Wet weather test period extended

The Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services, Division of Environmental Health (DEH) has, again, extended the wet weather test period for the evaluation of proposed individual on-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTS).

Under normal rainfall conditions, the test period would end April 1, 2017. In light of above normal rainfall levels, this year’s test period has been extended through Sunday, April 30, 2017. This is the second extension of the wet weather test period.

While not required in all geographic regions of the county, wet weather testing is required for proposed OWTS sites with soils of low permeability requiring percolation testing and/or where the depth to seasonally high groundwater needs to be determined. Wet weather testing is mandatory in the waiver prohibition areas of Old Arcata Road, Jacoby Creek and Freshwater and, in almost every case, Fieldbrook, Hydesville and areas around Trinidad.

All parties planning to subdivide land or to develop sites with individual OWTS should contact a registered civil engineer, geologist or other qualified consultant to arrange for testing. For all sites, the test process will require no less than three weeks of monitoring.

Notification of installation of wet weather monitoring wells must be submitted to DEH and fees paid within five days of installation.

For additional information regarding wet weather testing procedures, call the Division of Environmental Health at 707-445-6215 or 800-963-9241.

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