Millstone approves mound septic use for three homes
BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer

MILLSTONE- The township has approved a TreatmentWorksApplication for three lots on Paint Island Spring Road.

The measure passed in a 3-2 vote during the Township Committee's Jan. 16 meeting. Mayor Nancy Grbelja and Committeeman Elias Abilheira cast the dissenting votes.

Grbelja said that the TreatmentWorks Application in this case has nothing to do with the creation of a sewage treatment plant. The township does not have any sewage treatment plants, and Grbelja said she wants residents to understand that this application is not for such a facility.

Grbelja said that area of Paint Island Spring Road has ground water located 2 inches below the surface of the land. The Monmouth County Board of Health had asked the applicant to consult with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) because the water is so close to the surface.

The DEP had recommended the use of mound septics for the homes to be built on the property.

In rural areas that have soils with shallow depth or soils with a high percolation rate, which make it impossible to use a conventional subsurface septic system for wastewater treatment and disposal, mound systems may be used as an alternative. In a mound system, specially selected sand is placed on top of the natural soil to help treat and dispose of septic tank effluent, which is delivered to the mound with a pump in a dosing tank placed near the septic tank.

The governing body had requested an investigation and report of the situation at the property for review by its engineer.

After receiving the report, the Township Committee endorsed the Treatment Works Application, subject to the applicant submitting to the municipality any amended plans for the design of the mound septic system.