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Dye tests find failing systems; health department and county to pursue compliance under illicit-discharge ordinance
Summary
Staff described an illicit-discharge investigation using dye tests that identified five failing systems; four homeowners have contacted the health department and staff said the county will issue orders under the illicit-discharge ordinance if health enforcement is exhausted.
Howard County stormwater staff reported results from illicit-discharge dye testing conducted near Sycamore and Hickory Lane and said five systems tested positive for sewage reaching a ditch or conduit. Staff wrote an illicit-discharge investigation report and provided it to the health department for enforcement action.
Staff said four of the five property owners have contacted the health department after receiving letters; one homeowner had not yet been reached at the time of the report. Two properties had existing septic permits and will be allowed to make fixes under those permits; the three properties without existing permits will be required to replace systems. Staff said one property already completed some fixes and staff will perform a follow-up dye test the following Monday to verify whether the repair eliminated the discharge.
Staff described enforcement coordination with the health department: the health department will pursue corrections first and the county will issue orders under the illicit-discharge ordinance only after health enforcement avenues are exhausted. "We have the illicit discharge ordinance that has more authority to get corrections. So if the one property does not respond to the health department, we'll probably be sending out an order," staff said. The county indicated it would give a short time frame for corrections and anticipated phone contact with property owners in addition to written notices.
The commission also discussed a related farm complaint filed by a resident, Daryl Lazio, which had prompted initial scrutiny. Staff said the animals were removed, fence removal had begun, and inspections were continuing; staff planned to ask the sheriff’s department and highway authorities to visually inspect a corner near the state highway for safety concerns.
Staff said they are scheduling additional illicit‑discharge detection work (including a planned walk near Caswell) but that field work must wait until at least 72 hours without rain; recent rainfall has forced repeated rescheduling.
No county orders had been issued at the meeting; staff said they will step in with enforcement orders only after the health department’s enforcement options are exhausted.
