Did you catch this little nugget tucked away in Uptown enviro-scribe Bruce Henderson’s account of a faulty septic system in Mint Hill?
In the past two years, county records show, only 13 percent of septic-tank permits were for conventional systems that use gravel-lined trenches.
New system designs often take up less space, allowing installation on lots that are small or have limited areas of suitable soil. [A county wastewater official] said most of the new systems work as well or better than conventional systems.
In other words, county planners are actively encouraging higher density development by approving septic systems on smaller and smaller lots under the assumption “new systems” work better. Except when they don’t and the property owner is left with raw sewage in their yard. But hey, the county still gets the density they want.
