Title
Briefing on the Urban Septic Assessment Project
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred from Committee
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive information about work completed to date and consider potential future directions.
Report
Issue:
Update City Council on work completed by the regional work group. Prepare for Councilmember Langer's participation in the LOTT Clean Water Alliance annual retreat and the related agenda item.
Staff Contact:
Andy Haub, P.E., Water Resources Director, 360.570.3795
Presenter(s):
Sue Davis, Thurston County Environmental Health
Lisa Dennis-Perez, LOTT Clean Water Alliance
Andy Haub, P.E., Water Resources Director
Background and Analysis:
The 16,000 onsite septic systems in use by residents of the three local cities and their urban growth areas pose a threat to public and environment health. However, converting onsite systems to municipally-operated sewer systems is financially challenging for residents, the local cities, and Thurston County.
Onsite septic systems are used effectively in rural settings. The growing conflict between onsite septic system use and our increasingly urban landscapes has become a recognized problem. In June 2011, elected officials of the four local jurisdictions participated in a "Septic Summit" convened by the LOTT Clean Water Alliance. Technical presenters at the summit explained how septic systems work and why the systems create public health risks when used to serve contemporary urban land use densities. Participants at the summit recognized the problem and encouraged staff of the four jurisdictions to work together to develop potential regional options for reducing our reliance on septic systems. Conveying sewer to water quality treatment facilities through municipal sewer systems is preferable in urban settings. The minutes from the Septic Summit provide a summary of the discussion (attached).
Staff from the four local jurisdictions and...
Click here for full text