1985-11-27 Letter, Summary of Septic System Inspections

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CITY of ORONO Post Office Bo: 66•Crystal Bay, Minnesota S&W*Municipal Olt'ieir On the North Shore o/ Lake Minnetonka November 27, 1985 Larry and Diane Higgins 880 Dakota Avenue Long Lake, MN 55356 Re: Septic System Dear Mr. & Mrs. Higgins: This letter is in response to your request for information documenting the condition and history of the septic system serving your residence. According to City file records, Permit No. 3317 was issued to Widmer Bros, Inc. on 9/27/72 to construct a sewage disposal system for the new residence at 880 Dakota Avenue. City records contain no information as to the design or specifications for this system, other than a diagram ap- parently submitted by the contractor showing the location of two septic tanks in relation to the house. No inspection record exists, but this is typical of City files for work done prior to 1975 or so, and we can only assume that the system was inspected and approved when installed, and met code requireme,:4-i; as they .,+el:c i_ypically enforced in that era. The City next inspected this system on June 29, 1981 as part of the regular inspection program which was initiated with the new septic system ordinance in 1978. The 1981 inspection report noted that: a) The system appeared to be substandard in some respects relating to design, construction, or location, yet appeared to be operating properly; b) That no inspection pipes were located at the tanks, and these must be added; c) That limiting site factors on the property which potentially could affect long term usage of septic systems on the site included small lot size, a nearby wetland, and the drainage characteristics of the property. The potential for failure was considered to be "medium", and capability for future expansion was "fair". The report also noted specifically that the ground was saturated near or within the area the drainfie-ld was presumed to be located, but there was no surface discharge at that time. Although probably not obvious to the layman, this saturation indicated that there was a potential for the system to fail if the saturated condition persists for extended periods of time. The system inventory card indicates the tanks were pumped out in Spring 1981 but notes no other pumpouts, and also indicates that "future drainfield sites (would likely be) uphill". BUILDING & ZONING - 473-7357 • ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE - 473-7358 • PUBLIC WORKS - 473.7359 ASSESSING