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24 <br />Individual contact with the system owner is the most effective means of education, <br />but it is alsa the most labor intensive and sometimes difficult to coordinate. It is <br />the surest -way to familiarize homeowners with the location and functional aspects <br />of their septic system to where they become mare competent in its continued <br />optimal operational performance. In many instances, this type of interaction <br />reduces both the perception of intrusion and the feelings of animosity while <br />providing something more than a technical report in the mail to learn from. <br />.The dissemination of printed material, both for new septic systems and existing <br />situations, is in place, but several aspects of its use need retooling. A primary <br />problem is that, in many situations, the ultimate owners of the property are asst <br />known when the Certificate of Occupancy is issued for the home and therefore <br />they do not get the initial packet of information for their septic system. This same <br />problem also holds taste when a property is sold or otherwise transferred from one <br />parry to another. Part of the solution to this dilemma will be targeting special <br />groups far education as mentioned below in the future efforts section. Another <br />way to approach this problem is the periodic use of mass mailings stressing the <br />benefits of understanding and properly maintaining septic systems. The mailings <br />can be individually sent or incorporated into the tax bill mailings. <br />Regardless of the future of the WTMP expansion, reviews and reworks of both the <br />printed materials and the Inteznet site are. underway and should be complete by the <br />end of the year. <br />Future Efforts <br />General - It is the opinion of the committee that several options should be explored <br />to better "market" the educational materials. These included.: <br />• Videos on septic systems, especially maintenance <br />• Education level oriented materials <br />• Promoting a "conservation lifestyle"' <br />• Yellow Pages ads for repair advice and contact numbers <br />• Promotion of septic systems as a safe and ecologically sound method <br />of wastewater disposal <br />• Promotion of onsite wastewater technologies as an integral part of the <br />county's infrastructure <br />Better Repans -Future post inspection reports should be geared toward enhancing <br />long-terns performance of the system and education of the owner, not just <br />providing advice for discovered non compliance and failures. This effort will be <br />made regardless of the WTMP expansion. <br />Target Grou,~s -Several specialized groups targeted, for specific educational <br />efforts will help eliminate some of the current problems and prevent future <br />problems in the expansion. Because of the health department unique role in the <br />