Title
Wastewater Municipal Code Changes - Onsite Septic Systems
Recommended Action
UAC Deliverable:
Review and provide input to staff with a recommendation to City Council
Report
Issue:
The 2013 Wastewater Management Plan includes several objective and strategies that would modify current City onsite system regulations to accommodate new onsite septic systems in the City under defined circumstances. Current policies and regulations regarding onsite systems are restrictive. City Council directs the issue to staff and the UAC for further consideration.
Staff Contact:
Diane Utter, P.E., Water Resources Engineer, 360.753.8562
Andy Haub, P.E., Director of Water Resources, 360.753.8475
Background and Analysis:
Approximately 4,140 onsite septic systems are located within Olympia and its Urban Growth Area. As Olympia continues to grow and increase land use densities, these systems pose a long-term public and environmental health risk.
The 2007 Wastewater Management Plan and subsequent regulatory changes placed appreciable constraints on the installation of new and repair of existing septic systems. With few exceptions new systems are not allowed and failed systems within 300 feet of sewer need to connect to the municipal sewer system. These policies and regulations are being revisited. Current regulations may be restricting infill development as well as the conversion of onsite systems to the municipal system.
Work completed by the Thurston County Health Department in 2013 indicates that surface and ground water contamination due to onsite systems in Olympia may be limited to specific locations rather than widespread. With this in mind, the 2013 Wastewater Management Plan as adopted by City Council opens the door for potential limited modifications of the current regulations while still ensuring that public and environmental health is maintained.
Attachment 1 provides the goals, objectives, and strategies from the 2013 Wastewater Management Plan regarding onsite septic systems and other alternative sewage systems. Objective 1B indicates that the basic approach regarding onsite systems is to manage the systems so that there is no net annual increase in the total number of systems in Olympia.
Changing our regulations to allow more, but still few, new onsite systems will necessitate clear criteria that can be readily implemented. As a start, staff is evaluating the following approaches:
• Allow onsite systems to be constructed on infill, vacant lots in existing septic system-dominated neighborhoods with at least 5 properties with septic systems located within 200 feet of the property. Require an agreement to connect as sewer becomes available.
• Require failed systems to connect to municipal sewer if located within 200 feet of sewer rather than the current threshold of 300 feet. Measure the distance based on the length to sewer pipe needed for connection rather than to the edge of the lot closest to the sewer system.
• Reduce the requirement that septic system conversions to sewer extend the sewer on all property street frontages. Currently, corner lots are required to extend sewer pipes on both street frontages).
• Fund a limited number of small-scale sewer extensions to assist connecting residents ($100,000/year). Partial reimbursement ($10,000) to the City would be required, potentially over time.
• Allow for the payment of City General Facility Charges and LOTT Capacity Development Charge for septic to sewer conversions over time rather than as a lump sum payment at the time of connection. The charges total more than $8,000 per connection.
• Allow the limited use of alternative sewer technologies including STEP pump systems to facilitate difficult connections to municipal sewer.
Our evaluation suggests that these regulatory modifications would result in the installation of approximately 5 new onsite systems per year. Conversely, our average annual conversion rate of onsite septic systems to the municipal system is approximately 15-20 and could increase with the proposed changes.
Regulatory dynamics regarding onsite systems and municipal sewer are intricate. Cost implications to residents are appreciable. Utility staff can provide detailed information at the UAC meeting.
The 2013 Wastewater Management Plan anticipates adoption of the potential regulatory changes by mid-2015. Staff is interested in completing the process in 2014 if feasible.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Current wastewater regulations regarding onsite septic systems may not be facilitating infill development and septic conversions. Costs of sewer service are high.
Options:
None at this time. Provide staff with feedback regarding potential regulatory changes.
Financial Impact:
None at this time
Attachments:
1. 2013 Wastewater Management Plan excerpts regarding onsite septic systems goals, objectives and strategies.