In 1988, Alan Clapp started his career in the on-site sewage field in Guilford County,
North Carolina. At this time, he was a Sanitarian doing regular field duties. Guilford County
was still using the perk test as part of the soil/site evaluation. Over the next couple of years,
Alan was instrumental in bringing Guilford County from the 1960's into the 1990's. Proper
equipment was ordered and staff attended courses to be trained in soil/site evaluations. The
staff started performing soil/site evaluations in the proper manner.
Also, shortly after Alan started working in Guilford County, one of the staff members was dismissed due to suspicion of accepting bribes. This not only put a blemish on Guilford County, it also put a blemish on the entire on-site program in the State of North Carolina. Alan was always available to re-evaluate the numerous Improvement Permits that had been issued, and did so with a cheerful attitude. Credibility was re-established to a beaten down department, and a good part of that can be attributed to Alan's knowledge and positive attitude.
Alan moved on to Orange Co. where he has never hesitated to make suggestions within the office for improvement of the County's on-site program. It is due to him that we have an application and permit review process that has greatly improved the accuracy and quality of the permits now issued. It is with his input that we have a proper and easily understood site evaluation report and notification forms. His technical expertise is exemplary and he leaves the clients with the sense and knowledge that they have gotten a fair and accurate evaluation of their property. One of his strong points is troubleshooting and exploring all of the options available to a client.
Alan was not satisfied with his knowledge of soils; and therefore, he returned to school while working full-time, and in May of 1995, Alan received his Masters degree in Soil Science.
His coworkers have said he is a pleasure to work with. He brings a sense of unity and humor to the office with him everyday and is willing to help out with the workload beyond normal expectations. He participates in several educational events throughout the year sharing his knowledge with interns, contractors, and schoolchildren.
Jon started work in Onslow County in 1984. During his first years of employment,
Jon saw employees come and go and recognized the need for the county to initiate a training
program. He developed a curriculum, and his talents as an instructor to train out new
employees as well as several interns from other counties across eastern North Carolina until
Centralized Training in Raleigh eliminated local training centers. As the eastern
representative of the Onsite Sewage Program Advisory Committee (OSPAC) Jon was involved
with the development and revision of the Onsite Sewage Laws and Rules in North
Carolina.
Jon has never been afraid to consider new ideas and technology. He has utilized and instructed others on the use of computer programs to assist in low-pressure pipe and pressure manifold design. Jon was instrumental in the development of current Aerobic Treatment Unit (ATU) rules in this state. The North Carolina Agriculture Extension Service gave Jon an opportunity to go to Ohio to learn more about ATU's. Jon took time to go to another state for three days to learn and bring information back to North Carolina. Jon put what he learned about ATU's to good use as he helped obtain, install, and provide instructions in the use of four different types of them at the Chatham County Research and Demonstration site. Jon was an instructor at the first 6 Subsurface Systems Operator's Training Schools. He provided instruction in ATU operation and maintenance and water conservation techniques to hundreds of system operators across North Carolina.
Because of our experiences with Hurricanes Bertha, Fran and Bonnie the Onslow County Health Department learned a lot about how shallow subsurface systems can be damaged during over wash events. Jon shared this knowledge with many Environmental Health Specialists and Supervisors across the state. He was a guest speaker at the North Carolina Environmental Health Supervisor's Association Annual Meeting and at the Eastern District Environmental Health Section NCPHA Annual Meeting. He also was an instructor at two sessions of the SOP Workshop on Hurricanes and other Disasters in Greenville and Wilmington.
Jon never passes up an opportunity to talk about the Onsite Program locally either. He has talked to countless groups ranging from elementary school children, to Real Estate Agencies, and to a Baptist Men's group. He has worked booths at the Health Department, at schools and at the Mall.
Jon's commitment to local, regional, and statewide on-site wastewater programs is commendable.
Please address any questions to Dr. David Lindbo.
This page
(http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/plymouth/septic2/99fame.html)
created by
Roland O. Coburn,
Research Technician I
on 3/10/00.
Last Updated on 4/25/00.