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Sewage Appeals Board rescinds June 4 approval and OKs revised septic plan for 12749 Lubke Rd.
Summary
The Berrien County Sewage Appeals Board on March 4, 2026 rescinded a June 4, 2025 approval and approved a revised septic system for 12749 Lubke Rd., New Buffalo Township, after health department borings found a higher groundwater table; approval is contingent on pre-construction meeting and inspections.
Thaddeus Hackworth, Berrien County corporate counsel and chair of the Sewage Appeals Board, moved on March 4, 2026 to rescind the board’s June 4, 2025 approval for the property at 12749 Lubke Rd. and to approve a revised septic system for a five-bedroom structure, with no garbage grinder, as shown in Wightman Engineering drawings dated February 23, 2026. The motion was seconded by Joseph Taylor and “passed and carried.”
The Berrien County Health Department reported that site soil borings completed on February 18, 2026 found similar soils to the original evaluation but a higher water table closer to the surface, prompting a redesign. Wightman engineers said the proposed septic field was moved south of the originally approved area, the shape of the field was altered to fit site constraints, and the mound was made taller to accommodate the higher groundwater.
The board’s approved system as described in the motion includes a 2,000-gallon septic tank, a 1,500-gallon septic tank with effluent filter, and a 500-gallon dosing tank with a visual alarm feeding a 1.5-inch force main to a 30 ft. x 85 ft. absorption field with three distribution valves. The design specifies an Eljen sand filter system using B43 units with 2 feet of sand below the B43 units and above the high-water table, and a mound built to a 7:1 slope. Approval was made contingent on a successful pre-construction meeting and all customary inspections by the Berrien County Health Department; construction must occur during favorable weather with dry soils and the absorption field must be protected from compaction.
Board discussion focused on mound dimensions, slope changes, and protective measures to prevent vehicles or heavy equipment from compacting the absorption field. Berrien County Health Department staff stated they had no objections to the proposed plan as presented by Wightman engineers.
The board voted to approve the motion; the minutes record the motion was seconded by Joseph Taylor and that it "passed and carried." The meeting adjourned at 10:18 a.m.
