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Board authorizes emergency abatement and drain-field repairs after failing septic found at Garrison property
Summary
Public health staff reported sewage surfacing at a Garrison property; commissioners approved emergency use of solid waste funds to pump tanks immediately and authorized using funds later to repair the drain field once ground thaws.
Crow Wing County public health staff told commissioners on April 8 that county inspectors discovered a failing septic system discharging sewage at a property on the 26000 block of Birch Trail in Garrison and recommended emergency abatement.
Public Health Manager Gina Hyer said staff observed sewage surfacing during an April 4 site visit, contacted the property owner and arranged for the septic tanks to be pumped immediately, which eliminated the immediate hazard. "However, the long-term solution cannot be achieved until the ground thaws," Hyer said, and she asked the board to authorize the emergency use of solid waste funds to complete initial abatement and to authorize later use of those funds to repair the drain field when conditions permit.
A motion to approve the emergency use of solid waste funds for immediate abatement and for drain-field repair passed on a recorded voice vote. The motion was made by Commissioner Lubcke and seconded by Commissioner Burrows; roll-call votes recorded ayes from Commissioners Lee, Coring, Burrows, Lubcke and Franzen.
Hyer said a compliance inspection and longer-term repairs will follow when the ground thaws and staff will monitor to ensure the system is corrected. The board’s action authorized staff to expend the solid waste funds identified in the request so the immediate public-health threat could be addressed.
