HomeMy WebLinkAboutSWG Letters / Memos - 5/31/2017 Page 1 of 4
• •Alex Paysse - Re: Dye Test and Septic Information J
From: Alex Paysse [U 22'/ 2- S
To: Horton, Ryan
Date: 5/31/2017 10:01 AM
Subject: Re:Dye Test and Septic Information
CC: Otanez, Katie
BC: Riley, Debbie; Waite,Cindy
I tried to call you today, if you want to discuss over the phone give me a call. I will be in and out of office today
with field work.
A quick recap of the situation. State DOH has recovered high bact.results on the beach in Hoodsport. MC Staff
has investigated the sample site and traced it back to the vicinity of your address on Old Mill, MC Staff is also
investigating neighboring properties. Last summer MC conducted multiple Dye Tests on vicinity properties,
including yours. At this time Dye was believed to be found from your system. However because of the multiple
tests and choice of sample site, it was inconclusive. You had Brian Sund out there to inspect the tanks and
system,which he believed seemed to be working at that time. Therefore another Dye test was done on your
system alone,so everyone could be sure if this was a source of contamination or not. The Dye test results were
found to be positive and a confirming bact.sample was taken with high results. Staff are still investigating other
sources within the vicinity, however with this latest test results, there must be some sort of short circuiting or
break in your system. Brian and our Onsite staff have reviewed your septic records and the site multiple times. I
talked with Brian this morning and we are all on the same page. We suggest starting with inspection of the
transport line to confirm there are no cracks or breaks. If no issues are found,we can then look deeper into the
drainfield. Brian suggested installation of cleanouts on the drainfield,which would help confirm the drainfield is
functioning properly and assist you with future maintenance needs. If we have confirmed every component of
the system to be satisfactory,we can then start looking at other sources, like foundation drains, downspouts,
curtain drains,and other nearby pipes that may be providing a conduit for effluent to ditch.
I know this can be stressful and I can assure you we are making all attempts to work with you on this. if money
and costs are a concern,we are willing to work with you if you wish to investigate the line yourself. We may
need to make a few more inspections is all. WAC246272A-0270 labels the OSS owner responsible for operating,
monitoring,and maintaining the OSS. We do have a loan program within Mason County that can offer low-
interest loans to owners in repair situations. Of course,we are not certain what the repairs are at this point, but
you could contact them and see what can be included in these loans. You can contact Craft3 at 888-231-2170 or
visit their website at www.craft3.ora if this is of interest.
If you have any more questions you are welcome to call me. I have also cc'd Katie Otanez in case you had
questions about the test results. We appreciate your efforts thus far and hope we can come to a conclusion on
this soon.
Alex Paysse/Ermironmemal Health Sr,,cialot
Mason County Community Services(Environmental Health)
415 N.6th Street-Shelton,WA 98584
Office-360-427-9670 Ext.279
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•Email-alexpAcomason.wa.us
www.co.mason.wa.us
>>> Ryan Horton <ryan3e2@gmail.cor i o 5/30/2017 11:55 AM >>>
Alex,
I was trying to contact Katie(I believe).I have a few questions before I proceed with digging.So as of the last dye
test, result are still high.The plan forward is to dig up portions of the system to try and locate an issue,due to no
visible signs of failure.
If I dig up the whole system and in the end find no damage,and no indication of failure.Will the county pay for
the fee incurred? Don't get me wrong,I have no issue paying should there be an issue ( broke pipe or such).
Your response at your earliest convenience would be appreciated.
Thanks
Ryan Horton
P.O. Box 1716
Hoodsport WA.98548
Email - ryan3e2@gmail.com
Cell- 360-271-3325
On Aug 16, 201612:13 PM, "Ryan Horton" <rvan3e20omail.com> wrote:
Alex-Stephenie,
The last I heard, another dye test was going to be scheduled.Is that the current status?If so could you tell me
when it is going to be scheduled,so that I can make plans to be there.
I would also like to request two water samples to be collected,one at the manhole at the far down hill corner
of my yard,and the other from the ditch at the opposing uphill corner,thus allowing for a baseline of other
potential contaminates.Or 1 would like the uphill ditch blocked off and the culvert underneath my yard
allowed to drain fully prior to testing.
It is my understanding that if sewage was leaking into the ditch from a property uphill from mine, it could
contaminate the results.
