Memo Shows Need for Perry Hall Sewer Connection

County environmental officials said the set to be approved by the County Council Monday are the result of work that began in 2006.

"This is not a particularly quick project," said Kevin Koepenick, supervisor of the ground water management section of the Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability.

Koepenick said the county surveys each property, speaking to residents and observing each septic system.

"A lot of things they tell us, to them, seem normal, but to us are a flag," Koepenick said, adding, "we never find 100 percent failure."

Koepenick released the 2006 memo, written by his department, based on what was observed on properties along Lilac and Dunrovin Lanes.

He also provided a memo explaining what the county looks for when it surveys properties for possible septic system issues.

Koepenick said what the department did find in Perry Hall was cause for concern and a serious health hazard for the residents of the area.

"It doesn't take real complex evaluation to know that you don't want sewage rolling on the ground or bubbling up to the surface and contaminating water," Koepenick said.

Also, there were concerns about a nearby pond and the fact that there were fresh water springs on a number of properties.

"There is a fairly direct connection to the pond and the septic systems," Koepenick said, adding that the county didn't test the pond for contamination.

Even so, he said, "I wouldn't be surprised if we found elevated levels of bacteria in that pond."

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