All over Santa Barbara County there are hundreds of homes on septic tanks and many of them are more than 50 years old. It is speculated that some of these may be contributing to pollution of local creeks and the ocean.
On Tuesday the interim director of the county Environmental Health Services will ask the county Board of Supervisors for permission to begin drawing up a $300,000 community-by-community plan to clean up septic tank problems.
The solutions could include sewer hookups, mandatory inspections, septic tank upgrades and in the case of Los Olivos constructing a sewer plant.
A recent survey by a consulting engineering firm of 24 clusters representing 4,300 septic tanks in Santa Barbara County shows that malfunctioning septic systems in Los Olivos and Janin Acres, a subdivision of 100 homes between Solvang and have contributed to unsafe levels of nitrates in local groundwater. Nitrates can be harmful to infants, so well water must be blended for safe drinking.
Homeowner Janin Acres
Most of the houses here in Janin Acres were just sold. as we all know there comes an inspection that specifys septic tanks inspection and pumping befor closing. i find it hard to believe our comunity is even hitting the santa ynez river.
From what iv heard, sewer hook ups are
just around the corner, i give it a couple of years.