Very Respectfully
Ryan Horton
110 Old Mill Hill Rd
P.O. Box 1716
Hoodsport WA.98548
Email - ryan3e2@gmail.com
Cell- 360-271-3325
On Aug 5,2016 8:23 AM, "Alex Paysse" <alexo@co.mason.wa.us> wrote:
I talked with Brian Surd this morning.I think we are all in agreement that there is something wrong, being
that dye was found.It is also agreed that it might not be the drainfield that is failing and needing
replacement.I was looking over the repair permit that Brian did in 1985.At the time they decided to use
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the existing septic tank.Which means this tank could be pretty old (30 years +)and I would not be
surprised if it did have leaks/cracks.I think the tank is the most suspicious and the best place to start
Options to verify a satisfactory non-leaking tank:
1. Have the tank pumped out by a certified pumper and use a flashlight to inspect all walls/Floors of the
tank.This is a common way of finding cracks.
2. Perform a water level test.You will want to make sure you refrain from using the system for a long period
of time during the test.In case the leak is minor. Measure down from lid or solid point to water level and
then recheck after several hours.Typically 24 hours.The water level should be right at the outlet pipes level.
If its down at all from this outlet,t i m there is a leak.Its not clear,where the pump is located.If its in a
separate tank then proceed with tha water test.If its in the septic tank,then you will want to shut power off
to the pump to be sure it doesn't pump out and then fill the tank with water to the inlet level.Then do the
water test.
Let me know what you find out.
Alex Paysse
Environmental Health Specialist
Mason County Public Health
415 N.6th Street
Shelton,WA 98584
Office-360427-9670 Ext.279
Email-alexo(aco.masonma.us
www.co.mason.wa.us
>>> Ryan Horton <rvan3e2@omail.com> 8/3/2016 2:43 PM >>>
Alex,
I had one of the septic designers from the list you provided me with, inspect my septic system locations.
After about 2 hours of him Inspecting the grounds, he stated he could not find any signs of septic system
failure. He requests some more information on the issue, he would like to know,at what locations the dye
test sampling was conducted, so that he could better observe the possible sewage issue.
He also stated, he would be willing to call and speak with you if necessary.
It should also be known,Ijust purchased the house last year(about 13-14 months ago)at which time I had
the previous owners pump,and inspect the septic system. No issue were found or noted at that time.
Please advise.
Very Respectfully
Ryan Horton
On Aug 1, 2016 3:54 PM, "Alex Paysse" <alexoQco.mason.wa.us> wrote:
Ryan,
I talked with Stephanie, she said she contacted Monica and yourself around early May and the dye test
was completed in early June.The samples took awhile to get back from testing,which is why we are just
now contacting you.
So the results from the test did come back positive for dye and the system was found to be a failure
based on WAC246-272A-0010 definition of a "failure" in regards to surfacing sewage.I have attached
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• your septic records per your request,which should give you an idea of the existing system location.
Your next step would be to contact a licensed septic designer.They will come to the property and
evaluate for a repair septic system.The designer will determine what type of system is needed and give
you an idea of costs involved. Drainfield will most likely need to be replaced,tanks may be re-used but
most of the time designers will highly suggest replacement if they are older and in poor condition.The
designer typically will draw up the design and handle the permitting part of the permit.After the permit
is approved by our department,you will have the go ahead for installation.I always suggest contacting
a couple installers for bids.I have included a list of certified designers and installers to assist with this.
If financial assistance is needed I would encourage you to contact Craft 3.These people offer low-
interest loans to homeowners in Mason County to help repair failing systems.
httos://www.craft3.ora/Borrow/clean-water-loans is their website for more information.A good contact
is Jena Ross.888-231-2170,ext 171 or email at irosss@craft3.oro.Craft 3 helps many people in Mason
County with these repairs every year.
Stephanie Kenny in our water quality department handled the dye test, however I will be you main
contact throughout this process with permitting and questions. Feel free to give me a call or email me.I
spend about half my time in the field,so sometimes email is the best contact method.As I stated on the
phone,enforcement on this issue should not be a concern as long as we see the owners actively
working towards a repair and abatement of the health concern.A 30 day timeframe is our initial goal,
j however we understand we are in the busy season with contractor schedules and loan applications(if
needed)can take time.Good communication is appreciated and required to avoid further enforcement.
A notice and order may be sent to you in the next few days that will also outline everything I am
discussing here.Thank you for your prompt response to this health concern and we appreciate your
participation in this matter.
Alex Paysse
Emironmental Health Specialist
Mason County Public Health
415 N.6th Street
Shelton,WA 98584
Office-360427-9670, Ext.279
Email-alcxp(rDco.mason.wa.us
www.co.mason.wam
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