Boulder County Public Health Asking for Input about
Septic Systems
May 29, 2007, Boulder, Colo - In Boulder County
there are over 14,000 households that use septic systems for
the treatment of wastewater. In essence, they are each
operating a miniature wastewater treatment system in their
backyards without any ongoing monitoring of effectiveness.
Of these systems, 4,700 (that's nearly 33%) have not been
approved to ensure their design and installation meet the
specific site requirements to achieve safe treatment of
wastewater.
In an effort to prevent disease outbreaks and
contamination of our waterways, Boulder County Public Health
(BCPH) is proposing to launch SepticSmart, a countywide
program aimed at improving the health of Boulder County's
septic systems and water. The program would require actions
by the County and by the community.
"We need the community's help to protect and preserve the
quality of our water resources here in Boulder County," said
Mark Williams, BCPH Water Quality Program Coordinator. "We
have been gathering and analyzing septic system and water
quality information for the last several years, and we
believe that it is imperative that we act in order to make
sure we protect our water quality now and for future
generations."
The SepticSmart Program is a program that incorporates
ideas and recommendations from community members that will
be effective in protecting the Boulder County watershed. The
program includes several proposed strategies to address
septic systems in Boulder County.
One of the most significant strategies is a proposed
property transfer regulation. It would require homeowners to
have an inspection of the septic system to determine if it
meets nationally established criteria and has been approved
by Boulder County. Just like inspecting a roof or electrical
system before buying a house, buyers and sellers would need
to make sure the septic system is in good working condition
and meets current approved county standards.
"We know that talking about septic systems and sewage is
not a conversation most people are quick to discuss," said
Lane Drager, BCPH Environmental Health Division Planner.
"But contamination from ailing septic systems affects
everyone, and it is our job to address it before it becomes
a major public health problem."
"This effort is vital to the health and environment of
our community," said Will Toor, Boulder County Commissioner.
"And community input is important to assure that a
successful program is developed."
In the coming months BCPH will be hosting community open
houses and community meetings with the Boulder County Board
of Health, providing information in the newspaper and by
mail, as well as providing a place for residents to get more
information and give input online at
www.SepticSmart.org
or by calling the HelpLine at 1-877-462-2911. The first open
house will be held on Thursday, June 14, from 5 p.m. - 8
p.m. at the Nederland Community Center, 750 Highway 72, in
Nederland.
Additional resources available at
www.SepticSmart.org
include links to Longs Peak Energy Conservation (which
offers loans for low-income homeowners), lists of industry
professionals (i.e. engineers, installers, inspectors, and
cleaners), maintenance tips, procedures to check a system's
approval status, and procedures for the permitting and
approval process. |
