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Ct--t•nin types of innovative drainfield systems may have <br />applicabilty in Stubbs Bay. The on -site ordinances allow the use <br />of mounds, shallow trenches, and "fill" trenches as innovative <br />alternatives to overcome problem soil and water conditions. The <br />code does not address specific innovative methods to overcome lot <br />area problems. The concept of a "shared" system, typically 2 to <br />4 houses with individual septic tanks connected to a single <br />drainfield located on one or more of the properties, has been <br />recognized as a reasonable alternative where small clusters of <br />houses abut a suitable space for drainfield. In general, <br />easements are required and covenants or regulations must be drawn <br />up regarding the use and maintenance of such a system (see <br />Exhibit H, below). <br />EXHIBIT H. CONCEPTUAL DIAGRAM <br />OF A 'SHARED' SEPTIC SYSTEM. <br />Each house has its own septic <br />tanks (S). Both sets of tanks <br />discharge to a common pumping <br />station (P) that delivers sew- <br />age effluent to a common drain - <br />field (mound -type system shown). <br />which straddles the lot line. <br />Each homeowner maintains his <br />own septic tanks, but they are <br />jointly responsible for the <br />pump station and mound system. <br />It is likely that in Stubbs Bay the shared system would, in <br />some instances, result in destruction of traditional lot boundary <br />barriers such as fences (and in some cases trees) in order to <br />have any chance of success. There would have to be an unusual <br />amount of cooperation between neighbors in order to accept the <br />concept of "treating my neighbor's sewage in my back yard". If <br />system failure was to occur, there might be difficulties in <br />determining who caused the problem and who is responsible for <br />repairs. Conceptually ignoring the lot lines, the areas with the <br />most potential septic system problems in Stubbs Bay do not <br />necessarily have adjacent suitable areas for drainfield due to <br />existing well and house locations. Costs of a shared system <br />would be proportionally similar to costs for individual systems. <br />It is likely that some economies of scale would be realized in <br />installation of such a shared system, but higher design and legal <br />costs would likely offset this. <br />19 <br />