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Monte Rio Wastewater Task Group NewsletterMonte Rio PoopWastewater Symposium Highlights Problems to be SolvedOn October 16, 2010 the Monte Rio Community Center was filled with talk of septic systems, regulations, and alternative disposal methods. The Monte Rio Wastewater Task Group presented an all-day symposium to report to the community the information it had gathered up to that time about the problems that need to be solved. A written report was made available at the same time. The topics of the Symposium included: A statement of the sewage disposal problems that the task group identified that must be resolved. A primer on how septic systems work and how they are designed. A discussion of regulations that apply to septic systems and other types of onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) by representatives of the Water Quality Control Board and PRMD who are the agencies that enforce them . A review of the reports and studies that were done prior to the proposal to build a sewage treatment plant at Sheridan Ranch. A review of how other communities in the area handle their wastewater both in terms of the systems they use and how they govern them. Included in the discussion were the community leach field at Oddfellows Park, septic tank management districts in Sea Ranch and Stinson Beach, a "package plant" at the Bohemian Grove and different types of conventional systems in Guerneville, Forestville, Graton and Windsor. A discussion of alternative systems including a long discussion about an onsite system called "Hoot" as an example of an onsite system that can treat wastewater a high level and has been approved in Sonoma County in some applications. Here is a synopsis of the problem statement: The regulation that defines where and how septic system leach fields can be built are contained in the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board’s “Basin Plan” which has been in effect since 1971. Most parcels in Monte Rio do not comply with the Basin Plan requirements because they are either too steep or too close to the River to accommodate a conventional leach field. In 1997 the NCRWQCB issued a directive to the County to develop plans to eliminate non-code septic systems along the Russian River. That directive is still in effect. Under current requirements, conventional leach fields require a lot of land. Most parcels in Monte Rio are not large enough to accommodate a conventional leach field. Leach fields have a life expectancy of 30-40 years. Some systems have already failed and most will fail eventually. A failure of a leach field is not necessarily visible. There is no governance or accountability for the operation of septic systems in Monte Rio. Regulations will become more stringent. We can expect that, at minimum, the regulations will require that every septic system be identified, inspected on a regular basis and repaired or upgraded if necessary. The status quo in Monte Rio is not sustainable in the long run. We remain under directive by the State to eliminate non-compliant systems. Monte Rio does not have the choice to do nothing. If you were not able to attend the symposium, the document that was distributed is available online at the MRWTG page of the CDC web site at: http://www.sonoma-county.org/cdc/redev_mrww_task_group.htm. You can also request a hard copy by mail from CDC.What is the Monte Rio Wastewater Task Group?In 2007 the County ended a 10 year effort to design and build a sewage treatment plant for Monte Rio. Although that effort failed, the problems it was meant to address remain. Most onsite wastewater systems in the area do not meet current standards and the State has directed the County resolve that problem. Proper wastewater treatment is primarily an environmental issue. State mandates to address wastewater are empowered by the Federal Clean Water act. It is also true that a lack of adequate wastewater treatment severely hampers economic development in the area, and reduces the ability of individual property owners to improve their property. Because of that, redevelopment funds may be used to help address the problems. The Russian River Redevelopment project is charged, in part, with the responsibility to eliminate blight and revitalize the economic base of the project area. In 2009, Kathleen Kane, Executive Director of the Sonoma County Community Development Commission (CDC), appointed a task group which includes Monte Rio area residents and business property owners, nonresidents who have expertise in wastewater treatment and Supervisor Efren Carrillo, as an advisory committee to study the issues related to wastewater treatment and disposal in the Monte Rio area. CDC has provided staff support and guidance through the process. In 2007 the County ended a 10 year effort to design and build a sewage treatment plant for Monte Rio. Although that effort failed, the problems it was meant to address remain. Most onsite wastewater systems in the area do not meet current standards and the State has directed the County resolve that problem. SidebarIn early January, Governor Brown recommended the elimination of redevelopment projects statewide. At the time of this writing, the fate of redevelopment in California is still being negotiated. If we are unable to use redevelopment funds to complete the studies, the problems will still exist and we will have to find other funds to solve them. Monte Rio Wastewater Task Group Community meeting http://www.sonoma-county.org/cdc/redev_mrww_task_group.htm There you can see schedules and agendas for upcoming meetings, agendas and notes from past meetings and links to relevant documents, including the task group report that is discussed in this newsletter. If you would like to be kept informed by email, log on to the site and use the “e-subscribe” feature. HOW TO PARTICIPATE OR JUST STAY IN TOUCHEmail feedback Email discussion group
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