May 3, 2004
Members of the RNA Board met with representatives of the Clark County Health Department, the City of Vancouver’s Public Works Department, and local Water Quality Experts to discuss failing septic systems and cesspools in the Rosemere Neighborhood and the Burnt Bridge Creek Watershed in general.
Victor Ehrlich and Annette Griffey attended representing the City, and Randy Phillips was present from the Health Department. Representatives of the Washington State Department of Ecology and the Environmental Protection Agency were unable to attend, but will be updated on the shared information and discussion. Dvija Michael Bertish, Patricia Giles and Karen Axell represented the RNA. Carl Addy and Thom McConathy attended as Water Quality Experts.
Inspecting Discovery Trail of Burnt Bridge Creek where contaminated stormwater from Rosemere Neighborhood enters a rentention pond that feeds into Burnt Bridge Creek. RNA Board Members experienced a strong sulphur/urine odor along the trail at this spot on Saturday evening, May 1, 2004. Thom McConathy, Victor Ehrlich (City), Karen Axell, Annette Griffey (City), Randy Phillips (Clark County Health Department), Patricia Giles
The RNA and water quality experts reviewed city maps from 1992 that show residences in the Rosemere Neighborhood that are not connected to city sewer service. The maps also show approximately 114 households that failed dye tests that same year, indicating a possible lack of connectivity to sewer service even though the houses are thought to be connected to sewer mains. Approximately 7 septic systems are noted to have malfunctioned and spilled septic waste in the neighborhood. City and County records are incomplete for a vast number of households in Rosemere where connection dates to sewer service are missing. The majority of the households in Rosemere have never been inspected or dye tested to verify proper hookup and functioning of the sewer service. There are various reports where homeowners thought they were connected to sewer only to find out years later that they were on a septic system when waste from the septic tank backed up into their homes and the surrounding property. Existing septic systems are not being inspected or monitored throughout the Burnt Bridge Creek Basin. Septic system inspection records are incomplete at the Clark County Health Department.
Victor Ehrlich and Thom McConathy on 39th Street in Rosemere
Reviewing stormwater lines, sewer lines, cesspool and septic tank locations
Both the Health Department and City representatives agreed that there is a need to update and improve the sewer and septic system inventory since the records are inadequate. Victor Ehrlich agreed that it is important for the City to begin dye testing homes throughout the neighborhood in order to better understand where there may be septic failures that are causing environmental degradation and a public health risk. Mr. Ehrlich stated his plans to begin a dye testing program during the summer of 2004. The RNA board explained that the stormdrain system flows through areas that rely heavily on septic systems, and therefore septic waste can leach into the stormdrain system and then be carried into Burnt Bridge Creek through culverts that feed into the stream. Mr. Phillips agreed that stormdrain maps should be analyzed to determine where septic system leachate is entering the stormdrain system.
Annette Griffey (City), Randy Phillips (Clark County Health Department), Patricia Giles, and Karen Axell observe a storm collector on E 39th Street. Various storm grates in Rosemere are plugged with debris. The pictured storm drain traps oils and solids at the base of the pit, allowing stormwater to flow through underground perforated pipes. This grate contained discarded food and styrofoam containers. The stormdrain system drains east toward “U” street, and then northward and downhill toward Burnt Bridge Creek.
Victor Ehrlich asked whether the Health Department should declare a public health emergency because of the failing septic systems. Mr. Ehrlich stated that such a declaration would bring the issue directly before City Council. The RNA board explained that the City of Vancouver was already contractually bound to addressing the failed septic tanks problems in a Clean Lake Grant with the Environmental Protection Agency from 1978-1983. Mr. Ehrlich declared that the City is not responsible for sewer costs and prioritization of sewer projects, and that the homeowners must bear the burden of conversion costs. Mr. Ehrlich also stated that property owners must bear the costs of installing the actual sewer mains where they are lacking, as well as the hookup costs from the residence to the street. The RNA disagrees with this City policy and told Mr. Ehrlich that such costs are an unfair burden to homeowners — the City should locate alternative funding sources for the installation of sewer mains.
Walking Tour of Rosemere
Representatives from the Clark County Health Department, the City’s Public Works Department, and local Water Quality Experts discuss how leaking cesspools and septic systems are contaminating ground and surface water in the Burnt Bridge Creek Basin.
Both the RNA and Thom McConathy explained that homeowners have paid septic penalty fees since 1972, and these payments were intended to be equity into a septic abatement program. Homeowners city-wide have paid an estimated $5 million into this program since its inception, and have yet to receive a benefit from it. Mr. Ehrlich stated those who paid these penalty fees would receive a credit toward sewer conversion costs.
