Large numbers of Fayette residents

are not having their septic tanks regularly pumped out, adding to the

danger of mass failures, according to an issue paper on septage developed

"In Fayette County, if

tanks are pumped as recommended, it can be estimated that between 8.6

million and 1.7 million gallons of septage could be pumped each year,"

according to the issue paper. The wide range from 8.6 to 1.7 million is

due to the fact that experts vary that much in their opinions of how often

tanks should be pumped from every two years to every ten years.

But Clayton County's W. B.

Casey sewer treatment plant, the only facility near Fayette that handles

septage, is receiving only about 648,000 gallons a year from Fayette County,

maybe even less. Even if the conservative ten-year recommendation is used,

that means that only 38 percent of Fayette's 17,000 septic tanks are being

pumped regularly, the paper says.

During a recent discussion

of the problem among members of the Fayette County Water Committee, County

Attorney Bill McNally suggested it may be time the county considered requiring

periodic pumping.

"Some counties require

a clean-out so it's not a matter of just doing these things when septic

tanks fail," he said.

Water system director Tony

Parrott said many mortgage companies are now requiring letters stating

that septic systems have been pumped out before they'll lend money for

home purchases.

A special county Environmental

Committee is studying the long-term problem of septic tank failures because

Fayette has no plans to ever provide sewer service in the unincorporated

area.

Some of the county's older

homes don't have room for a second septic system if the original one should

fail, in which case some homeowners may lose their homes, according to

officials.

The Water Committee and Environmental

Committee will continue to discuss such environmental problems, making

recommendations to the County Commission from time to time.