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Published Thursday, November 19, 2009 in Local

Decision delayed on alternative septic system in Beaumont Farms

By Sarah Fay Campbell

The Newnan Times-Herald

After extensive discussion, the Coweta County Board of Commissioners delayed a decision on a request to use an alternative septic system for a lot in the Beaumont Farms subdivision on Fischer Road.

Two of the lots in the subdivision don't have suitable soils for a traditional septic system. One of those lots, however, is suitable for an alternative system, said developer Steve Freeman.

Coweta County requires that any home lot be suitable for a traditional septic system. The county also requires enough suitable land on each building lot for a replacement drain field. That rule was put into effect in 2003 following several issues with failures of alternative systems. Homes can use an alternative system, but only if there is a 100 percent replacement area suitable for a conventional system.

The developers of Beaumont Farms had requested permission to use an alternative system on the lot in the summer of 2007. The request, which had been recommended for approval by the Coweta Board of Zoning Appeals, was denied by a 4-1 vote in July 2007.

Commission Chairman Paul Poole asked Tuesday what has changed since the previous request.

"Not a lot," said Eric Hamilton, the soil scientist hired by the developers. Pumps and aerators have gotten a little better since then, Hamilton said. But alternative systems have advanced greatly in the past 10 to 15 years.

Hamilton said his business has been located in Coweta for seven years. In that time, "I think I've looked at one alternative failure, and a lot of conventional failures."

The failing systems that led to Coweta outlawing alternative systems "are really nothing like the alternative systems in use today," Hamilton said. And, "as far as I know, this is the only county in the state that won't permit an alternative system for primary use."

There are many different types of alternative systems, he said. What they all have in common is that the wastewater is treated in some way before it goes to the drainfield. Because the water is cleaner, the drain lines don't have to be buried as deeply in the ground, which helps in this particular situation, where the water table is at 30 inches.

The subdivision originally had 63 lots, said Freeman. The lot that won't support any kind of septic was sold to the nextdoor neighbor "very very cheap," Freeman said.

Freeman was asked if the subdivision has a playground area. It does, he said.

Alternative systems are much more expensive than traditional systems, Freeman said.

Some counties don't consider "conventional septic to be a permanent solution for wastewater," said Hamilton. He said that because of the buildup of organic material in the drain lines, septic tanks have a life span of only about 30 years. An alternative system doesn't have that buildup, he said.

"So an alternative system, given equal circumstances and the right soils, will likely last longer than a conventional system," Hamilton said.

Commissioner Rodney Brooks said he wanted to speak with Dwyane Fields of Coweta County Environmental Health and get his opinion before making a decision.

In other meeting business:

n The board approved a conditional use permit for a transitional home for girls at 1590 Macedonia Road.

Commissioner Randolph Collins made a motion to approve the conditional use permit, with all conditions recommended by the planning department. The vote was unanimous.

n The board approved a request to add a wall at the Coweta County Animal Shelter.

The wall will create more room for cats at the shelter, said Poole.

"I want to thank the staff for coming up with this wall ... they wanted to have a bigger area for the cats to be in," Poole said.

n The board awarded a bid for roadway milling at the intersection of Poplar Road and Newnan Crossing Bypass. There is a pavement dip for vehicles on the bypass, which wasn't a problem when the intersection was a four-way stop, said County Administrator Theron Gay. But now that there is a traffic light and cars are moving through the intersection at a higher speed, "we need to move forward with milling and resurfacing to correct that problem," Gay said.

The low bid of $30,076 was submitted by Blount Construction.

n The board approved an agreement with Control Specialists Company for installing LED bulbs in the traffic signals at the Lower Fayetteville Road/Shenandoah Boulevard intersection.

LED bulbs use much less electricity than standard bulbs, and last longer, too, said Gay. The cost will be $22.50 per bulb. Additionally, "we want our public works people to attend" and learn how to install the LEDs, said Gay, so that county crews can eventually switch out the bulbs at many other traffic signals.

"In the long run, this will save us a lot of money," said Poole.

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