CC - Agendas - City Council - REGULAR - 11/4/2008

Home

Mayor's Advisory Committee on Unsewered Areas Council Recommendation —November 4, 2008 Page 2 We then asked our committee members from the affected areas to poll their neighbors about the formation of improvement districts as a financing method. The results of these surveys showed little interest of participation due to the high cost, so we did not pursue this effort. Proceeding, the committee turned its attention to exploring approaches that would improve on what we already have. Now, to explore improving on what we have. The following statement comes from USEPA's "Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual", 2002 Edition, page xiii (courtesy of John Phillips) "Public health and environmental protection officials now acknowledge that onsite systems are not just temporary installations that will be replaced eventually by centralized sewage treatment services, but permanent approaches to treating wastewater for release and reuse in the environment. Onsite systems are recognized as viable, low-cost, long-term, decentralized approaches to wastewater treatment if they are planned, designed, installed, operated, and maintained properly." We know that there are a total of approximately 1,300 private single family, multi-family, and commercial sewer systems currently operating within the city limits. Recognizing the fact they are an acceptable means of sewage treatment and disposal, we can now start developing a policy to extend some assistance to those experiencing problems with this type of system in our non-sewered areas. We believe working together, the City and County can create a program to encourage and facilitate property owners to voluntarily allow testing of septic systems, particularly with respect to those owners who suspect they may have a failing and/or malfunctioning system. By assisting in system design and operation we can ensure that no onsite system alternative presents an unacceptable risk to public health or water resources. We further recommend that the City develop some type of formal agreement with Prescott Creeks Preservation Association to work toward identification and evaluation of detectable sources of pollution entering our watersheds, creeks, and ultimately Watson and Willow Lakes. These lakes belong to all the citizens of Prescott, having been purchased several years ago through a bond election overwhelmingly supported by our residents. We must protect these valuable assets.