ASABE Technical Library - Abstract
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ASSIMILATION AND PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF FIELD DATA IN WASHTENAW COUNTY MICHIGAN
Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org
Citation: Paper number 701P0104, . (doi: 10.13031/2013.15758)Authors: Randall Gregory, R.S.
Keywords: Onsite, Bypass, Sewage, Failure, Evaluation, Planning, Regulation
Washtenaw County, Michigan has a new initiative for evaluation and management of onsite
sewage disposal systems. The program, which standardized inspections performed by private
contractors during real estate transactions, has assimilated data from nearly 3,500 private onsite
disposal systems since the inception of the program in 2000. The results clearly show
correlations between failure rates, system age, system design, and permitting practices. More
interestingly, the data supports identification of risk factors - regional, historical, and
construction parameters - that indicate the likelihood of septic system problems.
This paper reviews the data and correlations, and it charts a course for possible application of
these trends in environmental planning. Partnerships have evolved to improve evaluation
practices and solve local sewage concerns. Local jurisdictions are using the data to obtain state
and federal funding for sewage disposal projects. In addition, the data supports County surface
water protection programs in the Rouge River watershed.
The program also identified a significant need for community education about sewage hazards
and septic system maintenance. Many people view sewage systems as merely removing sewage
from the house. Homeowners inappropriately solve back-ups by installing bypasses that divert
failures to a remote surface discharge point.
The Washtenaw County inspection program is successfully blending regulation, research and
environmental planning to ensure proper sewage treatment and disposal. Regulatory activities
provide for functional onsite sewage systems. Collaboration between regulators, academia,
policy stakeholders and the regulated community are solving regional sewage concerns.