AG 2000 11 20 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

October 24, 2000 CABARRUS HEALTH ALLIANCE' IJ ITl I I! I1:1 II:1~ ! i i[!J~ I~ I Ii,Il ii I I ~r:! N I i B I; I ~(ll IiCi I Ii il! ! E1 ;~11 I~:~ i IvJ ~.*!1~ I [I]~ Pump tanks were u,ilia, ed on both lots became the usable soil for the septic dralnfield was located at a higher elevation than the structure. Lot 6 - The complaint was "septic improper (pumped out twice within t~o years)". pumping Out a septic rank with .any frequency does not constitute a public health problem. It does indicate that there are many solids being put into the system. The primary purpose of the t~nlr is tO retain solids'while discharging wastewater into the'drainfield. An inspection of the drainfield indicated that it was functioning itl a sa_rli~ary manner, however there did appear to be some dampness at the end of one of the lower lines (no surfacing was occurring at the time of the inspection). The upper lines were probed and they appear to be dry. It is thought that the 'distribution box should be dug up and reset t6 insure that the upper lines are being fed first. While this is not a problem at this time, it can cause premature failure of the system in the future. The homeowner was informed of our findings and recommendations. Lot 9 - The complaint was "septic lines exposed and leaching". 'LOt 9 is another of the septic systems that uses a pump rank to pick the sewage effluent up' because the usable soil is located at a higher elevation. There is a small hole located at the beginning of the drainfield where the supply pipe .from the pump tank goes into the drainfield. Sewage effluent does pond in the hole every time the pump cycles. The supply line from the pump *ank is also exposed in a couple of locations due to what appears to be erosion. Corrective action required to fix this problem is m fill in the hole where the supply pipe goes into the drainfield. There is no requirement that the supply line be covered but it is recommended that the soil that has eroded off k be replaced to avoid any potential 'damage in the future. This problem was corrected on October 23, 2000. ' Lot 13, 15, and 19 ~ The complaint is "sulfur smell in the water and well water und_4nkable". There are no regulations governing individual on site wells in Cabarrus CoUnty. There are "well construction standards" that NCDEM enforces but these, standards do not deal with water qnality issues. The Cabarrus Health _Alliance is willing to take a bacteriological sample for no charge at any of the three wells that feel they have unsafe drinking water. It is important to re~li~.e that any rotten egg odor or sulfur smell in the.water is more than likely the byproduct of sulfate reducing and/or sulfur bacteria. Both are considered "nuisance organisms" that do not cause disease but do cause taste, odor and pipe corrosion problems. These organisms are usually e 'kminated with chlorination. Lot 14 - The complaint was "septic too dose to the surfice". North Carolina rules require a minimnm of six inches of cover over the dralnfielck The drainfield does have at least six inches of covet and at the time of the investigation, the dralnfield was functioning in a sanitary manner. While on site we had the oppommity to talk.to the homeowner and this Public Health Authority of Cabarrus County 1307 South Cannon Boulevard · Karmapolis, North Carolina 28083 · 704/939-1200 · Fax: 704/933-3345