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2. If the imported soil material to increase the leachline trenches/disposal area elevation does not <br />match the existing native soil characteristics, problems with continuity of permeability between <br />the two strata could result, including surfacing of effluent at the line of demarcation. <br />3. On August 29, 2019, the former Director of EHD, Ms. Linda Turkatte, issued a permit for a <br />septic system repair (See Attached). This project is approximately 2.5 miles southwest of the <br />subject site. I know for a fact that perc rates in this locale can range from 20-30 min/in, and I also <br />know for a fact that the water table can be within five feet below grade during the irrigation <br />season. Ms. Turkatte didn't seem to have much concern regarding an eight -foot separation <br />distance for this project, so why should my client be held to a different standard? <br />4. The LAMP Policy Number Section 9.4.8., Relevant Lamp Section 8, Page 33, Legal Authority <br />Code Section: OWTS Policy Approved LAMP SJC Ord. Code, Title 9, Sewage Standards: <br />"Encroachment Above Groundwater" states that "Bottom of OWTS dispersal systems cannot be <br />less than 2 ft above groundwater, or bottom of seepage pits, less than 10 feet above groundwater." <br />Page 33 of the LAMP states that "fast percolation rates are addressed when the initial soil <br />suitability and nitrate loading study is conducted and mitigations are required as part of the design <br />parameters. Mitigation can range from engineered fill in the dispersal area to the installation of a <br />supplemental treatment system. "Sewage Standards Section 10. 3.11 requires a minimum five-foot <br />separation from the bottom of the leach trench to groundwater." As the civil engineer -of -record <br />for this project, the referenced natural mitigations outlined in Item 1 above were used in the <br />design parameters, as outlined in my report. <br />5. Mr. Ahmed Hussein, retired Command Sergeant Major US Army, who has served our Country <br />with the upmost distinction, has already spent in excess of $500,000 (soil and equipment costs) <br />raising the building pad 14 feet above surrounding flood plain elevation. The 1997 flood, which <br />some consider to be a 500 year flood, only discharged approximately two inches of water depth to <br />the area surrounding the subject property, and this was primarily due to a levee break. If Mr. <br />Hussein purchased flood insurance at the quoted price of $2k/month, it would take 21 years to be <br />an approximate equivalent cost to soil importation. Mr. Hussein projects an additional $85,000 <br />cost in soil importation to increase leachline trenches/disposal area elevation. This is a cost he <br />should not have to bear. <br />Comments from Questa Engineering also include the following: "Normally several percolation <br />tests (3 to 6) are conducted to provide a representative characterization of soil conditions in the <br />planned leachfield area." It is not "normal" to conduct 3 to 6 perc tests in a leachfield area unless <br />the engineer has reason to believe, or proof, that there has been changes to the soil characteristics <br />due to plowing (particularly ripping), there was a very poor water quality source applied to the <br />area, or the disposal area is unusually large (>0.25 ac). Soils characteristics very rarely change <br />dramatically in a relatively short distance. <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />Chesney Consulting <br />