HomeMy WebLinkAboutHealth July 20 20101
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Health Committee
July 20, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair L. Ward Nelson called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. in the
Whatcom County Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL (12 :59:54 PM)
Present: L. Ward Nelson and Barbara Brenner.
Absent: Kathy Kershner.
Also Present: Bill Knutzen.
1. GLENDEON BIOFILTER REGULATORY STATUS
John Wolpers, Health Department Gave a staff report and referenced a memo from
Kyle Dodd, Health Department.
The following person answered questions:
• Kyle Dodd, Health Department
Discussion included whether Glendon systems are proprietary; why those systems
are the only ones being promoted by the Health Department; finding a way for Glendon
owners to do their own annual inspections; getting approval from Glendon to allow the
owners of their systems to do their own inspections; why the Glendon system is not
certified; which other systems in Washington State are certified; the septic system testing
and certification process; the State list of approved systems; why Glendon systems are
more restrictive than other systems, including pressure -mound systems; whether the
Glendon systems actually installed are the same systems that have been approved; whether
the Health Department pressures designers to install Glendon systems; the process for
designers to choose a system; how long a Glendon system lasts; whether they can evaluate
a Glendon from evidence of puddles around the system; (1 :49 :49 PM) who is protecting the
public interest regarding evaluations; how they know if Glendon systems are truly
protecting the environment; whether the County can randomly audit a Glendon system;
whether there is an incentive for designers to design Glendon systems, and; how often
there is a requirement by Glendon for the homeowner to hire a Glendon maintenance
inspector.
The following citizens spoke:
• David Allen, System Provider, stated Glendon systems aren't installed as
they've been approved. There is a more difficult plan review process for
systems other than Glendon, such as drip irrigation. The Code favors the
Glendon system. There is lack of guidance and process for cleaning a
Glendon system.
• Carol Anne Brewer, 4061 Bay Road, stated a designer told her that the Health
Department only approves Glendon systems when she built her house.
• Steve Snyder, Tuttle Lane, Lummi Island, stated he's designed many Glendon
systems. The Health Department never forced him to build Glendon systems,
only systems that would meet Code requirements. Codes, inspectors, and
Health Committee, 7/20/2010, Page 1
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site situations change. Certain sites are best - suited for Glendon systems. He
described which site conditions are required for different types of systems.
He doesn't know of any Glendon systems that have failed in the county. He
described how the Glendon system works.
• Hamilton "Nick" Pyles, 670 Freeman Lane, Point Roberts, stated he owns a
Glendon system and a gravity system. Self- inspections of regular systems
are easy. They are the best systems to have. The Glendon system has a
complicated control box. If the consumer opens it, the warranty is voided. It
requires sophisticated testing equipment. A homeowner should be allowed to
take soil samples around the Glendon system and send the results to the
Health Department.
• John Harrod, 4408 Y Road, System Designer, stated that as any system, not
just Glendon, becomes more complicated, the less able it is to be inspected
by the homeowner. A half -hour class doesn't make a citizen an engineer. A
homeowner can tell if their system is failing by any evidence when walking
around the system.
Brenner stated the County should be able to treat all systems in the county the
same, including Glendon systems and including doing random audits. Also, homeowners
should be able to do their own inspections.
Nelson stated he would like information on filter systems and disposal.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m.
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
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official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council &o.whatcom.wa.us
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
L. Ward Nelson, Committee Chair
Health Committee, 7/20/2010, Page 2