur with increasing use of septic <br /> systems. <br /> A parallel exists between housing density and pollution <br /> problems caused by failing septic tanks. Density in the Rural <br /> Buffer is relatively low at this time. . Correspondingly, while <br /> there are some existing problems, the numbers seem to be <br /> few . The problem of failures in the Rural Buffer, however, <br /> may be greater than apparent . Although a system may be <br /> falling, it is usually not reported to the Health Department <br /> until the problem creates a serious enough nuisance to the <br /> homeowner or neighbor. <br /> The great majority of past and current problems stem <br /> from installation in soils unsuitable for septic tank use. A <br /> small number of problems can probably be attributed to other <br /> reasons, including improper maintenance and the failure of <br /> some existing sand filter systems. The use of sand filters <br /> has not been allowed in many years and very few exist in the <br /> Rural Buffer . <br /> II . QUANTITATIVE DATA <br /> North of Chapel Hill the split between moderate and <br /> severe soils is about two-thirds to one-third. As with all <br /> areas in the Rural Buffer, creek corridors suffer from steep <br /> slope and slow absorption problems. Additionally, three large <br /> areas of severe soils exist; <br /> ( 1 ) A wide band extending from the University Lake watershed <br /> boundary northeast to the Southern Railroad line and <br /> Hideaway Estates . West of Old NC 86 the problem is <br /> evenly split between shallow bedrock and slow <br /> absorption . East of Old NC86 the problem is primarily <br /> slow absorption ; <br /> ( 2) Piney Mountain Creek sub-basin, which suffers primarily <br />