Orange County NC Website
29 <br />targeting neighborhoods with older systems or those with poor soils. All of <br />the funding options would be feasible far this option. <br />2. Systems at the Time of Sale of the Home -This option was explored by the <br />group with the funding method being the assessment of an inspection fee at <br />closing and afterwards, the funding for future ~pe~~ could come from <br />the variety listed below With the housing turnover in the State estimated at <br />just over seven years, and the County's likely higher, most homes should be <br />included by the end of the second turnover period or approximately 1 S years. <br />. At the end of this 15 year period, all non-pariicipatzng homes would be <br />entered into the program. <br />3. Systems Radiating from the Designated watersheds - In this option, the <br />systems in the water quality critical areas of all designated watersheds would <br />fall under inspection in the first 5 years. In the next 5 years, the systems in <br />the rest of the designated watersheds would be bmught in and in the next 5 <br />years, the rest of the systems in the County would be inspected. This <br />approach is mast effective far watershed quality management. Subdivisions <br />with older~homes and poorer sails could also be defined and prioritized for <br />inclusion, also. The group discussed that this method might be best funded <br />with an annual operations permit fee charged to all those affected <br />households. Eventually, all homes in the County with oxrsite systems would <br />be assessed this annual fee. <br />Frequency -- <br />Perhaps the mast difficult aspect of this proposal to define is how often the gravity <br />flow systems should be inspected, There are varying opinions an the <br />recommended frequency of pumping, usually based on tank size and population <br />served, but most sources recommend checking an average septic tank every 3-5 . <br />.years and pumping if necessary. Additionally, a new State General Statute, <br />effective 1-1-99; requires that each new or repaired septic system installed in North <br />Carolina be equipped with an effluent filter on the outlet end of the septic tank <br />These filters are to "Be designed and const<ucted so as not to require maintenance <br />mare frequently than ante in any three-year period under normally anticipated. <br />use." (House Bill 1462): These conditions lend considerable argument to <br />establishing the re-inspections frequency at three years. <br />The committee debated extensively whether to set the review frequency at 3 years <br />or 5 years during the meeting. It was finally decided that 5 years would be the <br />more reasonable approach if the standards for effiuent filters met certain design <br />and maintenance standards beyond the minimum required in the State rules. The <br />agreement on the best way to approach the visit was to set the re-inspection <br />frequency ~ S years with a notice going to each homeowner in the initial <br />maintenance packet and also in the second year of operation. These documents <br />would state the necessity of checking/pumping the septic tank and the allowance of <br />a 5 year extension if the tank is checked If the homeowner provides evidence of <br /> <br />