Septic Remediation at Christina’s Sanctuary
Christina knew she wanted at least an acre when she started searching for a house to purchase. After about a year of looking, she found a home with ample kitchen space and the expanse she needed for her chickens. Christina, her daughter Trinity (21), son Tristan (10), and mother Charlotte (77) have shared memories there for 5 years now. Trinity was the one that talked her into buying the house. “She loved her room with the built-in shelving and storage. For me, you couldn’t beat the flat land on this spot,” says Christina.
Shortly after moving in, the septic tank backed up into the bathroom. Her family managed the problem by reducing usage and pumping the tank until Melissa Wonnacott at the Washington County Health Department connected her with the Septic Tank Remediation Program (STRP). Christina had her new system designed by Reba Bailey, permitted by the Arkansas Department of Health, and installed by James and Michael Gregory in 2022. Technical assistance from the STRP helped guide Christina through the process of getting her new septic system permitted; on the financial assistance front, she was able to pay the difference the grant did not cover out of pocket and declined the 0% interest loan.
After her septic replacement, she re-worked the backyard setup to better suit the needs of her few little chickens and provide a space for her mom to have her own sanctuary. Since moving in, she also cleared about a half of an acre of invasives, largely Chinese privet ligustrum sinense and Japanese bush honeysuckle lonicera japonica, from the back of the property.
The kitty watches as Christina and Program Manager, Morgan, talk in the back yard.
Christina and Tristan in their backyard.
“There were a lot of great things that came out of the program. My favorite part is now not living in fear of the tank backing up into my home.”
Funding for the STRP is provided by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Division through the state’s clean water revolving funds.
Happy chickens roam around pecking at insects as the trees begin to leaf out for spring.
Christina loves the big tree canopy that floods the backyard with shade, that is her favorite part about living there.
Email your address and a little bit about what you are experiencing to septic@irwp.org or call 479-321-6222 between 9AM - 4PM to get more information on the Septic Tank Remediation Program.
