Technical Advisory Council

for

Onsite Wastewater Treatment

July 24, 2007

 

Call to Order

 

Meeting held 10:00 a.m. on July 24, 2007 at the Michigan State University, Agronomy Farm.

 

William Danly generously volunteered to serve as Secretary in Regina’s absence.

 

Members & alternates present: Chuck Cousino, Laura Pobanz, Ric Falardeau, Del Mokma, Dan Wagner, Ben Foster, Tony Drautz, Randy Gregory & William Danly.

 

Meeting Minutes Reviewed. Moved by Ric Falardeau and support by Dan Wagner to approve the minutes. Approved unanimously.

 

Review of agenda. Approved.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Website Postings – Chuck reported that the web site seems up to date.  The listing for fabric is on there as well as up to date meeting minutes.  Ben confirmed this.

 

Commercial Flow Study – Laura Pobanz indicated that they are waiting for statistics from other Counties.  There is a request for data on LISTSERV, and to date they have received inquiries from Tuscola and Genesee Counties.  They are hoping to complete the study by the end of 2007.

 

Concrete Tank Manufacturers Association.  Dan Wagner reported that Brutsche Concrete (Battle Creek area) has applied for NPCA certification due to their burial vault work for the V.A.  Dan went over there to vacuum test their tanks, which are being tested to 10” of vacuum (Hg).  Regarding the “TAC Endorsement for the OWAP for Pre-cast Concrete Septic Tank Manufacturers”, MALEHA and MEHA have recommended approval.  The MWEA Board reviewed the document last week, and had a few questions which will get passed along to the TAC group by Bill Danly once received.  The TAC Endorsement document will be placed on the MOWRA web site with the TAC logo by Ben and Tony.

 

Training Center Update – Del Mokma reported that there will be many classes coming up in the next three months (Aug. to Oct.).  It was suggested that Ben place the MSU Training Center schedule on the MOWRA web site.  MSU has seen an increase in enrollment in these classes since the septage haulers were required to obtain CEU’s.

 

MDEQ Community Systems --- Ric reported that MDEQ has completed an internal draft document related to local health department and DEQ authority and responsibilities pertaining to community wastewater systems.  A copy of the draft document was handed out to all members at the meeting.  The next step for the DEQ will be to review this document with local health departments.  The document is also on LISTSERV.

 

In general, the DEQ work load on community systems is slow right now due to the economy.  The DEQ is trying to get the regulatory framework together during this lull.

 

Ric reported that Washtenaw County has implemented a new Ordinance for community systems, effective July 1, 2007.  The County has submitted the Ordinance to the DEQ for review and comment.  Chuck stated that this type of Ordinance is much more of a problem when implemented by smaller units of government (ie: townships) that have no expertise in on-site wastewater; as is the case in Washtenaw Co. were several Townships have taken this step.

 

The DEQ has been contacted by Senator Burkholtz’s office to bring up the State-wide Sanitary Code.  In the second quarter of this year, there were several meetings, including realtors.  Ric handed out “Draft 5” which is a substitute for Senate Bill No. 71.  This draft has not been introduced yet.  Funding for the proposed bill is still a big unknown.

 

Grab Samples – The group reviewed Del’s draft wastewater sampling document, which was handed out at the previous meeting in May.  Several general comments included adding a summary with reference to NSF Standard 40, and several minor wording changes.  Del will revise the draft and forward to the group prior to the next meeting.

 

MOWRA group status on 2216 (2b) nitrogen limits – Rule 2204 says that a discharge may not create a “facility”; which for our purposes, notes that nitrogen discharge shall be < 10 mg/l.  This is hard to reach for most small-scale treatment systems on the market.  Historically, systems have not had nitrogen limits when less than 20,000 gpd, however, the current DEQ interpretation of rule 2204 changed this.  The first step was to attempt computer modeling for groundwater quality at 150’ downstream of the discharge.  With cost estimates of $25,000+ to complete this modeling, the group decided to go a different direction.  Chuck indicated that the group is now looking at more of the “slow-rate” infiltration systems, (soil treatment) thereby attempting to work within the context of the rules to gain approval for these systems.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

No new business was brought up.

 

Next Meeting: September 19, 2007 at Boss Engineering at 9:45 a.m.  Boss Engineering is located at 3212 E. Grand River Avenue in Howell.  Immediately after lunch there will be a tour of the Livingston County Septage Receiving Station located at 4682 Runyan Lake Road, which is the east side frontage road near the intersection of Clyde Road and U.S. 23.

 

Meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m.

Minutes Approved 10-29-07