Study Guide Septic Systems - NACHIeducation.nachi.org/coursemedia/course-73/documents/... ·...
Transcript of Study Guide Septic Systems - NACHIeducation.nachi.org/coursemedia/course-73/documents/... ·...
StudyGuideforHowtoInspectSepticSystemsThisstudyguidecanhelpyou:
• takenotes;• readandstudyoffline;• organizeinformation;and• prepareforassignmentsandassessments.
AsamemberofInterNACHI,youmaycheckyoureducationfolder,transcript,andcoursecompletionsbyloggingintoyourMembers-OnlyAccountatwww.nachi.org/account.Topurchasetextbooks(printedandelectronic),visitInterNACHI’secommercepartnerInspectorOutletatwww.inspectoroutlet.com.Copyright©2007-2015InternationalAssociationofCertifiedHomeInspectors,Inc.
StudentVerification&InteractivityStudentVerification
Byenrollinginthiscourse,thestudentherebyatteststhattheyarethepersoncompletingallcoursework.Theyunderstandthathavinganotherpersoncompletethecourseworkforthemisfraudulentandwillresultinbeingdeniedcoursecompletionandcorrespondingcredithours.
Thecourseproviderreservestherighttomakecontactasnecessarytoverifytheintegrityofanyinformationsubmittedorcommunicatedbythestudent.Thestudentagreesnottoduplicateordistributeanypartofthiscopyrightedworkorprovideotherpartieswiththeanswersorcopiesoftheassessmentsthatarepartofthiscourse.Ifplagiarismorcopyrightinfringementisproven,thestudentwillbenotifiedofsuchandbarredfromthecourseand/orhavetheircredithoursand/orcertificationrevoked.
Communicationonthemessageboardorforumshallbeofthepersoncompletingallcoursework.
Introduction
"Septic"
Inthiscourse,theterm"septic"isusedtodescribealltypesofsystems(anaerobicandaerobic).Theterm"septic"isacommonlyusedtermtodescribealltypesofsepticsystemsandcomponents,eventhoughitshouldonlybeusedwhendescribinganaerobicsystems.Theterm"septic"actuallyreferstotheanaerobicbacterialenvironmentthatexistsinthetreatmenttank,whichdecomposesthewastedischargedintothetank.
SepticSystems
TheFrenchareconsideredthefirsttouseanundergroundseptictanksysteminthe1860s.By1880,two-chambersepticsystemswerebeingusedintheUnitedStates.Today,nearlyoneinfourhouseholdsintheUnitedStatesdependsonanindividualseptic(onsite)wastewatertreatmentsystemorsmallcommunityclustersystemtotreatwastewater.
In2007,20percent(26.1million)oftotalU.S.housingunitswereservedbysepticsystems.Thisisanincreaseof1.54millionsepticsystemssince1985.In2007,22percent(1.6million)ofallhousingunitslessthan4yearsoldusedsepticsystems.In2007,46percent(10.1million)ofoccupiedhousingunitswithsepticsystemswerelocatedinthesouthernregionoftheUnitedStates.
Infartoomanycases,thesepticsystemsintheU.S.areinstalledandlargelyforgotten—untilproblemsarise.EPAconcludedinits1997ReporttoCongressthat"adequatelymanageddecentralizedwastewatersystemsareacost-effectiveandlong-termoptionformeetingpublichealthandwaterqualitygoals,particularlyinlessdenselypopulatedareas."
Thedifferencebetweenafailedsystemandafunctionalsystemistheimplementationofaneffectivewastewatermaintenanceandinspectionprogram.Suchaprogram,ifproperlyexecuted,canprotectpublichealth,preservevaluablewaterresources,andmaintaineconomicvitalityinacommunity.
Whenusedproperly,anonsitesystemcanfunctionverywellformanyyears.Ifusedimproperly,thesystemwillfailandcauseconditionsthatthreathumanhealthandtheenvironment.Inspectionandmaintenanceiskeytoensuringthatsepticsystemsfunctionproperly.
OnsitewastewatertreatmentanddisposalsystemsareinspectedroutinelyacrosstheUnitedStatesduringarealestatetransaction.Thereareseveralnationalassociationsthathavedevelopedstandardsfortheinspectionandmaintenanceofsepticsystems.Everystateregulatestheinstallationofsepticsystemsandmostrequirestrictcertificationandtrainingofinstallersandinspectors.
Asepticinspectionleadstoaninspectionreportthatprovidestheclientwithinformationaboutthetypeandconditionoftheonsitewastewatertreatmentsystemasobservedatthetimeoftheinspection.Recommendationsforfurtherevaluationorcorrectiveactionsregardingthesystemsandcomponentsmightbeincludedinthereport.
Itshouldbetheintentionoftheinspectortoprovideasmuchaccurate,unbiasedinformationaboutthesepticsystem’sconditionsothattheclientcanmakesmart,informeddecisions.Inyourparticularstateorcounty,thesepticinspectormightnotberequiredtodeclareasystemtobemalfunctioning,failedornon-compliant.Thiswilllikelybetheresponsibilityofthelocaladministrativeauthoritysuchasthelocalorstatehealthdepartment.Theinspectorsimplyreportsanyobservedconditionthatmayrepresentanindicationofamalfunctioningsystemtotheirclientandthelocalhealthdepartmentsoonafter(typicallywithin24hours)thesepticinspection.
Atypicalsepticinspectionis:
• Anobjectiveevaluationoftheonsitewastewatertreatmentsystembasedupontheinspector’sexperienceandknowledge;
• Anevaluationofeachinspectedcomponentofthesystem;and• Aconclusionaboutthesystem’scondition.
AtypicalsepticinspectionisNOT:
• Awarrantyorguaranteethatthesystemwillproperlyfunctionforanyperiodoftimeinthefuture;and
• Acertificationofthesystem’sinstallationorperformance.
TwoTypesofInspectionsHowshouldsepticsystemsbemaintained?Howdoyouknowifasepticsystemisworkingproperly?Thistrainingcourseanswersthesequestionsbyprovidinginstructionforevaluatingandmaintainingonsite(septic)wastewatertreatmentsystems.Thistrainingcourseprovidesinstructionsforgatheringinformationaboutthesystem,locatingcomponentsofthesystem,checkingtheplumbingsysteminsidethehouse,evaluatingtheperformanceandconditionofthecomponentsofthesystem,applyinginspectiontechniques,andrecommendingroutinemaintenanceandinspections.
Thistrainingcourseforinspectingonsite(septic)wastewatertreatmentsystemsdescribestwotypesofinspections:
1. Amaintenanceinspectiontodeterminetheneedforpumpingandminorrepairs;and
2. Acompletefunctionalinspectiontypicallyusedduringarealestatetransfer.
InspectorLogo
TheSepticInspectorlogoisavailableforusebyallInterNACHIcertifiedmemberswhosuccessfullycompletethiscourse,includingitsfinalexam.Downloadthelogofromwww.nachi.org/logos.
ObjectiveAftersuccessfulcompletionofthetraining,thestudentwillbeabletoperformtwotypesofinspectionsofonsitewastewater(septic)treatmentsystems:
• maintenanceinspections;and• functionalinspections.
ForResidentialHomeInspectors
Theroutinemaintenanceinspectionisdesignedforresidentialhomeinspectorsto:
1. performaroutinemaintenanceinspectionusingvisual-only,non-invasiveinspectiontechniques;and
2. reporttotheirclient:o thelocationofthesystemcomponents;o howthesystemworks,ando maintenancerecommendations.
ForEveryone
Inspectionandmaintenanceiskeytoensuringthatsepticsystemsfunctionproperly.Thistrainingisforeveryonewithaninterestininspectingandmaintainingfunctionalonsitewastewater(septic)treatmentsystems.
• Homeinspectorscanusethistrainingtoprovidevaluableinformationtotheirclientswithrespecttoroutineinspectionsandmaintenanceoftheirsystem.
• Septiccontractorscanusethetrainingtolearnhowtoevaluatetheconditionofthesystemanddeterminetheneedforregularmaintenanceaswellasrepair.
• Thistrainingcanalsohelptoprepareforastatecertificationexamination.Itisintendedtoprovidereliableinformationtoinspectors,homebuyers,septiccontractors,homeowners,andinterestedparties.
Regularlyinspectedandproperlymaintainedsepticsystemshelptoprotectpublichealth,preservevaluablewaterresources,andmaintaineconomicvitalityinacommunity.Properlytrainedhomeinspectorsplayavitalroleinahomeowner’sregularhomemaintenanceplanbyperformingroutinemaintenanceinspections.
Acknowledgements
Thistrainingcourseisbaseduponseveraldocumentsthatareavailabletothepublicfromthefollowingsources:
• NewJerseyDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection• PennsylvaniaSeptageManagementAssociation• RutgersCooperativeExtension• UnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency• RhodeIslandDepartmentofEnvironmentalManagement• GeorgiaDepartmentofCommunityHealth• ChesterCountyHealthDepartment,BureauofEnvironmentalHealthProtection
SpecialthankstoInterNACHIMemberMarkD.NahrgangofKingdomInspections.
Courseauthor:BenGromickoatben@internachi.org.Commentsandsuggestionsareappreciated.
InterNACHIcourses:www.nachi.org/education.
TwoTypesofInspections
Thistrainingcoursedescribestwotypesofinspectionthatcanbeperformedbyproperlytrainedinspectors:
1. maintenanceinspections;and2. functionalinspections.
Theroutinemaintenanceinspectioniswellsuitedforaresidentialhomeinspector.Amaintenanceinspectionisusedtolocatesystemcomponents,describehowthesystemfunctionsandhowitcanbemaintainedregularly.Thefunctionalinspectionisusedprimarilyduringpropertytransfers,includesamaintenanceinspection,anddesignedprimarilyforsepticcontractors.
MaintenanceInspectionsThemaintenanceinspectiondeterminestheneedforpumpingandtoidentifyminorproblemsbeforetheybecomemajordefectsthatthreatenhumanhealthandtheenvironment.
Therearetwomaintenanceinspectionsubtypes:
1. Afirstmaintenanceinspection;and2. Aroutinemaintenanceinspection.
FortheHomeInspector
Thefirstmaintenanceinspectionisdesignedforthehomeinspectortoreporttotheirclient(1)thelocationofthesystemcomponents,(2)howthesystemworks,and(3)maintenancerecommendationsusingvisual-only,non-invasiveinspectiontechniques.
FortheSepticContractor
Theroutinemaintenanceinspectionassumesthatthecomponentshavealreadybeenlocated.
FirstMaintenanceInspection
1.2FirstMaintenanceInspection(designedforahomeinspector)
1. GatherInformationBeforetheInspectiono Healthdepartmentsandlocalauthoritieso Askthehomeowner
2. EvaluatethePlumbingoftheHouseo Inspecttheplumbingsystemofthehouseo Leakingfixturesandequipment
3. LocatingtheComponentsoftheSystem
o Locateandaccessthetreatmenttank,cesspoolorseepagepito Effluentdeliveryanddistributiono Locatetheabsorptionareao Risers,filtersandbaffles
4. SchedulingMaintenanceInspections5. ReporttotheClient
RoutineMaintenanceInspection
1.EvaluatethePlumbingoftheHouse
• Inspecttheplumbingsystemofthehouse• Estimatewateruse• Changingfixtureswithwaterconservationdevices• Leakingfixturesandequipment
2.EvaluatetheSystemComponents
• Inspectthetreatmenttank• Inspectthecesspoolorseepagepit• Inspecttheholdingtank• Inspectthedosingandsiphontanksandpumps• Inspectionofmound,subsurfacebedandtrenchsystems• Hydraulicloadtest• Accessorycomponentsandalternatetechnologies
3.ReporttotheClient
FunctionalInspectionsFortheSepticContractor
Thefunctionalinspectionisusedprimarilyduringapropertytransfertoprotecttheconsumerandidentifysystemsinneedofcorrectionandfurtherevaluation.Afunctionalinspectiondetermineswhetherasystemservesthehouseadequately.
1.GatherInformationBeforetheInspection
• Healthdepartmentsandlocalauthorities• Askthehomeowner
2.EvaluatethePlumbingoftheHouse
• Inspecttheplumbingsystemofthehouse• Estimatewateruse
• Changingfixtureswithwaterconservationdevices• Leakingfixturesandequipment
3.LocatingtheComponentsoftheSystem
• Locateandaccessthetreatmenttank,cesspoolorseepagepit• Effluentdeliveryanddistribution• Locatetheabsorptionarea• Risers,filtersandbaffles
4.EvaluatetheSystemComponents
• Inspectthetreatmenttank• Inspectthecesspoolorseepagepit• Inspecttheholdingtank• Inspectthedosingandsiphontanksandpumps• Inspectionofmound,subsurfacebedandtrenchsystems• Hydraulicloadtest• Accessorycomponentsandalternatetechnologies
5.SchedulingMaintenanceInspections
6.ReporttotheClient
ToolsNeededToolsNeededToinspecttheplumbingsysteminthehouse:
• Flashlight• Calculator• Stopwatch• Waterpressureandflowmeter
Toaccessthecomponentsofthesystem:
• Shovel• Metalprod(steelrod)
Tocheckthetank:
• Sludgemeasuringdevice• Scummeasuringdevice
• Latexgloves• Pumpingservicewithpumptruck• Flashlight• Mirroronpole• Eyeprotection• Gardenhose• Dyetracing
QuizIn2009,nearlyonein____householdsintheUnitedStatesdependsonanindividualseptic(onsite)wastewatertreatmentsystemorsmallcommunityclustersystemtotreatwastewater.
• four• two• five• ten
T/F:Thedifferencebetweenafailedsystemandafunctionalsystemistheimplementationofaneffectivewastewatermaintenanceandinspectionprogram.
• True• False
T/F:Atypicalsepticinspectionisawarrantyorguaranteethatthesystemwillproperlyfunctionforanyperiodoftimeinthefuture.
• False• True
GeneralInformationMajorComponents
Generallyspeaking,therearethreecomponentsofatypicalsepticsystem.Theyinclude:
1. Thetreatmenttank;2. Thedistributionsystem;and3. Theabsorptionarea.
BuildingSewerPipe
Atypicalhousewillhaveallwastewaterdischargethroughasinglepipe,calledthebuildingsewerpipe,whichdeliversthewastewaterbygravitytothesewagedisposalsystem,typicallythetank.
Thesewerlinesthatcarrysolidsformthehousetothetankshouldhavesufficientslopetomaintainvelocitiesthatcarrysolids.Aslopeofbetween1percent(1/8inchperfoot)and2percent(1/4inchperfoot)isgenerallyrecommended.Thelast15feetofsewerlinebeforethetankshouldnotslopemorethan2percent(1/4inchperfoot).
Thesewerlinefromthehousetothetank,allfittingsandthepipeinthetank,allextensionstothesurfacefromthetopofthetankandthefirst10feetexitingthetankmustbeschedule40PVCpipeorheavier.
TreatmentTanks
Atreatmenttankisaburied,watertightreceptacledesignedandconstructedtoreceivewastewaterfromabuilding.Aseptictankisdesignedtodothefollowing:
• separatethesettleableandthefloatablesolids;• promotegrowthoftheanaerobicbacterianecessarytodecomposethesolids;and• providestorageforthescumandsludge.
Averticalcross-sectionofaproperlyoperatingtankwillshowitdividedintothreedistinctlayers:
• Alayeroffloatingscumatthetop;• Amiddlezoneofgenerallyclearwaterrelativelyfreeofsolids(the“clearzone”or
“clearspace”);and• Abottomlayerofsettledsludge.
Multipletanksortankswithtwocompartmentsaremoreeffectiveinseparatingsolidsthanasingletankwithonecompartment.Iftherearemultipletanksoratankwithmorethanonecompartment,thenalltanksandallcompartmentsshouldbeinspected.
Tanksareeitheranaerobic(septic)oraerobic.
Anaerobic(septic)
Thetankofananaerobic(septic)systemiswhere:
• thesolidsseparatefromliquids;• theorganicmatterisdigested;• thesolidsarestored;and• therelativelycleareffluentcomesfrom.
Theterm"septic"isacommonlyusedtermtodescribealltypesofsepticsystemsandcomponents,eventhoughitshouldonlybeusedwhendescribinganaerobicsystems.Theterm"septic"referstotheanaerobicbacterialenvironmentthatexistsinthetreatmenttank,whichdecomposesthewastedischargedintothetank.
"ANAEROBIC"="SEPTIC"
Aerobic
Thetankofanaerobictankisnotastranquilasaseptictank.Insideanaerobictank,airmaybeforcedintotheeffluent,ormechanicalagitationdevices,pumpsorimpellersconstantlyorattimedintervalsmixtheeffluent.Aproperlyworkingaerobictankdischargeseffluentthatismorethoroughlytreated,isclearer,andhasfewerodors.
Sludge,ScumandaClearZone
Atankisusedtoholdwastewaterwhilethewastewater’ssolidsandliquidsseparate.Theheaviersolidsinthewastewater,calledsludge,sinktothebottomofthetank.Thereitwillslowlydecompose.Aproperlyfunctioningseptictankwillremove75%ofthesuspendedsolids,oilandgreasefromtheeffluent.
Thelighter,floatablematerial,calledscum,risestothesurfaceandbecomestrappedbetweendevicesatthetank’sinletandoutlet,eitherbafflesorsanitarytees.Whenwastewaterentersthetank,itpushesrelativelycleaneffluent,called“theclearzone”thatlocatedinthesettlingareabetweenthescumandthesludgelayers,outofthetank.
Assolidsenterthetank,theclearzoneisreduced.Ifthere’snotenoughoftheclearzone,thenthewastewaterenteringthetankwillpushthestuffoutofthetankbeforeitgetsenoughtimetoseparate.Wastewaterwithunsettledsolidswillbepushedoutofthetankandcanclogasoilabsorptionsystem.
Topreventthisfromhappening,tanksneedtobepumpedtomaintainagood“clearzone.”Failuretopumpregularlywillcausetheabsorptionfieldtofail.Routinepumpingofthetreatmenttankisthebestwaytopreventsystemfailure.
Inmostareas,anewlyinstalledseptictankisrequiredtobeaminimumof1,000gallonsinsize.Theminimumseptictankcapacityisbaseduponthenumberofhouseholdbedrooms.For3bedrooms,theminimumsizeis1,000gallons.For5bedrooms,theminimumsizeis1,500gallons.
DistributionSystem
Thedistributionsystemiswhereeffluentistakenfromthetreatmenttankintotheabsorptionarea.Thedistributionmayconsistofagravitydeliverylinetoadistributionbox,ortoatankwithalifeordosingpump,ortoasiphonchamber.Wherethesystemisacesspool,theremaybenodistinctdistributionsystem.
AbsorptionArea
Wheneffluentleavesthetreatmenttank,itflowstothesoilabsorptionsystem.Theabsorptionareaisthemostimportantcomponentbecauseitisthemostexpensiveandmostdifficultcomponentofanonsitesystemtocorrect.Absorptionoftheeffluentintothesoilisachievedwiththeuseofanyofthefollowing:
• Cesspools• Seepagepits• Absorptionbeds• Absorptiontrenches• Abovegrademounds• Soilreplacementsystems
Exceptforcesspools,whicharebothtreatmenttanksandabsorptionareas,thesearegenerallyreferredtoasabsorptionareas.Aninspectionincludesthedeterminationofthelocation,type,size,and,ifpresent,theliquidlevelwithintheabsorptionarea.Theabsorptionareamustbelocatedaspartofasepticinspection.Acompletelysaturatedabsorptionareawillaccelerateorganiccloggingandcouldeventuallyresultinanabsorptionareamalfunction.Thiswouldbeamalfunctionofthesepticsystem.
