HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-10-29 Letter, Septic System RepairsCITY of ORONO
Nott Office Hoa 66•Cryatel Nay, Minnesota 5&3;M& Municipal Ofbcea
On the North Shore of Lake Minnetonka
October 29, 1986
Steve Gardiner
3770 Bayside Road
Long Lake, MN 55356
Re: Septic System Repairs
Dear Mr. Gardiner:
On October 16, I visited your property at your request to
review your septic system. I noted the following:
1. There is one septic tank of apparently about 650 gallons
capacity. (Code for new systems requires two tanks of 1,000
and 750 gallons respectively.)
2. This tank is located 30' from your well. well
apparently was installed in 1973 with little regard for it's
proximity to the septic system. A minimum of 50' well -to -
septic tank setback is required by the State Health
Department. However, given the 111' depth of your well and
the clay layers it penetrates, I doubt that you wou : ever
experience any contamination problem.
3. The drainfield, apparently located east and soutn of the
septic tank, is discharging to the surface and you are
correct in assuming that it needs some work. The extent of
your drainfield is not known, but I suspect it is no more
than 200 s.f. or so.
Your property is located in the Stubbs Bay Sewer Study Area.
The City is currently studying the possibility of extending
municipal sewers to serve portions of the developed area around
Stubbs Bay. Although the City has not reached any final
conclusion on where sewers will go and what properties will be
served, I see your property as a likely candidate to be sewered,
and it would be unwise and unfair to require you to replace your
system with a totally conforming system if it will not be needed
in a very few years.
BUILDING A ZONING - 473.7357 a ADMINISTRATION • FINANCE - 473.7358 a PUBLIC WORKS - 473.7359
A.SSFSSINC
Steve Gardiner, 3770 Bayside Road
October 29, 1986
Page 2 of 2
Given these facts, and given that you are concerned about
your septic system surviving the winter, it seems appropria'_e
that you install some additional drainfield as an interim
measure. It appears that you could install one or two drainfield
lines, running north-south, to the east of your existing drain-
field line, using drop boxes. You probably will be able to add
from 200-400 square feet of drainfield. It appears that this new
drainfield can be placed so it will be well above lake level and
will be at least 50' from your well. Considering chat this is an
interim measure, we will not require soil testing.
You should be aware that even if you do add drainfield, the
system will not be considered as meeting all current code
standards for a new septic system. In order to be totally in
compliance, you would have to 1) install new precast concrete
tanks meeting a 50' setback from your well; 2) have soil testing
completed and construct a drainfield system based on the soil and
water table conditions on the site, and being at least 75' from
the we 11. I think it is unlikely that you could construct a
totally conforming system on your small lot.
I am enclosing a list of contractors licensed with the City
to install drainfield systems. Your contractor must obtain a
permit before commencing work. Please contact me at 473-7357 if
you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Michael P. Gafron
Asst Planning & Zoning Administrator
MPG/tln
Enclosure - Sketch
- List of Licensed Septic Contractors