Onsite Wastewater Management Program

Frequently Asked Questions

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WHAT IS A SEPTIC SYSTEM?
HOW OFTEN SHOULD MY SEPTIC TANK BE CLEANED?
HOW DID THIS PROGRAM COME ABOUT?
WHY DOES TRINIDAD NEED THIS PROGRAM?
WHY DO I NEED THIS PROGRAM?
HOW ARE OWTS REGULATED?
WHAT WILL THE PROGRAM ENTAIL?
WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM MEAN TO ME?

WHAT IS A SEPTIC SYSTEM?
A septic system is a biological method of household sewage treatment that can be very effective when it has been carefully designed and installed and then is properly used and maintained. Septic systems are designed to provide partial treatment of the sewage, with disposal to the soil in such a manner that the sewage stays under the ground and is further treated by soil organisms so that contaminants do not reach groundwater or streams.
A septic system typically consists of a septic tank and a leaching device. The tank is usually 1000-2000 gallons in size and is designed to trap solids and grease and provide initial, primary treatment of the sewage. Treatment in the septic tank is anaerobic (without oxygen) and produces a fairly raw effluent that is still very high in bacteria and pathogens, dissolved solids and organics, ammonia, and organic nitrogen. The liquid then typically flows by gravity to the leaching device where the sewage soaks into the soil and most of the treatment takes place. The total size of tank and leaching area needed is determined by the expected amount of sewage flow into the system and capabilities of the soil to absorb water. Solids settle to the bottom of the tank and must be periodically pumped out by a qualified pumper before they build up and get into the leach lines. If this happens, the solids will clog the system and cause its failure. Failed septic systems can cause significant human and environmental health impacts, resulting in the need for inspection and maintenance.

Good treatment is primarily a biological process and it occurs most rapidly in upper soil layers that are rich in soil organisms and with plenty of oxygen to provide aerobic treatment. Besides the basic tank and trench leaching device, an onsite sewage disposal system may include other components such as a pump if the leachfield is higher than the tank. Other types of alternative OWTS include Wisconsin Mounds and Intermittent Sand Filters. These however, generally do not occur in Trinidad because they are only used when conditions will not permit a conventional septic system; these conditions do not exist in Trinidad. Any other OWTS besides septic systems will likely have different, but as yet undetermined standards. Cesspools and pit privies are old methods of sewage disposal that are now prohibited by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.
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HOW OFTEN SHOULD MY SEPTIC TANK BE CLEANED?
Use this form to calculate how often your septic tank should be cleaned: (Link opens in a new browser window) http://trinidad.ca.gov/geninfo/septiccalc.cfm
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HOW DID THIS PROGRAM COME ABOUT?

The City has been considering this project for many years, discussing it at Planning Commission meetings and Town Hall meetings. The idea originally surfaced in the 1970’s in conjunction with the adoption of the City’s original General Plan. As part of that process, several studies were completed, included a comprehensive study on septic systems and water quality. Conditions at the time indicated that septic systems would have to be more closely regulated, or the City would eventually have to build a centralized sewer. However, this idea was never followed through, and the issue lost momentum. The City’s existing General Plan suggests that the City complete wastewater facilities plan that considers the use of a public septic system maintenance district in order to avoid the need to construct a sewer plant; this plan was never completed.

In 1996 the community, City Council and Planning Commission began discussing a General Plan update. As part of this General Plan update, a series of townhall meetings and community visioning exercises were completed. These meetings were widely advertised in order to promote as broad community participation as possible. The Planning Commission made a strong effort to include representative from all segments of the community. Over 75 people (>20% of the City’s entire population) attended the first meeting alone; many of Trinidad’s community groups were also represented. The first meeting was held in October 1997 and was facilitated by the Center for Environmental Economic Development (CEED). One of the major concerns expressed by a large portion of the community at this meeting was the status and management of OWTS in the City. Based on that input, a second townhall meeting was held in October 1998 focusing on OWTS issues. Several Humboldt County Environmental Health Department staff attended this meeting in order to answer questions from the community; it was a very informative meeting. Finally, a third townhall meeting was held later in 1998 to identify possible solutions and direction for the community’s top three priorities, including septic systems. This meeting resulted in a general consensus by the community supporting the establishment of a septic system management program or district.

The Trinidad Planning Commission and City Council both support the development of an OWTS Management Program. The General Plan that was being updated includes a policy that directs the City to develop this OWTS management program. In 2001, during a series of public meetings, the Planning Commission and planning staff developed a draft OWTS ordinance that would create the basis for a comprehensive OWTS Management Program. Because of budget constraints, the project was put on hold while planning staff applied for grant funding to finish developing and to implement the program (see below). Trinidad is only now developing the program because it is difficult for a City of such a small size to obtain the resources necessary to develop a sound program that meets the City’s and it’s residents needs.
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WHY DOES TRINIDAD NEED THIS PROGRAM?