PermissiontoInspect
PermissiontoInspect
Itisrecommendedtoattainwrittenpermissionfromthehomeownerorrepresentativepriortoperforminganytypeofinspectionoftheonsitetreatmentsystem.
CallBeforeDigging
Stateshavea“one-call”systemtorequestthatanyutilitylinesbelocatedpriortotheinspection.Thisserviceshouldbecalledatleast72hourspriortotheinspection.
GatherInformationGatherInformationBeforetheInspection
Determiningtheconditionofanonsitewastewatertreatmentsystemrequiresknowingasmuchasyoucanaboutitstype,itspastperformanceandhowwellithasbeenmaintained.Knowingallofthisrequiresgatheringinformationandcollectingdataaboutthesystem.
Gatherasmuchinformationaboutthepropertypriortoarrivingattheproperty.Anyinformationthatwasnotgatheredinadvanceoftheinspectioncanbeattainedafterarrivingatthesite.
HealthDepartments&LocalAuthorites
Healthdepartmentsmaybecontactedtoobtaininformationabouttheproperty.Ifavailable,theinspectorshouldreviewrecordsfromthelocalauthorityregardingthepropertyandthesystem.Ifrecordsarenotavailable,theinspectionreportshouldnotethatrecordswerenotavailableforthepropertyandsepticsystem.
Asiteplanofthepropertyandonsitesystemcanberetrievedfromthearchivedrecordsheldbythelocalbuildingofficial.Asiteplan(orsketchoftheproperty)shouldbedonebytheinspectorfortheinspectionreporttoshowthelocationoftheonsitesystem.
AsktheHomeowner
Itisbesttoaskthehomeownerabouttheonsitesysteminperson.Besuretoremaincourteousandprofessionalduringtheinterview.Makethehomeownercomfortable.Askqualityquestions.Theinterviewwiththehomeownermayalsoprovideagoodopportunitytoinformthemaboutsepticmaintenance.Youmaywishtoleavesomeeducationalmaterialswiththehomeowner.
Informationattainedfromthehomeownerpriortotheinspectionshouldbecomparedtotheinformationgatheredattheinspection,including,butnotlimitedto,thefollowing:
• Ageofthehouse• Numberofbedrooms• Typeofonsitesystem• Ageofonsitesystem• Ifoccupied,thenumberofoccupantscurrentlylivinginthehouse• Duringthelast12months,thenumberofyear-roundoccupants• Ifvacant,thelengthoftimethehousehasbeenvacant• Numberofoccupantsexpectedtoliveinthehouse• Existenceofagarbagedisposal• Permitsinrelationtothesystem• Siteplanorsketchofthepropertyandsystemwithmeasurements
• Evidenceofmalfunction• Evidenceofsewageback-upinthehouse• Separategraywatersystem• Washingmachinedrainlineconnectiontotheonsitesystem• Sumppumpdischarge• Dateofthetwomostrecentpumpingofthetank• Frequencyofthetankbeingpumped• Waterbillsforthelast12to24months• Anyinspectionofthesystemandinspectionresults• Anymaintenanceinspectionreports• Anyrepairstothesystem• Highwaterusageattheproperty
Localofficialsmaykeeppermitandmaintenancerecords.Trycontactingthelocalbuildingofficialsorwastewaterofficialstoprovideinformation.Buildingofficialskeeprecordsofallbuildingpermits,andtheylikelyrequireanup-to-datecertificateofconformanceforthesepticsystem.
QuizT/F:Generallyspeaking,therearethreecomponentsofatypicalsepticsystem.Theyincludethetreatmenttank,thedistributionsystem,andtheprivatewell.
• False• True
T/F:Aseptictankmustbewatertight.
• True• False
Aseptictankisdesignedtoseparatethefloatable_____fromtheonesthatsettle.
• solids• liquids• pipes• bacteria
Aseptictankisdesignedtostorethe_____andthesludge.
• scum• sand• aggregate• distributionbox
Insideaproperlyoperatingseptictank,the_____floatsatthetop.
• scum• solids• sludge• clearzone
Insideaproperlyoperatingseptictank,the_____hasthegenerallyclearwaterrelativelyfreeofsolids.
• clearzone• solidsspace• sludgelayer• floatingscumlayer
Multipletanksortankswithtwocompartmentsare_____effectiveinseparatingsolidsthanasingletankwithonecompartment.
• more• less• not
Tanksareeitheranaerobic(septic)or_____.
• aerobic• analytic• concrete• aesthetic
Inananaerobictank,solids_____liquids.
• separatefrom• combinewith
Insidean_____tank,airmaybeforcedintotheeffluent,ormechanicalagitationdevices,pumpsorimpellersconstantlyorattimedintervalsmixtheeffluent.
• aerobic• analytic• polyethylene• aesthetic
Wheneffluentleavesthetreatmenttank,itflowstothesoil_____system.
• absorption• composition• infusion• releasing
EvaluatethePlumbingoftheHouseEvaluatethePlumbingoftheHouse
• Inspecttheplumbingsystem• Estimatewateruse• Changingfixtureswithwaterconservationdevices• Leakingfixturesandequipment
Whenperforminganinspectionoftheonsitetreatmentsystem,aninspectorshouldchecktheinteriorplumbingsystemofthehousebecauseafaultyoroutdatedplumbingsystemmayaddsignificantlytothewastewaterloadonasystem.Overloadedsystemstendtofail.Faultyplumbingaddstooverallwateruse.Whenperforminganinspection,checkalltheplumbing,waterfixturesandwater-usingdevicesformalfunctions.
InspectingthePlumbingSystem
Byinspectingtheplumbingsystem,theinspectormaydeterminethelocationwherethesewerpipesexitthestructure,thegenerallocationofthetreatmenttankandabsorptionfield,andthepresenceofmultipleplumbingortreatmentsystems.Inspectingtheplumbingofthehousecanresultindeterminingwherethelaundryfacilitiesdischarge.Theclotheswasherorlaundrytubmaydischargeintotheonsitesystemormaydischargeelsewhere.Thispartoftheinspectionislimitedtowheretheplumbingisexposed.Ifthereisacrawlspace,theinspectorshouldchecktheplumbinginsidethatspace.Ifthereisanunfinishedbasement,theinspectionoftheplumbingmayberelativelyeasy.Ifthelowestlevelisfinished,asinthecaseofaslab-on-gradeconstruction,theinspectionmaybeverylimited.Ifforsomereason,partoftheinspectionoftheplumbingisrestricted,asinthecaseofalimitedaccesstothecrawlspace,thenthatrestrictiontotheinspectionshouldbenotedinthereport.
• Inspecttheinteriorplumbingsystemofthehouse.Confirmthenumber,sizeandgeneraldirectionoftheexitpoint(s)ofthesewerdrainline(s)ofthehouse.Determineiftheyareconsistentwiththeonsitesystem’slocation.
• Checkallthefixturesinthehouse.Followthedrainlinesfromeachfixturetothemaindrainpipethatexitsthehouseandtravelstothetreatmenttank.Makesureyouhavedeterminedthatalldrainandwastelinesappeartobeexitingtowardsthelocationoftheonsitesystem.Runningwateratparticularfixturescanhelpinidentifyingandconfirming.Followthelaundrydischargepipetoitsdestination.Lookfordrainagelinesthatexitthehouseinverydifferentdirections.
• Inspectthegeneralconditionofthedrainlinesinthehouse.Lookfordifferentmaterialsusedinthelines.APVCDWVpipethatisconnectedtoanoldcastirondrainpipemayindicatealterationstothedrainagesystem.Acappedlinethatpreviouslyacceptedthewashingmachinedischargesmayindicateaproblemexperiencedwiththeonsitesystem.Checkforanythinginthedrainagesystemthatmayindicatepastfailuresinthesepticsystem.
• Ifthereisafixturethatisapparentlynotenteringtheonsitetreatmentsystem,thendyecanbeusedtoconfirmthedischargepointforthatfixture.Insertthedyetabletsintothefixturesdrainandflushwithwater.Observationoftheeffluentwithinthefirstsepticsystemcomponentshouldoccurtoconfirmthatthedyefromthefixturehasenteredthetank.Ifthecoloreddischargeisnotobserved,furtherinvestigationofthefixtureandisdrainageisrequired,andthatconditionshouldbenotedintheinspectionreport.
• Determineifthereisasumppumpsysteminstalled.Ifoneexists,confirmthatthedischargeofthesumpisnotconnectedtothehousedrainlineandthatnodrainpipedischargesintothesumppump.
EstimateWaterUse
Aspartofafunctionalinspection,inspectorsshouldcheckthewateruse.Highwaterusecancausetwosepticsystemproblems:
1. Highwaterflowsputstressontheabsorptivecapacityofsoils;and2. Largewaterflowsmaypushsolidsoutofthetreatmenttankandclogtheabsorption
system.
Toestimatewateruse,youcouldusetwoofthemostrecentwaterbills.Andthewatermetercouldbeusedtohelpestimatethewaterusage.Thefollowingequationcouldbeusedtoapproximatewaterusepercapitaperday.
Waterusepercapitaperdayequation:W=(R2-R1)/DxO,where:
W=waterusepercapitaperday
R2=mostrecentwatermeterreading
R1=oldestwatermeterreading
D=numberofdayselapsedbetweenthewatermeterreadings
O=averageoccupancyoftheresidencebetweenreadings
Dailywaterusagecanbeestimatedfortypicalhouseholdsbasedonthenumberofoccupantsorbedrooms.Refertoyourlocalsewerauthorityorstateofficialsourcesabouttheaveragedailywaterusagedatainyourarea.Forexample,ahouseholdwithmoderatewaterusewilltypicallyneed110gallonsofwaterperdayperbedroom.Thisnumber,however,doesnottakeintoaccountextrawaterneededforhomeswithhighoccupancy,lawnirrigation,spatubs,andotheractivitiesandplumbingfixturesthathaveahighwaterdemand.High-water-useactivitiesandfixturesarenotrecommendedforhomeswithanonsitewastewatertreatmentsystem.
ChangingFixtureswithWaterConservation
Inmostcaseswherewateruseisabovetheacceptablerange,itisbecauseofaleakyorold,high-volumewaterfixture.Water-useproblemscanbefixedbyretrofittingfixtureswithnewwaterconservationdevicesorbyrepairingleaks.Installingwaterconservationdevicescanbequick,inexpensive,andcanreducethewaterloadonthesystem.
LeakingFixturesandEquipmentLeakingToilet
Aleakingtoiletcancontributeahundredgallonsofwaterperdaytothewastewatersystem.Leakytoiletscancausefailuresofsepticsystems.
Listenforleakingtoilets.Sometimestheycanbeheard.Ifitisnotmakingaleakynoise,thenuseanothertechniquetofindaleakingtoilet.Addasmallamountoffoodcoloringtothetoiletstoragetank.Wait10minutes.Ifthetoiletisleaking,dyewillappearinthetoiletbowl.
DrippingFaucet
Adrippingwaterfaucetwithjustacoupledropspersecondcanaddmanygallonstothedailywaterload.Sometimesit’sjustamatterofreplacingawasherinthefixture.Theuseofdrymeasuringcupslocatedunderasuspectfixturewillindicateadrippingfaucet.
LeakingWaterTreatmentEquipment
Watersoftenersandpurificationsystemsremovemineralsfromthedomesticwater.Somewatertreatmentsystemsareinstalledunderthekitchensink—looktherefirst.Watertreatmentsystemsuseback-flushingroutinely.Theback-flushleavesthesystemusingasmall-diameterplastichose.Thehoseisusuallyinstalledtodrainintooneofthefollowingoutlets:
• Thelaundrymachinedrainpipe;• Thekitchensinkdrainpipe;• Asumppump;and• Anauxiliarysoilabsorptionsystemthatisseparatefromthesepticsystem.
Iftheback-flushingmechanismisleaking,theonsitesystemcouldbecomeoverloadedandbackup.
QuizWhenperforminganinspectionoftheonsitetreatmentsystem,aninspectorshouldchecktheinterior_____systemofthehousebecauseafaultyoroutdatedplumbingsystemmayaddsignificantlytothewastewaterloadonasystem.
• plumbing• electrical• insulation• heating
T/F:APVCDWVpipethatisconnectedtoanoldcastirondrainpipemayindicatealterationstothedrainagesystem.
• True• False
Ifthereisafixturethatisapparentlynotenteringtheonsitetreatmentsystem,then_____canbeusedtoconfirmthedischargepointforthatfixture.
• dye• excavation• infrared• probing
_____waterusecanputstressontheabsorptivecapacityofsoils.
• High• Low• Hot
Inmostcaseswherewateruseisabovetheacceptablerange,itisbecauseofaleakyorold,high-volumewater_____.
• fixture• fountain• hose• tank
_____toiletscancausefailuresofsepticsystems.
• Leaky• Ceramic• Low-flow• Water-efficicent
A_____waterfaucetwithjustacoupledropspersecondcanaddmanygallonstothedailywaterload.
• dripping• plastic• brass
LocatingtheComponentsoftheSystemLocatingtheComponentsoftheSystem
• Locateandaccessthetreatmenttank,cesspoolorseepagepit(section7.1)• Effluentdeliveryanddistribution(section7.2)• Locatetheabsorptionarea(section7.3)• Risers,filtersandbaffles(section7.4)
Locatingthecomponentsofthesystemispartofbothmaintenanceinspectionsandfunctionalinspections.
PersonalSafety
Theinspector’spersonalsafety,aswellastheprotectionoftheenvironmentandtheclient,shallreceivethehighestpriorityatalltimes.Aninspectorisnotrequiredtodoanythingthat,intheopinionoftheinspector,isdangerous,hazardousormaycausedamagetothesystem,propertyortheenvironment.
RecentPrecipitation
Ifyouareinspectinganonsitetreatmentsystemandtherehasbeenrecentrainfallorotherprecipitationevent,includingbutnotlimitedtorain,drizzle,snow,snowmelting,orwhenthegroundissnowcovered,thentheinspectorshoulddiscusstherelationshipoftheprecipitationtotheresultsoftheinspectionwiththeclient.Presentweatherconditions,recentprecipitationevents,andtheirimpactontheonsitetreatmentsystemshouldberecordedandexplainedintheinspectionreport.
GeneralInspectionProceduralComments
Theportionoftheonsitesysteminspectionshouldbeconductedinthefollowinggeneralsequence:
• Recordalistofallofthepeoplepresentattheinspectionincludinganyprofessionalcontractorswhomaybeworkingonthesystem.
• Recordtheweatherconditionsatthetimeoftheinspection.• Makeobservationsofthesite’scondition.
• Drawasiteplanorsketchoftheproperty.Indicateonthesiteplandistancesofthetreatmenttanklidfromtwofixedpointsofthehousestructure.
• Indicateonthesiteplandistancesfromthehousetothedistributionbox,iflocatedandaccessed.
• Lookforaprivatewell.Indicatethewell’slocationinthefieldnotesandonthesiteplan.
• Lookatthelocationofdriveways,decks,patios,andwalksthatmighthaveaneffectonthesystem.
• Comparetheinformationthatisgatheredattheinspectiontotheinformationgatheredpreviouslyandnoteanydiscrepancies.
• Locateandaccessthetreatmenttank,cesspoolandseepagepit.• Checktheeffluentdeliveryanddistribution.• Locatetheabsorptionarea.• Checktherisers,filtersandbaffles.
ObservationofSite’sCondition
• Lookforandreportanytrees,largeshrubsorotherplantswithextensiverootsystemsgrowingoverorwithin10feetofanycomponentofthesystem.Youshouldinformyourclientthatlargerootsmightcrack,offsetorotherwiseintrudeanddamagecomponents.Vegetationcancreateanegativeimpactonthesystem.
• Lookforsignsofheavymachineryorheavyobjectsrunningoveranypartofthesystem.Heavyobjectsmaycrushoroffsetthecomponentsofthesystem.
• Checkhowstormwaterorsurfacerunoffwaterisbeingdirectedawayfromthecomponentsofthesystem.Ifwaterisflowingintoortowardsanycomponent,thewatershouldbere-directed.Runoffsurfacewaterdirectedtotheabsorptionareamayflooditandinterferewithproperwastewatertreatmentorcausebackup.
• Lookforsignsofsystemmalfunction,suchascave-inorexposedcomponents.• Lookforimpermeablesurfaces,suchasdrivewaysorpatios,within10feetof
componentsofthesystem.Impermeablesurfacesblockthenaturalmovementofairandmoistureinsoil,inhibitingbiologicalactivityandhinderingwastewatertreatment.
• Checkforsignsofmalfunctioning,suchassepticodors,ponding,orothersignsofwastewateroutbreak,patchesoflushgreengrass,burnt-outgrassorgroundstaining.Thesesignsindicatemajorfailureofthesystem.
• Walkaroundthehouse,thesite(property,yards,gardens,grounds)andlookforunexpectedfixtures,plumbingpipes,ordischargeoutlets.
• Lookfordischargesonorthroughanyofthefollowing:thesurfaceoftheground,streams,roads,stormdrains,andunexpectedpipes.
UsingDyetoIdentifyTreatmentBypasses
Bypassesareusedtore-directwastewaterawayfrombeingtreatedbythesystem.Bypassesarenotlegalandshouldbeeliminatedwhentheyareconfirmed.Treatmentmaybebypassedbyanoverflowpipethatrouteseffluentoutofacomponent,preventingitfromreachingtheabsorptionsystem.Bypassesareoftendifficulttotracevisually.Dyetracinghelpsinidentifyingandconfirmingbypasses.Thedyewillappearonthesurfaceandflowwhereverthewastewaterdoes.
LocatetheTreatmentTank
Horizontalandverticalseparationdistancesareimportantfortheprotectionofgroundwaterfromsepticsystemeffluent.Tanksshouldnotbecloserthan50feettoanysourceofwaterandgreaterdistancesmayberequiredbyyourlocalauthority/official.Tanksshouldnotbecloserthan10feetfromanybuildingorwithinthe100-yearfloodplain.Tanksshouldnotbeinareassubjecttoflooding.
Thereshouldnotbeanypermanentcoveringoverthetank,lateral,oranyotherpartofthesystem(patio,building,shed,deck,porch,driveway,walkway,etc.).
Accessportsmaybevisibleandexposedatgroundlevel.Theaccessportsshouldnotbemorethan12inchesbelowthegroundsurface.
Moderntanksareusuallyrectangularboxesmadefromconcreteorfiberglass.Oldertanksmayberound.Veryoldtanksmaybebuiltwithsteel,whichcorrodesovertime.Moderntanksarefrom1000to1500gallons,dependinguponthenumberofbedroomsinthehouse.Someoldertankscouldbeassmallas500gallonsinsize.
Treatmenttanksaremadefromthefollowingcommonmaterials:
• concrete,• metal,• polyethylene(plastic),and• fiberglass.
Thetypeofmaterialthatthetankismadeoutofshouldbedocumented.Concretetanksaregenerallysoundandreliableascomparedtotanksofothermaterials.Metaltankshaveanaveragelifeexpectancyofonly5to10years.Thecorrosiveatmosphereandcontentscauserapiddisintegrationofmetaltanks.Metaltanksshouldnotbeallowedinawastewatertreatmentsystem.Plasticorfiberglasstanksresistdeterioration;however,theyaresusceptibletopuncturebyaprobe.Beverycarefulifyouhavetoprobeforlocatingtheburiedpartsofthetank.
