Rain, rain, rain!!  How much more can we take?  We hope everyone had a safe June as storms have swept across Moore County this past month.  Broken limbs have lined the streets and electricity has gone out several times throughout the area. 

In this edition of the Moore County Planning and Community Development newsletter, we included some helpful information relating to the recent storms and flooding.  Development within the 100-year floodplain is a big issue and can definitely cause severe damage, if not properly managed.   Moore County has adopted a Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, and this article guides readers through the process of building a new home or structure within the 100-year floodplain.

Speaking of water, or in this case wastewater, the Community Development division has included an article on septic systems this month.  Septic systems are crucial in collecting, treating, and disposing of wastewater for both residential and commercial buildings.  Here, you will find information on different systems and how they operate, as well as seeking further guidance through the Moore County Environmental Health Department.

In closing this month, we would like to congratulate Code Enforcement Officer Todd McMillen on passing the Professional Housing Rehab Association of North Carolina (PHRANC) Certified Rehabilitation Specialist exam.  Todd is one of approximately 40 North Carolinians to have passed the exam in 20 years of PHRANC's existence (see the June 2013 Grants update section for more information).

We hope you enjoy this month's newsletter.   Please have a safe wonderful Fourth of July!   

Jeremy Sparrow 

Flood Openings/Venting

Flood openings allow flood waters to pass through a structure to reduce the hydrostatic pressure on a structure during a flood event and are required to be installed in all new construction within a 100-year floodplain. 

The amount of flood venting required is based upon the area within the crawlspace or the footprint of the home.  This is calculated as one (1) square inch of venting for every one (1) square foot of area within the crawl space or garage area.  A minimum of two (2) vents must be installed on at least two (2) different walls to allow the passage of flood waters.

Septic systems are used to collect, treat, and dispose of sewage/wastewater released from homes and businesses typically located in rural areas(http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/publications/Soilfacts/AG-439-22-39-22.pdf).  North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service staff has documented close to two million septic systems being used in North Carolina. Whether addressing existing septic system issues or anticipating having a unit installed, it is imperative for County residents to rely on the County's Environmental Health Division for their expertise on all septic system matters. Environmental Health staff can test soils to see if ground is suitable for septic system installation, identify the type of system currently in place, determine the location of the tank, and provide advice and information regarding maintenance records and tips.

Conventional tank systems are the most commonly used type of septic system and can be found all over the state. A conventional tank system consists of three different components: the septic tank, drainfields, and the soil beneath the drainfield. In a functioning system, all wastewater (including water used to bathe and wash clothing) flows out of the home and into the tank; the size of the tank is determined by number of bedrooms in the home and is typically made of concrete. In the tank, solid materials known as "sludge" settle at the bottom while greases and other liquids flow out of the tank through the sanitary tee mechanism. After passing through the sanitary tee, the liquid then enters into a perforated pipe system where the effluent passes through the holes and into the drainfield or nitrification field. Drainfields are usually three feet wide and about two to three feet deep with gravel or stone added to the bottom, the aggregate provides structural support for the trench and increases storage capacity during peak discharges. The soil then acts as a purifier for the liquid before mixing with the groundwater supply.   Below is an illustration of the "conventional septic system" and the different components that are included.

 Over time, septic tank manufacturers have used the conventional septic system shown above as a base design and have made modifications in an attempt to make the system more efficient and safer for the environment. Low Pressure Pipe (LPP) systems, developed in North Carolina and Wisconsin, were designed to be an alternative to conventional septic systems. Where the conventional septic system relies on gravity to continuously transport liquids from the tank to the drainfields, the LPP system is equipped with a pumping or dosing chamber, effluent pump, and a level control mechanism.   Once the liquid in the dosing chamber reaches the upper level control, the pump activates and releases the liquid into the lateral pressurized pipes, rather than the constant flow occurring in the conventional system. The benefit of this component is that it equally distributes the liquid to each lateral pressurized pipe, therefore preventing clogging and backup from occurring. In addition, because of the periodic dosing and resting from the pumping chamber, the health of the environment strengthens substantially by encouraging aerobic conditions in the soil. A rendering of the "LPP system" is shown below.

When a septic system fails or malfunctions it is not a pretty "site." Although septic tank systems are imperative for removing wastewater from many homes and businesses, they are also the most frequently reported sources of groundwater contamination in the United States (http://www.gchd.org/ech/health.html). Proper maintenance will dramatically decrease the chance of any problems occurring in the unit but the owner should always be aware signs indicating a failing system. These signs can include the aroma of foul odors around the home, wet spongy ground or lush plant growth appearing near the septic tank or drainfield , evidence of raw sewage on top of the ground, or poor drainage occurring in sinks, bathtubs and washing machines due to clogs in the house, septic tank, or drainfields. Groundwater contaminated with wastewater can produce bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause damage to the human body. Specific health consequences include headaches, diarrhea, fever, vomiting (from bacterial infection), Hepatitis A and polio (viral infection), and amebiosis (parasitic infestation.) (http://www.gchd.org/ech/health.html).

Like any component of a home, the best way to increase the life span of a septic system is to perform the recommended maintenance practices advocated by Environmental Health staff or septic system contractors. Among those recommended practices are activities like limiting water use to roughly 50 gallons a day per person living in the home, avoiding flushing solid materials down toilets or pouring grease and any household chemicals down sink drains, and avoiding driving heavy machinery on or in close proximity to the system. Having the tank pumped is a major preservation practice that should be executed at the required frequency. The table shown below illustrates the recommended time frame for pumping based on tank size and number of people using the system. (http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/publications/Soilfacts/AG-439-22/AG-439-22.pdf).

For information regarding your existing or future septic system contact the Environmental Health Department at (910) 947-6283. For a list of North Carolina certified septic system contractors click here.