# Presentation: HCW65HHKOPLBZGWUWG2PPL7B7RHPWL4E

## SEPTIC SYSTEMS AND WELLS

-  IN SOLANO COUNTY

- Solano County Environmental Health Division
- 601 Texas Street, Fairfield  CA  94533
- (707) 421-6765
- www.solanocounty.com
- Dennis Kalson, Program Manager
-   Terry Schmidtbauer, Environmental Health Supervisor
- Jim Campi, Senior Environmental Health Specialist

## Methods of Sewage Disposal

- Community Sewer

- Serves many structures on different lots.
- Sewage removed off of lot for treatment and disposal.
- Takes up very little space on each lot.
- Owned and operated by a utility or municipality.
- Worries flushed away-
- 	very little action required by homeowner.

## Methods of Sewage Disposal

- On-Site Sewage Disposal System

- Serves a single structure, or multiple structures
- 	on same lot.
- Sewage stays on lot for treatment and disposal.
- Requires land dedicated solely to its use.
- Owned and operated by homeowner.
- Worries can surface in yard- requires maintenance and
- 	water flow monitoring by homeowner.

## Slide 4

## COMPONENTS OF A SEPTIC SYSTEM

- Septic Tank

- Distribution Box

- Leach Line

## ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS

- Will have additional components:
- 	pumps
- 	filters
- 	treatment devices

- Commonly used alternative
- systems include:
- 	pressure distribution
- 	sand filtration
- 	at-grade
- 	mound

## How do septics impact buying and selling property?

**How do septics impact buying and selling property?**

- For existing developed lots:
- 	Is the septic system currently working?
- 	If not working, can it be properly repaired?
- 	Has the system been properly maintained?
- 	Has there been any unapproved development on
- 		the lot.
- 	Is the system sized to accommodate future
- 		remodels or additions.
- 	Is there adequate room on the lot for all
- 		future development plans.

## How does this impact buying and selling property?

**How does this impact buying and selling property?**

- For Existing Undeveloped Lots:

- Is there approved soils testing in the area
- proposed for the septic system?

- If “YES”:
- 	Is the area of adequate size to support
- 	the proposed development?
- 	What type of system is required?
- If “NO”:
- 	Site evaluation will need to occur.

- For proposed subdivisions site evaluation must occur on
- each proposed lot to be created.

## PROPOSED SOLANO COUNTY 

- PROPOSED SOLANO COUNTY
- SEWAGE DISPOSAL STANDARDS

- Provide for:
- A single document containing all pertinent requirements.
- Consistent professional review of a lot.
- Mechanism for installing different types of systems.
- Standards that comply to State requirements.

## PROPOSED SOLANO COUNTY 

- PROPOSED SOLANO COUNTY
- SEWAGE DISPOSAL STANDARDS

- A single document containing all pertinent requirements.

- Contains procedures on:
- 	Obtaining permits for new construction, remodels
- 	additions, repairs, and replacement structures.
- 	Subdivision and lot line adjustment approvals.
- 	Variances and appeal process.
- Contains comprehensive details on required construction
- details and inspections.
- Contains operation and maintenance guidelines.

## Consistent professional review of a lot.

- PROPOSED SOLANO COUNTY
- SEWAGE DISPOSAL STANDARDS

- Site evaluation by registered or licensed consultants to determine proper placement and design of septic system.  Site evaluation may include:
- On site review.
- Soil profile review.
- Hydrometer testing.
- Percolation testing.
- Wet weather tests.

## PROPOSED SOLANO COUNTY 

- PROPOSED SOLANO COUNTY
- SEWAGE DISPOSAL STANDARDS

- Mechanism for installing different types of systems

- Typical standard system.
- Non-typical standard system.
- Alternative System
- Pressure Distribution
- Sand Filtration
- At-Grade & Mound Systems
- Experimental System

## PROPOSED SOLANO COUNTY 

- PROPOSED SOLANO COUNTY
- SEWAGE DISPOSAL STANDARDS

- Standards that comply to State requirements.

- Regional Water Quality Control Board Guidelines
- California Health and Safety Code
- Recent legislation
- 	AB 885

## SEPTIC SYSTEMS AND WELLS

-  IN SOLANO COUNTY

- Solano County Environmental Health Division
- 601 Texas Street, Fairfield  CA  94533
- (707) 421-6765
- www.solanocounty.com
- Dennis Kalson, Program Manager
-   Terry Schmidtbauer, Environmental Health Supervisor
- Jim Campi, Senior Environmental Health Specialist

## WELLS

- Areas of concern when buying or selling:

- Is the water potable?

- Have the water from well tested for coliform bacteria.

- Required by most lenders.
- Total Coliform - Not necessarily harmful,
- 	but indicates harmful bacteria
- 	may gain access to well.
- Fecal Coliform - Harmful bacteria.  Well is
- 	contaminated and action is required to
- 	make water potable.

## Remember, any test only provides a

- Is the water potable?

- Have the water from well tested for chemicals of concern.

- Not required by most lenders.
- Aesthetic - smell, taste, odor.  Unpleasant, but not hazardous.
- Health - immediate or long term health effects.

- snapshot in time.

## Remember, any test only provides a

- Is there an adequate supply of water?

- Have a 4 hour minimum flow test performed on the well
- by a licensed well driller.

- snapshot in time.

## Areas of concern when buying or selling:

- Is there enough space on the property for a well?

- Can a well be installed meeting all setbacks from
- septic systems, corrals, drainage, etc?
- Does the well location lend itself to the desired
- development proposed for the lot?

## QUESTIONS???