Access
Everytreatmenttankshouldhaveaccesstothetanklids/covers.Thetankrisersshouldbeaccessible.Someinspectorsrequestthatthetankbelocatedandthelidofthetankexposedpriortoarrivingattheproperty.Ifyouneedtoaccessthetanklidyourself,becarefultoavoiddamagingthetankwithyourshovelorirondiggingbar.Donotdamageanyelectricalwiresthatmaybepresent.
Onfailedsystems,youmayfindtheaccesstothetankrestrictedwithsomeunexpectedmaterials.Sometimesthetanklidwillbecoveredwithconstructionmaterialssuchas4x4beamsandplastic.Thereshouldnotbeanythingforeignoverthetanklidlocation.Ifthereisplasticwrappedoverthelidareaoranyothertypeofbuildingmaterials,thismayindicateamajorproblemwiththesystemorthestructuralintegrityofthetank.
Lidsfornon-trafficresidentialtanksshouldbeabletoholdadeadloadof12inchesofearthcoverwithadrysoildensityof100poundspercubicfoot.
TanksareHazardous
Treatmenttanksshouldnotbeenteredduringatypicalsepticinspection.Treatmenttanksarehazardousenvironments.Workcarefullyandsafely.Sewagecontainsgermsthatcancausediseases.Neverenteraseptictank.Toxicandexplosivegasesinthetankpresentahazard.Donotbendoverorstickyourheadtowardsanopentank.Thegasesthatcomeoutofthetankmaycauseyoutoloseconsciousness.Youmayloseyourbalanceandcouldendupfallingintothetank.Donotreachwithyourhandintothetank.Oldtanksmaycollapse.Securetheseptictanklidsothatchildrencannotopenit.Donotentercesspools.Donotworkalone.Donotbringsewage-contaminatedclothingintothehome.
Methaneandhydrogensulfidegasesareproducedinaseptictank.Theyarebothtoxicandexplosive.Hydrogensulfidegasisdeceptive.Itcanhaveaverystrongodoronemoment,butafterexposure,theodormaynotbenoticed.
SepticTankAbandonment
Whenatankisdisconnectedfromuse,thetankshouldberemovedorfilled.Thetankshouldbecompletelyremovedofallsolidsandliquid.Itcouldbecollapsedthenfilledorremoved.
TechniquestoLocateaTank
Tolocatedatreatmenttank,thefollowingtechniquescanbeused:
• Askthehomeownerforpastinspectionreports,andlookforthesketchesormeasurementsforthesystemcomponents.
• Checkforplans,permitsordocumentationwiththelocalauthorityorofficials.• Checkthedirectionofthemainsewerdrainagepipeinthehouse,wherethepipe
exitsthestructure.Thetankmaybelocatedinthatdirection.• Lookforaninspectionportforthedistributionboxatthegroundlevel.Theyare
sometimesinstalledtoprovideaccessandevidenceoflocation.
Ifthetankhasnorisersoverinspectionholesandnodiagramisavailableshowingthelocation,youwillhavetoprobeforthetank,asfollows:
• Youcanuseaprobingtooldesignedforprobingsepticsystems,orusealongmetalrod(1/2-inchrebar,bentover90°tomakeahandleatthetop);
• Beginprobingwherethemaindrainpipeleavesthehouse.• Pushtherodfirmlydownintothesoiluntilyou"feel"thedrainpipe.Useafirmand
steadypush.Don'tpunchorpoundtherodasyoucandamagethepipe,particularlythepipe/septictankconnection.
• Ifthesoilistoohardanddryforprobing,trysoakingtheareawithagardenhose.
OpeningComponents
Insomecases,acomponentwillbeaccessiblefromthegroundsurface.Inothers,theaccessisburied.Onceyoulocatedthecomponent,itshouldbeopened.Afteryouinspectit,closeitandcoveritwithminimaldisturbancetothegroundcoverorlandscaping.
AccessisatGradeLevel
Sometimesacomponentisaccessiblebecauseofariser.Ariserisaverticaltubewithatight-fittingfiberglassorconcretecoverat,slightlyabove,orjustbelowthegroundsurface.Ifthelidislocked,askthehomeownertoopenit.Concretecoversusuallydonothavelocks.
AccessisBuried
Oncethecomponentislocated,approximatethelocationoftheinspectionportsorcentralmanholeaccessbasedontheanticipatedsizeofthecomponent.Useashovelorspadetodigcarefully.Firstcutandremovethesod,thendigthedirttouncovertheinspectionports.Standardsdidnotalwaysrequireinspectionportstobeaccessibleatgradelevel.Mostcodesnowrequireaccessesatgrade.Sometankswillhaveonemanholeaccess.Mostmoderncompartmentedtankswillhavetwo.Onewillbelocatedattheinfluentend,andanotherattheeffluentend,andtherewillbenocentralmanhole.
Theaccessmanholeshouldbeaminimumof20inchesindiameterforeachcompartment.
CesspoolorSeepagePit
Thecesspoolissimplyaverticalpitdugintotheearth.Thepitislinedwithaporouscement,orblock,orstone.Theareaoutsidethelinerisusuallyfilledwithgravel.Allthefixturesofthehousedrainfromthehomedirectlytothecesspool.Therearenotanksinbetweenthecesspoolandthehouse.Atthecesspool,thesolidsfalltothebottomwheretheyarepartiallydigestedbybacteriaandmicroorganismsthatoccurtherenaturally.Theeffluentleachesoutintothegravelandsoilsurroundingthepit.
Theterm“cesspool”isaburiedchamber,tank,orperforatedconcretevaultorcoveredholloworexcavation,whichreceivesdischargesofsanitarysewagefromthebuildingsewerforthepurposeofcollectingsolidsanddischargingliquidstothesurroundingsoil.
Manypeopleconfusecesspoolswithseepagepits.Usuallyaseepagepitisconstructedsimilarlytoacesspoolinconstruction.Thereisalargepitwithacircularwallofcement,blockorstonethatisporous,andthere’sasurroundingbedofgravel.Sometimestheseepagepitcanbereferredtoasadiffuserorgalleywherethereisabottomlessconcretestructurewithgratedsides.
Themaindifferenceisthatonlyeffluentthathascomefromaseptictankenterstheseepagepit.Aseepagepitisalwaysdownstreamfromaseptictank.(Whenacesspoolhastwochambers,thesecondchamberisoftenconsideredtheseepagepit.)Theeffluententerstheseepagepitandistemporarilystoredthereuntilitgraduallyseepsthroughthewallsandintothesurroundingsoil.Abiomatformsinthebottomofthepitandasthepitagesthebiomatgrowsthickcloggingtheporesofthepitwalls.
Becauseoftheirconstructionseepagepitsarenotasefficientatprocessingeffluentasdrainfieldsorsoilabsorptionbeds.Cesspoolsarenotanapprovedmethodofsewagedisposalandallexistingcesspoolsareconsideredtobesubstandard.Cesspoolstendtohavesystemoverflowsandbackups.Cesspoolsallowwastewatertoflowtoground-andsurface-waterresourceswithoutprovidingadequatetreatment.
Ownersofcesspoolsshouldbeencouragedtoupgradetheirsystems.Evencesspoolsthataremaintainedprovide,atbest,marginaltreatmentandshouldbeconsideredforupgrade
orreplacementassoonaspractical.Ifacesspoolisfoundtobeunrepairable,thenitshouldbereplacedwithamodernonsitewastewatertreatmentsystembuiltinaccordingwithmodernstandards.
LocateEffluentDeliveryandDistribution
Effluentgoesfromthetanktotheabsorptionareathroughasolid,rigidpipe.Itenterstheabsorptionareainawaythatprovidesequaldistributionoftheeffluentthroughtheabsorptionarea.Effluentmaybebroughtfromthetanktotheabsorptionareabytheuseofapumporbygravity.
Systemsinstalledsincethe1970shavecommonlyusedplasticpipe,suchasaschedule20pipe.Whenthepiperunsunderanareasubjecttoheavyloads,suchasadriveway,itiscommonlyfoundthatthepipeiscrushedorisdamaged.Inthoseheavyloadareas,aheaviergradeofpipe(schedule40or80pipe)isinstalledorthepipeisencasedwithalargerdiameterheaviergradepipe.
Effluentdeliverysystemsmayincludealiftpump.Whenaliftpumpisused,theabsorptionareaisatahigherelevationthanthetreatmenttank.Liftpumpsaresizedappropriatelytoovercomethefrictionofthepipeandtheweightofgravity.Theseforcesarereferredtoasthe“head.”Unlikeadosingpump,thereisnorequiredminimumheadattheterminalend.
ByGravity
Inagravitysystem,theeffluentshouldbedistributedeithertoanumberoftrenchesorthroughseveralinterconnectedlinesinanabsorptionfield.
Adistributionbox(calledaD-box)isasmall,usuallyconcrete,containerthatmostoftenreceiveseffluentfromaconnectingpipe.LiftpumpscanalsodischargeintoaD-box.
TheD-boxwillhavealid.Openthelidandyou’llseeoneinletandafewoutletports.Theoutletsshouldbeatleastoneinchbelowtheinlet’selevation.TheD-boxshouldbelevelorsituatedastoprovideevenentryoftheliquidintoalloftheoutletportsatthesametime.OnolderD-boxes,youmayfindthattheboxhassettledorhasbeencrushed.Thiswillbeaproblemforthesystem(particularlyattheabsorptionarea)becausetheeffluenthasnotbeenenteringthelinesequally.Avarietyofdevicescanbeusedtoadjusttheoutletelevationssothatalllinesreceiveanequalamountofeffluentvolume.AD-boxmustbeusedtodividetheflowsinallgravitytrenchsystems.
AD-boxmaybeinstalledtodividetheeffluentflowstothelateralsinabedsystem.TheD-boxshouldnotbeinsideatrench.Itmaybeinstalledeitheroutsideorwithinthebedarea.WhenyoufindtheD-box,itslocationshouldbenotedinthereport.
ByPressure
Inapressuredistributionsystem,thereisapumpthatisusedtopumpanequalamountofeffluentacrossanentireabsorptionarea.Inapressurizeddistributionsystem,thepumpdeliverseffluenttoamanifoldcomponent.Themanifoldsuppliestheeffluenttoaseriesofsmallerlateralpipes.
Pressuredistributioncanbeusedinalltypesofsystems.
LocatetheAbsorptionArea
Theabsorptionareaisthemostcriticalcomponentoftheonsitetreatmentsystem.
Breakoutofsepticeffluenttothegroundsurfaceisasystemfailure.Thesysteminthisconditionhasfailedandisnotfunctional.Ifyouobserveorhavereasontobelievethatthesystemisdischargingdirectlytothesurfaceoftheground,ortothesurfaceorgroundwaters,suchconditionsshouldbenotedinyourreport.Theinspectordoesnothavetocontinuetheinspectionasthesystem’sconditioncanbedescribedas“failed”and“non-functional.”
SubsurfaceAbsorption(orDisposal)BedorTrenchSystemBeds
Subsurfaceabsorptionbedsareusuallyrectangularexcavationsthatarefilledwithaggregateinwhichabranchingnetworkofperforatedpipesdistributetheeffluentthroughthebedarea.Thebedisfilledfromtheaggregatetogroundsurfacewithearth.
Trenches
Trenchesarelong,narrowrectanglesfrom1-1/2to3feetwide.Trenchesareusuallyofequallength.Theyarepartiallyfilledwithaggregate.Perforatedpipesareinstalledinthetrenches,andtheydistributetheeffluentthroughthelengthofthetrench.Thetrenchisfilledfromtheaggregatetogradewithearth.Effluentisdistributedtothetrencheseitherunderpressure(pumporsiphondelivery)orbygravity.
D-boxes
Gravitysuppliedtrenchesandbedsbothreceiveeffluentfromthedistributionbox(D-box).TheybothtypicallywilluseaD-boxtosplittheflowintoapproximatelyequalamount.Alltrenchesshouldreceivethesameamountofeffluent.Aninspectorshouldfindtheconditionofeachtrenchsimilar.Ifonetrenchisfoundtobedifferentfromtherestduringaninspection,thereisaproblemandfurtherevaluationisneeded.
Above-GroundSystems:Mounds
Amoundedsystemoramoundedsoilreplacementsystemisabed-typedistributionsystembuiltontopofasuitablefillmaterial.Inbothsystems,thefillprovidesbothalevelsurfaceuponwhichtheaggregateisplacedandaporousfilteringmaterialforeffluentrenovation.Thefillandaggregatearecontainedwithinabermofsoil.Theaggregateisabovethesite’soriginalgroundsurface.Thecoverovertheaggregateisgradedandslopedtodirectsurfacewaterawayfromthemound.
Thebermofsoilsupportstheaggregateandsuitablefill.Thebermalsocontainstheeffluentanddirectsthedownwardmovementoftheeffluentwithintheberm’sfootprint.
Amoundedsystemhastheentiresystem,includingfill,aggregateandcover,installedoverthesite’soriginalsoil.Foramoundedsoilreplacementsystem,someofthesite’soriginalgroundisexcavatedandbackfilledwithsuitablesoilthatextendsabovetheoriginalgrade.Thisfillisleveledandthesystemisbuiltuponthatsuitablefillmaterial.
Inabove-groundsystems,thepipingdistributestheeffluentthroughtheaggregate.Theeffluentcomesfromapumpingchamber,whichpumpstheeffluentuptothetopoftheabsorptionarea.Theeffluentflowsintoanetworkofperforateddistributionpipes,locatedjustbeneaththemound’ssurface.
Aportionofthewastewaterreleasedfromthepipesevaporatesupthroughthesurfaceofthemoundoristakenupbythegrassorothervegetationgrowingonthemound.
Theremainingwastewatertricklesdownthroughgravel,sandandsoillayerswithintheraisedmound.Thesandservestoremovelargerparticlesanddispersethewastewaterevenlythroughtheabsorptionfield.Throughcomplexphysical,chemical,andbiologicalprocessesthesoilbeneaththemoundprovidestreatment,removingmuchoftheremainingdiseasecausingmicroorganismsandotherpollutants.
TheRisers,FiltersandBafflesRisers
Inspectorsshouldrecommendcertainretrofitstohomeownerstomakeinspectionseasierandtoimprovethelongevityofthesystem,includinginstallingriserstograde,effluentfiltersandgasbaffles.
Risersinstalledonatreatmenttankprovideseasyaccesstothetank,inspectionports,andmanholes.Withoutrisers,atankmustbedug-upforeveryinspectionandpumping.Withrisers,verylittle,ifany,diggingisneeded.RisersforD-boxesareagoodideatoo.D-boxrisersallowinspectorstoseeifanysolidsarebeingcarriedintotheD-boxfromthetank.SolidsintheD-boxindicateagreatpotentialforcloggingintheabsorptionarea.D-boxriserscanprovideaccesstothelateralsoftheabsorptionsystem,whichmayclogoccasionallyandrequirecleaning.
Commonrisersaremadeofconcrete,fiberglassorplastic.Theinteriordimensionoftherisershouldbelargerthanthatoftheaccesshole.Therisershouldhaveaproperlidorcoverthatisseatedandfittedproperlytopreventsurfacewaterfromenteringthetank.
EffluentFiltersandGasBaffles
Effluentfiltersandgasbafflesaresimpleandinexpensivewaystoprotectandextendtheservicelifeoftheabsorptionsystem.
Effluentfiltersareusuallyinstalledattheoutletofatreatmenttank.Filterscaptureparticulatesthatmaytraveltoandclogthesoilabsorptionsystem.Properlysizedfiltersonlyneedcleaningevery5yearsorso.Ifthefilterisnotcleaned,itwilleventuallyclog,causingtheeffluenttoback-upintothehouseoroverflowthetopofthetank.Iftheoccupantsnoticethewaterdrainingslowly,thefiltermightneedcleaning.
Cleaningafilterinvolvesremovingtheeffluentfilterfromthetankandsprayingthefiltercleanwithahose.Allthedebrisfromthefiltershouldbewashedbackintothetankforremovalwhenthetankispumped.
Gasbafflesareattachedtotheeffluentsanitaryteeofthetank.Theydeflectgasbubbles,whichmayotherwisecarrysolidsthroughtheeffluentoutlet.
QuizLookforandreportanytrees,largeshrubsorotherplantswithextensiverootsystemsgrowingoverorwithin_____feetofanycomponentofthesystem.
• 10• 50• 25• 100
T/F:Runoffsurfacewaterdirectedtotheabsorptionareamayflooditandinterferewithproperwastewatertreatmentorcausebackup.
• True• False
Apatchoflushgreen_____maybeasignofamalfunctioningsystem.
• grass• paint• trees• acres
Tanksshouldbeatleast_____feettoanysourceofwaterandgreaterdistancesmayberequiredbyyourlocalauthority/official.
• 50
• 3• 25• 200
T/F:Theaccessportsofseptictanksshouldnotbemorethan12inchesbelowthegroundsurface.
• True• False
Donotbendoverorstickyour______towardsanopentank.
• head• foot• arm• flashlight
T/F:Themaindifferencebetweenacesspoolandaseepagepitisthatonlyeffluentthathascomefromaseptictankenterstheseepagepit.Aseepagepitisalwaysdownstreamfromaseptictank.
• True• False
A_____maybeinstalledinthesystemtodividetheeffluentflowstothelateralsinabedsystem.
• D-box• A-box• C-box• P-box
T/F:Breakoutofsepticeffluenttothegroundsurfaceisasystemfailure.
• True• False
Amoundedsystemoramoundedsoilreplacementsystemisabed-typedistributionsystembuilt______asuitablefillmaterial.
• ontopof• below
T/F:Aportionofthewastewaterreleasedfromthepipesevaporatesupthroughthesurfaceofthemoundoristakenupbythegrassorothervegetationgrowingonthemound.
• True• False
______installedonatreatmenttankprovideseasyaccesstothetank,inspectionports,andmanholes.Withoutthem,atankmustbedug-upforeveryinspectionandpumping.
• Risers• Baffles• Filters• Shoots
EvaluatetheComponentsoftheSystemEvaluatetheSystemComponents
• Inspectthetreatmenttank• Inspectthecesspoolorseepagepit• Inspecttheholdingtank• Inspectthedosingandsiphontanksandpumps• Inspectionofmound,subsurfacebedandtrenchsystems• Hydraulicloadtest• Accessorycomponentsandalternatetechnologies
InspecttheTreatmentTank
Lookattheconditionofthetanks.Lookforcracksorothersignsofleakageontopofthetankandespeciallyaroundtheaccessholeorinspectionports.Leaksinthetankpreventpropertreatmentofthewastewater.Anydamagetotheaccessorportshouldberepairedandusuallythattypeofrepairdoesnotrequireapermit.
Inverts,InletandOutlet
Theinvertoftheinletpipeshouldbelocatedatleast3inchesabovetheinvertoftheoutletwhenthetankislevel.Thisspaceallowsforamomentaryriseintheliquidlevelduringdischargesintothetank.
Theseptictankinletshouldbeasanitarytee,elbow,orlongsweepelbowwithalowheadinletorbaffletodirectincomingsewagedownward.Thispreventsflowfromdisturbingthefloatingscumlayer.Theinletshouldextendatleast8inchesbelowtheliquidlevel,butshouldn’tbedeeperthan20%oftheliquiddepth.
