Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
6 <br /> All components of a conventional septic system must be located at least 10 feet from <br /> property lines. All components of a low-pressure pipe system must be located at least 12 <br /> 1/2 feet from property lines. <br /> Trenches for line in the drainfield must be at least ten feet apart for a conventional <br /> system and five feet apart for a low-pressure pipe system. <br /> E. PUMPS <br /> In some cases, septic setbacks can be met only if a pump system is installed. Use of a <br /> pump provides more flexibility in the location of the drainfield relative to the septic tank, <br /> and could allow the drainfield to be located farther from the stream or reservoir. <br /> However, a pump system is more complex, and could cause problems with a back up of <br /> septage in the septic tank in the event that the pump failed. These two factors should be <br /> balanced. For example, a minor encroachment into the buffer may be preferable to <br /> installing a pump system, whereas a pump system may be preferable to a substantial <br /> encroachment into the buffer. <br /> III. PROPOSED REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCEDURE <br /> It is recommended that the Board of Commissioners reconsider possible alternatives to variance <br /> requests for stream and reservoir buffers on lots which existed before January 1, 1994. One <br /> option would be to allow the Planning Staff, in consultation with Environmental Health, and the <br /> County Engineer, to issue a zoning compliance permit when specified fmdings could be <br /> documented. In all other cases,a variance request would be presented to the Board of Adjustment <br /> according to current procedures. <br /> Below is a proposed list of findings to be met in order for Staff to issue a zoning compliance permit <br /> where the stream or reservoir buffer is less than required by Article 6.23.7 or 6.23.8. <br /> FINDINGS REQUIRED FOR STAFF REDUCTION OF SEPTIC SYSTEM SETBACK <br /> REQUIREMENTS <br /> 1. The lot was created prior to January 1, 1994; and <br /> 2. The septic system is sized to serve no more than four bedrooms; and <br /> 3. The septic tank, drainfield and repair area (where required) can be accommodated on <br /> 20,000 square feet of area or less; and <br /> 4. Environmental Health has determined that there is not a sufficient amount of suitable soil <br /> beyond the required setback or buffer to accommodate a septic system and any required <br /> repair area for the proposed residence while maintaining the separation required by <br /> Environmental Health between wells, septic systems, structures and property lines; <br /> OR <br /> Environmental Health has determined that although there is a sufficient amount of <br /> suitable soil beyond the required setback or buffer to design a septic system and required <br /> repair area while maintaining the separation required by Environmental Health between <br /> wells, septic systems, structures and property lines, utilization of those soils would trigger <br /> the use of a septic pump. In addition, the amount of encroachment into the buffer is less <br /> than 10% of the required buffer or setback width, and placement of a gravity system <br /> which encroached into the buffer would have a lesser potential impact on water quality <br /> than would the installation and use of the septic pump; and <br />