Currently, the City of Trinidad is comprised of approximately 200 residences, all of which have individual on-site wastewater treatment systems. The maintenance of these systems is a responsibility that falls on the landowner. A large proportion of the existing on-site wastewater disposal systems are more than 20 years old and were either installed prior to permit requirements or prior to permanent record keeping. It is unknown whether systems in and around Trinidad are being maintained or functioning properly. Maintenance of septic systems is very important because it ensures the system is functioning properly, extends the life of the system and helps prevent system failure. Unfortunately “out of sight, out of mind” describes most people’s relationship with their septic systems and maintenance is often overlooked by homeowners. Failing septic systems pose a huge problem for homeowners and the City as a whole.

Because Trinidad is a small coastal community, negligence affects all residents, as well as ambient water quality. In the past, when cities have had problems with their septic systems, the solution has been to build a public sewer system. Due to Trinidad’s small size and distance from neighboring communities, development of a centralized wastewater treatment facility is unfeasible. And because of the growth inducing effects of sewer systems, the construction of one is undesirable to residents. It is only now being realized by regulators that sewer systems are not always desirable and the regulation of existing systems is more effective and cost efficient and better preserves the character of the town. Only a few cities have already adopted similar programs, but they are becoming more common and will continue to do so because they make sense. Trinidad needs a comprehensive program to regulate all the OWTS within the City limits, ensure and track system maintenance, prevent system failures and monitor water quality.

Informal water testing in the past has indicated that Parker Creek has high fecal coliform counts. This creek has historically been considered as a secondary source of water for Trinidad and has been designated as a “Critical Water Supply Area” in the Draft General Plan. The City would like to develop this creek as a secondary and emergency water supply for the City. Luffenholtz Creek, the City’s primary, and currently only, water supply, is located outside the City limits, but the City is working with the County on this program and will request that the County adopt this program’s policies in the Luffenholtz Creek watershed.

Water quality has been sporadically monitored by Public Works in lower Parker Creek and in runoff from the coastal bluffs, along with regular testing of Luffenholtz Creek, the City’s water supply. Bacteriological sampling completed during a past General Plan program indicated that many of the coastal streams and springs in the area had high coliform counts, requiring disinfection for use as potable or recreational water. Informal and sporadic sampling that has been done in association with individual projects since that time has indicated that the water quality has improved, but this more recent data is not readily available. The County Division of Environmental Health currently regularly samples ocean waters at public beaches near the mouths of creeks to monitor bacteria counts for recreational swimming safety. Monitoring sites near Trinidad include Trinidad State Beach near the mouth of Mill Creek and Luffenholtz Beach near the mouth of Luffenholtz Creek. Staff at Streamline Planning Consultants have participated in an annual Statewide volunteer monitoring event known as snapshot day. Six locations in and around the City were sampled in the Spring of 2003 and 2004 as part of this effort; these include upper and lower Mill Creek, upper and lower Parker Creek, Luffenholtz Creek near the City’s water intake and Little River near Crannel. No water quality problems were found. The recent improvements in water quality are likely due to better technology related to OWTS. However, there have been statements from residents in the last five years that smell of sewage is still noticeable from the beaches at times, but no documentation has been submitted.
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WHY DO I NEED THIS PROGRAM?

If you had a brand new Mercedes in your driveway, would you drive it 100,000 miles without changing the oil? Would you be careless about the quality of the fuel? Probably not. Like that Mercedes, your septic system is worth a pretty penny, and it will give you years of trouble free service if you maintain it. Maintenance is the single most important consideration in making sure a septic system will work well over a long period of time. Too often homeowners forget that whatever goes down the drain or toilet ultimately either finds its way into the soil or remains in the septic tank until it is pumped out. The most important step in maintaining a septic system is to have the tank pumped regularly. How often a particular tank needs to be pumped depends largely on the age and size of the tank, the number of people in the household, and the kinds of appliances and amount of water used.

There are two main categories of reasons why maintaining and monitoring systems to avoid system failure is so important. The first category is money and economics. Failing septic systems are expensive to repair or replace, and poor maintenance is a common cause of early system failures. The minimal amount of preventative maintenance that septic systems require costs very little in comparison. For example, it typically costs from $5,000 to $20,000 to replace a failing septic system with a new one compared to approximately $100 to have a septic system inspected, and $150 to $250 to have it pumped, depending on the particular system.

