HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-1995-004 Resolution Directing the Planning Staff to Explore Means to determine effects certain Septic Systems on Water Supply Reservoirs ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE PLANNING STAFF TO EXPLORE MEANS BY
WHICH TO DETERMINE EFFECTS OF CERTAIN SEPTIC SYSTEMS ON WATER
SUPPLY RESERVOIRS
WHEREAS Orange County has demonstrated a commitment to protect
drinking water supplies by adopting watershed protection standards
which in many aspects exceed minimum standards required by the
Division of Environmental Management; and
WHEREAS the standards adopted by Orange County require that new
septic system drainfields be located at least 300 feet from
reservoirs, and that buildings be located at least 150 feet from
reservoirs; and
WHEREAS the Orange County Board of Commissioners, in recognition
that these setback requirements may pose a hardship on development
of existing lots, has approved an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance
which would provide an administrative procedure for consideration
of a reduction in setback requirements on existing lots when
specific criteria are met, and
WHEREAS the Orange Water and Sewer Authority staff had recommended
that those criteria include a provision that administrative
reduction of septic system setbacks adjacent to a reservoir not be
allowed in situations where water quality problems were present in
the reservoir which could be attributed to a failing septic system
within 300 feet of the reservoir; and
WHEREAS the staffs of the Orange County Planning Department,
Orange County Environmental Health and Orange Water and Sewer
Authority have concluded that a baseline level of coliform within
a reservoir is needed to determine if water quality has been
impaired due to the failure of a septic system within 300 feet of
the reservoir; and
WHEREAS there are no baseline coliform levels established for
University Lake, Cane Creek Reservoir, Lake Orange or Corporation
Lake; and
WHEREAS the amendment provision recommended by OWASA staff has not
been adopted by Orange County due to the lack of information
available by which to determine if a failing septic system has
affected water quality in the reservoir;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of
Commissioners hereby directs the Planning Staff Environmental
Health and the County Engineer to continue to explore possible
means, including but not limited to the feasibility of measuring of
baseline coliform levels, by which to determine if a malfunctioning
septic system within 300 feet of a water supply reservoir has
affected water quality within the reservoir and
to report its findings and recommendations on this matter to the
Board of Commissioners no later than July 1, 1995.
This resolution is effective upon its adoption this 17th day of
January, 1995.
The motion to adopt this resolution was made by Commissioner ,
seconded by Commissioner , and passed by a vote of
to
Moses Carey, Ch
ATTE .
Beverly . Blythe, /Clerk to the Board
This is to certify that this is a true and accurate copy of this
resolution adopted by the Orange County Board of Commissioners on
this 17th day of January, 1995.
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Beverly C,4'-Blythe, elerk to the Board Date