HomeMy WebLinkAboutGraywater System B20-2858 041-080-110 Final Public Health Department Danette York, M.P.H., Director
Environmental Health Division
202 Mira Loma Drive T: 530.552.3880
Oroville, California 95965 F: 530.538.5339
buttecounty.net/publichealth
February 17, 2022
Bob & Geri Thomas
4396 Morgan Ridge Rd
Paradise, CA 95969
RE: Graywater System, Building Permit #B20-2858, APN 041-080-110
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Thomas,
It has come to my attention that a non-compliant graywater system was inadvertently approved by the
Butte County Public Health, Environmental Health Division (BCPH). The approval was for construction
and use of a shop located at 4396 Morgan Ridge Road in Paradise and building permit #B20-2858 was
issued on December 16, 2020. This letter is to document the oversight and provide a resolution.
In reviewing the approved plans for the shop dated November 1, 2020, it is apparent a utility sink was
proposed with discharge to a new drywell. The BCPH staff person who reviewed the plans should not
have approved them because utility sinks do not qualify for graywater use and drywells are not an
approved system for utility sinks.
Since the error was made by this department and because construction of the drywell and shop was
completed prior to discovering the mistaken approval, BCPH will release building permit #B20-2858 for
occupancy. However, it is necessary to document the following risks and conditions to you and they will
be entered in the electronic permitting system for future reference:
1. Owner understands that any discharge to the drywell from the utility sink must be graywater
only (i.e. soap and water). Any discharge including lubricating oils, paints, cleaning chemicals, or
other industrial chemicals are not permitted as they could impact the groundwater and
contaminate nearby groundwater wells. If water contamination, in the area, is discovered there
could be code enforcement ramifications.
2. Only the utility sink and no additional plumbing, now or in the future, is allowed to connect to
the drywell.
3. Any drywell failures or additional plumbing (i.e. restrooms, additional sinks, etc.) will require a
system upgrade connection to a legal on-site wastewater system.
4. The mistake in approving this utility sink to discharge to a new drywell and this resolution does
not constitute future approvals of the same types of proposals.
I apologize for the department’s oversight of this issue. Please contact the Environmental Health
Division of BCPH at (530) 552-4000 with any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Danette York
Danette York, MPH, CPH
Butte County Public Health Director