Thelengthoftheoutletdeviceisimportantbecauseitmustallowonlycleareffluenttoleavethetank(nosolids).Itextendsbelowthefloatingscumlayerinthetank.Ifthelengthoftheoutletteeisnotsizedproperly,solidsmaybecarriedintotheabsorptionarea.The
outletdeviceshouldextendbelowtheliquidsurfacetoadistance30-35%oftheliquiddepth.
InspecttheBaffles
Theinletandoutletbafflesshouldbethoroughlyinspected.Theinletandoutletbafflesaresomewhatsusceptibletodamageandshouldbetreatedwithcaution.Theywillbreakiftheyarehitwithaninstrumentlikeashovel.Donottaporpickatthebaffles.Ifthebaffleappearstohavedamagesuchasacrackoramissingpiecethenreportthecondition.Thebafflesaredesignedtoprotecttheabsorptionareafromsolidsenteringit.Thebaffleholdsthesolidmaterialsinthetankandblocksthemfromenteringthepipethatrunstowardsthefield.Ifabaffleismissingordeteriorated,thebaffleshouldberepairedorreplacedbyaprofessionalcontractor.Theinspectorshouldthendiscusswiththeclientaboutthepotentialproblemsassociatedwithabrokenbaffleallowingsolidstoentertheabsorptionarea.
DoNotPumpFirst
Donotpumpanytreatmenttankbeforetheabsorptionfieldhasbeenevaluated.Oncetheinspectionofthefieldhasbeencompleted,ornearlycompleted,thenthepumpingofthetankcanbegin.Thedecisionaboutwhetherornot(orwhen)topumpatreatmenttankisbasedupontheconditionoftheabsorptionarea.
Iftheaggregateintheabsorptionareaisfullysaturated,donotpumpthetank.Itisimportanttoleavethesystemundisturbedsothatyourinspectionresultscanbeverifiedifdeemednecessary.Ifthetankispumpedafterfindingthefieldsaturated,thenthefieldmaydrainintotheemptytank.
Ifthewaterlevelinsidethetankisabovetheoutletinvertandtheliquidlevelislessthanthefulldepthofthefieldaggregate,thentheremaybeablockage.Pumpingthetankmaynotbenecessaryinitially.Thecauseoftheblockageneedstobedeterminedandcorrected.
Iftheoperatinglevelinthetankappearsnormalandtheaggregateisfreeofliquidortheliquidlevelislessthanthefulldepthoftheaggregate,thenpumpthetank(s).
MeasuringScumandSludgeDepths
Theprimarymaintenancepointinasepticsystemistheseptictank.Inspectionisaccomplishedinpartbymeasuringthescumandsludgedepthinthetankonceayear.Thetankshouldbepumpedif:
• thesludgelayerhasbuiltuptowithin18inchesofthetankoutlet;or• ifthescumlayerthickenstowithin3inchesofthebottomoftheoutletbaffleor
sanitarytee.
MeasuringtheScumDepth
1. Attacha6-inchsquareboardtothebottomofastickabout6feetlong.2. Attheoutletendofyourtank,extendthestickthroughthescumlayertofindthe
bottomofthebaffleoreffluentpipe.3. Markthesticktoindicatethatpoint.4. Raisethestickuntilyoufeelorseethebottomofthescumlayer.5. Markyourstickagaintoindicatethatpoint.6. Ifthetwomarksare3inchesapartorless,orifthescumsurfaceiswithinoneinch
ofthetopoftheoutletbaffle,thenthetankrequirespumping.
MeasuringtheSludgeDepth
1. Wrap3feetofwhiteragortowelingaroundalongstick.2. Placethestickintothesludge,behindtheoutletbaffleifpossible.3. Holdthestickthereforseveralminutes.4. Removethesticknotingthesludgeline.5. Ifthesludgelineiswithin12inchesoftheoutletbaffle,orwithin18inchesofthe
outletfitting,thetankrequirespumping.
Adeviceformeasuringboththescumandsludgelayerscanbeaclearplastictube(approximately8feetinlength)withaminimum1-inchdiameter.Theplastictubeisfirstwetted,thenloweredintothetank,throughthelayersofscum,liquidandintothesolidlayer.Asthetubeenters,itcollectsthelayersoftheseptictankwithinthetube.Thetubeismovedtothebottomofthetank.Thedeviceatthebottomofthetubeclosesandholdsthematerialandliquidthathascollectedinsidethetube.Thetubeisthengentlyliftedstraightoutofthetank.Theoutsideofthetubeisrinsed.Thenmeasuringthetwolayerscaughtwithinthetubecanbedonequiteeasily.
Thebest(andcleanest)recommendationtoyourclientwouldbetosimplypumpthetankonaroutinemaintenanceschedule.
InspectionCriteria
1. Checkthelevels.Asatisfactoryliquidleveloccurswhentheliquidlevelisbelowtheinletinvertandequaltotheheightoftheoutletinvert.Ifthetreatmenttankis
overfull,theremaybeaprobleminthedistributionsystemorintheabsorptionarea.
2. Checkthescumandsludge.ThescumthicknessandthesludgedepthshouldbeevaluatedthroughthemainaccessportbyusinganinstrumentlikeaSludgeJudgeorSludgeStick.
3. Confirmthatallofthefixturesinthehousedrainintothetreatmenttank.4. Flusheverytoiletatleastonce.Usetheobservationportovertheinletormain
accesstoseeanychangesinthetreatmenttank’sliquidlevel.Looktoseeifthereisclogorbackupcondition.
5. Checkforcontinuousflowthroughthebuildingsewerandintothetreatmenttank.6. Pumpeachtankonebyone.Pumpalltanksandcompartmentsusingthemain
accessorlargestopening.Inspectionportsshouldnotbeusedforpumpingtanks.Septageshouldberemovedtowithinatleasttwoinchesofthetankbottom.Lookforanysewageflowintothetankfromtheabsorptionfield(inflow)whileatankisbeingpumped.Listenfortricklingsoundsthatmayindicateeitherbackflowfromthesoilabsorptionsystemorgroundwaterseepagethroughacrackinthetank.
7. Theremaybeamid-seaminthetankthatmaybesusceptibletoleakage.Checkthatseamarea.Tankswithaconcretetopcanhaveleakageattheseamaroundthetop.
8. Checkforleakageattheinletsandoutlets.9. Lookfordamageordefectivesystemcomponentswhileatankisbeingpumped.10. Aseachtankispumped,lookforinflow,cracks,holes,deficienciesthatwere
previouslyhiddenbelowtheliquidsurface.Lookatthetankbottom.Makenotesinyourreportastotheconditionofthetankandyourobservationsofthetankinterior.
11. Checkthebafflesineverytankandcompartmentbylookingatthemthroughtheinspectionports,orbyusingamirrorandflashlightthroughthemainaccessofthetank.Ifthetankisaerobic,theelectricalandmechanicaloperationofthepumpsandcompressorsshouldbechecked.Observethemwhiletheyareoperating.
12. Usingamirrorona45-degreeangle,checktheunderneathsideofthetanktop.Insertthemirrorthroughthemainaccess.Shineaflashlightonthemirrorandhavethelightbounceoffthemirrorandilluminatethedarkpartsofthetank.Checkthetank’sstructuralintegrity.Confirmwhatmaterialthetankismadeof.Checktheconditionofthetank,thebaffles,thesides,andtheundersideofthetank’stop.
13. Measurethetank’sshapeanddimensionstodeterminethetank’scapacity.Dothiscalculationforeachtankinthesystem.
Afunctionalinspectionoftheonsitetreatmentsystemisnotcompleteuntileverytankispumpedanditsconditionevaluated,unlessthereisreasonnottopumpatank.
Thefollowingtablepresentssometroubleshootingforflowproblemsbasedupontheliquidlevelobservedintheseptictank.
Observation ConditionandCause
Liquidlevelisabout2inchesbelowtheinletandevenwiththeoutletbottom.Thereisnoapparentwastewaterflowinthetank.
Tankisinstalledproperlyandatrestwithnoindicationofbackupbasedonliquidlevel.
Liquidlevelisbelowtheinletandelevatedlessthan2inchesabovethebottomoftheoutlet.Freeflowofwastewaterfrominlettooutletisapparent.
Tankisinstalledproperlyandiscurrentlyinusewithnoindicationofbackupbasedonliquidlevel.
Regardlessofobservedwastewaterflowageinthetank,liquidlevelisatorabovetheinletbottomoritiselevatedby2inchesormoreabovetheoutletbottom.
Tankisprobablyinstalledproperly,butelevatedwastewaterlevelsindicateprobablebackupinthesystemdownstreamofthetank.Theinspectorshouldperformfurtherevaluationsortests.
Regardlessofobservedwastewaterflowageinthetank,theliquidlevelisatorbelowtheoutletandtheinletissubmerged.
Tankisinstalledup-gradientorinstalledbackwards.Up-gradienttanksmayappeartoslopeuptowardstheoutletend.Tanksinstalledbackwardsmayhaveteesandbafflesinreversepositions.Eitherconditionshouldbecorrected.
Regardlessofobservedflowageinthetank,liquidlevelismorethan2inchesbelowtheinletandtheliquidlevelappearsnomorethan2inchesabovetheoutletbottom.
Tankisslopeddowngradient.Dependingontheseverityoftheslope,thetankmayactuallyappeartoslopedownwardtowardtheoutlet.Iftheslopeisminimal,norepairisnecessary.Considerfurtherevaluation.
Regardlessofobservedflowageinthetank,liquidlevelisbelowtheinletandoutlet.
Tankmaybeleakingandmayhavestructuralproblems.Pumpthesystemandhaveaprofessionalfurtherevaluateandmakenecessarycorrections.
InspecttheCesspoolsandSeepagePits
1. Determinethecapacityofthecesspoolorseepagepit.2. Measurethedistancefromthewaterleveltothebottomoftheinletpipe.For
seepagepits:iftheliquidisatorabovetheinletinvert,highliquidlevelconditionsshouldbereported.Forcesspools:iftheliquidisatorabovetheinletinvert,thesystemhasafailed,non-functionalcondition.Itshouldbeupgradedtoastandardsystemassoonaspractical.
3. Determinethedailyflowusingthelocalstandards.4. Determinetheavailablestoragecapacityofthecesspoolorseepagepitbelowthe
bottomoftheinletpipe.5. Determineifthereiscapacityforoneday’sflow.Ifthereislessthanoneday’sflow
capacityavailable,thenahighliquidlevelconditionshouldbereported.6. Evaluatetheliquid,scumandsludgelevels,thenpumpthecesspoolorseepagepit.
Lookfordeficienciesorinflow.
Somecesspoolshaveoneormoreoverflowpipesorotheroutlets.Somemaydischargeintoanothersecondaryabsorptionarea.Overflowpipesoroutletsarenotlegalinstallationsandindicateaneedforcorrectionandfurtherevaluation.Ifyoufindanoutletpipedischargingwastewatertothegroundsurface,thatconditionshouldbereportedasunsatisfactory.
InspecttheHoldingTanks
Sometimeshomesarelocatedinremoteareas,orthehomeislocatedinanenvironmentallyprotectedplacesuchasamountain,abeach,orawetlandarea.Theseareascanbepoorlysuitedforasepticsystem.Shalloworthinsoilstolimitinglayers,rapidlypermeablesandandbedrock,orsteepslopescanalllimittheabilityofthenaturalsoiltorenovatewastewatertoprotectthepublichealthandtheenvironment.
Aholdingtankisawatertighttankbuilttomeetthesameconstructionstandardsasaseptictank.Allwastewatergeneratedbythehomemustbecontaineduntilitcanberemoved.Thepumpingoftheholdingtanksisscheduledonaregularbasis.Thesewageispumpedoutofthetankandtreatedsomewhereelse.
Typically,thetankwillbeatleast1500gallonsinsizetoaccommodate2to3people.Dependingupontheuse,a1,000-gallontankmayrequireweeklypumping.Topreventtankoverfloworbackup,thetankisusuallyequippedwithavisualandaudiblealarmthatactivateswhenitis75percentfull.Youmayfindholdingtankslocatednearthedrivewaysoitiseasyforthepumpertrucktoaccessthetank.Ifaholdingtankisusedinwetareaswithahighwatertable,theemptytankcouldfloatandliftoutofthegroundoratleastshift,breakingthesewerpipe.Stepsmustbetakentodrainthetankarea,anchorthetankorpumponlyaportionoftheliquidfromthetanktopreventflotation.
Holdingtankinstallationsarerestrictedorprohibitedinmanyareasofthecountry.Ifyoucomeacrossaholdingtank,itcanbeevaluatedusingthefollowingminimumsteps:
1. Checkfortheaudibleandvisualalarms.Holdingtanksshouldhavealarmsinstalled.
2. Determinethetank’scapacity.Thetypicalminimumforaholdingtank’scapacityisthreedaysofflow(asdeterminedbythelocalauthority)or1,000gallons,whicheverisgreater.
3. Measureandrecordtheliquidlevelintheholdingtank.4. Pumpalltheholdtanksandcompartments.Aseachtankispumped,lookforinflow,
cracks,holes,anddeficienciesthatwerepreviouslyhiddenundertheliquidsurface.5. Recordthatthetankappearstonotleakandisapparentlywatertight.6. Discusswiththeclienthowthistypeoftankrequiresfrequentpumpingandthe
relativelyhighcostinmaintainingthatservice.
InspecttheDosingPumpsandSiphonTanks
Dosingandliftpumpsandsiphontanksshouldbeinspectedjustastreatmenttanksareinspected.Dosingandlifttankscontainapumpthateitherliftstheeffluenttoanotherelevationordeliversaspecificvolumeofeffluenttoapressuredistributionsystemataspecificpressure.Siphontankscontainadevicethatoperatesonatmosphericpressure,andatafactory-set“triggerdepth,”theaccumulatedeffluentismoveddownhillunderpressure.
InspectionSteps
1. Alwayschecktheabsorptionareabeforeturningoneitheraliftoradosingpump.Ifthepumphasrecentlybeenpumping,finishtheinspectionbeforecheckingthewaterlevelintheabsorptionarea.
2. Checktheconditionofthepumpandsiphontanks.Usethesameinspectionprocedureusedforinspectingregulartreatmenttanks.
3. Checkthealarmsystem.4. Verifytheoperationofeachpumpanditscontrolsystem.Useatoolsuchasasimple
non-conductivepoleorPVCpipewithahookingdeviceontheendofit—tograbthefloatandelevateit.Elevatingthefloatofthepumpwillactivatethepumpandvariouscomponents.(Additionallyyoucouldmarkthepoleorpipeeveryfoottohelpwithmeasuringthetanklevels.)
5. Visuallyinspecttheelectricallines,cables,conduit,junctionboxes,receptacles,switches,etc.Donottouchanyelectricalwiresorcomponentsunlessyouhaveturnedoff(orde-energizedthecircuit).Thisisanextremelydangerousenvironment.Useallcautionarymeasurestoprotectyourself.Ifinanywayyouarenotcomfortablewiththesituationorfeelincapableofcontinuingthispartoftheinspection,removeyourselfandhiresomeonewhocancontinuethework.
6. Verifythatthepumpandthealarmareonseparateindividualelectricalcircuits.Thedisconnectsorbreakersattheelectricalpanelshouldbespecificallylabeledastoidentifywhichtwocircuitsareforthepumpandthealarm.
7. Thepumpsshouldbemountedonconcreteblocksandelevatedabovethebottomofthetank.Thepumpshouldnotberestingonthebottomofatank.Pumpsshouldnotbesuspended.
8. Forsiphonpressurizedsystems,opentheobservationportandcheckforcontinuoustrickling.Runenoughwaterintothesiphontanktocausethesiphontocycle.Watchforproperoperation.
9. Measureandrecordtheliquidlevel.Thenpumpallpumptanksusingthemainaccess(largestopening)forcleaning.Septageshouldbepumpedouttowithinatleasttwoinchesofthetankbottom.
10. Aseachtankispumped,lookforinflow,cracks,holesanddeficiencies,includingthetopandbottomofthetank.
InspectMound,Bed&TrenchSystems
1. Determinethetype,locationandapproximatesizeoftheabsorptionarea.2. Determineifthereisstandingliquidintheabsorptionareabyprobingorother
meansavailable.3. Ifthereisliquid,measurethedepthoftheeffluentthroughtheabsorptionarea.
Measurethedifferencebetweentheliquid’sdepthandtheinvertofthelateralsattheD-boxorthebaseofalateral.Thisdepthiscalledthedryaggregate.Donotusetheinspectionportsforthisevaluation.
4. Ifthereareinspectionportspresent,recordtheirlocationonthesiteplanorsketch.Measuretheliquidlevelsbelowthegroundsurfaceandrecordthemeasurementsinthereport.
5. Asufficientnumberofprobesshouldbemadeintheabsorptionareabytheinspector.
6. Ifthereare6ormoreinchesofdryaggregatebelowtheinvertofthelaterals,theabsorptionareaisconsideredsatisfactory.Iftherearelessthan6inchesofdryaggregate,thereisaproblemandahighliquidlevelshouldbereported.
7. Whenliquidispresentinanabsorptionarea,itshouldbeofanequaldepthandevenlydistributedthroughouttheentirebed.Ifitisnot,thereisaproblemandfurtherinvestigationisneeded.Theproblemmaybe:
• thebedwasnotexcavatedwithalevelbottom;• thereissomecloggingoftheaggregate;• apipemaybecrushed,cloggedorbroken;or• theD-boxhasaproblemsuchasbeingoutoflevel
Inagravitysuppliedtrenchsystem,thetrenchesshouldreceiveanequalamountofeffluentfromtheD-boxandthesubsurfaceconditionsobservedduringtheprobingoftheareashouldbesimilar.Ifnot,thereisaproblemandfurtherinvestigationisneeded.
Probing
OnetechniqueforinspectingasepticfieldandlocatingsepticsystemcomponentsisProbing.Alongmetalrodorprobeisusedinthedrainagefieldtopokeholesdowntothedepthoftheabsorptionbed.Iftheholequicklyfillswithwater,thenthereprobablyisaproblemwiththesystem.However,thisisonlyapresumptivetest.Onemaynotconcludethatiftheholedoesnotfillwithwater,thatthesystemisokay.Thesewageflowmaybeespeciallylowatthattime.Iftherealproblemisrain-relatedanditisdrywhentheprobingisdone,thentherealproblemwillnotbediscoveredduringthedry-probing.Probingshouldbedoneonlybyanexpert.Itmustbedonecarefullysoasnottodamagethelinesburiedunderground.Fiberglassseptictankscanbedamaged/puncturedbyindiscriminateprobingandunsecuredpipingcanbedislodgedorbroken.Afinalcaution:evenwithcareandexpertise,thereislittleassurancethattheprobinghasbeendonewheretheproblemispresent.
Foramoundsystem:
1. Probetheaggregateinthemannerdescribedpreviously.Checktoseeifthere’sstandingwater.Thedeterminationoftheconditionoftheabsorptionareaisthesameformoundsystemsasitisforsubsurfacesystems.Ifthefillissaturated,thesystemcouldbedescribedas“satisfactory.”Severalprobesinthemoundoftheabsorptionareashouldbedonetomakeanoverallevaluationofthemoundssystem.
