Ketchikan: Borough Public Works Proposing New Plan for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems By MARY KAUFFMAN, SitNews - One of several items on the agenda for the Ketchikan Borough Assembly's meeting Monday is a work session to discuss septic tanks or onsite wastewater treatment systems.

A typical Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) in the Ketchikan Borough consists of a septic tank and a soil absorption field that allows treated effluent to infiltrate into the soil. When maintained and functioning properly, these systems are said to be effective at removing pollutants before they enter into the environment.

Borough Public Works Director Ed Schofield will present an overview to Assembly Members for discussion on options for improving onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough. According to Schofield's agenda statement, the intent of this Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Management Plan work session is to provide the Borough Assembly a forum for additional questions and answers to better articulate the workings of the Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Management Plan.

According to information provided to the Assembly at the July 16th meeting, Schofield reported 1,231 Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems in the Borough. Of those, 50 percent had known deficiencies, as discovered during visual inspections by the Borough’s sludge pumping contractor who also reported there was no follow up on those deficiencies. Of those 90 percent of the deficiencies required minor repairs that would cost on average $600 per system and 10 percent of the deficiencies require major repairs, which would cost around $15,000 per unit.

Schofield told the Assembly on July 16th, the total estimated cost of repairs would be $3,225,600 with the entire cost covered by the homeowner over a three-year period.

The proposed changes to Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) in the borough will affect a large number of the Borough’s residents and for that reason, Schofield states in his August 20th agenda summary that it is absolutely paramount that all aspects of this plan be clearly defined and discussed publicly and approved by the Ketchikan Borough Assembly. The information items below describe some of the required changes to Borough policies the need for changes to the Borough Code of Ordinances.

The proposed plan for the new system would require a Certificate of Health Authority or “Health Certificate” letter detailing the operational status and compliance of an Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS).

This "Health Certificate " letter would be signed by a registered engineer and the Ketchikan Borough Public Works Department and would be given at the request of a property owner. It is proposed this letter will be a useful tool during land transfers and property sales to ensure a complaint system for a new owner. In the case of a failing system or one that does not meet the compliance requirements, Public Works will work with the land owner to resolve all deficiencies and return the system to compliance.

Questions, please contact the editor at editor@sitnews.us or call 617-9696
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Update in Progress

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