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HomeMy WebLinkAboutConsent Calendar #13 10-07-87l~ II~ ll~! ~ I~ ~ CONSENT CALENDAR , ~ NO. 13 DATE: SEP~MBER 29, 1987 TO: WILLIA)I HUSTON, CITY )IANA6ER FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/ENGINEERING DIVISION SUBJ£CT: COUNllf SANITATION DISll~ICT NO. 7 - GROUNDWATER STUDY RECOP~ENDATION: That the Tustin City Council at their meeting of October 7, 1987 support the Sanitation District's interest in completing a study that will provide information relative to the amounts of wastewater discharged into the ground; where it drains; determining benefits of imposed connections; and the costs of sewering the unsewered areas. BACKGROUND: -' The Directors of Sanitation District No. 7 have expressed concern regarding the quality of the Orange County groundwater and whether it may be affected by unsewered and unconnected properties in the areas of Cowan Heights, Lemon Heights, and certain areas within the City of Tustin. The District is considering an engineering study/investigation which would review unsewered or unconnected parcels, determine if there is a problem, and make recommendations. It is to be noted that the unsewered properties fall into two types - those with sewers near or adjacent to an active sewer facility and those that do not have easy access to a sewer facility. In the areas of concern, the Sanitation District surveyed 12,376 lots and found approximately 9,955 were permitted for connection to a sewer facility. It cannot be assumed that all properties/parcels that are permitted are actually connected to the sewer facilities. Most of the unsewered properties which have an available sewer facility near or adjacent to the parcel have simply not connected because the septic tank systems have not been troublesome to date. The second category generally includes areas not currently within Sanitation District No. 7 and would require annexation to said District prior to any connection. The cost of annexation to the District is high: approximately $5,000 per lot plus the actual construction and permit cost. Properties already within the District would be faced with the actual construction cost plus the permit fee of $250 per dwelling unit. All of the parcels within the current City of Tustin boundaries, with the exception of those served by the Irvine Ranch Water District, are within Sanitation District No. 7 boundaries. Consequently, no annexation fees would be requi red. DISCUSSION: The Sanitation Districts have asked the following agencigs: Ci~ of Tustin County of Orange, EMA County of Orange, HCA City of Orange Orange County Water District State Health Services to respond with a position statement by October 15, 1987 as to whether they would be willing to support the Sanitation Districts in the event the Directors authorized an extensive groundwater study. It was indicated that endorsement of this groundwater study would most likely not have a financial impact for each endorsing agency, but would most likely require the cities and county to implement mandatory connection for each parcel not connected to an existing sewer facility other than a septic system. This would result in the actual constructon cost and permit fee being the obligation of the property owners. Staff has reviewed the initial information and is in total support of requesting the Sanitation Districts to pursue the extensive groundwater study. Bob Ledendecker Director of Public Works/City Engineer