2. Checkthemoundfor:
• leakageorbreakoutatthetop,sideslopes,andtoes;• sufficientdepthofsoilcoveratthetopedges;• animalburrows;• deeplyrootedvegetation;and• erosion.
Note:Iftheabsorptionareaiscompletelysaturated,donotpumpthetreatmenttank.Iftheaggregateissaturatedtoitsentiredepth,donotconductahydraulicloadtest.
PerformingaHydraulicLoadTest
Ahydraulicloadtestisawaytoevaluatetheabsorptionareabyintroducingaknownvolumeofcleanwater(clearliquid)totheabsorptionareaandobservingwhathappenstothewaterlevels.Itmimicsthenormaloperatingconditionsintheabsorptionarea.Thelevelofliquidintheabsorptionareaisrecordedbothbeforeandafterthewaterisintroduced.Theinspectorreturnsthefollowingdayandrepeatstheprocess.
Purpose
Thehydraulicloadtestdeterminesthevolumeofcleanwateranabsorptionareacanabsorbina24-hourperiod.Thetestverifiesthattheabsorptionareacanreceiveandtransmittothesoilenvironmentthevolumeofliquidthatthesystemisexpectedandintendedtobeabletohandleonapeak-flowday.
Theinspectormayrecommendahydraulicloadtestbeconductedtodetermineifthesystemisproperlyfunctioningwhenanyofthefollowingobservationsaremade:
• highwaterconditionintheabsorptionareas;• thehousehasbeenvacantformorethansevendays;• newfixturesweredirectedtothesystemrecently;• recentsoil-fracturingactivity;• Lessthana24-hourstoragecapacityinthecesspoolorseepagepit;• thetreatmenttankhasbeenrecentlypumped;and/or• there’sasignificantdifferenceinthecurrentwaterusagecomparedtotheexpected
futurewateruseinthehouse.
Whenahydraulicloadtestisrecommended,theclientshouldbeinformedaboutwhatthetestentails,whythetestisbeingrecommended,andthepossibleresultsofthetest.Iftheclientelectsnottogothroughwiththehydraulicloadtest,theinspectorshouldattainasigneddocumentandreleasefromtheclientacknowledgingthatthetestwasrecommended,buttheclientrefused.Ifthetestisrefused,theinspectorshouldincludeinthereportanyconcernstheinspectorshasaboutthesystem.
CommentsThatMightBeUsedintheReport
• Duringtheinspectionprocess,theliquidlevelinthetreatmenttankrosesignificantlyabovetheoutletpipeinvert.Thisindicatesapossibleblockageoftheoutletpipeorasaturateddrainagearea.
• Duringpartialhydraulicloading,theliquidlevelinthetankroseabovetheinletpipeinvertcausingaback-upofsewagetowardthehome,whichisnotcausedbyaphysicalblockageoftheinternalplumbing.Thisconditionisindicativethatthesystemmaybemalfunctioning.Thisconditionshouldbereportedtothehealthdepartment.
• Duetothelimitedlengthofvacancy,normalhydraulicloadingonthedrainageareacouldnotbeduplicated.
• Althoughpartialhydraulicloadingwasperformed,itcannotduplicatetheactualwateruseoffutureoccupants.Therefore,itisnotpossibletopredicthowthesystemwillperformgivenanincreaseinoccupants.
• Withinthehomethereisagrinder/ejectorpumppresent.Thisunitisapartoftheinteriorplumbingsystem,nottheexternalsepticsystem,andisnotsubjecttoinspectionaspartofasepticsysteminspection.However,theuseofgrinder/ejectorpumpsorgarbagegrinderswillincreasethesuspendedsolidsloadingtoasepticsystem.Increasedfrequencyofpumpingandmaintenanceofthesystemshouldbeconductedtoextenditsserviceablelife.
Preparation
Duringthetest,noeffluentfromthehousemayentertheabsorptionarea.Usethetreatmenttankasaninterimholdingtankbypumpingthetreatmenttankpriortothetest.Noeffluentmayenteracesspoolorseepagepit.Theclientandoccupantsshouldbecautionedinthisregard.
Ifrainisforecastforthe24-to-48-hourtestperiod,recommendthatthetestbepostponed.
Determinetheloadingrateofthesystem(numberofbedroomsinhouse,gallonsperday(gpd)fornonresidentialuses).Usethedailyflowstandardssetbytheregulatoryagencyfortheareawherethesystemislocated.
Forsingle-familyhomes,theminimumtestvolumeis350gallons(foronetotwobedrooms).Add150gallonsforthethirdandeachadditionalbedroom.Thisisthecalculatedvolume.
Iftheonsitewellistobethewatersourceforthetest,theownershouldauthorizeitsuse.
Selectalocationdownstreamfromthetreatmenttanktointroducecleanwater,ensuringthatnosolidsareflusheddownstreamofthetank.Makesurethatwhateverfixtureistobeusedtointroducethecleanwaterintothesystemiscleanedandclearofanysolidsorotherobstacles.
Procedure
• Forallabsorptionorseepagebeds,digoneobservationholetothesurfaceoftheaggregateatthecenterofthebed.Boreordigintotheaggregatetoadepthsufficienttomeasurealiquidleveloruntiltheunderlyingsoil/sandisreached.
• Foralltrenchtypesystems,digoneobservationholetothesurfaceoftheaggregateineachtrench.Boreordigintotheaggregatetoadepthsufficienttomeasurealiquidleveloruntiltheunderlyingsoil/sandisreached.
• Foreachhole,establishafixedandrecoverablereferencepointfromwhichtomeasure.
• Measurethedistancefromthereferencepointto:• thesurfaceoftheaggregate• thesurfaceofanyliquidintheaggregate• Iftheliquidlevelisatthetopoftheaggregate,donotaddwater.Iftheliquidlevelis
belowthetopoftheaggregate,introducecleanwaterintotheabsorptionareauntilthecalculatedvolumehasbeenadded,oruntiltheliquidlevelrisestothetopoftheaggregate.
• Afterthewaterhasbeenadded,waitthirtyminutesfortheliquidleveltostabilize;thenmeasurethedistancefromthereferencepointtothesurfaceofthewater,andrecordtheliquiddepthineachhole.
• Return24hourslaterandmeasureandrecordthedistancefromthesoilsurfacetothetopoftheliquid.
• Introduceadditionalcleanwatertobringtheliquidleveltothelevelachievedonthepriorday,orintroducethecalculatedvolume,whicheverisless.
• Recordthevolumeofwaterintroducedonthesecondday.
ProceduralDifferencesforCesspoolsandSeepagePits
Forcesspoolsandseepagepits,establishoneobservationholeandreferencepointatwhichtoconductobservationsandmeasurements.Theobservationholeshouldallowdirectviewingoftheliquidlevel.
Introduceeitherthecalculatedvolumeorsufficientcleanwatertobringtheliquidleveltotheleveloftheinletpipe.
TwoConclusions
Thehydraulicloadtestisintendedtoapproximateaone-dayloadonthesystem.Theabsorptivecapacitywillbedetermined.Theresultswillrevealiftheabsorptionareacansatisfactorilyreceiveandallowtopassintothesoilthevolumeofsewageeffluentthatcurrentregulationscurrentlyassigntoastructurewiththedailyflowindicated.
Twoconclusionsarepossiblefollowingahydraulicloadtest,theyare:
• Thesystemhasacceptedanddispersedavolumeofliquidequaltothecalculatedvolume(dailyflow)thatisexpectedfromthestructureserved,andis,therefore,“satisfactory.”
• Thesystemhasnotacceptedanddispersedavolumeofliquid(dailyflow)thatisexpectedfromthestructureserved,andis,therefore,“unsatisfactory.”
HydraulicLoadTestReport
Suggestedlanguagetoaddtotheinspectionreport:
• Overa24-hourperiod,theabsorptionareareceivedanddistributed____gallonsofcleanwaterintothesoil.Thisisindicativeofa(chooseone)satisfactoryORunsatisfactorysystem.
• Weprovidenowarranty,expressorimplied,includinganywarrantyofmerchantabilityorfitnessforpurpose,oranyotherwarrantywhatsoever,thatthesystemmeetsanycodeorspecifications,orwillfunctionproperlyforanyperiodoftimewhatsoever,orotherwisewillnotmalfunctionorcausecontaminationofthegroundorwaters.
HydraulicLoadTestReleaseForm(Sample)
YouareadvisedthataHydraulicLoadTestisrecommendedfortheonsitewastewatertreatmentsystemat:
LocationofSystem:_______________________________________________
Municipality:____________________________
TaxBlock/Lot:____________________________
DateofInspection:____________________________
Reasonfortest:
⟨ Structurevacantmorethansevendays
⟨ Newwatersourcesdirectedtothesystemwithinlast30days
⟨ Soilfracturingactivitywithinlast30days
⟨ Highwaterconditionsareobserved
⟨ Lessthan24hoursstoragecapacityinacesspoolorseepagepit
⟨ Evidencethatthetreatmenttankhasbeenrecentlypumped
⟨ Asignificantdifferenceinthecurrentwateruseinastructurecomparedtotheanticipateduseofthestructure
⟨ Other:_______________________________________________________
Acopyofthehydraulicloadtestisattachedforyourreviewandhasbeenofferedforacostof$___________.Refusalofthetestrequiresacknowledgementofthefollowingstatementpriortothereleaseofthefinalreport.
Ihavebeenadvisedoftheconditionssurroundingtheinspectionofsubjectonsitewastewatertreatmentsystemidentifiedabove.Althoughitisrecommendedtoconductahydraulicloadtesttofullydeterminetheextentoftheproblemsorconcernswiththeintendedfutureuseofthesystem,thistestisrefusedatthistime.Thisrefusalwillnotbeconstruedaspartof,orresultin,anincompleteinspection.
Signed:____________________________________Date:__________
(client)
InspecttheAccessoryComponents
Anyobservedaccessorycomponentshouldbenotedinthereport.Anaccessorycouldbeaneffluentfiltertoanalarmsystemaddedontoanotherwisefunctionalsystem.An
accessorycomponentissomethingaddedtoasystemthatdoesnotaffectthesystem’soperationasaconventionalsystem.Youshouldbefamiliarwiththeaccessorycomponentbeforeinspectingit.
AlternativeorInnovativeTechnologies
Anysystemusingalternativetechnologiesorinnovativetechnologiesaspartofthesystemshouldonlybeinspectedbythosetrainedorotherwisefamiliarwiththespecifictechnology.
DetermineWhentoPumpaTank
Treatmenttanksmustbepumpedonaregularbasistoensureproperfunctioning.Ifthetankisnotpumpedandmaintained,solidswillpassbytheeffluentteeorbaffleandclogtheabsorptionsystem.Thiswilleventuallyleadtothefailureofthesystem,includingbreakoutandbackupofeffluentandsewage.
Tanksareusuallysizedtoallowalittlemorethanhalfoftheirvolumeforthesolidstoaccumulate.Theremainingvolumeofthetank,calledthe“clearzone,”isforholdingwastewatersothatthesolidsandliquidsseparate,withthesolidsfallingtothebottomofthetank.Astandardtankwillhaveaflowdepthof48inches.Astandardtankcanstore16inchesofsolids(scumandsludgecombined)beforepumpingshouldbeconsidered.One-thirdofatankcanbefilledwithsolids,butthelevelofsolidsshouldnotbemorethanone-third.
Acommonrecommendationforpumpingthetankiswhen:
• thesludgedepthofthetankreaches13inches;or• thescumdepthreaches5inches.
Acombinedsolidsaccumulationof16to34inchesduringaroutinemaintenanceinspectionindicatesaneedtopumpthetank.Iftheaccumulationofsolidsisover2inches,theschedulingofthepumpingservicemayneedre-evaluation.Ifthesolidsaccumulationisgreaterthan34inches,thenthereisapotentialforproblemsintheabsorptionarea.
Ingeneral,sludgeaccumulatesthreetofourtimesfasterthanscum.
Thefollowingtableshowssomepumpingguidelinesforconventionalseptictanks.
Solidsata48-inchDepthTank
RecommendedActionDepthCriteria NonstandardDepthTank
Combinedsolids<16inches Combinedsolids<1/3flowdepth
Pumpatowner’sdiscretion
Combinedsolids=16to34inches
Combinedsolids=1/3to¾flowdepth
Pumpthetankandre-inspect
Combinedsolids>34inches,or
Sludge>26inches,or
Scum>11inches
Combinedsolids>¾flowdepth,or
Sludge>½flowdepth,or
Scum1/5flowdepth
Pumpthetank,furtherevaluationrecommended.Anewinspectionofsystem,tank,anduseisneeded.
Thefollowingtableshowsthecombinedsolidsdepthsandtherangeofsludgedepths.
CombinedSolids(inches)
AcceptableRangeofSludgeDepth(inches)
16 11-1317 11-1318 12-1419 13-1520 14-1621 14-1622 14-1723 16-1824 16-1925 16-2026 18-2027 18-2128 19-2229 20-2430 20-2431 21-2432 22-2533 22-2634 23-26
MeasuringSolidsDepths
Opentheinspectionport.Iftherearetwoports,opentheportontheeffluentside.Putlatexgloveson.Measurethedepthofthescumandsludgelayerswithmeasuringdevice.Recordthemeasurements.Usetheprevioustablestodeterminetheneedforpumpingorotherappropriateactions.
SchedulingMaintenanceInspections
Allonsitewastewatertreatmentsystemsrequireregularmaintenance,whichincludesmaintenanceinspectionsandpumpingifnecessary.Werecommendthathomeownerswithonsitewastewater(septic)treatmentsystemsshouldhireaninspectoreveryyeartoperformaroutinemaintenanceinspectionaspartoftheirregularhomemaintenanceplan.Schedulearoutinemaintenanceinspectionwithyourclientattheendofyouronsite,fieldinspectionofthesystem.Informyourclientoftheimportanceofhavingatrainedprofessionalperformroutinemaintenanceinspectionsinordertoensurethesystemisfunctioningproperly.Routinemaintenanceinspectionscanpointoutpotentialissuesthatcanbeattendedtobeforetheybecomemajorproblems.Performingroutinemaintenanceinspectionsisacost-effectivewayofmaintainingaveryimportantsystem.
Pump-outs
Becausepump-outsarethemostregularlyrequiredtypeofmaintenance,themaintenanceschedulesarecommonlybasedupontheanticipatedneedforpumping.Somesystemsmaygoforlongperiodsoftimewithoutneedingapump-out.Suchsystemsshouldstillbeinspectedatleastonceover5yearswithacompletefunctionalinspectiontoensurethatothertypesofmaintenanceandrepairarenotneeded.
Schedulingfunctionalinspectionsshouldbebaseduponthetankvolumeandthehouseholdoccupancy.Thefollowingtablecanbeusedtodeterminethemaximumintervaloftimebetweenfunctionalinspections.
Tanksize(gallons)
HouseholdOccupancy(numberofpeople)1-4 4-6 6-8 10ormore
1000 5years 3years Undersizedtanks1250 5years 4years 3years Undersizedtank1500 5years 5years 4years 3years
QuizAsatisfactoryliquidlevelinatreatmenttankoccurswhentheliquidlevelis_____theinletinvertandequaltotheheightoftheoutletinvert.
• below• above
T/F:Afunctionalinspectionoftheonsitetreatmentsystemisnotcompleteuntileverytankispumpedanditsconditionevaluated,unlessthereisreasonnottopumpatank.
• True• False
Ifyoufindanoutletpipefromacesspoolorseepagepitthatisintendedtodischargewastewatertothegroundsurface,thatconditionshouldbereportedas_______.
• unsatisfactory• satisfactory• functional
T/F:Dosingandlifttankscontainapumpthateitherliftstheeffluenttoanotherelevationordeliversaspecificvolumeofeffluenttoapressuredistributionsystemataspecificpressure.
• True• False
Atadosingpump,verifytheoperationofeachpumpanditscontrolsystembyusingatooltograbandelevatethe______andactivatethepump.
• float• electricalwires• sludge• checkvalve
T/F:Foradosingtank,verifythatthepumpandthealarmareonseparateindividualelectricalcircuits.Thedisconnectsattheelectricalpanelshouldbespecificallylabeledastoidentifywhichtwocircuitsareforthepumpandthealarm.
• True• False
Whenliquidispresentinanabsorptionarea,itshouldbeofanequaldepthand_____distributedthroughouttheentirebed.
• evenly• unevenly
T/F:Thehydraulicloadtestdeterminesthevolumeofcleanwateranabsorptionareacanabsorbinatwenty-fourhourperiod.
• True• False
ReporttotheClientPreparingtheInspectionFormandReport
Therearefourconclusionsthataninspectorwouldwriteinaninspectionreport:
• Satisfactory;• Furtherinvestigationisnecessarytoreachaconclusion;• Satisfactorywithconcerns;or• Unsatisfactory.
Inadditiontotheseconclusionsthatcouldapplytoallcomponentsofthesystem,oneconclusioncanbeappliedtotheabsorptionareaonly:
• Waterlevelislessthan6inchesbelowtheinvertofthelateralsorhighwatercondition.
Inadditiontotheconclusions,certainunsatisfactoryconditionsshouldbereportedtothelocalhealthdepartmentwithin24hoursoftheinspection.Theseconditionsinclude:
• breakoutorsewageoreffluenttothegroundsurface;• seepageofsewageoreffluentintothehousebelowground;• backupofsewageintothehousethatisnotcausedbyablockageofthedrainage
pipe;and• anymannerofleakageobservedfromorintoseptictanks,connectingpipes,
distributionboxesorothercomponentsthatarenotdesignedorintendedtoleaksewageoreffluent.
Everycomponentofthesystemthatisinspectedshouldhaveaconclusiondrawnastoitsapparentcondition.
Ifacomponentofthesystemisdeterminedtobeunsatisfactory,thesystemisunsatisfactoryuntilthecomponentisrepairedorreplaced.
ReasonsforFurtherInvestigation
Reasonsforrecommendingfurtherinvestigationandevaluationcaninclude,butarenotlimitedto,thefollowing:
• Theabsorptionareacannotbelocated.• TheD-boxcouldnotbelocated.• Pumpdischargeisnotadequate.• Thereislessthan24hoursofcapacityinthecesspoolorseepagepit.Thatisahigh
waterlevelcondition.• Thehousehasbeenvacantformorethansevendays.Ahydraulicloadtestshouldbe
conducted.• Thereisunequaldistributionwithintheabsorptionarea.• Thetreatmenttankisover-full,wheretheliquidlevelisabovetheinlet,andthe
absorptionareaissatisfactory.• Therearesignsofunsatisfactoryperformance,including:
o stainsinsoilsadjacenttothetreatmenttank,onthegroundsurface;o stainsorwaterlevelmarksonthetreatmenttankwalls;o debrisstucktothetankinterior-sideceiling;o stainsatthetopoftheaggregate;and/oro sludgeintheaggregate.
• Thereisdeteriorationofconcretecomponents.• Therearenewfixturesinthehousethataredirectedtotheexistingonsite
treatmentsystemwithinthelast30days.• Therehasbeenrecentsoilfracturingactivities.• Thereislushvegetationatorneartheabsorptionarea.• Adrainpipeterminationhasbeenfoundnearthestream,roadorstormsewer,etc.,
anditsfunctionhasnotbeendetermined.• Therearelessthan6inchesofdryaggregatebelowtheinvertofthelaterals.There
isahighwatercondition.• Thereisaseparategraywaterdisposalsystem.• Septageodorsarefoundtobecomingfromtheexteriorfoundationdrainagesystem
pipesorthesumppump.
