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62091.1 To: Mayor Peterson and City Council From: Michael P. Gaffron, Asst Planning & Zoning Administrator Date: June 20 , 1991 � Subject: Leaf Street Septic Problems - Update I Council Members may have received a phone call from Henry Furchner of 360 Leaf Street complaining about his neighbors' septic systems. The purpose of this memo is to br.iefly review for Council what prob3ems exist and how staff is handling them. \, The properties in question are bein� ccnsidern3 for �nclusion �n the Stubbs Bay Sewer Project. Since mid-May, Mr. Furchner, 360 Leaf Street, has been complaining about discharges from the septic systems from the Hillman property at 400 Leaf Street, directly south of Furchner, and from the Stewart property at 370 Leaf Street, directly east of Furchner. The Septic System Inspector, Steve Weckman, had inspected these systems in early May, and f ound that 370 Leaf Street was failing, but found no discharge from 400 Leaf Street. Pursuant to Mr. Furchner's complaints, Weckman re-inspected both systems. The following findings to date: 370 Leaf Street - �The system has been pumped out at least once in May, and due to ground conditions and non-sealed tanks probably will remain full of sewage and ground water until substantially drier WE3�:':�r c�nditions �xist. The system apparantly has two septic tanks and a minimum drainfield which varies from being saturated at best, to constantly discharging at worst. Probable blockage in lines between the tanks and the drainfield al low for intermittent " discharge f rom the tanks and inspection risers also. Because Furchner's house is downslope, he claims that whenever there is a hard rain, raw sewage runs downhill towards his property. Staff has not witnessed this occurance, however, there is no question that run-off from 370 Leaf Street is toward Fnrchner's property, so there is a reasonable likelihood that some diluted form of septic effluent may reach Furchner's property. Staff has continued to monitor this system and has ordered the property owner to pump the tanks as often as necessary to eliminate future discharges. Aowever, the property owr.�r is apparentl y in a financial position such that regular pumping is a f inancial burden, with an $8,000-10,000 repair job perhaps out of the question. with the potential for municipal sewer in the area, it makes little sense to require a mound system. However, unti 1 the existing tanks are replaced with sealed holding tanks, at an up front cost of $1, 500-2, 000, we can expect continued intermittent problems with this system. Staff has not yet required that the property owner install holding tanks, however if conditions do not get any better, that may be forthcoming shortly.