Lake George Septic Initiative Program · Lake George Septic Initiative Program Lake George Town...
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December 10, 2018 Lake George Septic Initiative Program Lake George Town Board Information Meeting
Transcript of Lake George Septic Initiative Program · Lake George Septic Initiative Program Lake George Town...
December 10, 2018
Lake George Septic
Initiative Program
Lake George Town Board Information Meeting
December 10, 2018 2
Outline
Town of Lake George Septic Initiative Program
• History
• Purpose and Goals
2015 DEC WQIP Grant
• Work Plan
• Findings
• Prioritization Algorithm
• Recommendations
Next Steps
Take Aways
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Town of Lake George Septic Initiative Program
December 10, 2018 4
December 10, 2018 5
TOLG Septic Initiative Program (SIP)
Algae indicator of excessive nutrients
Correlation between failing or sub-standard septic systems and excessive algae growth
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Lake George Algae Blooms
12/12/2018
Stewart Brook (Bolton)
Harris Bay (Queensbury)
Diamond Point (TLG)
Assembly Point (Queensbury)
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TOLG Septic Initiative Program Purpose and Goals
• Inventory and assess all existing onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) within the town, with the goal to ensure that OWTS are functioning optimally.
• Increase Public Awareness through survey
• Develop an inventory
• Outreach & Education of residents, designers and contractors
• Obtain funding
12/12/2018
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TOWN OF LAKE GEORGE
20 Old Post Road Lake George, New York 12845
518.668.5131
Pre-Inspection Worksheet for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) Date ______________________________ Tax Map ID # ________________________ Name _______________________________________ Address _______________________________________ Lake address ________________________ _______________________________________ Lake phone ________________________ Phone _________________________________ (home) _________________________________ (cell) Email __________________________________________________________ SEPTIC SYSTEM SKETCH FINDINGS Unknown _________ [check here if you do not know the specifics about wastewater treatment on your property] Septic system sewage flows into: Concrete septic tank ________ gals (size of tank) Plastic septic tank ________ gals (size of tank) Metal septic tank ________ gals (size of tank) Holding Tank ________ gals (size of tank) Cesspool ________ gals (size and construction of cesspool) Effluent from septic tank flows to: Soil Treatment Area (STA) ________ Seepage pit / drywell ________ Eljen ETU ________ Puraflo ETU ________ Other (please describe) _______________________________________________________________ OTHER INFORMATION Age of septic system _____________ Distance to lake or stream _______________ feet Age of home ___________________ # of bedrooms _____________ Garbage disposal? Yes No (please circle) Water treatment system? Yes No (please circle) Sump pump to OWTS? Yes No (please circle) DATE of last septic tank pump out _______________ Septic hauler _____________________
<< Please attach a copy of your recent inspection and pump out receipts >>
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Program Boundaries
• Phase I – Diamond Point Area
• Phase II – Cannon Point to Hearthstone
• Phase III – Hearthstone to English Brook
• Phase IV – East Side (Plum Point to Wiawaka, and Elm School south)
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2015 DEC Water Quality Improvement Program (WQIP) Grant
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Round 12 (2015) DEC WQIP Grant
• Awarded $104,000 Grant
• 6 major “objectives” administered by The FUND
– Inventory and Assessment of all OWTS
– SIP Report and Mapping
– Municipal Outreach and Coordination
– Algae sampling and water quality testing
– High Priority areas & Funding
– Amend Town Sanitary Code/Ordinance
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Inventory
PHASE TOTAL PARCELS VACANT
PARCELS
CENTRAL
SYSTEM
PACELS
I 85 3 -
II 85 11 41
III 245 75 10
IV 133 48 -
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Inventory – Survey Results
PHASE
TOTAL
PARCELS
SURVEYED
PARCELS
RESPONDED
PERCENT
RESPONSE (%)
I 82 33 40
II 73 33 45
III 159 36 23
IV 83 31 37
TOTAL 397 133 34
Well above industry standard of 10% (+ 5%) response rate
Higher response rate in Phases I & II
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Inventory – System Assessment
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Inventory – System Assessment Results
Approximately 1/3 operating within life expectancy Approximately 1/3 near or past life expectancy Approximately 1/3 are unknown
PHASE AGE OF OWTS
0-30 YEARS 30-40 YEARS >40 YEARS UNKNOWN
I 33 (40%) 21 (26%) 18 (22%) 10 (12%)
II 21 (28%) 5 (7%) 16 (22%) 32 (43%)
III 68 (43%) 16 (10%) 35 (22%) 40 (25%)
