Orange County NC Website
DRAFT 5/2/07 <br />S <br />resources web page on the County's web site that includes data and reports to <br />date and upcoming activities of significance to the public. The Specialist would <br />conduct seminars and produce educational materials regarding items such as <br />keeping streams and ponds healthy, siting and construction of new wells, well <br />maintenance information for homeowners, septic system maintenance, protection <br />against water contamination, water treatment options, and how to properly <br />abandon wells, for example. <br />The Specialist would also provide technical assistance to certified well <br />contractors to implement Best Management Practices that go above and beyond <br />minimum regulatory requirements. <br />STEP 3b: Hire a Data Specialist (July 2008) <br />Health Department, Environmental Health Division <br />The expansion and augmentation of the GIS database is critical for research <br />studies, policy development, to partner agencies, and to provide feedback for <br />citizen's to protect their health. While the basic elements of the database <br />currently exist with the GIS and Permits Plus systems, other data points <br />(underground storage mitigation efforts, surface water sampling points, <br />monitoring well sample results, etc.) should be added to make this a more robust, <br />usable base for policy development. This system has never been fully <br />implemented at a basic level in Environmental Health and much of the data that <br />is possible for interplay with water quality is unreachable at this point in time. A <br />Data Specialist would enable the basic system to be implemented and further <br />designed to provide a stable base for research and policy development. In <br />addition, coordination with GIS/GPS field technology currently in use in <br />Environmental Health, ERCD and Planning needs to be up to date and integrated <br />across departments. This will require a data technician who can maintain the <br />software and hardware needed, and provide support in presenting the data <br />needed by the Specialist and Coordinator for analysis. The position would also <br />ensure that data is entered and is "scrubbed" to maintain the quality and integrity <br />of the data being used. This position would interact on a regular basis with all <br />members of the Water Resources Inter-departmental Team, and with the <br />Planning and Inspections Data Manager, GIS users group, and with Information <br />Technology. <br />Step 4a. -Implement the Expanded Monitoring Program for On-Site Wastewater <br />Systems <br />Hire an Environmental Health Specialist (July 2009) <br />Health Department, Environmental Health Services Division <br />This step in a fully developed water resources plan would provide for the regular <br />inspection of on-site wastewater systems in critical water quality watersheds <br />throughout the county. The Specialist would establish educational programs for <br />homeowners throughout the water quality critical areas to ensure that they <br />