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Septic, Sewer Or Both?

Over the next two years, the county health department will be inspecting septic systems around Chautauqua Lake, Findley Lake and Bear Lake. Cassadaga Lake and Lake Erie will follow. If you have not received a health department septic permit in the past 30 years, you will be inspected.

Initially, I thought that our septic system would be exempt from this requirement since we bought our home about 20 years ago and the County, at that time, conducted a “die-test” on our system and determined it was OK. However, a die-test, which often is part of the closing on a parcel of property, is not the same as a full septic inspection. A septic system inspection involves uncovering the septic tank and distribution boxes, and then evaluating the leach field. This year we decided to invite the county to come and inspect our septic system. Result — we now have a new, state-of-the-art septic system. In the process, we were able to move our leach field further from the lake…which is good.

From a money/investment standpoint; however, I wish that we would have had an option to connect to one of the new sewers being planned for Chautauqua Lake. However, these sewer extensions have, as yet, received little state or federal funding and therefore there is no estimated date for their completion. So we are one of those lake residents who will be paying twice. We have just paid for a new septic system and (hopefully within the next five years) will be paying again to hook-up to a new public sewer line.

I expect that once septic inspections begin in earnest, there will be a lot of lake residents who become advocates for sewer line extensions. Why pay twice, if you need only pay once? Yet, you may not have the option to wait. If you have a septic system which is failing, you may well have to fix that as well as hook-up to a sewer at a later time.

If you think you might be in the “pay twice” group of property owners, I would advise you to become involved with your local as well as state and federal elected officials. They are the people who can help the most in advancing sewer district expansions. Maybe there is a chance with the new focus on building public infrastructure to get more federal and state monies into Chautauqua County for this purpose. Let’s hope so.

I found the county health department to be very helpful and cooperative when it came to building a new septic system … but their message was clear. Their job is to help clean up the lakes in the county as soon as possible. They might be able to “tweak” your old system, if they believe new sewer line construction is imminent. A failing system may require relatively minor repairs and maintenance, individual component replacement or a short-term accommodation. However, absent that, they are going to order you to upgrade your septic system. On Chautauqua Lake, that could mean you are going to be paying twice to help clean it up. If there is any consolation, at least you can take comfort that you are not alone. Some of us are already in the “pay twice” category!

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.

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