HomeMy WebLinkAboutWPO201100071 Review Comments Stormwater Management Plan 2011-11-16Philip Custer
From: Kirtley, Joshua (VDH) [ Joshua .Kirtley @vdh.virginia.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 2:08 PM
To: Philip Custer
Cc: McDaniel, Jeff (VDH)
Subject: Re- Store'N Station Setback Question
Phil
I wanted to summarize our previous conversations as they pertain to the Re- Store'N Station, specifically the storm water
management plan that you are reviewing. I understand your concern about any required setbacks to a potential septic
system and I appreciate you giving me a heads up about the situation.
After reviewing my notes and our files here at the Health Department, it appears that the lower storm water collection area
will reside at least fifty feet (50') of a proposed septic reserve area and over one hundred (100') to the actually septic field
itself. I also note that the storm water collection will be down slope of the nearby reserve area.
I have talked it over with my manager, and we both agree that there is no specific setback in the current Sewage and
Disposal Regulations. However, there are other setbacks for similar entities that could be interpreted to apply. For
instance, if we classified the drainage area as a LGMI (Lateral Ground Water Movement Interceptor, i.e. "French
drain "), then we could be as close as fifty feet (50') if the "french drain" was sited down slope of the proposed septic
system. The same setback of fifty feet (50') also applies if we classified the storm water area as a drainage ditch, a
stream, or a pond. If I understand you correctly, the area would normally be dry and would only contain water after
storm events long enough for it to be released back into the environment. One could argue that the storm water
management area is very similar to each of these setbacks contained in the Sewage and Disposal Regulations with the
common denominator being a fifty foot (50') setback.
I also spoke to Michael Craun of Old Dominion Engineering and I expressed my concern regarding the distance between
one of the unlined "rain tank" storm water units and a proposed septic reserve area. Mr. Craun explained that he was
aware of the storm water collection area and that he factored that into his septic design. Mr. Craun explained that Virginia
did not have guidelines as they pertain to setbacks between storm water areas and septic systems and that he looked at
other States for guidance. Mr. Craun went on to state that a fifty foot (50') setback between a storm water collection area
and a sewage disposal system was "best management practice ". I would also like to add that the Regulations governing
Alternative Systems indicate a horizontal septic setback of twenty feet (20') between a septic system that disperses treated
effluent and a drainage trench. The effluent distributed for this septic system will be treated per the Engineer's report.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns regarding my comments as they pertain to this project.
Josh
Josh Kirtley
Environmental Health Specialist Senior
Thomas Jefferson Health District
1138 Rose Hill Drive
Charlottesville, Virginia 22906
(434) 972 -6288