The Coral Bay Community Council (CBCC) will be providing technical updates and consultations for St. John residents about on-site wastewater treatment systems on Frida,y July 27, 9:30 to 10:30 am at Skinny Legs in Coral Bay, St. John.
This workshop will provide residents with technical information and solutions from CBCC’s research project on existing and alternative on-site wastewater treatment systems.
With funding from the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) grant program, this project is implementing recommendations from the 2015 Coral Bay Potable Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment Plans authored by CBCC.
The objective of the research project is to gain a better understanding of current kinds of wastewater treatment systems that are installed, their effectiveness and identify best/feasible technologies and choices for local conditions. This study focused on answering questions such as:
- What are the types of systems currently being used by residents and commercial businesses in Coral Bay?
- Are they being properly maintained?
- Are these systems effectively treating wastewater effluent so that we are not polluting our properties, our neighbors, our groundwater and the stormwater that runs into the bay?
- How do we sample for constituents of concern such as nitrates and bacteria?
- Are there any new systems being recommended or installed? Are they effective?
- Are there new effective and feasible technologies on the market?
- What are the requirements and terms of a DPNR TPDES permit? Who needs one?
The environmental engineers of the Horsley-Witten Group Inc. partnered in writing this project proposal and were contracted to answer the technical questions of the research project and develop a sampling protocol to evaluate the effectiveness of current systems.  Rachel McKinley, Environmental Programs Associate, at CBCC, is working with them on a detailed report that will be presented for review at an all-day Professional Workshop, cohosted with DPNR Coastal Zone Management, the day before, bringing together professionals and government staff on all three islands to discuss these important issues.
On Friday July 27, 9:30 to 10:30 am at Skinny Legs in Coral Bay, St. John, ordinary residents will be able to learn more about their septic tanks and on-site waste treatment systems and arrange for a consultation at their home or business for that afternoon.
The primary focus is on-site package treatment systems: brands such as HydroAction and AquaKlear and Delta Whitewater and AquaSafe and conventual treatment systems such as septic tanks and leach fields. The workshop will discuss their effectiveness to treat nutrients / pollutants like nitrates, phosphorus, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and bacteria.
CBCC encourages people to contact us at 340-776-2099, or water@CoralBayCommunityCouncil.org or to stop by the office (in Coral Bay across from the fire station) to discuss the project and to sign-up for one-on-one consultation for their potable water and / or wastewater treatment systems.
More information about the Coral Bay Community Council can be found at www.coralbaycommunitycouncil.org
This material is based upon work supported under a grant by the Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are solely the responsibility of the Coral Bay Community Council and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Rural Utilities Service.
Contact:
Rachel McKinley, Environmental Program Associate
rachel@coralbaycommunitycouncil.org
Coral Bay Community Council
9901 Emmaus
St, John, VI 00830
Phone: 340-776-2099
