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77 <br /> S-3. Evaluate and develop specific policies for <br /> the use of private water and wastewater <br /> in unincorporated Orange County. <br /> Orange County prioritizes sustainable water management and waste <br /> disposal practices to protect public health and preserve natural <br /> resources. Orange County will evaluate the benefits, costs, and potential <br /> risks of supporting private water and wastewater systems to encourage <br /> growth in targeted locations in unincorporated areas and will develop <br /> specific guidance for how these systems should be designed and <br /> managed to ensure long-term viability. <br /> The intent of this policy is to promote the responsible and sustainable management of <br /> groundwater systems,wastewater service,and private wastewater systems to ensure <br /> their reliability,safety,and minimal environmental impact. By balancing the need <br /> for water and wastewater services with the protection of water and land resources, <br /> this policy aims to safeguard public health, preserve water quality,and prevent over- <br /> extraction of groundwater and land contamination.This policy is intended for the <br /> County to evaluate the various systems for providing private water and wastewater <br /> service to support the land use vision set out in the Conservation and Growth <br /> Framework.The County will use this information to develop specific policies and <br /> regulations to guide development of these systems in the future, particularly to support <br /> Rural Activity Nodes and Rural Conservation Neighborhoods. Objectives of this policy <br /> include: <br /> • Clarify the distinction between state codes that regulate private water and <br /> wastewater systems and local environmental health requirements. <br /> • Evaluate the different types of private systems that are available,and the benefits, <br /> costs,and risks associated with each system. <br /> • Consider whether these evaluated systems should be allowed within Protected <br /> Water Supply Watershed Areas. Critical Water Supply Watershed Areas should be <br /> avoided for use of these systems. <br /> • Convene local developers to understand the costs and benefits of different private <br /> systems and their feasibility of use in unincorporated Orange County. <br /> • Evaluate the potential for regional private systems to support Rural Activity Nodes, <br /> Rural Conservation Neighborhoods,and,to some degree, Economic Development <br /> Areas identified for development on the Conservation and Growth Framework <br /> Map. <br /> • Evaluate the need and legal framework to require long-term performance <br /> guarantees to address potential failure of private systems to protect public safety <br /> and environmental conditions. <br /> 74 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT <br />