IV 33 (41%) 10 (13%) 13 (16%) 24 (30%)
TOTAL 155 (39%) 52 (12%) 81 (21%) 106 (28%)
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Inventory – System Assessment Results
1 out of 5 tanks are undersized Approximately 1/3 of tanks are unknown size &
construction Very few known metal tanks
PHASE TOTAL
TANKS
UNDERSIZED
TANKS UNKNOWN
METAL
TANKS
I 70 14 (20%) 24 (34%) 2 (3%)
II 70 21 (30%) 27 (39%) 3 (4%)
III 136 15 (11%) 61 (45%) 0 (0%)
IV 71 15 (21%) 14 (20%) 2 3%)
TOTAL 348 66 (19%) 126 (36%) 7 (2%)
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Inventory – System Assessment Results
40% of systems are compliant 1 of 5 systems are unknown 1 of 5 are dry wells (increased failure potential)
PHASE TOTAL
SYSTEMS
COMPLIANT
SYSTEMS
UNKNOWN
SYSTEM
DRY
WELLS CESSPOOLS
I 70 31 (44%) 4 (6%) 18 (26%) 6 (9%)
II 70 14 (20%) 15 (20%) 18 (26%) 7 (10%)
III 136 61 (45%) 38 (28%) 22 (16%) 6 (4%)
IV 71 37 (52%) 10 (14%) 13 (18%) 2 (3%)
TOTAL 347 143 (41%) 67 (19%) 71 (20%) 21 (6%)
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Inventory – System Assessment Results
Overall, more 50% of properties have unknown pumpout Number reduced with increased outreach documented by
Phase I
PHASE TOTAL PARCELS NO PUMPOUT
KNOWN
I 82 23 (28%)
II 74 35 (47%)
III 160 122 (76%)
IV 83 44 (53%)
TOTAL 399 224 (56%)
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Outreach & Training
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Outreach & Training
December 10, 2018 21
Algae Sampling
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Algae Sampling
PROTOCOL1 2016 2017
PALMER POLLUTION INDEX
PROBABLE ORGANIC POLLUTION (15-19) 2 3
PALMER POLLUTION INDEX
SLIGHT ORGANIC POLLUTION (11-14) 2 0
TROPHIC INDEX
SEVERE IMPACT (86-100) 1 3
TROPHIC INDEX
MODERATE IMPACT (71-85) 3 1
TROPHIC INDEX
SLIGHT IMPACT (51-70) 7 6
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How Do We Prioritize??
Create Weighted Data Bases on Inventory Assessment Implement GIS to Evaluate Parcels for Site Suitability Map areas of excessive algae growth Develop Prioritization Algorithm and Map Results
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Site Suitability Item Characteristic/Range Weighted
Steep Slopes Above 15% = 1
16% Below 15% = 0
Depth to Bedrock
Less than 1’ = 1
16% less than 2’ = 0.5
2’ and above = 0
Depth Seasonal High Groundwater
Less than 1’ = 1
16% less than 2’ = 0.5
2’ and above = 0
Stream Buffer Greater than 100’ = 0
26%
Less than 100’ = 1
Shoreline Buffer Greater than 500’ = 0
Less than 500’ = 1
APA wetland
Within wetland = 1
Outside wetland = 0
Less than 200’ Palmer 15-20 = 1
hydraulic conductivity (Ksat)
0 to 3.52 micrometers/sec= 1
26% 3.52 to 7.06 micrometers/sec= 0.5
7.06 to 423.33 micrometers/sec= 0
423.33 to 705 micrometers/sec= 0.5
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Existing System Inventory Item Characteristic/Assessed Points
System Age
0-30 Years = 2
30-40 Years = 1
>40 Years or Unknown = 0
System Components
Compliant Systems meeting Codes = 3
Undersized Septic Tank = 2
Undersized Absorption Field = 2
Seepage Pits = 1
Cesspools = 0
System Maintenance/Pumpouts
0-4 Years = 3
4-8 Years = 2
>8 Years = 1
Unknown or Never = 0
System Record Record Drawings, sketch, information exist = 1
No record drawings or system information = 0
OWTS Certification Town or Professional sign off = 1
No sign off = 0
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Site Suitability
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Prioritization Map
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Recommendations Categorized as Short-, Mid-, and Long-Term
MANAGEMENT
Inspection program, GIS Database Inventory Assessment for
Planning Dept., Pumpout Program, Test Pilot Program
OUTREACH
Municipal Presentations, Web page, Septic Summit
REGULATION
Transfer Law, Water Conservation fixture program
MONITORING
Algae Biomonitoring, Existing System Evaluation
FUNDING
Grants (FUND, CFA HABs Program, NYS Infrastructure), Work w/
Bank, PILOT Program
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Looking Forward
Complete Final Report
Establish GIS Inventory Data
Base
Develop Inspection Program
Continue Algae Biomonitoring
Secure Funding for Prioritized
Areas
Develop Lake-wide Strategy
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Take Aways
Management programs for onsite wastewater treatment
systems, septic systems, are necessary based on review
of system inventory and maintenance records.
The Town of Lake George has put together an approach
based on public outreach and inventory documentation to
support an inspection and management program.
The FUND for Lake George has developed a GIS based
algorithm to determine prioritized management areas
based on site suitability, existing system evaluation and
water quality.
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Questions?
Dan Barusch
Director of Planning and Zoning
518- 668-5131 Ext.311
Chris Navitsky, P.E.
Lake George Waterkeeper
518-668-5913 Ext.301
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Thank You!!
