Chisago County Septic Pilot Program By: Environmental Services & Zoning, Mary Darragh Schmitz, Director And Kellie Strobel, Sanitarian
Chisago County was one of three counties selected to receive $240,000 in grant funding through the MPCA septic pilot program in 2004. The goal of the pilot program: Identify and upgrade septic systems determined to be an imminent threat to public health.
A septic system that is an imminent threat to public health: Discharges directly onto the ground or surface water Backs up into a dwelling or other establishment
Straight pipe draining into pond
Effluent discharging under the snow
Chisago County is located approximately 45 minutes north of the Twin Cities Fourth fastest growing county in the State Population growth is projected to increase 60% from 2000 2030 to approximately 78,000 people
The he pilot program grant opportunity was an outgrowth of the of the County s Wastewater Task Force, which met from 1999-2001 An extensive inventory identified nearly 10,000 ISTS in the County, with over 6,000 in the townships where the County has jurisdiction
If you are considering a similar project. Create your own opportunities for success. The Wastewater Task Force work set the table for receiving the pilot program grant We had also started a TMDL project on the North Branch of the Sunrise River due to impairment for fecal coliform this also helped secure the pilot program grant Be prepared to invest staff time and departmental dollars to achieve grant objectives. We are contributing vehicles, miles, clerical time and office supplies. The GIS Department is crating maps of parcels evaluated at no charge to our department. Obstacles can be opportunities. Homeowners not able to qualify for existing loan programs has prompted us to draft a County loan program which was approved by the Chisago County Board and adopted as an ordinance in June 2007.
Work with neighboring jurisdictions in your County. We have been able to sign joint powers agreements with the cities of Rush City, Center City, Lindstrom & North Branch to gain their participation in the pilot program. In a related development, the County has entered into an agreement with the CLJSTC to allow septic pumpers to dump holding tank waste at the plant. This agreement has been 4 years in the making!
Expect some pleasant surprises! Homeowners are not objecting to staff coming onto their property and evaluating their septic system. This is likely due to: - Publicity of the program in the County s Environmental Connections newsletter sent twice a year to every home and business in the County - Postcards are sent out to homeowners notifying them when to expect their system to be viewed and they have the option to make an appointment - Support of the program from our County Board
Homeowners also are surprisingly enthusiastic about the septic care & maintenance workshop they must attend to receive a $400 cost share grant. 5 workshops given by the University of Minnesota, Valerie Prax, Regional Extension Educator, Wastewater Treatment Systems have been held so far with approximately 300 total attendance.
Follow up actions due to participation in the pilot program: Revise County septic ordinance in light of MPCA 7080 rule changes County will be more restrictive Review soil separation issues for septic compliance discovered due to participation in pilot program - particularly around lakes Review need for preventative maintenance ordinance due to maintenance plans required by the new 7080. Set criteria for $100,000 grant received from the Board of Water & Soil Resources for system replacement for low income homeowners & begin distribution of funds.
Since beginning the program in 2004, systems repaired have prevented 117,450 gallons per day of wastewater from surfacing onto the ground or surface waters. This translates to the volume of an Olympic sized swimming pool every 5.6 days!
Or 19.5-6,000 gallon milk trucks filled daily.
