Members of the Marshall County Water Task Force met with the Marshall County Commissioners and Marshall County Council members Monday morning to share some information about the failing septic systems in areas of the county and a plan to remedy the problem.
With several concerned residents in the meeting room to observe the discussion, County Building Commissioner Chuck DeWitt and County Health Administrator Christine Stinson relayed the issues surrounding failing septic systems and the environmental impact that has for the residents in the county.
DeWitt says a septic system starts its spiral into failure when it is first utilized. Granted, it may take some time to fail, but no system is fail-proof, according to DeWitt. Stinson said that in 2017 the Marshall County Soil and Water District asked health department officials to review the results of a study they did at the head waters of the Yellow River watershed in the county.
“The study showed that all 12 of the sites tested over the permissible limits for e-coli,” commented Stinson. “They investigated further, at an additional expense, to determine the origins of that e-coli via DNA testing. The additional test assessed whether the e-coli was related to poor farming practices, or failing and inadequate septic systems. The tests show that at least 50 percent of the e-coli was human and at one of the sites 80 percent was human e-coli.”
She said those numbers are indicative of failing and inadequate septic systems.
The sewage is not treated and it is contaminating drinking water around water wells on properties.
She stated further that a report from 2005 of the Four Lakes suggested the construction of a sewer or an alternative wastewater treatment system.
Jay Stone, a registered septic system installer in the county, discussed the fact that when septic systems fail, there is no space on a parcel to install another system so solutions are very limited.
Craig Cultice, Jamie Borden and Randy Overmyer were some property owners who told the county officials the problems they’ve suffered because of the septic issues.
Ken Jones from Jones, Petrie and Rafinski previously sent the county council and commissioners a proposal to create a Preliminary Engineering Report that would be done by their professionals to look at the affected areas and show steps on how to move forward with a Marshall County Regional Sewer District. That report would cost around $35,000 not to exceed $45,000.
While the county officials could not make a decision during Monday’s work session, since it was not advertised as a meeting where action could take place, Stinson noted that she and DeWitt will come before the Marshall County Council members in May to formally seek funding for the study.
The program will be aired this Sunday at noon during the Maximum Impact program on MAX 98. 3 FM.
