HOLDEN BEACH HOLDS WORKSHOP Soil Scientist Soys Septic Tanks Con Be Long-Term Solution BY DOUC; R UTTER Holdcn Bcach officials heard last week that the scptic tank systems used extensively on the island can be a long-term solution to wastewa ter management if they arc properly maintained. Thai's what an N.C. State Uni versity soil science professor said at a July 23 workshop attended by commissioners, planning board members and other residents. Dr. Michael Hoover said the wastewater management program which Holdcn Bcach officials arc considering could help ensure that scptic tanks continue to function in an environmentally sound manner. A management program also could open the door to alternative wastewater systems that require more monitoring and maintenance, which would allow more landown ers to build on lots that aren't suit able for septic tanks. Holdcn Bcach Commissioners agreed earlier this year to set up a wastewater management entity to oversee sewage disposal and treat ment. Town officials haven't decided how the program would work, what it would cost or how it would be funded. Hoover said the town could run the program, cooperate with the county or contract with a company. In the last five years, Holdcn Bcach has hired two different engi neering firms to study the town's wastewater treatment needs. Both of the studies, which cost a total of 550,000, indicated that the island has very few problems with bacterial pollution that would be as sociated with faulty scptic tanks. However, engineers recommend ed in both studies that the town move away from the use of septic tanks toward an area- or island-wide sewer system. Although the engineering studies didn't show failing septic tanks. Hoover said Holdcn Beach's undc "An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure with a septic system ? Dr. Michael T. Hoover NCSU Soil Scientist vclopcd lots probably have poorer soils than ihe lots lhat have already been built on. More than half of North Caro lina's six million people use septic tanks, he said, and Brunswick County probably installs more tanks than any other county in the state. Hoover predicts lhat North Carolinians will depend just as much on scptic tanks in the future, partly due to the increasing costs of sewer systems. The federal govern ment stopped making sewer system grants in 1988. For that reason. Hoover said con ventional septic systems should be viewed as a permanent solution to the problem of wastewater manage ment. As the state continues to develop. Hoover said people will be using more "marginal soils" which will require the use of costlier alterna tive systems and more maintenance. Thai's where local governments will have to take a more active role in monitoring and managing all types of wastewater systems. Hoover said Holdcn Beach would be "ahead of the game" and taking "a big step forward" if it set up a management program. Town offi cials don't know of any others in the country. Hoover said a management entity could track the performance of sep tic tanks and othe* systems and give town officials a good indication of when ?hcy shou'.d consider a central sewer system. Septic Tanks & Maintenance Conventional scptic tanks have two parts ? tank and drain field. Waste from a house goes to the tank, where solids settle to the bottom and liquids arc fed to the soil drain field. As the liquid flows down through the sand, it is purified. Hoover said it takes three or four feet of unsaturated soil to punfy the liquids, but the state rules only requires 12 to IK inches bccause of "economics realities". To ensure the system functions properly, solids must be pumped out of the septic tank. Hoover said the frequency of pumping depends on the size of the tank and the number of people who use it. A 1,000-gallon septic tank being used by two people should be pumped every six years. If eight peo ple arc using the same tank, howev er, it needs to be pumped every year. "An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure with a septic system," he said. "We like to see those honey wagons coming in to pump out the tanks." Because many tanks on Holdcn Beach arc overloaded during the summer and used very little the rest of the year. Hoover said the fre quency of pumping varies for each rcsidcncc. Besides pumping. Hoover said homeowners should restrict use of garbage disposals and avoid pouring grease and cooking oil down drains or driving vehicles over the system. Generally speaking, Hoover said soils must be able to absorb and pu rify the liquids to make a good sep tic tank ?,itc. All wastewater eventu ally ends up in groundwater and surface waters. "Don't be surprised that the wastewater that goes into the ground here ends up somewhere else." The key, he said, is that the liquid is puri fied as is flows through the soil. If wastewater isn't purified and ends up in groundwater or surface waters, it can cause disease in hu mans and other environmental prob lems. In rcccnt years, septic tanks have been pinpointe I as a likely source of bacterial pollution in Lockwood Folly River near Holdcn Beach. The pollution has forced state officials to frequently close the river to shell fishing. Hoover said he believes dense development and shcllfishing don't mix. But he noted that there many sources of pollu'ion besides scptic tanks in densely developed areas. Alternatives Most of the septic tank systems on Holdcn Beach are gravity-fed systems, which arc easier to install and maintain and cheaper than alter native systems. Other options include low-pres sure pipe systems, some of which arc in use at Holdcn Beach. Hoover said aerobic treatment units, which were just added to the state regulations May 1 , could help canal lot owners who have been de nied scptic tanks permits. Although they require more maintenance and arc more expen sive than septic tanks. Hoover said they take up less space and could be put to use on small canai lots. Despite the higher cost and main tenance needs of alternative sys tems, Hoover said he expects more will be used on barrier islands such as Holdcn Bcach. The value of is land property makes the expense worthwhile. Hoover said some alternatives such as low-pressure pipe systems will not be permitted in North Caro lina after July 1, 1992, unless a local management program is in place. Alligator Killed STAFF PHOTO 8v DOUG RUTTfcR William Manning found this dead alligator in a section of Royal Oak Creek near his home north of Shallotte last Wednesday. Manning said it appeared that the eight-foot-long female alligator had been shot. Wildlife Resources Commission enforcement offi cer Fred Taylor said alligators are federally protected. Anyone convicted of killing an alligator can he fined up to $2,000. Holden Beach Board To Discuss Salaries At Special Meeting Today Holden Beach Commissioners arc scheduled to hold a special meeting today (Thursday) at 10 a.m. for an executive session on a personnel matter. Mayor John Tandy said the board plans to discuss pay raises for town employees based on job perfor mance. The closcd-door session is the only item on the meeting agenda. So HowDo I Pay Forlt? I low can I say no to a smile like iluii -' W'lu-n our dentist recommended I hilar, wear braces, there wiis really only one question I luid: How do I /xiy (or it ' i Definitely reil insiethl of blue. I think \iick urn automatic I'rolmNyxo with the optional stereo IxukiiRe ami leiitlier seats Just Ask. There's onlv one tiling I haven t figured out llnw tin I fax for it itt. She s gonna need a ruin i ot her own I can see it in my head Some kind oi little girl wall/M/iei Stuffed animals I think we can add on over the garage A tiv/v we'll need another Inith there, tin Ihe nci%hlxir\ recommended a good contractor ( )riA thing is. how do 1 j\i\ tor it We started with a list of almost 50 schools. Sorrowed it down toa dozen 01 so Then my son wiis accepted h\ a couple oi Ins top picks Vuw I nist have one < /li< sf /< ?/J Haw do I p ? |t?tl H iiwigljfNt'Y