ReasonsforHavingConcerns
Thefollowingconditionsareconcernsthatshouldbewrittenintheinspectionreportanddiscussedwiththeclient.
• AhighwaterconditionwasobservedinsidethetreatmenttankorD-box.Thisobservationofwaterwithin6inchesbelowtheinletelevationofthelateralsisanindicationofimpededdrainagewiththedisposalarea.Thecloserthewaterlevelsapproachthelaterals,orcoverthem,themoresubstantialtheconcern.Whilethis“highwaterlevel”conditionisnota“failure”ofthesystem,itindicatesthatthesystemmaybeatorapproachingtheendofitsservicelifeexpectancy.Ahighwaterlevelmayrequiremajorcorrectivemeasures.Thefutureownermayneedtomonitorwaterusage.
• Therearesolidsaboveone-thirdofthetank’sholdingcapacity.There’sbeendelayedpumpingofthetankandthetankisfillingupwithsolids.
• Therearenosolidsortherearelowlevelsofsolidsinthetankwithouttherecordofrecentpumping.
• Thesystem’sageisover25years.• Thereisalackofregularmaintenanceofthesystem.• Theaccessportsaremorethan12inchesbelowthegroundsurface.• Thesludgelevelinthepumptanksarewithin3inchesofthepumpinlet• Soilfracturinghasbeenusedtocorrectasystemproblem.Theseremediesare
temporaryinnatureandindicatepotentialproblemswiththecontinuedoperationofthesystem.
• Cesspoolsorseepagepitsystemshavelessthanoneday’sstoragecapacityavailable.• Thenumberofbedroomshasincreasedandthesystemmaybeoverburdened.• Thereaconstantflowofwaterfromthebuildingsewerpipeintothetreatmenttank
isobserved.• Thesumppump,foundationdrainagesystem,ordownspoutsaredischargingtothe
areasneartheabsorptionarea.
ReasonsforUnsatisfactoryCondition
Therearereasonsforreportingthatasystemis“unsatisfactory”thatinclude,butarenotlimitedto,thefollowing:
• Breakoutorpondingofsewageoreffluenttothegroundsurface• Seepageofsewageoreffluentintothehousefrombelowground• Directleakageordischargethroughpipesofanysewageoreffluentintothehouse• Backupofsewageintothehousethatisnotcausedbyablockageoftheinternal
plumbingsystem• Atankthatisleaking• Leakageintoatank,accesshole,orobservationport• Leakingcomponentthatisnotdesignedtoleak• Aleakingabsorptionarea• Damagedormissingbafflesinatreatmenttank
• Deterioratedcomponent(suchasarustedmetaltank)• Cloggedorbrokenpipethatcarryeffluentorsewage• Non-functionalelectricalcomponent(suchasanaerobicdevice,pump,control,
alarm,etc.)• Theultimatedisposalordischargelocationwasnotdeterminedbyadyetest• Thesumppump,foundationdrainagesystem,roofdrainagesystem,ordownspouts
aredischargingtowardstheonsitetreatmentsystem• Awellislocatedincloseproximitytotheabsorptionarea• Thereisadischargeofeffluentorsewagetoawell,boredholeintheground,
naturalorman-madecavernorcavity,sinkhole,streamornaturalwaterway
CorrectiveMeasuresthatMayBeRecommended
Therearecorrectivemeasuresthatmayberecommendedinaninspectionreport.Theclientshouldbeinformedaboutthepermitprocessandrequirementswhenperformingcorrectionstotheonsitesystem.Thecompletionofrepairsshouldbeinspected,andtheinspectorshouldverifythattheproblemswerecorrected.Thecorrectivemeasuresthatmayberecommendedincludebutarenotlimitedtothefollowing:
• Installanewabsorptionarea• Replaceorrepairtanks,baffles,pipes,etc.• Repairorreplaceelectricalcomponents• Repairorreplaceaerobictreatmentunits,filters,etc.• Correctalltheareaofinfiltration• Installwaterconservationdevices• Evaluateexistingwaterusedataandcomparetoexistingdesignflowandprojected
futureuse• Reducetheloadingtotheabsorptionareaby:
o Relocatingimproperlyinstalled,dischargingpipes(sumppump,downspouts,etc.)
o Redirectpipingtocreateseparategraywaterandsewagesystemso Installwatersavingdevices
QuizT/F:Ifthetreatmenttankisover-full,wheretheliquidlevelisabovetheinlet,andtheabsorptionareaissatisfactory,thenfurtherinvestigationisneeded.
• True• False
T/F:Iftherearerecentlyinstalledfixturesinthehousethataredirectedtotheexistingonsitetreatmentsystem,thenfurtherinvestigationisneeded.
• True• False
T/F:Iftherehasbeenrecentsoilfracturingactivitiesattheproperty,thenfurtherinvestigationisneeded.
• True• False
T/F:Iftherearesolidsabove1/3ofthetank'sholdingcapacity,thenthere'sbeendelayedpumpingofthetankandthetankisfillingupwithsolids.
• True• False
Damagedormissingbafflesinatreatmenttankisan_____condition.
• unsatisfactory• satisfactory• functional• good
Whentheultimatedisposalordischargelocationcannotbedeterminedbyadyetest,theconditionis______.
• unsatisfactory• satisfactory• functional• good
InspectionFormsandReport
Theinspectionformisusedbytheinspectorduringtheinspectionprocess.Theinspectionformmaybeusedaspartofthecompletedinspectionreport.Theformprovidesinformationregardingthetypeofsystem,overallcondition,recordofanyproblemsfoundatthesystem,andsuggestedcorrectivemeasures.Thereportmayincludeadditionalinformationforclarificationpurposes,butthisisnotrequired.
Allinspectionformsandinspectionreportsshouldbeprepared,signedanddatedbytheinspectorthatconductedtheonsitefieldinvestigation.
Drawasitesketchoftheproperty,includingthelocationofthesystemandotherrelevantitems,includingthehouse,vegetation,well,waterways,etc.
• MeasureandrecordonthesketchthedistancestothetreatmenttanklidandD-boxfromtwofixedandpermanentpointsofthehouse.Thismakesiteasyforthesystemandcomponentstobelocatedinthefuture.
• Thesketchshallnotserveasanengineeredorsurveyedplanasabasisforfutureworkonthesite.
Conductyourinspectionofthesystemandcomponents.
Baseduponyourinspectionofthetreatmenttank,distributionsystem,absorptionarea,pumpsandelectricalcomponents,determinetheconditionofeachcomponent.
Selectfromthefollowinglistoftermstodescribeeachinspectedcomponent:
• Satisfactory;• Furtherinvestigationisrecommended;• Satisfactorywithconcerns;• Unsatisfactory;• Conditioncannotbedetermined;or• NotApplicable(N/A)–Thecomponentdoesnotexistattheinspectedsystem.
Theinspectionreportshouldclearlyindicatetheconditionofeachinspectedcomponent.Ifmoreinvestigationisneeded,thereportshouldindicatethecomponent,theproblemassociatedwiththecomponent,andthetypeofinvestigationtobeperformed.Estimatedcostsmaybeincludedinthereport,butthatisnotrequired.
Within10daysoftheinspection,acopyoftheinspectionreportshouldbegiventothelocalauthorityhavingjurisdictionovertheonsitewastewaterdisposalsystem.Ifthereisafailedorunsatisfactoryconditionthatrequirestheattentionofthelocalauthority,thenthelocalauthorityshouldbenotifiedwithin24hoursoftheinspection.
SampleInspectionDocumentsFourSampleInspectionForms
InstructionsDocument:
InstructionstoCompletetheSepticInspectionDocuments
FORM#1:
FORM#1istheOrderingFormforanonsitewastewatersepticinspection.Thepersonorderingtheinspectionmustcompletethisform.Theformgivesusinformationthatwillbeusedbytheinspector.
FORM#2:
FORM#2istheSepticInspectionAgreementwiththeclient.Theclientshouldreadtheagreementcarefully.Theclientortheirrepresentativemustunderstandandsigntheagreement.
FORM#3:
FORM#3isthePropertyOwner’sAuthorizationForm.Thismustbesignedbytheowneroftheproperty/houseortheirrepresentativebeforetheinspectioncanbescheduled.Thisformisnecessarybecausetheinspectorwillbediggingandprobingtheground,andopeninglids/covers.
Yourinspectionwillnotbeconfirmeduntilallpaperworkrequiringasignatureisreturned.
WerecommendthatboththeBuyerandSeller(ortheirrepresentatives)bepresentduringthetimeofthesepticinspection.
Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorneedassistancetocompleteyourforms,pleasedonothesitatetocall:
You
YourCompany
(555)-555-5555
Thefollowing3formscanbefaxedto(555)-555-555orscannedandemailedto:[email protected].
Form#1
FORM#1istheOrderingFormforanonsitewastewatersepticinspection.Thepersonorderingtheinspectionmustcompletethisform.Theformgivesusinformationthatwillbeusedbytheinspector.
SEPTICINSPECTIONORDERFORM
InspectionAddress:____________________________________________
OwnerName:__________________________________________________________
ClientName:___________________________________________________________
ClientAddress:_________________________________________________________
ClientPhoneNumberandEmail:__________________________________
Seller’sAgent:_______________Seller’sAgentPhone:______________
Buyer’sAgent:_________________Buyer’sAgentPhone:______________
County:___________________Township:__________________________
AdditionalInformation:_____________________________________________
MethodofPayment:_______________________
AgeofHouse:____________HouseOccupied?_______________
#ofBedrooms:___________IfVacant,ForHowLong?______________
Howmanypeoplemovingintothehouse?_______________________________
DateofLastPumpingofTanks:___________________________
HaveThereBeenAnyConcerns,ProblemsorCorrectionstotheSystem?________
__________________________________________________________________
HaveThereBeenFixturesAddedtothePlumbingSystemoftheHouseSincetheOriginalSepticSystemwasInstalled?__________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
AdditionalCommentsorInformation:__________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Form#2
FORM#2istheSepticInspectionAgreementwiththeclient.Theclientshouldreadtheagreementcarefully.Theclientortheirrepresentativemustunderstandandsigntheagreement.
OnsiteWastewaterTreatmentandDisposalSepticSystemInspectionAgreement
ThankyouforconsideringYourCompanyforyoursepticsysteminspection.Thisinspectionagreementisintendedtogiveyouanoverviewofthescopeoftheinspection,inspectioncostsandthelimitofliabilityforYourCompany.
Thesepticsysteminspectionincludes:
• Contactinglocalauthoritiestoreviewrecords,data,andpermits• Contactingpreviousowners• Contactingmaintenanceprovidersandcontractorswhohaveworkedonthe
property• Enteringtheproperty• Locationandopeningofthemainlid(s)oftheseptictank• Confirmationthatallfixturesflowfromthehousetothetreatmenttank• Measurementofthetank’sliquidlevel• Confirmationofwaterflowtothedrainageabsorptionarea• Pumpingofthetank(s)• Inspectionoftheinteriorwallsofseptictankandbaffles• Locationdrainagearea• Inspectionofdrainageabsorptionareaviaprobingand/orsoilboring• Identifyareasofsewagebreakout,lushvegetationandodors• Sketchingofthesite’ssystemandotheritemsandcomponentincludinglocation
measurements• Detailedinspectionreportdescribingtheconditionoftheonsitesepticsystem
Wecanhelpyouarrangeapumping-outoftheseptictank(s)foranadditionalforachargeof$______per1,000gallons.
Therearemanyfactorsthatmayaffecttheresultofasepticsysteminspection.Someimportantfactorsforyoutoconsiderinclude:
• Systemdesignandinstallation• Ageofthesystem• Numberofcurrentoccupantsincomparisontothenumberofoccupantsmovingin
Pleasereadthefollowingdisclaimercarefully.ItexplainsthetermsunderwhichYourCompanywillperformasepticinspection.
Disclaimer:
Thesepticinspectionisbasedontheconditionoftheonsitewastewatertreatmentsystemobservedatthetimeoftheinspection.Itdoesnotpredictfutureconditions.YourCompanymakesnorepresentationthatthesystemwasdesigned,installedormeetscurrentstandards.YourCompanydoesnotwarrant,guarantee,orcertifytheproperfunctioningofthesystemforanyperiodoftime.Becauseofnumerousfactors(usage,soiltype,installation,maintenance,etc.)whichaffecttheproperoperationofaonsitetreatmentsystem,aswellastheinabilityofYourCompanytosuperviseormonitortheuseandmaintenanceofthesystem,thisinspectionreportshallnotbeconstruedasawarrantybyYourCompanythatthesystemwillfunctionproperlyforthecurrentownerorforanyprospectivebuyer.YourCompanydisclaimsanywarranty,eitherexpressedorimplied,arisingfromtheinspectionofthesepticsystem.YourCompany’sliabilityisequalonlytothecostoftheinspection.
Ourservicecharges:
• Inspectionoftheonsitewastewatertreatmentsystem(nopumping,andincludesupto_____hoursofinspectionactivities):$____
• Inspectionofeachadditionalsystemorgraywatersystem:$______• Additionalhoursofinspectionactivitieson-site(overthe3includedhours):$_____
perhour• Hydraulicloadtest(2-dayinspection)$________includes3hoursfirstdayand3-
hours2ndday• Weekendinspection:$_____forSaturday• Septictankpumping:$______per1,000gallons
Ihavereadandunderstandtheagreementandthefees.Iunderstandthatduetounforeseencircumstances,additionalworkmayberequiredtocompletetheinspection.
Yoursignature:___________________________________________
Printedname:____________________________________________
Date:______________________
YourCompany
123AnywhereAvenue
Anywhere,StateZip
(555)-555-5555
Form#3
FORM#3isthePropertyOwner’sAuthorizationForm.Thismustbesignedbytheowneroftheproperty/houseortheirrepresentativebeforetheinspectioncanbescheduled.Thisformisnecessarybecausetheinspectorwillbediggingandprobingtheground,andopeninglids/covers.
PropertyOwner'sAuthorizationForm
Date:___________
Owner'sName:_________________________
Address:_________________________________________________
Phone:__________________
Orderedby:______________________
PropertyOwner'sAuthorization:
IauthorizeYourCompanytoenterourpropertyforthepurposeofperforminganinspectionoftheonsitewastewatertreatmentsystem,possiblyincludingahydraulicloadtestofthedrainagearea.Iunderstandtheinspectionwillinvolveprobingand/ordiggingandadisruptionofsod,grassorsoil.
Ifthereisanundergroundsprinklersystempleasecallyourinstallerto"markout"thelinestoavoidanybreakage.Ifthepropertyislandscaped,pleasecallyourlandscapertotemporarilyremoveanyplantsthatmaybeintheareaofthesepticsystemcomponents.YourCompanyisnotresponsibleforanyincidental,consequentialdamageincurredatthetimeofinspection.
Anyalterationstothisdocumentwillimmediatelymakeitnullandvoid.
Signatureofownerortheirrepresentative:______________________________
Printedname:_________________________________________
Iherebyauthorizethereleaseofinformationtoapotentialbuyerregardinganypreviousinspections,treatments,alterations,pumping,repairsetc.performedonortotheonsitewastewatertreatmentsystem(s)tobeinspected.
Propertyowner'sinitials:__________
AnydiggingthatmaytakeplacerequiresaUtility-Marking(CallBeforeYouDigService)bytheutilitycompany.Thistakesapproximatelythreefullbusinessdays.Inorderforustoperformyourinspectionsafelyandtoprotectyourundergroundutilities,aUtilityMarkingwillbeordered.Allundergroundutilitieswillbemarkedbythecompaniesthatserveyourarea.Thismarkingisusuallydonewithcoloredflagsorspraypaint.
SampleInspectionReport
YourCompany
AddressofYourCompany
YourCompanyPhone#,EmailandWebsite
Inspector’sName
Today’sDate
Re:OnsiteWastewaterTreatmentSystematInspectionPropertyAddress
DearClient:
Asrequested,YourCompanyinspecttheonsitewastewatertreatmentsystemattheaforementionedpropertyaddresson_________[dateoftheinspection].Thisletterprovidesyouwithareportoftheinspection.Basedonthepreliminaryinformationyouprovidedandthefieldinspection,
(Satisfactory)
wefoundtheonsitewastewatertreatmentsystemtobeinasatisfactoryconditiononthedateoftheinspection.
(SatisfactorywithConcerns)
wefoundtheonsitewastewatertreatmentsystemtobeinasatisfactoryconditiononthedateoftheinspection,buttherearesomeitemsaboutwhichwehaveconcerns.Thoseconcernsare:
[Listconcerns.]
(FurtherInvestigationRecommended)
weareunabletoverifythattheonsitewastewatertreatmentsystemispresentlyinsatisfactoryworkingconditionforthefollowingreasons:
[Listreasons.]
(HighWaterIndications)
Standingliquidintheabsorptionareawasobservedwithin6inchesbelowtheinletinvertofthelaterals.Theobservationdoesnotmeanthattheobservedwaterlevelsabovetheinvertelevationofthelateralsareamanifestationofafailure.Theobservationofwaterwithin6inchesbelowtheinletelevationofthelateralsisanindicationofimpededdrainage.Theclosethewaterlevelsapproachthelaterals,orencompassesthem,themoresubstantialtheconcern.Thecurrentorfuturehomeownermaywishtoconductwater-usemonitoringand/orconductreducedwateruse.Whilethisobservationisnotafailure,itisanindicationthatthesystemmaybenearingtheendofitsserviceablelifeandmayrequirecorrectivemeasuresinthenearfuture.
(Unsatisfactory)
Correctivemeasuresarerequiredtobringthesystemintosatisfactorycondition.Someorallofthesuggestedactivitiesmayrequireapermitfromthelocalauthorityhavingjurisdictionorthelocal/statehealthdepartment.Theappropriateauthoritymustbecontactedpriortoanycorrectiveactivitiescommencing.
(HydraulicLoadTest)
Aconditionresultingintherecommendationforconductingahydraulicloadtestwasobservedduringtheonsiteinspection.Thehydraulicloadtestisnotrequired,buthighlyrecommendedtodeterminetheextentoftheproblem(s)found.Ifthetestisnotconducted,asignedreleasestatementshouldbeprovidedbytheclientpriortothereleaseofthisinspectionoranyoftheinformationcontainedinit.
(Theconditionofthesystemrequiresinformingthelocalauthorityand/orhealthdepartment)
Conditionobservedatthesystematthetimeoftheinspectionrequiresinformingthelocalauthorityand/orhealthdepartmentwithin24hoursoftheinspection.
Atthecompletionofanyrepairsorcorrections,werecommendthatYourCompanybehiredagaintoinspectthesystemandverifythatthesystemhasbeenrestoredtoasatisfactorycondition.
Thisisaninspectionreportandnotawarranty.YourCompanydoesnotprovideanywarrantyorguarantee,expressorimplied,includinganywarrantyofmerchantabilityorfitnessforpurpose,ofanyotherwarrantywhatsoever,thatthesystemmeetsanycodeorspecifications,orwillfunctionproperlyforanyperiodoftimewhatsoever,orotherwisewillnotmalfunctionorcausecontaminationofthegroundorwatersoftheState.
Sincerely,
Inspector’sName:____________________________
SuggestedCommentsforReportAdditionalSuggestedComments
Weather
• Itshouldbeunderstoodthatbecauseofthedryweather(drought),thesoilmoisturelevelsarelow,whichcancausethesystemtoappearmorefavorableascomparedwithotherweatherconditions.
