The health department hopes to provide information on possible financial assistance to homeowners with failed systems.
WESTFIELD – Maintenance, codes and regulations governing septic systems will
be the subject of a first ever citywide forum Wednesday sponsored by the health department.
ù Deputy Health Director Barry L. Searle said Monday purpose of the forum is to provide information to both homeowners and businesses on septic systems. He estimated at as many as 50 percent of the city’s 17,000 residences are served by septic systems.
ù The workshop is scheduled for 7 - 9 p.m. at North Middle School, located off Southamp´ ton Road. The event is free and open to residents and businesses from surrounding communities.
ù “There have not been an unusual number of septic failures in Westfield recent years, said Searle. But the vast majority of those have failed are the result of homeowner misuse or neglect,” he said. Searle has been n systems inspector for 25 years.
ù The forum will include updates on current state and city codes and regulations governing installation and maintenance of such systems.
ù Included in presenting in´ formation on septic systems will be James vonMeier of Minnesota, a nationally recognized consultant, according to Searle.
ù The forum will review regulations included in the state’s Title V code, adopted in 1995. Those regulations, Searle said, have led to design and construction of systems that properly treat effluent and protect the environment. “The missing link,” Searle said, “is knowledge by the homeowner.”
ù Searle said information on potential financial assistance for failing systems may also be available at the workshop for homeowners and businesses.