06-27-1988 - Agenda Packet City Council - regular meeting

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G To: v Jeanne A. Mabusth, Building & Zoning Administrator From: Michael P. Gaffron, Asst. Zoning Administrator Date: April 27, 1988 Subject: Comments on Big Island Inspection - Septi; Systems - Inspection of 4/26/88 On this date, Tom Jacobs and I met with Mark Peterson, Caretaker/Manager for the Big Island Vet's Camp. We inspected each of the known septic systems on the vet's camp property, and also looked at the well. I would make the following comments regarding the various systems inspected: 1. The septic system serving the old caretakers house at the west end of the property is under rubble and was not inspected. When that rubble is removed, any tank that existed at that site must be caved in and filled with dirt. 2. The old dormitory building on the west side of the property has been reduced to rubble. The old septic tank that served that building has been located and was uncovered. Since this system would not meet current codes and is not anticipated for future use, the tank should be caved in and filled with dirt. 3. The old Spanish -style shower building likely contained plumbing, however the septic system location is unknown. As the remains of that building are cleaned up, the tank should be located and caved in and filled with dirt. 4. The toilet building on the north hill has a single septic tank of 4' diameter and approximately 6-7' deep, of self -curbing block construction and with no solid bottom. This tank is located a few feet to the northeast of that toilet building, and discharges through a 10' long pipe to a presumed deep bed -type drainfield (no rock was encountered diring probing) and located approximately 30-40' from the steep cliff edge, and only 50 or 60' horizontally from the lake. Although there was no evidence that this systc-m discharges to the surface, its location near the lakeshore is extremely substandard ana any regular use of that system will hav,: a High potential for discharge of untreated sewage to the lakeshore. I would recommend that this system be abandoned permanently. 5. Ballantyne Cabin, north hill. This cabin is currently occupied by the caretaker, Mr. Peterson. This cabin has a 6' diameter septic tank with approximately 5' liquid depth, located about 10' to the north of that cabin. The septic tank has a discharge ripe heading to the north, but no drainfield rock was encountered by probing. The tank itself is only about 15' from the cliff bank. Based on the same concern I have with the north hill toilet building, it's my recommendation that this system also be permanently abandoned. There is a high potential for t;iis to seep to the surface in the cliff area and ultimately discharge untreated sewage to the lake. Because the building is occupied by one person, wc, may wish to allow his limited use to continue for a period of time, say 45 days, until they can