Septic Health Initiative Update - Summer 2006

1. Septic Health InitiativeUpdate - Summer 2006

2. Septic Health InitiativeUpdate On-Site Septic Systems account for approximately 3,200 (85%) of the wastewater treatment systems in Nags Head

3. Septic Health Initiative Inspection Program To date, the initiative has inspected nearly half (1,562) of all conventional (gravity) systems in the Town of Nags Head

4. Septic Health Initiative Inspection Program Since adjusting the inspection program with private (non-pumping) firms, recommended pump-outs have fallen off dramatically

5. Septic Health InitiativeWater Quality Monitoring Continue to monitor for both Fecal Coliform and Enterococcus at all surface locations 1,147 samples taken this year at all sites

6. Septic Health Initiative Education • Still targeting homeowners who have not participated through mass mailings • Continue to provide owner manual packets stuffed with brochures, door hangers, stickers, etc to participants, or to anyone • Continue to participate in public events such as Earth Day, Middle School Science Fair Program, Board of Realtors

7. Septic Health InitiativeManagement Plan • Decentralized Wastewater Management Plan was completed and accepted by the Board of Commissioners in summer of 2005 • Implemented: • Loan adjustments • Inspection Recommendations • Monitoring Schedule/Enterococcus • Targeting sub-standard (sand-bottom) systems

8. Septic Health InitiativeSand Bottom Septic Tanks • Through the inspection program we have identified sand bottom tanks as a potential contributor to poor water quality • Our management plan called for “targeting properties with older (sub-standard) systems” 2.1.7.4 of plan (page 8)

9. Septic Health InitiativeSand Bottom Septic Tanks What is a sand bottom tank? Any tank installed with block/grout having a slab top with no bottom is defined as a sand bottom tank

10. Septic Health Initiative Sand Bottom Septic Tanks • Many sand bottom tanks installed prior to 1978 are still in use • 260+ systems documented with this condition • Estimate that up to 900 systems of this type may exist in Nags Head based on permitting records (pre-1978 construction) • Sand Bottom Tanks are classified as a failing (sub-standard) septic system by the State of North Carolina

11. Septic Health InitiativeSand Bottom Septic Tanks Replacement cost for one system (tank and drain-field) would be around $3,000 based on current market conditions

12. Septic Health InitiativeSand Bottom Septic Tanks • Current Loan Program • Since 2002 the Town loaned nearly $90,000 for Septic Repair/Replacement (47 systems) or $1,900 per system

13. Septic Health InitiativeSand Bottom Tank Survey

14. Septic Health InitiativeSand Bottom TankSurvey

15. Septic Health InitiativeSand Bottom Tanks Proposal Grant/Revolving Loan Program to replace these sub-standard systems

16. Septic Health InitiativeSand Bottom Tanks Possible Funding Scenario 35% Grant (C.W.M.T.F. and Town of Nags Head) 65% State Clean Water Revolving Fund

17. Septic Health InitiativeRecognitions • APA/N.C. Marvin Collins Planning Awards for public education

18. Septic Health InitiativeRecognitions • Winter issue of S.F. Quarterly (National Small Flows Clearinghouse)

19. Septic Health InitiativeRecognitions • Popular Government Article - Fall 2005

20. Septic Health InitiativeRecognitions 2005 On-site Wastewater Conference- Raleigh Bob Muller Inducted into Wastewater Hall of Fame by N.C.S.U.

21. Septic Health InitiativeInternships • Since 2000 the Initiative has sponsored two interns from the U.N.C. Carolina Environmental Program- Albemarle Ecological Field Site • One highlight was a survey and 2002 Capstone Report prepared by Joany Snider

22. Septic Health InitiativeSummer 2006