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044 <br /> Synopsis of Comments <br /> Goal 2 - Sewage Disposal <br /> Provide adequate and appropriate sewage disposal facilities for <br /> all current and future residents. <br /> A. General Policies (Draft Policy) <br /> (See Preceding Page) <br /> Orange Water & Sewer Authority (Continued) <br /> of sewage disposal facilities should be made in close cooperation with <br /> utility service providers and municipalities within the County. This is <br /> particularly important in the Urban Transition Area. OWISA is evaluating <br /> the possible application of alternatives to conventional, centralized <br /> gravity sewers. These alternatives include small-diameter gravity sewers, <br /> pressure sewers, vacuum sewers and cluster wastewater disposal systems. <br /> 3. This is a State law rather than a policy statement. Applicable laws and <br /> . regulations should be referenced, not restated, in the policy. <br /> 4. OMASA already has a comprehensive pretreatment regulation and sewer use <br /> ordinance which address the concerns expressed in this paragraph. The <br /> treatment process is dependent upon physical and chemical <br /> just biological processes. Wastewaters must be processes, not <br /> these treatment processes, and with the wastewate�eartmentianndadisposal <br /> practices of the sewer utility treating the wastewater. <br /> 5. In outlying areas where the County discourages public utility service <br /> extensions, the alternative to cluster systems is individual on-site <br /> systems. Because of the nature of their design, septic tank and <br /> subsurface drainfield systems should not be expected to give trouble-free <br /> service over the life of a house. Regardless of the standards in effect <br /> at the time of construction, septic tank systems will eventually fail. It <br /> has been reported that they have an average effective life of about 10 to <br /> 15 years, assuming no misuse, before rehabilitation, modifications or <br /> replacement are necessary. <br /> Consideration-should be given to the need for improved management of <br /> on-site and cluster water supply and wastewater disposal system. It <br /> appears that more conservative design standards and requirements for <br /> assuring proper long-term operation and maintenance are needed in our <br /> region. Previously, Q SA has submitted recommendations on this issue to <br /> the County; however, it does not appear that these have been incorporated. <br /> 6. This <br /> c recommendation is supported by MASA_ This provision should apply to <br /> f <br /> property for development and buyers of homes and structures with <br /> existing systems. There should be an ongoing County-wide public education <br /> program to inform home and property owners in the County of issues, <br /> concerns, and ongoing operation and maintenance needs associated with <br /> on-site and cluster systems. <br /> 2-A-2 <br />