Agenda - 02-01-2000 - 10b - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Proposed Expansion of the Program The problem this program addresses takes into account two major factors; first that of the approximately 20,000 conventional septic systems in Orange County, about 8 to 10 percent experience some degree of failure and second that extension of sewer lines as a remedy in most situations in the county is impractical and/or undesireable. The county is therefore faced with a situation where some 2,000 homes may be discharging waste that can affect groundwater and other surface waters that are sources of public and private water supplies. The expansion of this program is designed to: • improve source water quality, • prevent disease transmission, • optimize septic system lives, • maintain and preserve septic system repair areas, • avoid or delay septic system repairs • minimize obstructions to transfers of property due to failing septic systems, especially those with limited or no viable repair options, and • reduce the expansion of collection systems through optimizing septic system lives. The proposal utilizes three basic approaches: education, homeowner incentives, and an inspection program. Phase One of the program would engender development of a public awareness campaign regarding importance of septic systems, development of educational modules and a training plan, establishment of a database of septic systems, and further development of the homeowner incentive and inspection program. In addition, grant funds will be sought during the first year to offset the costs of the program's initial development and to establish a revolving fund for homeowner incentives and potential repairs. Grant funding would specifically be sought to establish the database for future evaluation of both the project itself as well as to begin monitoring water quality by geographical sector. Phase One is projected to take approximately two years. Phase Two would continue the education program developed and initiated in Phase One and begin the homeowner incentive and inspection program as further developed in phase one. The grants sought in Phase One are intended to minimize the financial impact on homeowners that may need repairs identified during the inspections conducted during the second phase of the program. Phase Two is projected to begin in year three, but will depend on progress in Phase One. Request to Board of Commissioners The Board of Health is requesting that the Board of Commissioners approve Phase One of the WTMP Expansion proposal, which includes the implementation of the Educational Plan, establishment of the database, seeking grant funding, and the further development and refinement of the remainder of the proposal. Year One of Phase One of the proposal approved by the Board of Health calls for one permanent, full- time Health Educator to be hired to: • refine the educational plan in the attachment, • begin the,public awareness campaign, and • begin materials development for further training. In addition, Year One also calls for homeowner incentives to be defined and for grant funding to be sought for re-inspection start-up funding and/or for the establishment of a revolving fund for repairs of. failing systems. Year Two of Phase One calls for • hiring a GIS database specialist at .5 FTE to begin database development as a long-term planning and evaluation tool, • further development of training materials,