For Marin County Environmental Health Services Division
Marshall, California

Questa developed a community wastewater solution for 95 residences in the East Shore region of Tomales Bay, where most of the individual septic systems were in need of replacement or upgrade/repair. Questa developed an affordable project to meet these needs as well as funding and regulatory agency requirements. This entailed comprehensive review of prior work and new issues, comparative analysis of feasibility, costs, and environmental impacts of alternatives, identification and design of a recommended project, development of a financing revenue plan, and extensive public outreach. The selected project included a STEP collection system and community leachfield for 35 properties initially, future expansion to include 20 additional properties, and a combination of individual upgrades and small cluster systems for the remaining properties. An onsite wastewater management zone was formed to oversee facility operation and maintenance. A full EIR was prepared and certified, and Questa completed the design in 2007. Assessment district balloting secured a low-interest loan and the project was constructed and put into operation in 2008. Questa provided construction management, ordinance development, and operational startup assistance.