The RNA brought up additional concerns during the discussion and tour of the neighborhood:
* The RNA stated that septic system failures and the presence of cesspools are not unique to Rosemere, but are problematic in neighborhoods throughout the Burnt Bridge Creek Basin. The RNA maintains that any collaborative problem-solving on these issues should include work for other neighborhoods contiguous to the creek in order to improve water quality in the watershed.
* The RNA stated that thousands of septic tanks should not be allowed in a high-density urban area where there is insufficient room for workable septic drainfields, especially where there are clay-based soils that do not allow septic systems to function properly. The RNA further explained that the septic systems that currently exist are outdated and were never intended to be in service for more than 25 years, though many have been in place since the 1940′s.
* The City should have seen to sewer installation for all residents many years ago
* The City has fallen far short of its goal (established in 1992) to abate hundreds of septic systems in the Burnt Bridge Creek Basin.
* The RNA stated that the City has repeatedly misrepresented the true amount of e-coli in Burnt Bridge Creek that is from failed septic tanks. Human-related e-coli is the leading source of e-coli in the stream, and has been measured at 20-22% downstream, a figure much higher than reported by the City at 12.7%. No studies have been done to measure other bacterial, viral, and parasitical contaminants in the water that are also attributed to septic waste. Approximately 36% of the microbial load is “unknown” and may also contain human-related e.coli.
* Annette Griffey noted that the Public Works Department needs to clean and improve clogged stormdrains. She also stated she plans to review stormdrain maps to identify where the stormdrains outfall into the Burnt Bridge Creek watershed, and she plans to analyze how the stormdrains contribute septic waste to the creek.
* The RNA stated that any septic abatements performed at this time should be designed to subsidize low-income households that cannot afford conversion costs.
* The RNA suggested alternate methods of sewering (other than the gravity sewer system) in order to lessen the costs. The “Step” system was discussed where sewer for about 200 homes can be run on PVC pipe with pumping stations at costs that are far less to the homeowners than gravity systems.
* The RNA stated that the City should have sponsored and funded a Total Maximum Daily Load Study through the Washington State Department of Ecology many years ago in order to determine the extent of water quality degradation caused by failed septic systems and cesspools. Such a study is needed to undertake a clean-up plan for the watershed under state supervision.
* The RNA stated that the City, in good faith, should immediately help to fund a Total Maximum Daily Load Study, and should also write a letter of support for such a study that is currently being considered by the Washington State Department of Ecology. The Clark County Health Department has already stated its intent to write a letter of support for this kind of study.
* The RNA stated that it has submitted many year’s worth of water quality data to the State Department of Ecology to support the Total Maximum Daily Load Study. The RNA accomplished this without the aid of the City, even thought the data was ordered and paid for by the City (a cost of at least $176,000)
* Mr. Ehrlich asked the RNA to produce a letter of support in order for him to proceed with his plans to expedite a dye test in the neighborhood and begin a door-to-door inventory of septic systems and sewer connections. There was no logical or legal basis for his request, so the RNA immediately declined.
* Because the implementation of sewer systems and the regulation of septic systems are the responsibility of the City and the Health Department respectively, the RNA board explained emphatically that a letter of support from the RNA is not necessary and, therefore, will not be provided.
* Mr. Ehrlich stated that the City had received a $36,000 Clean Water Act Grant to fund a water quality test for Burnt Bridge Creek. Annette Griffey detailed the grant to begin during the summer of 2004, and would continue on a monthly basis for two years, after which time the data would be released to the State Department of Ecology. Ms. Griffey stated that the study contract was awarded to PBS Environmental, a local environmental architectural firm.
* The RNA pointed out that the City seems to be able to find funding for various projects such as the Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway Trails Project ($12-15 million), yet the prerequisite clean-up efforts have not been prioritized for implementation and/or funding.
* The RNA stated its interest in participating in meetings and correspondence relative to the upcoming Burnt Bridge Creek water quality testing. Mr. Erlich countered that the RNA would only be allowed to participate by agreeing to supply the City with the aforementioned letter of support for the door-to-door septic/sewer inventory.
* The RNA asked if there would be a follow-up meeting/discussion, and Mr. Ehrlich responded that it would not be until September 2004. Randy Phillips stated that it was too long to wait and that meetings should take place over the summer.
* Randy Phillips stated that he would facilitate the Clark County Health Department’s role with these issues in order to achieve progress toward improving the water quality and the associated public health issues.