There are other monetary reasons to maintain your septic system. Failed septic systems cause property values to significantly decline. This is because of the health and environmental hazards (see below) and because building permits cannot be issued or real estate sales can be delayed for these properties until systems are repaired or replaced and the site is cleaned up. This also affects the economic health of the community as a whole. Failed septic systems are a major source of water pollution in places. They can contribute to pollution of local streams and shorelines that our community uses for commercial or recreational activities, and which attract tourists to Trinidad. The economic health and quality of life of Trinidad would be negatively impacted by a decline in tourism due to pollution from OWTS. Failing systems are also illegal and may cause the state to step in and take corrective actions or take the authority over systems away from the City.

The second and most important reason to maintain your system is to protect the health of your family, your community, and the environment. When septic systems fail, inadequately treated household wastewater is released into the environment. Any contact with untreated human waste can pose significant health risks, and untreated wastewater from failing septic systems can contaminate nearby wells, groundwater, and recreational water sources. Chemicals improperly released through a septic system also can pollute local water sources and can contribute to system failures. For this reason it is important for homeowners to be aware about what should and should not be disposed of through a septic system.

The threat of disease is a key problem with treating human wastewater. The epidemics that killed millions of people in the Middle Ages were caused by mixing of human waste with drinking water supplies. Domestic wastewater may contain bacteria and viruses that cause dysentery, hepatitis, and typhoid fever. Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, contained in domestic wastewater, can cause both health and nuisance problems if allowed to reach surface or groundwater supplies. Nitrogen in its nitrate form poses the most significant threat to our health. When ingested by infants, nitrate can interfere with the blood's ability to carry oxygen, causing 'blue baby' syndrome.

To protect your health, it is important to exclude these organisms and nutrients from both surface and groundwater. That is why sewage treatment plants use chlorine and other biocides (substances destructive to many organisms). Fortunately, soil and soil bacteria can effectively remove pathogenic (disease-causing) micro-organisms from wastewater treated in a properly functioning septic system.

These reasons are why the City has a responsibility to require OWTS owners to properly maintain their systems, and ensure the conditions of OWTS and water quality are monitored within the City.
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HOW ARE OWTS REGULATED?

Septic systems and other OWTS are regulated by the State and local governments in a variety of ways to help prevent septic systems from causing pollution or presenting a serious public health hazard. The State Health and Safety Code requires an appropriate means of sewage disposal for all homes and businesses. It also prohibits any discharge of sewage on the ground surface. The CA Water Code regulates water quality and establishes both the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and the Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Regional Boards); the North Coast is in Region 1 (NCRWQCB). Division 7 of the Water Code grants to the Regional Boards jurisdiction over all discharges of waste, including discharges from OWTS. Therefore, the NCRWQCB is responsible for ensuring that septic systems do not cause pollution of surface or groundwater.

The NCRWQCB has established minimum standards for the siting, design and operation of septic systems, such as groundwater separation, stream and well setbacks, slope limitations, minimum system sizing requirements, and allowances for use of alternative technologies. These standards are contained in the Water Quality Control Plan for the North Coast Region (Basin Plan). The Basin Plan also delegates authority to implement these standards to local regulatory agencies. In Humboldt County, the responsible agency is the Environmental Health Division of the Humboldt County Health and Human Services Department, and currently Trinidad contracts with the Health Department to regulated OWTS in the City as well. The local agency must comply with the minimum standards contained in the Basin Plan in order to keep the authority to permit septic systems; however, they may adopt stricter standards for OWTS than are contained in the Basin Plan.

In addition to the above mentioned standards, there are other state and local standards that affect the regulation of septic systems. Assembly Bill 885 (AB885) was passed by the State Legislature and signed into law in 2000. California is one of only two states that do not already have statewide minimum standards for OWTS; AB 885 will change that. AB 885 requires the SWRCB to establish uniform standards for construction and performance of all new and existing OWTS throughout the state. There is also a whole suite of water quality standards that the City must comply with.

The AB 885 regulations have taken longer than expected to finalize and have changed significantly over this time period. Trinidad has attempted to model the City’s program after the proposed regulations, but can not wait for them to be finalized. In the end, Trinidad used the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) suggested management level III for areas with high development densities and adjacent sensitive resources. As noted earlier, Trinidad has small lots and high densities for septic systems. In addition, several creeks flow through town, recreational beaches border the community and an important cultural site exists within the City. The ocean waters off Trinidad have been designated by the State as an Area of Biological Significance, warranting special protection from water quality degradation. Trinidad has a responsibility to the community and the environment to ensure that septic systems within town do not negatively impact water quality. If water quality problems are found to be occurring, the State could take OWTS permitting authority away from the City and could go as far as to put a moratorium on building permits until the problem is adequately dealt with.
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WHAT WILL THE PROGRAM ENTAIL?

