06-15-1992 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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IS ?-:'; ,‘r •y Zoning File #1745 620 Big Island-Septic Issues Page 3 The standards for holding tanks contained in Chapter 7080.0210, Subpart 6 (F), indicate that holding tanks shall be located "in an area readily accessible to the pump truck under all weather conditions...". It has long been staff's contention that Big Island is non- accessible to a pump truck under normal conditions. t . "V Research into current and past codes, has not yielded a specific code section which says, "holding tanks are prohibited on Big Island". However, the issue of installation of a holding tank on the island in the past rarely, if ever, was brought forth, because the obvious infeasibility of pump truck access was a clear violation of the On-Site Sewage Treatment System Design Manual, Resolution No. 894, which was adopted by the City on February 15, 1978. Part V, Section 7 of that Design Manual in Item F indicated virtual identical wording to that contained in the current MPCA 7080 codes, i.e. "holding tanks shall be located in an area readily accessible to the pump truck under all weather conditions". Conclusion is-Based on the above information, a holding tank would not be allowed on Big Island unless the City grants specific approval. It has been City staff's policy under previous septic ordinances to request Council approval of all holding tank installations on the mainland, and to my knowledge there has not been a request for a holding tank on Big Island since the 1978 septic codes were adopted. One additional concern about the idea of placing a holding tank on the Carlson property is that the proximity to water table and groundwater would tend to cause serious flotation problems with a sealed septic tank every time it was pumped out. That tank would be sitting in water virtually all the time, given that normal lake elevation is 929.4 feet, and spot elevations on applicant's survey indicate a significant percentage of the property is less than 2' above the OHWL and most of the property is likely below flood plain level. Additionally, the use of a holding tank for grey-water and/or toilet wastes in a location where pump truck accessibility is severely limited, provides a great incentive for a property owner to find alternative methods to empty the holding tank; the City should not encourage a situation which would tempt a property owner to break the law. ..w