tracking septic system data for forecasting risk...
TRANSCRIPT
Tracking Septic System Data for Forecasting Risk, Improving Management & Preventing
Impacts
David Rush – Land & Resource Director Pat Schultz – Environ. Planning Technician
Perfect Storm = Paradigm Shift What triggers a county to want to completely overhaul their septic regulatory efforts? Failures of the past Collapse of large-scale central sewer expansion project Impending rule change (7080-83) New administration
2010 Comprehensive SSTS Enhancement Program
Applied to BWSR for a Clean Water Legacy SSTS Program Enhancement Grant
Worked Cooperatively with UMN On Site Program
Included ordinance update to new MPCA Rules
2010 Comprehensive SSTS Enhancement Program
Enhance County’s ability to administer comprehensive program Systematic compliance inspection and
operation and maintenance based on risk Develop single permitting, compliance, and
maintenance database Associate administrative effort (cost) with
level of risk/management
Improve operation and maintenance of individual SSTS by improving user knowledge
2010 Comprehensive SSTS Enhancement Program
Forecast risk associated with various SSTS using data
Create an effective SSTS ordinance tailored to Douglas County that considers risk and costs
Create a State-wide model to share with other jurisdictions.
Create a management program, not a permitting or inspection program Checking that everyone has a treatment system Making sure they are performing
Monitoring
Keeping them performing Operation and Maintenance
Knowing they are performing Reporting
Dealing with solids
Douglas County SSTS Professionals
Douglas County
Residents
Douglas County
SSTS Staff
Cooperation with Stakeholders
Counties can and do collect volumes of data on properties and septic treatment systems
How do we make that data useful?
Site
System
Use
What is a database? A database is a tool to organize and store pieces of information. Everyday examples would be a rolodex or a phone book. The main goals of a database are to: Make sure the data stored in the database is accurate
and complete Avoids redundancy, reduces “wasted space” (if stored
in other places), cut down on easy errors Make retrieving and analyzing the data easy
How would the database be used by a County? To determine system types and locations in the County To track maintenance and management by
homeowners and professional maintainers Tracking compliance To determine risk and therefore permits required and
inspection frequency To answer questions related to MPCA or other
reporting requirements
Determining system types and locations in the County
Tracking maintenance and management by homeowners and
professionals
Tracking Compliance
Risk Assessment Tool Collaboration with UMN On Site Program Develop a tool that would use available data (user, site,
system) to quantify the potential “risk” of a SSTS Area-wide risk evaluation Site/system specific evaluation
Risk values are based on the sum of weighted scores for over 40 characteristics of a system.
Results provide a quantifiable basis for local programs to prioritize inventory and upgrade efforts and/or determine appropriate management strategies
• Cabin to mansion expansion • Bedroom to ft2 ratio?
• Educated SSTS Owner
Use = Who is using the system?
Site Conditions = Where is the effluent going?
• Shore land • Soil conditions and perc test results • Aquifer sensitivity, shallow wells • Lot size, replacement sites • Setbacks and variance prevalence • Comp plan and other local land-use initiatives
Determining Risk – single parcel
Determining Risk – multiple parcels
MPCA Reporting Requirements
Event logs and triggers
Letter writing
Special thank you goes to: University of Minnesota OSTP Department MPCA Alexandria Technical Community College Data Dimensions
