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CONCLUSION <br />As discussed in its preliminary form, the proposed program <br />has been well received by various governing bodies and <br />agencies including OWASA, DEM, DEB, The Joint Chatham - Orange <br />Work Group (University Lake Watershed Study), and the Orange <br />County Planning Board. In fact many of these groups have <br />noted and discussed the need for a program of comprehensive <br />management for sewage treatment and disposal systems. On <br />both the state and national level, there is a strong trend <br />towards initiation of local programs to address the operation <br />and maintenance of on -site septic systems. Mecklenburg and <br />Wake Counties have both instituted agreements• with DEM to <br />allow for local monitoring of discharge systems. The Orange <br />County program will be a comprehensive management program <br />inclusive of DEM systems as well as ground absorption and <br />locally permitted on -site systems. <br />Orange County residents, as well as those of neighboring <br />counties and affected watersheds, will have much to gain from <br />such a program because: <br />- Septic systems will be installed, maintained, and <br />operated in a safe and sanitary manner within <br />design and operating criteria. <br />-There will be fewer mechanical failures and need <br />for repairs. As a result, systems will have a <br />longer expected life. <br />- Effluent cjuality will improve and have less impact <br />on receiving surface and ground waters. <br />-The Orange County Health Department can better <br />design systems with input and feedback from <br />monitored system performance. <br />System owners will be more aware of the importance <br />of a properly operating sewage treatment and <br />disposal system. <br />- Overall it is expected that protection of public <br />health and the environment will be greatly <br />enhanced by such a program. <br />With increased development in Orange County, problems with <br />sewage treatment and disposal systems must be addressed <br />before the problems become crises or before the consequences <br />become irreparable. Most governing boards in the county do <br />agree that some oversight over erformance of these systems <br />must be developed. As boards or health have clear statutory <br />authority to develop such oversight by adopting rules, they <br />are the logical board to proceed with such a program. <br />FX47 <br />