By MIKE MORRIS

The Union Democrat

Tuolumne County Environmental Health Director Brenda Faw is leaving her post Friday.

Faw came to Tuolumne County in March 2005, assigned to solve issues related to septic system installation and address septic standards that weren't being met.

"They asked me when I was hired to take a look at current practices to make sure they met the minimum standards of the ordinance," she said.

Tuolumne County supervisors in August approved an updated ordinance, which guides homeowners on septic system installation. The revised rules include an Operation, Maintenance and Monitoring program, under which septic system owners must have regular testing performed to make sure the system is performing as it should be.

Faw said she feels good about leaving with new rules in place.

"I've done what I was asked to do," she said.

The septic issue sparked several months of heated debate, particularly with those living in the Lake Don Pedro area, where shallow soils made percolation an issue.

Given those soils, property owners there argued that they should be allowed to use specially engineered septic systems to get around the limitations of traditional systems.

Along with revising the controversial septic rules, Faw said she was charged with gaining staff retention within the Environmental Health Division, getting certain junk-filled properties in the county cleared and improving the service of several small water systems.

One of those systems, the Matt Dillon Water Company, is in the process of being sold to the Tuolumne Utilities District. Escrow is expected to close in early 2008.

"We are waiting on the California Public Utilities Commission to take action to authorize the transfer," TUD General Manager Pete Kampa said Wednesday.

Faw will start her new job Monday, working as an environmental scientist for the state's Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management in Sacramento. She will help small water districts throughout California upgrade their infrastructure.

"Doesn't that sound exciting?" she said. "It's a feel-good job."

Tuolumne County Administrator Craig Pedro said Wednesday that recruiting to find Faw's replacement could begin as early as this week.

"There's no reason to wait," he said.

Because the recruitment process could take a few months, Pedro said, an interim director may be selected.