Ortonville – It’s a hot topic and the village council is set to fan the flames.
This week the village council approved a proposal from Rowe Engineering Incorporated, to perform a Sanitary Sewer Study within the area.
In June Oakland County officials announced they are considering an ordinance to inspect all septic tanks in Oakland County on a five year cycle.
The ordinance is intended to protect the county’s groundwater supply, which residents depend on for drinking water.
In a proactive approach, engineers will seek a feasibility study for alternate wastewater facilities for village residents and businesses.
‘Septic disposal is not a dead issue,? said Paul Zelenak, village manager.
‘It’s come time, we have to do something,? Zelenak told the village council ‘we need to protect our residents, we need to do what’s best for the community We need to do this now.?
‘In order for us to move forward we need to do (the study) to determine what we can or can not do for the residents.?
Without sewers or an adequate waste disposal system, Zelenak said village progress is hindered, which hinders business owners? and residents? investments. A deterrent says Zelenak, that he ‘does not want to continue to see happen within the community.?
Not since the 1980’s has there been an environmental infrastructure study of area septic disposal.
The multi-community attempts to bring sewer systems into the area have failed, both by financial inability and community veto.
Village officials maintain, however, should an Oakland County septic ordinance be enacted, several local systems would not pass the inspection.
Rowe Engineering proposes to study specific alternatives for a community waste disposal systems.
In the proposed study, engineers will attempt to identify a service area, develop the existing and future number of users and wastewater flow rates, and develop a collection pipe layout.
Rowe Engineering previously discovered that preliminary surface water discharge limits indicate surface water discharge will not be feasible. Alternatives prospects such as a treatment plant, a community septic, or sewer interceptor hookup will be studied.
Conceptual development costs, operations and maintenance budgets will also be included in Rowe’s summary.
‘There have been studies before but the viability for treatment such as pressurized systems needs to be looked at,? said Zelenak. ‘Our engineers are the most qualified people to do that job.?
‘A stand alone treatment facility is just one of a number of alternatives. ?
The $23,000 price tag for the study is completely refundable by the county, according to Zelenak.
A five year Environmental Infrastructure Fund (EIF) program was developed by the county to assist communities for improvement projects related to ground and/or surface water, water supply, water pollution control, sewer systems, or drainage systems.
County Commissioner Bill Patterson (R) said that with county approval, more than $23,000 EIF dollars is available to the village for reimbursement of the study funds to Rowe Engineering.
‘The county has been very lenient in terms of water and drainage,? said Patterson.
‘They will give you an answer very soon and once it’s approved and bills submitted there’s a little wait for the reimbursement.?
Both Zelenak and Bess say there are a number of older septic systems within the village that are in danger of potentially failing.
Bess considers the population growth as further cause to pursue water treatment, saying a concentrated effort needs to be made before the state mandates sewers.
‘I don’t want to mandate sewers, we are all in this together and I really feel that now is the time to move on this,? Bess said.
In a united confirmation Zelenak said he was pleased with the council’s decision to move forward with the study.
‘It’s a hot topic,? Zelenak said. ‘I think council made a wise decision so that we can move forward on this issue and do what’s right for the village of Ortonville.?
‘I want it to happen and I want a decision…it’s a hot topic.