REPORT. Public Consultation - June 2013 Jackpine Flats and Lakelse Lake Septic System and Water Quality Management Program

Transcription

1 REPORT Public Consultation - June 2013 Jackpine Flats and Lakelse Lake Septic System and Water Quality Management Program Summit Environmental Consultants Inc. Kathleen Porter Senior Facilitator

2 DRAFT SEPTIC SYSTEM AND WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM June 2013 Public Consultation Purpose A public consultation plan to present the proposed Septic System and Water Quality Management Plan to the public was designed to build on previous consultation. A Liquid Waste Management Plan for Lakelse Lake and Jackpine Flats area was initiated by the Regional District Board and accepted by Ministry of Environment in The purpose of the public consultation was to demonstrate the connection between septic system operation and maintenance and water quality as part of a more comprehensive septic management planning process. The consultation process was designed so the public could have direct personal contact or access information on the RDKS website. Public consultation is an important aspect of the decision process. Information should be objective and provided in plain language. The public should have clear options for their participation. Similarly, the summary of the consultation process should present the feedback in a clear and concise manner to reflect the requests for further information, concerns, and support for or opposition to the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine s proposed Septic System and Water Quality Management Plan. Objectives The public consultation plan was designed to achieve the following objectives: To provide an overview of all the components of the proposed Septic System and Water Quality Management Plan and actions to protect drinking water and water quality including: o Inspection - septic system service and inspection program; o Education - Drinking Water Protection and Septic System Management education programs; and o Monitoring -an ongoing water quality monitoring program. To demonstrate the connection between septic system operation and maintenance, water quality, and drinking water quality. to provide further information and address issues of concern for the Liquid Waste Management Plan Working Group recommendations to the Regional District Board, which the Regional District has initiated or completed including: o Defining minimum lot sizes; o Developing Livestock regulations; 1

3 Methods o Work with Northern Heath Authority to propose changes to Jackpine flats septic system design standards; and o Develop feasibility study for Lakelse Lake community sewer. Information on the Septic System and Water Quality Management was delivered to the 678 property owners in Lakelse Lake and Jackpine Flats. Information for the general public was made available through the RDKS website. A survey was prepared to solicit information in regards to the obove objectives. The consultation was conducted as follows: Activity Delivery Method Target audience Newsletter Mail Property Owners Web site Online General public and property owners as identified above Survey Available at Open House Open House attendees Open House Consultants, Ministry of Health Reps, and RDKS staff information booths General public and property owners as identified above Q & A Consultants, Ministry of Health Reps, and RDKS staff available to respond to questions during open house General public and property owners as identified above Consultation Results The small number of attendees at the Open House and the small survey response could be indicative of several things but without specific information it would not be useful to speculate. As the survey was primarily completed only by those who attended the open house, it may be worthwhile sending a survey to each landowner requesting a reply. On the other hand, a significant number of attendees were very supportive of the overall program with few concerns expressed beyond the way in which some of the services might be delivered. 2

4 Open House During the Open House, held on June 27, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., a total of 45 people came to get more information. Consultants, Ministry of Health staff, and Regional District staff were in attendance to answer specific questions. Survey A survey was developed to solicit feedback on the Septic System and Water Quality Management Plan. A total of 32 surveys were completed, predominantly by those who attended the open house. The survey results are summarized below followed by comments as provided by the respondents. Personal information has been deleted to protect the privacy of respondents. A summary of the percent response for each question is provided below. Comments from the surveys have not been changed. Comments provide an opportunity for the respondent to add further information to the selected response or to raise an issue of interest or concern. Comments do not contribute any evidence beyond a level of interest. A survey was prepared using Survey Monkey, an effective tool for generating and tabulating the responses to a series of questions. The survey was available online through the RDKS website and in print form at the Open House. A majority of the surveys were responded to at the Open House. Summary of Survey Monkey Results The responses are expressed as a percentage of the total number of individuals who responded. Given the small number of responses, the survey does not provide a statistically accurate representation of the point of view of all landowners in the affected communities. Question 1 asked for name and address which was required in order for the response to be include in the compilation of results. For privacy requirements, details have been excluded from the summary. In the comment summary table, questions without a comment provided have been left out. A significant majority of respondents support a septic system and water quality management program. Preferences for who should conduct the septic system inspections split between the homeowner having the responsibility and the RDKS conducting inspections. A small majority would prefer to pay for a system that included both inspection and pump out. A small majority and would pay for education. A significant majority were prepared to pay for community water quality monitoring. 3

5 A significant majority of respondents are currently paying for pump-out services only although over half indicated they also pay for inspections. A significant majority felt that the location of water supply in relation to septic systems was very important as close proximity could lead to contamination. 4