Setting a plan of action for your project Design forms letters, tracking sheets, worksheets & spread sheets Collect data permits, compliance inspections, assessors office & contractors Organize maps & spreadsheets (Chisago County also has a permitting program to track all Imminent Health Threats) Mail notices time of visit Conduct Field work onsite inventory of septic system Follow up letters Log data Excel spreadsheet Create maps starting data and field data
GIS Dept - discuss mapping 1. Maps can also be color coded by hand Map parcels with houses, compliant systems & vacant land Map - Maps are very helpful in location of parcels
Tracking Sheet Chisago County Septic Pilot Program check list for field work Township Check when done Section # 1 Locate parcels on GIS for labels. Save under Pilot Program Township mailing labels Township name Section # and bookmark on GIS. Time worked: 2. Print labels and prepare sheets Time worked: 3. Check with septic log for new systems or compliance certifications. Time worked: 4. Field check addresses. 5. Mail post cards (date cards sent ). Time worked: 6. All field work is complete. Time worked: 7. Entered into septic log. Time worked:
Field worksheet Pilot Program Date of Inspection: PID number Site address Owner Section Label Township Section Comments: Denied access Why? Imminent Health Threat Problems? : Owner YES NO Can t find system Dog Fence No trespassing Other Yes OR No Recheck in the winter Any letters sent? Date Drawing: Picture taken: Yes OR No Inspection performed by:
Mail postcard of intent to visit property with a date. CHISAGO COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES/ZONING 313 NORTH MAIN STREET, ROOM 243 CENTER CITY, MN 55012 651-213-8370 The Chisago County Dept. of Environmental Services/Zoning is conducting a septic pilot program in all areas where the County has jurisdiction over the regulation of individual sewage treatment (septic) systems. The program is to find and fix septic systems that are an imminent threat to public health and safety. Minnesota Rules Chapter 7080 defines a septic system as an imminent health threat if it causes ground surface or surface water discharges and sewage back up into a dwelling or other establishment. January 1, 2007, MN Statutes 115.55 has included a fine of $500.00 a month for each system not updated within 10 months. Enforced by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. County certified septic inspectors will be in your area performing evaluations in the Month of Feb/March or if you would like to be present for the inspection call for an appointment. No entry to the home is necessary. A card will be left to indicate that your property was viewed. If follow up visits are necessary, we will contacted you via U.S. Mail. Minnesota Laws allow periodic evaluations of septic systems by licensed governmental authorities. Questions call Kellie Strobel @ 651-213-8373 or to make an appointment call 651-213-8371 Chisago County Environmental Services/Zoning Department
Set up spread sheets Last name Address Parcel ID # Compliance in sp ec tio n Date of com pliance Date of noncom pliance Reason Perm it num ber Install of system Replaced Repair or Added Designer In sta ller C o de GPD Type of System sand depth inches # of tanks Tank size ASBUILT
Collection of data Pick a start date: 2000- enter data on spread sheet from permits, Compliance inspections etc. Last name Address Parcel ID # Compliance inspection Date of compliance Date of noncompliance Reason Permit number Install of system Replaced Repair or Add Designer Installer Code GPD Type of System sand depth inches # of tanks Tank size ASBUILT Smith XXX Lake Ln 40001400 X 5/06 PPI Johnson XXXXX St Croix T 40001710 X 7/06 PPIH Johnson XXXXX St Croix T 40001710 06-255 2006 101 627 750 M 24 2 t-25 Y Jones, T XXXXX franconia T40003030 00-341 2000 101 2105 450 m 18 2 t-1 Y Thompson XXXXX franconia T40003060 01-429 2001 119 271 600 m 20 2 t-1 Y Peterson, V XXXXX Thrush Ave 40005601 X 06/05
Franconia Twp as of 2004
Franconia Twp Sec 25 Green - systems less than 5 years old Parcels - heavy blue lines needs to be check
Conduct Conduct field check 1.Drawing of system lay out on land 2.Picture of discharge - this is very important for any court case. You are not allowed to go back to a property without a search warrant after a ticket is issued. 3.Leave notice of inspection at the home
Notices left at time of visit Dear Chisago County Resident, We tried to view your septic system today, On for purposes of the Chisago County Septic Pilot Program. At the time of the visit,, we could not find your system. You will receive a letter to make an appointment or provide a map of the location of your system. This viewing is not a septic certification. The attached brochure provides information on septic maintenance. If you have any questions, contact Environmental Services/Zoning at 651-213 213-8371. Dear Chisago County Resident, Your septic system was viewed on for purposes of the Chisago County Septic Pilot Program. At the time of the visit,, your septic system was not classified as an imminent public health threat. This viewing is not a septic certification. The attached brochure provides information on septic maintenance. If you have any questions, contact Environmental Services/Zoning at 651-213 213-8371.
Imminent Health Threat Notice Dear Chisago County Resident, Your septic system was viewed on for evaluation under the Chisago County Septic Pilot Program. You will be receiving a letter informing you of the status of your septic system. If you have any questions, please call County Sanitarian Kellie Strobel at 651-213 213-8373.
Field data collected & follow up Maintain spread sheets & maps Letters 1. 2. 3. System 1. Unable to locate system 2. Unable to enter property System - Imminent Health Threat
Franconia Twp (after inspections)
Imminent Health Threat Letter of status Issue a 60 day Notice of Noncompliance per our ordinance 98.1, 2.60.B.1 (Imminent health threats shall be upgraded, replaced, repaired or use discontinued, within 60 days) Grant application & loan programs Obtain a permit to: 1. Replace 2. Upgrade 3. Fix 4. Discontinue use 1. 2. 3. 4.
