Ortonville- A recurring issue in the village? problems with septic systems? recently cropped up at the Brandon Township Library.
The library’s septic field failed in October and the library was forced to have a new engineered system put in by Fenton-based Lawrence Engineering last week, at a cost of $77,260. This price includes design of the new field, the addition of several more tanks and an engineered pre-treatment system. Library Director Paula Gauthier was unsure how much the library has paid to have the septic pumped 2-3 times a week since the field failed.
When the building at 304 South Street was constructed six years ago, the size of the septic system needed was estimated by what other libraries of similar size required.
‘Our water flow was much higher than projected and our septic system failed in six years,? said Gauthier. ‘Oakland County expected our septic field to last 5-11 years. We were on the low side.?
The cost of the new field is being paid with funds from the library’s cash reserve and Gauthier said the cost will not be reflected on taxpayers. The new system is expected to last indefinitely.