• Excessiverainduringthelast72hoursmayaffectthewaterlevelintheabsorptionarea.
• Thesnowcoveringhaspreventedorinhibitedtheobservationofthegroundsurface.Thisisaninspectionrestriction.
• Certaincomponentscouldnotbelocatedandidentifiedbecauseofthecoldweatherandfrozengroundconditions.
• Alawnsprinkler/irrigationsystemwasfoundintheabsorptionareaandshouldberemoved.
AgeoftheSystem
• Thistypeofsystemmightbepermittedforanexistingproperty,butitdoesnotmeetcurrentstandards.Wecannotpredictthesystem’sremainingservicelife.
• Systemsolderthan20yearsarebeyondtheirservicelifeexpectancyandarelikelytorequirecorrection,majorrepairortotalreplacement.
• Anonsitetreatmentsystemhasalimitedservicelifeexpectancy.Systemsthatareatleast20yearsoldmaybeconsideredfunctionalbythehomeowner,butareactuallypasttheirservicelifeexpectancy.
• Thesystemisbeyonditsservicelifeexpectancyandislikelyinneedofcorrection,majorrepairortotalreplacement,evenifthesystemisfunctioningatthetimeoftheinspection.
NumberofBedrooms
• Thenumberofbedroomsatthehouseisgreaterthanthatidentifiedbytherecordsorpermitsavailable.Thesystemthatwasapprovedbackthenbythelocalbuildingauthoritymayhavebeenappropriatelysizedforthesystem,butnowtherearemorebedrooms,andthesystem’ssizehasnotbeenchanged.Itisnotpossibletopredicthowthesystemwillperformgiventhisincreaseinthenumberofbedrooms.
CommercialActivitiesand/orHighImpactHobbies
• Commercialactivitiesandcertainhobbiesmayplaceexcessivehydraulicloadingonthesystem,whichmayresultinthedischargeofundesirablesubstancesintothesepticsystem.
RepairHistory
• Thisisare-inspectionafteranoutletpipeblockagewascleared.Outletblockagesaretypicallycausedbysolidscarryoverfromthetreatmenttank.Waterisnowflowingfreelytothedrainagearea,howeverwecannotascertainhowmuch,ifany,sludgemadeitswayintothedrainagearea.
• Therehavebeensignificantalterationsmadetothesystem,whicharenotconsistentwithavailablerecords.Wecannotverifythatthesystemwasrepairedaccordingtohealthdepartmentstandardsorifthealterationshaveadequatelycorrectedanyproblems.
Occupants
• Allaspectsofthesepticsystemwereinsatisfactoryconditionatthetimeofinspection.Thewaterusebythecurrentnumberofoccupants,being____issubstantiallylowerthanthedesignrateforafivebedroomhome,andtheanticipatedwateruseofthenewoccupants,being_____,willbesignificantlyhigheranditisnotpossibletopredicthowthesystemwillperformgiventhisincrease.
• Thedrainageareaisnearitsmaximumcapacitywiththecurrentwateruse.Anyadditionaloccupantsorhigherwaterusagemaycauseasystemoverload.
• Thesystemwasfunctioningatthetimeofinspectionwiththevolumeofwaterusedbythecurrentnumberofoccupants,being_____.Thattypicalvolumeissubstantiallylowerthanthedesignrateforthehome(_____bedrooms)andnormalhydraulicloadingcannotbeduplicated.Wecannotpredicthowthesystemwilloperateifthenumberofoccupantsorwaterusageincreases.Ahydraulicloadingtestmaybeusedtofurtherevaluatethisdisparity.
• Duetothelengthofvacancy,normalhydraulicloadingonthedrainageareacouldnotbeduplicatedandwecannotpredicthowthesystemwillfunctionwhenthehomeisoccupied.Ahydraulicloadingtestmaybeusedtofurtherevaluatethisdisparity.
• Thepropertywasvacantatthetimeoftheinspection.Asexplainedduringtheinspection,normalhydraulicloadingonthedrainageareacouldnotbeduplicatedduringtheinspection.Wecannotpredicthowthesepticsystemwillfunctionwhenthepropertyisoccupied.
• Werecommendthatsystemsnotinuseforanextendedperiodorminimallyused,haveahydraulicloadtest,foramoreconclusiveexaminationofthedrainagearea.
WashingMachine
• Thewashingmachineisdischargingontothesurfaceoftheground,whichisprohibited.Thewashingmachinedischargeshouldbere-directedintothesepticsystemorintoaseparateseepagepitsystemtoreducethehydraulicloadtothesepticsystem,extendingitsserviceablelife.
GarbageDisposal
• Thekitchenisequippedwithagarbagedisposalunit,whichwillincreasethesolidscontentbeingloadedintotheseptictank.Theuseofgarbagegrindersisnotrecommendedforusewithsepticsystems,butifusedregularly,morefrequenttankpumpingisneeded.
• Garbagedisposalsplaceahigherlevelofsuspendedsolidsloadingonthesepticsystem.Theseptictankshouldbepumpedatagreaterfrequency/annually.
• Garbagedisposalgrindersareknowntoincreasethescumlayeraccumulationratesbyapproximately20percent.Eggshellsandcoffeegroundsbreakdownataveryslowrate.Disposalofsuchwastesintoasepticsystemwillnecessitatemorefrequentmaintenance.
MaintenanceHistory
• Thetreatmenttankhasnotbeenadequatelymaintained.Thereareexcessivesolidsinthetankandsolidscarryoverintothedrainageareaislikely.
DateofLastPumping
• Theseptictankwaspumpedoneweekpriortothisinspection.Theseptictankhadnotreachedoperatinglevelatthetimeofthisinspectionandnormalhydraulicloadingonthedrainageareacouldnotbeduplicated.Pleasereadthereportdisclaimercarefully.
• Theseptictankwaspumpedtwoweekspriortothisinspection.Thesystemhasnotreceivednormalhydraulicloading.Pleasereadthereportdisclaimercarefully.
WaterSoftener
• Thewatersoftenerbackwashcurrentlydischargesintothesepticsystem.Thisdischargemaydamagecertaintypesofsoils.Althoughcurrentconstructionstandardsdonotrequireaseparateseepagepitforthisdischarge,itmaybeprudenttoredirectthatdischargeintoaseparateareaotherthanthesepticsystem.Thiscanreducethehydraulicloadingtothesepticsystemandcanextendtheserviceablelifeofthesystem.
TreatmentTank
• Thetankiscompartmentedwithanaccesslidoneachend.• Thetankisinadequatelysizedforthehomeanddoesnotmeetcurrentconstruction
standards.• Thetreatmenttankdoesnotmeetcurrentconstructionstandardsforsizeor
constructionmaterial.• Thistypeofsystem,acesspool,ispermittedforanexistinguse,althoughitdoesnot
meetcurrentconstructionstandards.Anyfuturerepairtoacesspoolsystemmustincludeupgrades,ataminimum,toincludetheinstallationofanappropriatelysizedseptictankpriortothecesspool.
• Steelseptictankshaveausefullifeofapproximatelytwentyyearsandhavenotbeenapprovedfornewinstallationsforoverfifteenyears.Werecommendreplacingtheexistingseptictank.
ConditionofTank
• Theliquidlevelinthetankwaswellbelowtheoutletpipeduetoahole.Thetankisnolongerwatertightanddoesnotcomplywiththecurrentstandards.Insertingaholeisatechniqueusedbyinstallers,topreventtheseptictankfromfloatingpriortoitbeingfilledwithwater.Thisholeisnotpermittedundercodeandyoumayelecttohaveitrepairedorthetankreplaced.
• Minordeteriorationhasoccurredinthetreatmenttank.• Theinletand/oroutletbaffleisdamaged,brokenormissingandshouldbereplaced.
Solidscarryoverintotheabsorptionareaislikely.• Theseptictankwasnotpumpedduringthisinspection;sizeandconditionare
unknown.• Asmallholeinthebottomofthetreatmenttankwasobserved.Thisdoesnotmeet
currentconstructionstandardsandmayallowgroundwatertoinfiltrateintothesystemorallowinadequatelytreatedwastewatertonegativelyimpacttheenvironment.
• Thetreatmenttankhasnotbeenadequatelymaintained.Thereareexcessivesolidsinthetank;solidsdischargeintothedrainageareaislikely.
LiquidLevelAbovetheOutletInvert
• Duringtheinspectionprocess,theliquidlevelinthetreatmenttankrosesignificantlyabovetheoutletpipeinvert.Thisindicatesapossibleblockageoftheoutletpipeorasaturateddrainagearea.
• Theliquidlevelinthetreatmenttankisabovetheinletinvert.Thiscreatedaback-upofsewageintothebuildingserved,whichwasnotcausedbyaphysicalblockageoftheinternalplumbing.Thisalsoindicatesapossibleblockageoftheoutletpipeorasaturateddrainagearea.Thetreatmenttankwasnotpumpedanditsconditionisunknown.
• Theliquidlevelinthetreatmenttankisabovetheoutletinvert.Thisindicatesapossibleblockageoftheoutletpipeorasaturateddrainagearea.Thetreatmenttankwasnotpumpedanditsconditionisunknown.
• Thisisare-inspectionafteranoutletpipeblockagewascleared.Outletblockagesmaybecausedbysolidscarryoverfromthetreatmenttank.Waterisnowflowingfreelytothedrainagearea,howeverTheCompanycannotascertainhowmuchsludge,ifanymadeitswayintothedrainagearea.
• Theliquidlevelinthetreatmenttankisabovetheoutletinvert.Thedrainageareawasnotsaturatedindicatingablockedoutletpipe.Theoutletpipeshouldbeclearedandthesystemre-inspected.
TreatmentTankPumpedforthisInspection
• Duringpumping,effluentfromtheabsorptionareaflowedintothetreatmenttank,indicatingapossibleblockageorasaturatedabsorptionarea.
• Thetreatmenttankhasnotbeenadequatelymaintained.Thereareexcessivesolidsinthetank.Toremovethesolids,acombinationofhigh-pressurewaterandvacuumwillberequired.
• Thetreatmenttankwasnotpumpedatthecustomer’srequest.• Theliquidlevelinthetreatmenttankwasabovetheoutletinvertuponarrivalthe
tankwasnotpumpeditssizeandconditionwasnotdetermined.• Thetreatmenttankwasnotpumpedduringthisinspection,itssizeandcondition
wasnotdetermined.• Thetreatmenttankcouldnotbelocated.Additionalinvestigationisrequiredto
determinethelocationofthetank.• Theliquidlevelintheseptictankwasabovetheinletinvert.Thetankwasnot
pumpedanditsconditionisunknown.• Duetoahighwaterlevelintheabsorptionarea,thetreatmenttankwasnotpumped
duringthisinspection.Itssizeandconditionwerenotdetermined.
StructuresareNeartheSystem
• Systemcomponentsthatarenotreadilyaccessiblecanmakemaintenancedifficult.Excessiveweightfromvehiclesorothersourcesmaydamagethesystem.
EvidencethatSewageHasSurfacedAbovetheTopoftheTreatmentTank
• Thereisevidenceofsewageabovethetreatmenttankindicatingapreviouslysurchargedcondition;solidscarryovertothedrainageareaispossible.
DepthtoTopofTank
• Thetreatmenttankisinexcessoftwofeetbelowgrade.Aseptictank“riser”provideseasyaccesstothetankandshouldbeconsidered.
• Theseptictankisoverthreefeetbelowgrade.Ariserextendedtogradewouldimprovemaintenanceaccess.
DepthtoMainLid
• Themainlidwasnotaccessible.
AbsorptionArea
• Theabsorptionareacouldnotbepositivelyidentifiedduetoitsexcessivedepthbelowgradeortheduetotheamountofrockonthesite.Furtherinvestigationisnecessarytolocatetheabsorptionarea.
• Duetosoilconditionsand/ordepth,it’snotalwayspossibletolocateallcomponentsofthesystem.Whiletherewerenoblatantsignsofoverflowonthesurface,ordrainageproblemsevident,wecannotcompleteanevaluationofdrainagecomponentsunlesstheycanactuallybeinspected,thiswillrequireadditionalinvestigation.
• Accumulatedsnowpreventedlocationofthedrainagearea.Noevaluationispossibleonthiscomponentofthesystematthistime.
• Duetoextendedcoldweatherandfrozengroundconditions,notallsystemcomponentscouldbeidentified.
• Numerousobstructionspreventedidentificationofallsystemcomponents.Placingexcessiveweightoversystemcomponentscancausesignificantdamagetothesystem.Theseobstructionsshouldberemovedorrelocatedandfurtherinvestigationofthesystemisnecessarytoidentifyallsystemcomponents.
• Effluentmeasurementsvariedconsiderablybetweensidesofthesystem,possiblyindicatingunevendistribution.
• Thedrainageareaisatitsmaximumcapacityundercurrentwateruse.(Onlyoneoccupant),anyadditionaloccupantsorhigherwaterusagemaycauseasystemoverload.Ahydraulicloadtestisrecommendedtofurtherevaluatethesystem.
• Theabsorptionareaisnearitscapacityundercurrentwateruse.Asignificantincreaseinoccupantsorhigherwaterusagemaycauseasystemoverload.
• Theliquidlevelinthedrainageareaisabovethetopofthecrushedstone.Thedrainageareaisatitsmaximumcapacityunderthecurrentwateruseandanyadditionaloccupationorhigherwaterusecouldcauseasystemoverflow.
• Sewagevisibleaboveornearanysystemcomponentsindicatesasaturatedconditionthatshouldbeidentifiedtothelocalhealthdepartment.
• Thereislushvegetationabovethedrainagearea.Thisisanindicationofhighwaterlevels.
• Anybreakoutofwateratthegroundsurfacerequiresimmediatenotificationtothelocalhealthdepartment.
DistributionBox
• Sewageidentifiedabovethelateralinvertsinthedistributionboxindicatesasaturateddrainagearea.
• Thedistributionboxisshowingsignsofitsagewithslightdeteriorationand/orsmallcracks,butitisintactandholdingwaterasdesigned.
• Thedistributionboxissignificantlydeterioratedandisleakingwastewater,bypassingtheabsorptionarea.Thedistributionboxshouldbereplaced.
Summary
• Duringtheinspectionprocess,theliquidlevelinthetankroseabovetheinletpipeinvertcausingaback-upofsewagetowardthehome,whichisnotcausedbyaphysicalblockageoftheinternalplumbing.Thisobservedconditionshouldbereportedtothelocalhealthdepartmentimmediately.
• Waterlevelabovetheinvertelevationofthelateralsorhighwaterconditionwasobserved.Thisobservationofwaterwithinsix-inchesbelowtheinletelevationofthelateralsisanindicationofimpededdrainagewithinthedisposalarea.Thecloserthewaterlevelsapproachthelaterals,orencompassesthem,themoresubstantialtheconcern.Whilethisobservationisnotafailure,itisanindicationthatthesystemmaybenearingtheendofitsserviceablelifeandmayrequirecorrectivemeasuresinthenearfuture.Thecurrentorfuturehomeownermaywishtoconductwaterusemonitoring,reducewateruseand/orfindaphysicalremedytocorrectthecondition.
Terra-Lift
• Thedrainageareahasbeentreatedbythe"Terra-Lift"process.Thelong-termeffectivenessofthisremedialactioncannotbepredicted.Pleasereadthefollowingdisclaimercarefully.
CesspoolorSeepagePit
• Atthetimeofinspectionthewaterlevelinthecesspool/seepagepitwasatorabovetheinletpipeinvert.Thisindicatesasaturatedconditioninthezoneofdisposalarea.
• Theliquidlevelisnottouchingtheinletpipeinvert,howeverthereislessthan24hoursworthofstoragecapacityleftinthecesspool/seepagepit.
CalculatingTankVolume
Thereareseveralmethodstocalculatethevolumeofthesepticsystemtanksdependinguponwhethertheyarecylindrical,squareorrectangular.
CylindricalTanks
MethodA
3.14xradiussquared(feet)xdepth(feet)equalscubiccapacity.
7.5xcubiccapacityequalscapacityingallons.
Example:60"dia.tank,48"liquiddepth
3.14x(2.5x2.5)x4=78.5cu.capacity
78.5x7.5=588.75gal.
MethodB
Diametersquared(inches)dividedby292.5equalsgallonsperinchofliquiddepthintank.Depth(inches)xgallonsperinch.
Example:60"dia.tank,48"liquiddepth
60x60#292.5=12.31gal.perinch
12.31gal.perinchx48=590.88gal.
MethodC
Diametersquared(ininches)xdepth(ininches)times.0034equalstotalgallons.
Example:60"dia.tank,48"liquiddepth
(60"x60")x48"x.0034=587.52gal.
SquareorRectangularTanks
MethodA
Length(feet)xdepth(feet)xwidth(feet)equalscubicft.
Cubicft.x7.5equalsgallons.
Example:96"=length,48"=width,60"=depth
8x5x4=160cu.ft.
160x7.5=1200gal.
MethodB
Length(inches)xwidth(inches)dividedby231equalsgallonsineachinchofliquiddepth.Tankdepth(inches)xgallonsperinchequalstotalgallons.
Example:96"=length,48"=width,60"=depth
96"x48"=4608/231=19.95gal.perinch
19.95x60"=1,197gal.
Volumeingallons Style Dimensions
Outsidelengthxoutsidewidthxflowdepthininches
1,000 Singlecompartment 102x58x481,000 Lowboy 126x68x401,250 Singlecompartment 126x60x481,500 Singlecompartment 126x68x48
Diameter(inches) Volume(gallons)andFlowDepth(inches)500 600 750 900
60 41 49 61 7472 34 43 5184 31 38
SewageFlowsVolumeofsanitarysewage
Thecriteriaforestimatingthevolumeofsanitarysewagefromprivateresidentialsourcesshallbeasfollows:
Thedailyvolumeforeachbedroomordwellingunitshallbe:
• Firstbedroom200gallonsperday("gal/day")• Eachadditionalbedroom150gal/day• Minimumvolumeperdwellingunit350gal/day
SepticSystemAdditivesAnumberofcompaniessellproductsundertheclaimthatroutineadditiontothetoiletorseptictankwillimprovethesystem’sfunctionandwillrestoretheflowto“slowplumbing.”Mostexpertsconsidertheseclaimstobeunsubstantiated.Yourclientshouldknowthatwastewaterflowproblems,whichoriginateinasepticsystem,couldbesymptomaticofmajorsystemfailure.Withouttheproperattentionofawastewaterprofessional,suchproblemswillusuallygetworseandmoreexpensivetorepair.Relyingonadditivestofixsepticsystemproblemsisnotrecommended.
QuizWhensketchingthesite,youshouldmeasureandrecordonthesketchthedistancestothetreatmenttanklidandD-boxfrom______fixedandpermanentpointsofthehouse.
• two• one• four
Selectfromthefollowingfouroftermstodescribeeachinspectedcomponent:(1)Satisfactory,(2)Furtherinvestigationisrecommended,(3)Satisfactorywith_____;and(4)Unsatisfactory.
• concerns• worries• troubles• majordefects
Ifthereisafailedorunsatisfactoryconditionthatrequirestheattentionofthelocalauthority,thenthelocalauthorityshouldbenotifiedwithin_____hoursoftheinspection.
