Local residents may soon be contending with a new ordinance aimed at septic systems.
The proposed septic tank inspection ordinance would put all 80,000 septic systems in Oakland County, including about 7,000 locally on a five-year inspection cycle or each time the property is sold. County officials? concern stems from several factors including a report from both Wayne and Washtenaw counties that estimates 30 percent of all septic systems are failing, a number that has Oakland County officials looking for answers.
‘Oakland County has seen such tremendous success with growth in the past few years and if we are going to continue, and assure public health, we are going to have to protect the natural resources,? said John P. McCulloch, Oakland County Drain Commissioner.
The ordinance is intended to protect the county’s groundwater which many residents depend on for their drinking water.
Included in the ordinance will be a $300 fee which will include septic cleaning and inspection. Other costs, including repairs will be in addition to the fee.
‘Once the septic-tank inspection program is in place, the local community can have all the control they want over the system,? said McCulloch. ‘Local control of the plan is a valid concern for many communities.?
The ordinance would also prohibit the transfer of property if an inspection was not completed within the last five years and if the system was not in proper working order. Inspections would be completed by certified inspectors hired by the property owner chosen from a list of approved septic tank inspectors. Once data is collected it will be compiled by the county.
If the county becomes aware of a failing on-site sewage disposal system through an evaluation the County Drain Commission shall take action.
Currently, in Brandon Township which has an estimated 3,500 septic systems an inspection is completed only if the home is sold.
‘I can’t disagree with the plan,? said Ron Lapp, Brandon Township supervisor. ‘But my real concern is who’s going to pay for this plan??
‘Right now we have drains that need cleaning and that should be a priority.?
Lapp also expressed concern for enforcement of the plan and what to do if the ground is too contaminated.
‘Do we condemn the home?? asked Lapp.’What happens to the property??
Amanda Filer, an employee of J. Turner Septic Tank Service, 1149 Rhodes, in Orion Township, has worked with septic systems for the past 22 years.
‘Most septic fields last about 25 to 30 years,? said Filer.
‘The system starts to go bad when the field gets saturated and there’s no more room in your tank.?
‘But, if you keep your tank maintained it will last longer.?
Other factors including heavy rain, heavy use of the drainage field and roots in the piping can cause problems in the septic system.
Filer said the inspections which cost about $100 include test of water, sludge levels in the tank and around the field.
Currently in Groveland Townships where about 2,200 residents have septic systems no inspection requirements exist.
‘I don’t oppose the need for the inspection but, the cost has to be kept low,? said Robert DePalma, Township supervisor.
‘I don’t think people need Big Brother breathing down their neck. I don’t think that many systems are going bad, if they do you hear about them right away.?
Residents of the Village of Ortonville, with about 600 septic systems have a unique situation with regard to lot size.
‘Many of our residents have smaller lots to live on,? said Paul Zelenak, Village manager. ? If something goes wrong on their lot they may not have room to build a new septic system, what then??
‘This inspection creates a whole new level of bureaucracy, A lot of the other communities with established sewer systems are quick to push this project.?