The City’s new OWTS management program will establish operating criteria and maintenance standards for all systems in the City. The City Planner and staff and the Trinidad Planning Commission will write the program in a collaborative effort with input from the public and interested agencies. The details of the program have not yet been finalized. The intent of the program is to ensure that site assessment, system design and construction, operation, maintenance, and environmental monitoring occurs in a way that results in improved quality of life and economic and public health and safety conditions in the Trinidad area.

The draft OWTS ordinance sets up two different permitting systems that regulate OWTS within the City. The first already exists, but is implemented by the County rather than the City. Construction/Repair permits are necessary whenever new systems are installed or repairs are made. The City will adopt the County’s Sewage Disposal Regulations that outline design, siting and construction requirements and standards for new and repaired systems, and which conforms to Basin Plan standards. Improper siting, construction, or design often contribute to septic system failures. Fortunately, the proposed program ensures proper siting design and construction of septic systems.

If your septic system has been properly designed, constructed, and installed, then you are the most likely remaining threat to the health and longevity of your septic system. This brings us to the second type of permit found in the draft ordinance, Operating Permits. All system owners will be required to apply for and obtain an operating permit for their OWTS. These permits will be conditional on proper maintenance and subject to a processing fee to cover the administrative costs of the permit system and monitoring.

This program will include inspection and pumping schedules, as part of the conditions of the Operating permit for all on-site wastewater treatment systems within the City limits. Initial inspections will be used to obtain information such as size and location and to assess the condition of the system. This information will be used to develop a reasonable inspection and pumping schedule for each system. Most systems will need to be inspected and pumped approximately every three years. The inspections protect the community from the dangers of failing systems. These permits and regulations will ensure that systems are properly installed and maintained to further the goals of the program and ensure a long life for OWTS.

There will be a monitoring program developed as part of the OWTS maintenance program. It will include water quality monitoring in the creeks that flow through the City limits. Groundwater seeping from the coastal bluffs will also be monitored. System inspections may also include soil testing on the site as a form of monitoring. The City is required to meet certain water quality standards by the Regional Water Quality Control Board, which are contained in the Basin Plan. The City will test for, at a minimum, fecal coliform and nitrates, both of which pose threats to human and environmental health.

The OWTS information will also be used to create a computer Geographic Information System (GIS) database that inventories all relevant information about the systems and helps manage the ongoing program. The database will also include other important parcel related information such as zoning. GIS is a relatively new technology used in many fields, but it is especially useful for land management. It allows integration and analysis of many types of information linked to each parcel and the relationships between parcels. The GIS database will make the City government more efficient and allow it to make better informed and integrated decisions. Public education and information sharing, possibly via the internet in the future, will also be a component of the program.
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WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM MEAN TO ME?

One advantage of the program is that it is not “one size fits all”; maintenance schedules are based on individual site information. Even though the pumping schedule will be tailored to the individual system, other factors affect the condition of an OWTS that the City can’t account for. The City will use information such as size and age of the tank and number of bedrooms to develop the pumping schedule. However, the number of people actually living in the house is very important, as is how much water they use and what they put down the drain. Using a lot of water or a garbage disposal or disposing of chemicals down the drain can overload the system. The City won’t have this kind of information; that is why periodic inspections are necessary.

A local septic pumper has offered a 20% discount for group rates to carry out the initial inspections, $100 for an average system including excavation to access it. Trinidad has received grant money to finish developing the program and implement it as well as to help homeowners reduce some of the costs involved. Many of the program elements and requirements will save individuals time and money in the future because they will prevent system failures and make inspections easier. Items such as risers and in-line filters for individual OWTS may be partially paid for through the grant funding.

This program will entail a modest annual added cost to homeowners, however, more money will probably be saved in the future by avoiding costly OWTS failures. Another advantage of the program is that it keeps local control over the City’s wastewater treatment. Humboldt County currently permits septic systems in the City of Trinidad; this will change when the Program is implemented. (The City may still contract with the County to be it’s Health Officer, but the City will have direct oversight of the process.) Further, if failing septic system pose a threat to water quality or public health and safety, the State could step in and impose measures such as moratoriums on building permits and order reductions in OWTS use. When landowners are educated about the realities of their OWTS, worrying about it can cause a headache; this program should give landowners a piece of mind instead.
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