6 Percent Response Table Question Response Options Total Q2. Do you support a general septic system and water quality management program? Yes 84% No 16% Q3. Would you support a Septic System Management Program where: Everyone, including you and your neighbors, maintains their own septic systems Septic system inspections are carried out by the homeowner Septic system inspections are carried out by the RDKS Septic system inspections are carried out by a volunteer community planning team? 53% 50% 53% 13% Q4. Are you prepared to pay for a Septic System Management program that includes: Septic system inspection only 33% Septic system inspection and pump out 52% Septic system pump out only 26% Community Septic System education programs 52% Q5. Are you prepared to pay for a Water Quality Management program that includes: Q6. What Septic System & Water Quality services are you already paying for? Community Drinking Water Quality education programs and services 50% Community Water Quality Monitoring 85% Septic system inspection services only 0% Septic system pump out only 86% Drinking water quality testing 32% Water quality monitoring 5% 5

7 Question Response Options Total Q7. How important is the location of your septic system in relation to where your water supply is located? Not important at all 3 % Somewhat important 13% Very important as I do not want my water supply to be contaminated 84% Q8. How important is the location of OTHER septic systems in relation to where your water supply is located? Not important at all 6% Somewhat important 19% Very important as I do not want my water supply to be contaminated 75% Q9. When was the last time you had your drinking water tested? In the last year 16% More than 2 years ago 48% Never 29% Don t know/can t remember 7% Q10. When was the last time you had your septic tank pumped out? This year (2013) 8% Within the last 2 years 54% Within the last 5 years 35% Can t remember 4% Q11. How did you hear about the open house? Newsletter by Mail 81% Advertisement 28% Word of mouth 16% Other 6% 6

8 Question Response Options Response Q12. What worked well for you at the Open House today? Availability of staff and consultants 97% Displayed information 71%% Printed material 39%% Handouts 36% Open House location 65% Q13. What did not work well for you at the Open House today? Availability of staff and consultants 29% Displayed information 149% Printed materials 57% Open House location 43% Q14. Would you be interested in being part of a community Septic System and Water Quality Management Planning team? Yes 38% No 63% Q15. I would like to know more about: Septic System Maintenance 36% Water Quality Management including conservation tips 50% Wellhead Protection 18% Community Septic Systems 36% Water Licensing 23% 7

9 Summary of Comments Table Q2. Do you support a general septic system and water quality management program? 1 Let's protect our water. 2 We need water quality 3 Not sure what the program is. 4 I support water quality management program and sewer program 5 I am already set with a green system Q3. Would you support a Septic System Management Program where: 1 I pump my system every 3 years. 2 No Septic system - have sewer system. 3 I believe I can manage my own system. 4 Have homeowner provide proof of inspection within a time frame or schedule inspection and add to their tax bill. 6 the stronger the better 7 yes with enforcement 8 Do - DNA on water 9 Not if the price exceeds $54 per year 10 Very Good. 5 We will provide own treatment system at the Lake. 6 proactive instead of after the fact 7 Are people/home owners trained/knowledgeable? Q4. Are you prepared to pay for a Septic System Management program that includes: 1 Unlicensed inspectors only. 2 I know how to do inspect my septic tank and system. 3 Depends on the cost. 4 Depends on cost. Would it be cheaper to arrange pump out myself? 5 Not prepared to pay for any of the above 6 Give options for the home owner 7 scheduled pump out or as necessary. 8 Question 4: None I take care of my own. 9 I do this now. (inspection and pump out) Q5. Are you prepared to pay for a Water Quality Management program that includes: 1 Fisheries. 2 Depends on cost. 3 Depends on cost (repeated) 4 None Don't support (e Q6. What Septic System & Water Quality services are you already paying for? 1 No septic. Only holding tank and rain water collection. 2 Pay for our own pump out 3 Not since I moved in (4years) Don't have any problems. What do I look for? No knowledge. 4 All, I bought x-change my filters and watch what I put into the drains and toilet. 5 None 6 Our property is recreational only Q7. How important is the location of your septic system in relation to where your water supply is located? Septic field is located 400' from lake 8

10 Q8. How important is the location of other septic systems in relation to where your water supply is located? Adjacent properties (2 properties) used the same septic field. Q10. When was the last time you had your septic tank pumped out? 1 No Septic at the Lake - composting toilet only. J 2 Norco said it was working well. 3 Usually pumped put every 1-2 years. 2 years at most depending on usage 4 No septic tank 5 bring our drinking water from Prince Rupert 2 Currently there is no one who is prepared to accept responsibility for faulty or unacceptable septic systems. 6 When I moved into the house 7 Don't know. No problems. I will take care of it if a problem comes up. 8 Do not have a septic tank 9 Don't have one. Q12. What worked well for you at the Open House today? 1 Could be at Thornhill Community Hall. 2 Staff explanation. 3 Very accessible and information forthcoming. Q13. What did not work well for you at the Open House today? 1 did not see any new material except for cost 2 All good, thanks! Q15. I would like to know more about: 1 Thanks to everyone for your work on this. 3 Info is always helpful. 4 Thank you. 4 Good open house with interesting discussions. 5 Information on what not to put in a septic system would have been appreciated. 6 Did not go...we were away 3 Not enough food :) 4 Would have liked more information on septic maintenance 9