Dave Anderson, a woodacre resident and a member of the Woodacre Flats Wastewater Group (WFWG) said the community group has been trying to tackle the problem of leaky septic systems the in the “flats” of Woodacre for three years.

According to a Tomales Bay Watershed Council study as well as an independent and anonymous survey by Michael Treinen, a very high percentage of septic systems in Woodacre fail. The independent survey of 43 homes in Woodacre found that all had some sort of problem with their systems- from modest soil problems to overflowing tanks. TBWC also found a high amount of detergents in the watershed that accumulates in higher concentrations as it drifts downstream.

“We want to have a community based system that will eliminate failures in the valley’s septic systems,” said Anderson.

The flat areas of Woodacre receive a lot of runoff from the ridges, which can cause overflows in the systems. “We are trying to find a place to set up a pond and a septic system process much like what they have on the east shore of Tomales Bay. We were inspired by the Tomales Bay project; they have a successful program.”

The meeting in Woodacre Tuesday night informed the community of the study which will cover different alternatives: new on-site systems, new technology for on- site systems and the possibility of a community system. The study will also detail the geology, hydrology, existing development and infrastructure of the “Flats” and make recommendations for the best solutions at the least possible cost.

Benefits of a community project not only include protecting the watershed from pollutants but improved property values and cost savings via grants. In Marshall, “hooking up” to the new system cost approximately $40,000 per home. However, homeowners paid $19,000 because of offsets from grants. Yearly costs for Marshall residents are also less than individual systems.

The question for many is where to locate a community system and what effect a community system might have on development in the area. The fear is that a community septic system off-site might open up development rights to landowners with undeveloped lots near streams, unable to obtain septic permits for new homes. Also in question is an option for homeowners to expand the footprint of their homes with new bedrooms once a community system opens up the option for more septic capacity.

Liza Crosse, aide to Supervisor Steve Kinsey said the option of undeveloped parcels obtaining septic permit via a new community system will not be possible. “ That will be out of the question for undeveloped parcels,” said Crosse.

Should Woodacre decide to move forward with a community project, the feasibility study will lay the ground work for an EIR, project design, and construction for a project. It will also provide information to write grants to help fund the project in the future.

Currently, 36 property owners have each contributed $300, raising over $11,000 with a matching grant from county and the EPA to provide enough money for the feasibility study.

The meeting alerted homeowners the need for the consultants to have permission to access private septic systems anonymously during the study free of charge.

The timeframe for the study is expected to last 10 to 11 months.

Would you like to start a business in West Marin that immediately will be greeted enthusiastically by many local residents and customers? Open an office supply and copying store with a side business in cleaning supplies.

The business idea was one result of the survey presented at a meeting Thursday night at the West Marin Chamber of Commerce.

Last year the group, Think Local First, circulated a survey designed to learn about the buying habits of local residents - what they buy here, what they buy “over the hill” and what they would like to see in the West Marin Community; 370 individuals responded.

Bonnie Guttman of Think Local First said the purpose of the survey was to look at the baseline economy of  West Marin. “If we want to make some changes, we have a really good idea of where we started and know where we might want to go,” she said.

Alden Adtkins, also of the group Think Local First, said that produce, home improvement materials and books were the goods most purchased in West Marin while office supplies, paper products and cleaning products were the most purchased over the hill. “Most often sought or bought in West Marin were contractors,” said Adkins.

Local veterinarians and doctors as well as gas and auto repair were also sought locally.

But locals prefer to go over the hill for tax accountants. “Most people said they go over the hill for tax accountants for privacy reasons,” Adkins said.

Residents surveyed said they believed that local businesses were focused more on tourists. Dick Lemmon of Think Local First said the results overwhelmingly showed that  that people felt the prices locally were too high. “There was a feeling that sometimes the locals are not the target for merchants,” said Lemmon. “That the tourists are the ones who get the attention and the pricing and the products tends to be directed toward tourists.”

Lemmon also conceded that the prospects of a community bank were dim because of the economy and regulatory environment. Lemmon said he was heartened by the survey responses, which showed the potential for millions of dollars in local deposits and loans.

Think Local First says it will hold public meetings in Point Reyes Station and in Bolinas in March to discuss the survey and another survey of local businesses still being analyzed.

The story originally was broadcast on KWMR and was edited for print.