Date Name Address City, State Zip NOTICE OF NONCOMPLIANCE Dear Name, On date I visited your property at address, PID# XXXXXXXX I found that you septic system was not in compliance and is an imminent public health threat as defined by both statute and ordinance. The septic system at your property must be upgraded, replaced or repaired, or its use discontinued within sixty (60) days. The septic system on your property is discharging on top of the ground. This is an imminent public health threat as defined by MN Stat. 115.55 and MM Rule Chapter 7080. Chisago County Septic Ordinance Subd 2.40 states: 2.40 FAILING SEPTIC SYSTEMS. A Notice of Noncompliance shall be issued and copies provided to the property owner with 30 days under the following conditions; An ISTS posing an imminent threat to public health or safety shall be upgraded, replaced or repaired, or its use discontinued, within an appropriate time no greater than 60 days. Enclosed you will find a list of licensed perc-tester/septic designers and a list of licensed septic installers. A permit is required to repair or replace the septic system and must be designed by a licensed or MPCA certified designer. Failure to bring the system into compliance or discontinue its use within sixty (60) days of this notice will result in criminal charges being filed in this matter. Your prompt attention to this matter is required. Sincerely, Kellie Strobel Sanitarian, Chisago County, Dept of Environmental Services & Zoning
Application for Chisago County Septic Pilot Program Cost Share Grant Funds Chisago County has been awarded grant funds by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to conduct a septic pilot program to identify and address individual sewage treatment systems (commonly known as septic systems) that have been determined to pose an imminent threat to the public health and safety. Minnesota Rules Chapter 7080 defines a septic system as an imminent health threat if it causes ground surface or surface water discharges and sewage back up into a dwelling or other establishment. As part of this program, Chisago County has determined that $118,000 of the total grant award will be used as cost share funds to be used toward homeowner septic system replacement if their system has been determined to be an imminent threat to public health. Based on the estimated number of systems in this County in this category, a grant award of $400 per septic system to be replaced will be awarded. Property Owners Name: Address of Property: Mailing address if different: Property Identification Number (PID): Property Owner Phone Number: Current septic system has been determined to be an imminent threat to public healthinitials Kellie Strobel, Sanitarian Date Approved replacement septic design has been submitted and approvedinitials Kellie Strobel, Sanitarian date I certify that I will attend a homeowners septic system operation and maintenance workshop when offered in this area, and I am in receipt of a Septic System Owners Guide. Workshop date: All inspections including final have taken place and the Asbuilt has submitted. Cost share grant in the amount of $400 approved. Mary Darragh Schmitz, Environmental Services/Zoning Director date I declare under the penalties of law that this account, claim or demand is just and correct and that no part of it has been paid. Applicant Signature Date $400.00 Vendor # Date: Account # Warrant # Signature of Approval
Failure to comply with Notice of Noncompliance 30 day warning letter sent If no response: Issue citation Copy of ticket, pictures, full report of situation and recommendation to courts are sent to the County Attorneys office.
Money issues Home equity loans Rural Housing Home Improvement Loans & Grants Agriculture Best Management Practices Loan Program (AgBMP) Consider County loan program Chisago County approved a new loan program for homeowners who can t quality for a conventional loan which is applied to their taxes over a 10 year period and the rate is ½ or the prime rate. To qualify: They must have 2 letters of denial from lending institutions. Proof of ownership 2 written bids from licensed installers. Taxes must be current 2 loans approved to date 3 loans in process
2008 Grant $100,000 grant from Board of Water Soil Resources Grants of up to $5,000 for 20 low income homeowners, funds are available until 6/30/2009
125 feet from the St Croix River with no tank, 4 campers dumping into it, multi family use and located in a floodway which floods every couple of years
Inside of outhouse
Discharging out the side of a hill
Straight pipe to ditch
System flooded, drop boxes were discharging
The flooded system caused erosion
Straight pipe to a pasture and across the road from a lake
County road repair uncovered pipe straight to a ditch
Pilot Program as of 12/31/07 Inspections 2653 Imminent Health Threats Upgrades 261 Upgrades (including individual homeowners that volunteer to upgrade without a pilot program inspection) 255 Trillions Trillions of FCU s prevented from discharging on to the ground or in surface waters
Thank You Questions? Contact: Chisago County Environmental Services & Zoning Mary Darragh Schmitz, Director 651-213 213-8374 email: mdschmi@co.chisago.mn.us Or Kellie Strobel, Sanitarian 651-213 213-8373 email: krstrob@co.chisago.mn.us