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Show High water creates havoc with Manila septic tanks regulations for a high ground water area. The present septic tank law requires a distance of one foot be allowed between the bottom of the absorption trench and the average high round water lever. The new regulation would require a minimum of four feet from the absorption trench to the high ground water level. Mr. Ostler said that evidently the study made for the development of the subdivision was not accurate enough. He added that measurements will vary according to the time of year the tests are done and from year to year. Winter is generally not the time to get a good measurement because the ground water is normally low. However, developers are under time and money restrictions and cannot always wait to make a test in the summer time or during a really wet year, Ostler explained. Lee Wimmer, the city engineer, said he will present a cost estimate on a sewer line to the area at the next city council meeting. He said he is very concerned about the future development of the area. The subdivision was started when the Firwood area was a part of the county. The city annexed the area See Water on page 2 by Marcella Walker High ground water in the low lying Manila area is causing septic tanks to fail and raw sewage is being pumped into nearby ditches, according to a large number of residents who complained to the Pleasant Grove Planning Commission last week. The problem is being caused by the abnormally high water table in the area and the consensus of opinion by the experts is that the only solution is bringing the sewer line to the area and getting everyone hooked on to it. But the cost to do this is prohibitive. Most of the complaints are coming from Firwood Estates Subdivision, located at 1100 North to 1800 North on 1520 West, but city officials say the problem is a big one throughout a large portion of Manila. Dr. David Dickerson, city councilman over the Planning Commission, said that in some places the water table is at five feet, right at the top of the septic tanks. The ground water enters the septic tank and that backs up into the homes if the tank is not pumped regularly, he noted. The Firwood Estates Subdivision consists of Plate A and B and was approved by the County Health Department in May of 1977 and approved by the Utah County Planning Commission in July of 1977. According to Jack Jeppson, city building inspector, the perculation tests conducted then showed no abnormality in ground water because the area had been through a dry period. He said that generally the perculation tests are done and allowance is made for irrigation water during the summer months when the ground water level would usually be highest. Jeppson noted that it is more difficult to go back through the records to determine how much ground water there would be during a very wet year such as this one has been. Don Ostler of the state department dealing with ground water problems said that the subdivision was not built in conformance with present Water- (Continued from page 1) with the bulk of Manila was taken into the city in 1979. Decisions for the subdivision were made by the county, city officials have stated. The County Board of Health has requested the city place a moratorium on building in the Firwood Estates area, but officials note that this will not stop the problem because many homes outside of the subdivision are suffering the same problems. Mr. Wimmer noted that the soil in a large part of lower Pleasant Grove is really a silty, clayey type soil which has limited ability to drain water. He said it is not the best soil for constructing on. Many springs are located on the bench areas near 8800 North and in other areas which add to the drainage into the low areas. One alternative, digging deep drains, might open up artesian springs that might create even greater problems, Jeppson said. The best cure, the extension of sewer lines to the area is now cost prohibitive to property owners in the area. The nearest sewer line is only extended to the Garden Village Subdivision. The American Fork Hospital sewer line is closer but it would require a pump because it is uphill. Most of the homes in the Firwood Subdivision do not have basements because of the threat from the high water table. Jeppson said he felt that probably about 70 per cent of the septic tanks in the Manila area are not working at the present time because of the high water. He estimates that many are pumping into the ditches. He said he feels it is the direct responsibility of the county health department to rectify the situation. He said the danger of disease is great where the raw sewage is being pumped out of the septic tanks. Parents cannot allow their children to play outside in these areas, he noted. Jeppson added that the subdivision was built during a dry time but the developers were required to pipe the area. Dr. Dickerson said he has been told by some who have lived in the Manila area for many years that the raw sewage problem has been there for many years. Dr. Dickerson did say that when the sewer line was installed at 1100 N. and 600 W. for the Manila School the residents in all directions from that point were asked if they would like to hook on to the sewer and not one wanted to at that time. He added that the city will work on the problem but that the pumping of raw sewage has got to stop. He said he was very disappointed in the county health department for not doing more to help the situation. David Gaines, a property owner in the area and one who has been severely hampered by the ground water problem, said they were told to re-set their septic tanks. This would cost $1,500 initially plus having to do a lot of work in his house to change the plumbing around. David and his family have lived in the home for two and one-half years. He is one who has had to pump his septic tank. In desperation he dug an eight feet deep hole in the low part of his yard. He is pumping this hole five hours a day to keep the ground water down so his septic tank doesn't back up into the house. The pumped water is now clear, he added. It has backed up on occasion causing damage to household items, he said. He explained that his family's biggest problem is not being able to use the bathroom when it rains. He noted that the hardship and the change in life style is the hardest part of the whole thing. Gaines pointed out that when he dug the eight feet deep hole which is j also six feet long, it only took him two hours with a shovel because the soil jwas so water logged. He observed i that the soil can go from rock to soup in a short time. He said he doubts the situation will get much worse this year, unless it just runs across the top of the ground, because the soil is saturated to its limit now. Gaines said he would be willing to use city equipment to dig some drainage lines if the city would allow it since the city does not have money to help out. One thing which irritates him, he stressed, is that he has been told what he cannot do, not what he can do. He said an easement for a ditch exists but it was never installed. The matter will be discussed at the Pleasant Grove City Council meeting next Tuesday at 8 p.m |