• 24• 2• 72
OnsiteSystemInspectionFormOnsiteWastewaterTreatmentSystem–InspectionForm
InspectionProcessOverview
PreliminarysysteminformationInspectionoftreatmenttanksInspectionofabsorptionarea
Notes
Inspectionofdisposal/conveyancesystem
Identificationofanyalternativetechnologyandapprovedcomponents
Requiresadditionalinspection
ClientInformation
Clientname:__________________________________Ownername:_________________________________Client’saddress:___________________________________________________________________________Phone:______________________________________Email:_______________________________________
OnsiteSystemInformation
Inspectorname:____________________________Date:__________________PropertyAddress:_____________________________________________________________________AdditionalInformation:_________________________________________________________________
PreliminaryInformation:Weather:___________________________________________Lastprecipitation:____________________________________Ageofsystem:_______________________Numberofbedrooms:___________________Numberofsystemsbeinginspected:___________________Commercialactivitiesorhighimpactactivities:_________________________________________________________________Priorproblemsand/orrepairhistoryincludingsoilfracturingoruseofchemicaladditives:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Isthereasiteplanorsepticmapavailable?Isthehouseoccupied?Ifyes,howmanyoccupants?________________Ifno,datelastoccupied?___________________Iswashingmachinedrainingtoaseparategraywatersystem?Arethereanyothergraywatersystems?Aretheresumppumpsdischargingtothesystem?Anyrecordofpastsewagebackupsintothehouse?Doallofthefixturesdrainintothetreatmenttank?Isthetankpumpedregularly?What’sthefrequencyofpumping?______________________________________________________Dateoflastpumping?_______________________
YesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNo
Comments:
FormContinued
TreatmentTank:Typeoftankbeinginspected:
AnaerobicAerobicCesspoolSeepagepitOther:___________________________
Graywatertank:____________________________________Multi-compartment:__________________________________Materialoftank:ConcreteBlockSteelPlasticOther_______________________________________________ApproximateVolumeofTank:____________________________________________________________________________ConditionofTank:Topandlids/coversSatisfactoryUnsatisfactoryn/aInletbaffle____________
Maintanklid/coverwasopenedforinspection?
·Liquidlevelbelowthetank’sinletinvert?
·Liquidlevelbelowthetank’soutletinvert?
·Treatmenttankpumpedforthisinspection?
·Arealltankslocatedawayfromstructuresandhighimpactareas?
·Istheareaclearofevidenceofanybreakoutorseepagetothegroundsurfaceofeffluent?
·Doeswaterflowunimpededfromthetreatmenttank?
·Isthereaneffluentfilterinstalledaspartofthesystem?
·Arethereanytypesofaccessoryunitsinstalled?YesNo
·Depthtotopoftank:________________inches
YesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNo
Outletbaffle____________Cracksorleakage____________SewageFlowfromhouse____________
·Depthtotopoftankaccess:___________inches
·Comments:
YesNo
AbsorptionArea:Typeofabsorptionarea:DisposalbedSeepagepitCesspoolDisposaltrenchMoundedOther:____________________________________________Wastheabsorptionarealocated?YesNoAreinspectionportsinstalled?YesNoIfyes,howmany?________________Wasaseparateprobedugintheabsorptionareatoconfirmtheobservationsintheinspectionports?YesNoIstheareaoftheabsorptionsystemfreeofsewageodors?YesNoDoesthesewageflowfromthetreatmenttanktotheabsorptionareawithoutflowingbackwards?YesNoArethereareaswithlushvegetation?YesNoIsthedistributionbox(D-box)insatisfactorycondition?YesNoComments:
FormContinued
Drawasketchofthesiteplan,withlocationofhouse,system,tank,andotherrelevantitems,includingdriveway,vegetation,well,etc.DosingorPumpTank:Doesthesystemcontainapumptank?Isthepumpoperating?Doesthealarmonthepumpwork?Isthepumpelevatedabovethetankfloor?Isthelidinsatisfactorycondition?Isthetankissatisfactorycondition?Isthetankfreeofaccumulatedsolids?
Yes
No n/a
Summary:Conditionofthetreatmenttank(s)?Conditionoftheconveyanceandpumpsystem?Conditionoftheabsorptionarea?Conditionofanyaccessorycomponents?
Satisfactory SatisfactorywithConcerns
Unsatisfactory Requiresfurtherevaluation
n/a
Comments:ReportingtoLocalAuthorityand/orHealthDepartment:Reportifanyofthefollowingconditionswereobservedduringtheinspection:PondingorbreakoutofsewageoreffluentontothegroundsurfaceSeepageofsewageoreffluentintopartofthehousebelowgroundBackupofsewageintothehousethatisnotcausedbyaphysicalblockageoftheinternaldrainageplumbingAnymannerofleakageobservedfromorintotheseptictanks,connectingpipes,distributionboxes,orothercomponentsthatarenotdesignedtoemitsewageoreffluent.
Notificationofanyobservationthatisconsistentwithaconditionnotedaboveshouldbereportedtothelocalauthorityhavingjurisdictionwithin24hoursoftheobservation.Regardlessoftheobservationsmade,acopyoftheinspectionreportshouldbeprovidedtothelocalauthorityhavingjurisdictionoveronsitewastewatertreatmentsystemswithin10daysoftheinspection.Describeanyandallobservedconditionsthatareofaconcerninrelationtothesystem:
TerminologyforOnsite(Septic)WastewaterTreatmentSystemsTerminology
A
Absorptionarea:anareatowhicheffluentemergingfromaseptictank,aerobicunit,orsandfilterisdistributedforinfiltrationintothesoil;onlycertainsoiltypesandgeologicconditionsareappropriateforabsorptionareas.Synonym:absorptionbed,absorptionfield,leachfield,drainfield,soilabsorptionarea.
Absorptionbed:seeabsorptionarea.
Accessport:seeinspectionport.
Aerate:tosupplywithair;insewagetreatment,tomixairwithsewagetopromotebiologicaldecompositionortreatmentofthesewage.
Aerobic:livinginthepresenceofoxygen;referstosewage-degradingbacteria(usuallyinthesoil)thatmusthaveoxygentosurvive.
Aggregate:washedgravelorstonewithadiameterofapproximately¾-inchto1½inchesusedasaneffluentstorageanddistributionmediumintheabsorptionarea.
Anaerobic:notrequiringoxygentolive;referstocertainspeciesofsewage-degradingmicroorganismsinaseptictank.Alsomeansanoxic.
Applicationrate:therateatwhichtheeffluentfromaseptictankoraerobicunitisappliedtotheabsorptionarea;usuallyexpressedingallons/day/squarefoot(gpd/sq.ft.).
B
Backflush:usuallyreferstoremovingcontaminantsfromawatersoftenerandsendingthebrinedischarge(containinghighconcentrationsofsodium,calcium,andmagnesium)tothesewagetreatmentunit;insomeareasthisisnotallowedifthesewagetreatmentunitisatraditionalsepticsystem.Alsocalledback-wash.
Baffle:adeviceinstalledinaseptictankordistributionboxtoslowthevelocityofliquidsandincreasesettlingofsolids;limitsmovementofsolidstotheabsorptionarea.Alsocalledadeflector.
Berm:araisedareaofsoilthatdivertsprecipitationorrunoffawayfromanabsorptionarea;also,anearthenstructuretosupportthesidesofasewagesystemthatisabovegradeoronaslope.
Biomat:seeorganicmat.
Blackwater:liquidwastefromtoilets(asopposedtograywater,theliquidwastefromsinks,washingmachine,watertreatmentdevices,showers,tubs,etc.).
C
Cesspool:perforatedconcretetankthatreceiveshouseholdsewagedirectlyanddoesnotfollowaseptictankoraerobicunit;notconsideredbymosthealthdepartmentstobeappropriateforsewagetreatment;oftenmistakenlyconfusedwithadrywellorseepagepit.
Cleanout:seeinspectionport.
Conservationdevice:anydevicethatlimitstheamountofwaterusedinagivenactivity,suchaslow-flowshowerheads,water-savingtoilets,water-savingfaucets,compostingtoilets,toiletdams.Alsocalledwater-conservationdeviceorflow-restrictor.
Curtaindrain:adraininstalledbelowthesoilsurfacetolimittheflowofgroundwaterintoasewagetreatmentsystem.Alsocalledverticaldrain,underdrain.
Cut-and-fillsystem:anabsorptiontrenchsysteminanareawhereimpermeablesoilisfoundabovepermeablesoil;impermeablelayerisreplacedwithpermeablesoil.Alsocalledasoil-replacementsystem.
D
Decay-resistant:seeinertsolids.
Decomposition:rotting;insewagetreatment,reductionofvolumeandtypeofwastesduetoactionofmicroorganisms.Digestion.
Digestion:seedecomposition.
Distributionbox:aconcrete,fiberglass,orplasticboxthatissituatedbetweentheseptictankandabsorptionareatoevenlydistributeeffluentbygravityflowfromtheseptictanktotheabsorptionarea.AlsocalleddistributiondeviceorD-box.
Dosing:usingapumporsiphontomoveeffluentfromtheseptictanktothepipenetworkofanabsorptionarea;movementthroughthepipenetworkisbygravity;dosingassistsinevendistributionofthewastewaterintotheabsorptionarea;notthesameaspressuredistribution,whichusesapumptomoveeffluentthroughthepipenetwork.
Dyetest:atesttodetermineleaks/failureintheon-sitesewagetreatmentsystem;afluorescentdyeisaddedtothetoilettank,andthesewagetreatmentsystemisexaminedforevidenceofdyeappearance.Fluorescentdyetest.Typicallynotusedforthispurposealone.Dyeisusedinconjunctionwithotherinvestigationmeans.Dyeisprimarilyusedforconfirmingthedischargelocationofaparticularfixtureorconfirmingaleakytoilet.
E
Effluent:theliquidthatisreleasedtoorfromaseptictankoraerobicunit;raweffluentisthatwhichhasnotbeentreatedinanyway;treatedeffluentisthatwhichhasgonethroughaseptictank,aerobicunit,orabsorptionarea.
Enzymes:insewagetreatment,asubstanceproducedbylivingcellsthatismarketedasanadditiveforseptictankstospeeddecompositionofsolids;enzymeadditionisusuallynotnecessaryinaseptictankduetothelargenumberofmicroorganismspresentinhumanwastethatareabletodecomposethesolidsinthetank.
Evaporation-transpiration(El)systems:movementofeffluentupwardthroughthesoilandoverlyingvegetationandintotheatmosphere,ratherthandownwardmovementintothesoil;usuallyusedwhenmoretraditionalsewagetreatmentsystemsarenotsuitable;veryspecificdesigncriteriamustbemetforsystemtobeapproved.
F
Failedsystem:asewagetreatmentsystemthatnolongereffectivelytreatshouseholdwaste;generallyhasavisiblesurfacedischarge,ormaybeindicatedbyplumbingsystembackups.
Flowrestrictor:seeconservationdevice.
G
Gasdeflector:ventingprovisionsinyourseptictankthatdirectgasessafelyaway.
Gasvent:ventfortheaccumulatedgasesthatformintheseptictankduringdecomposition,mostlylocatedontheroofofthehouse.
Geo-textile:permeablematerialusedtocoveraggregateintrenchestopreventsoilfrommixingwiththeaggregatefollowingback-fillingoperationsbutallowingairandmoisturetomovethroughthesoilandaggregate;aggregatemayalsobecoveredwithuntreatedbuildingpaperorcleanhay.
Gravel:fillingmaterialfortrenchesinwhichthedistributionlineslie.Itisusedforeaseddischargeofwastewatertothesoil.
Gravel-lessabsorptionsystem:seeabsorptionchamber.
Graywater:effluentfromhouseholdsinks,shower/bathtub,clotheswasher,watertreatmentunits,etc.,thatdoesnotcontaintoiletwaste.
Groundwater:subsurfacewaterthatoriginatesasrainorsnowmelt;groundwaterseepsthroughthesoilprofileuntilreachingadepthwhereallsoil/rockporesarefilled;thetopofthissaturatedzoneiscalledthewatertable.
H
Holdingtank:awatertighttank,similartoaseptictank,thatcollectswasteandholdsituntilitcanbepumpedandtransportedtoasewagetreatmentsystem;usedonsmalllotswithnosuitableabsorptionareaorinalocationtooisolatedforacommunitysystem;useisfrequentlyrestrictedbyhealthdepartmentregulations.
Householdhazardouswaste:anyofanumberofproductsfoundinthekitchen,bathroom,garage,orgardenshedthatbytheirchemicalnaturecanpoison,corrode,explode,orburstintoflamewhenhandledimproperly.
Hydraulicload:theamountofeffluentappliedtotheabsorptionarea;canbedecreasedbyusingwaterconservationdevices;hydraulicoverloadingoccurswhentheabsorptionareareceivesmoreeffluentthanitcaneffectivelytreat;thiscanresultinponding.
I
Inertsolids:thesolidportionofhouseholdwastethatcannotbedecomposedbymicroorganismssuchassanitarynapkins,greaseandothersolids.Grit,anddecayresistantmaterials.
Infiltrationrate:theamountoftimenecessaryforeffluenttoflowfromtheabsorptionareaintothesoil;varieswithsoiltypeandotherenvironmentalfactors,andisusuallyexpressedingallons/day/squarefoot(gpd/sq.ft.)measuredbyapercolationtest.
Inspectionport:anaccessholeintheseptictanktoallowinspectionofthetankoritscontents;tankshouldalwaysbepumpedthroughcentralaccessmanhole.Alsocalledmanhole,accessport,clean-out.
L
Leachfield:seeabsorptionarea.
Liquidlayer:wastewaterinaseptictankthatisbetweentheoverlyinglayer(scum)andtheunderlyinglayer(sludge);afterexitingtheseptictank,theliquidlayerbecomeseffluentthatflowstotheabsorptionarea.Theclearzoneorclearspace.
M
Manhole:seeinspectionport.
Mound:atypeofsoilabsorptionareathatisraisedabovethenaturalsoilsurfaceusinganappropriatefillmaterial;smallerthanaraisedbedsystem;usedwhenthedepthofpermeablesoilislessthantherequired4feetorinareasofhighwatertable.
Multi-compartment:aseptictankwithmorethanonechambertoincreaseremoval/separationofsolids(primarytreatment).Alsocalleddual-chambertank.
N
Nasty:termsometimesusedwhendescribingsomethingthatsmellsreallybad.
O
Onsitetreatmentsystem:ageneraltermreferringtoanyofthevarioussystemsfortreatingwasteemanatingfromahouseholdplumbingfixtureorwatertreatmentunit.
Organicmat:themicroorganismsandorganicmatterthatbuilduparoundasoilabsorptionareaatthemediasoilinterface;canbeespeciallyprevalentwithsandfilters.Alsobiomat.
Outletpipe:thepipeconveyingwastewateroutofavessel(septictank,distributionbox,etc.).
Overflowpipe:aflow-reliefpipetoconveyexcesswastewaterfromavessel(dropmanhole,dosingsiphon,tank,cesspool,seepagepit,etc.).
P
Percolationorperctest:amethodofdeterminingthesuitabilityofthesoilforanabsorptionarea;atestholeisdug,wateraddedtothehole,andtherateofinfiltrationofwaterintothesoilisdetermined.
Perforatedpipe/tile:thepipeinanabsorptionareathatcontainsregularlyspacedholestoreleaseeffluentintothemedia,suchassandoraggregateandthenintothesoil.
Permeable:allowingliquidtopassthrough;usedwhendescribingsoilabsorptionsystemsandtheirsuitabilityforsewagetreatment.
Ponding:ifthehydraulicloadistoohighforthedrainfield,thewatercancomeuptothesurfaceandformsmallpondsofuntreatedwastewater.
Pressuredistribution:usingapumptodistributeseptictankoraerobicuniteffluentthroughthepipenetworkofasoilabsorptionarearesultinginamoreevendistributionofeffluentoverthesoilthandoesgravitydistribution.
Primarytreatment:thetreatmentofhouseholdsewagethattakesplaceinaseptictank;separatesfloatingandsettleablesolidsfromrawwastewater.
R
Raisedsystem:anabsorptiontrenchsystemconstructedinappropriatefillmaterialplacedabovethenaturalsoilsurface;largerthanamoundsystem.Alsocalledmoundorraised-moundsystem.
S
Sanitarytee:seebaffle.
Saturatedsoil:soilthathasallspacesbetweensoilparticlesfilledwithliquid.
Scum:thewastewaterinaseptictankthatislessdensethantheliquidlayerandfloatsontopoftheliquidlayer.Alsoscumcake.
Seasonalhighwatertable:thetopofthesaturatedsoillayeratcriticaltimesoftheyear;groundwaterthatoccasionallyrisesaboveitsnormallevelinthesoilandcaninterferewiththeonsitesewagetreatmentsystem.
Secondarytreatment:soilprocessesthattreateffluentfromaseptictank;primarytreatmentoccursintheseptictank.
Seepagepit:acoveredpitwithaperforatedliningthatacceptseffluentfromaseptictankandallowsittoinfiltratethesurroundingsoil;mayreplacethesoilabsorptionareaandoftenincorrectlycalledacesspool.Alsoleachingpit.
Septage:thecontents(sludge,liquidlayer,andscum)extractedfromaseptictank.
Septictank:awatertightconcrete,fiberglass,polyethylene,orsteeltankthatisburiedinthegroundandacceptssewagefromahousehold.
Septictankadditives:anyofanumberofproductsthataremarketedtodecomposewasteinaseptictank;mostarenotnecessaryandsomeareactuallyharmfultothemicroorganismpopulationinthetank.
Septictankpumping:theprocessbywhichthecontentsoftheseptictank(septage)areremovedandhauledtoasewagetreatmentplantforfurthertreatmentortoaland-spreadingoperation.
Sewage:thehumanandhouseholdwastedischargedthroughthehomeplumbingsystem.Alsowastewater.
Sludge:theaccumulatedsolidsthatsettletothebottomofaseptictank.Alsosolidslayer.
Subsurfacedisposalsystem:anysewagetreatmentsystemthatisburiedbeneaththesoilsurface.
Suspendedsolids:solidmaterialthatissuspendedintheliquidlayer.
T
Trench:anexcavatedareaofsoilintheabsorptionareaintowhichaggregateandperforatedpipearelaidforthepurposeofdistributingseptictankoraerobicuniteffluent.Alsoabsorptiontrench.
U
Untreatedbuildingpaper:apermeablematerialoftenusedtocoveraggregateintrenchestopreventsoilmixingwithaggregatefollowingback-fillingoperationswhileallowingairandmoisturetomovethroughsoilandaggregate;aggregatemayalsobecoveredwithgeo-textileorcleanhay.
Usablesoil:thedepthofsoilavailableinanabsorptionareathatissuitableforsecondarytreatment.Alsoavailablesoil.
V
Vent:anoutletforgasesfromthesewagetreatmentsystem.
W
Wastewater:thehumanandhouseholdwastedischargedthroughthehomeplumbingsystem.Seesewage.
Watertable:thetopoftheareainsoilwhereallsoil/rockporesarefilledwithliquid.
QuizT/F:Inthiscoursewelearnedthatrelyingonadditivestofixsepticsystemproblemsisnotrecommended.
• True• False
_______isdefinedaslivinginthepresenceofoxygen;referstosewage-degradingbacteria(usuallyinthesoil)thatmusthaveoxygentosurvive.
• Aerobic• Anaerobic
_____adeviceinstalledinaseptictankordistributionboxtoslowthevelocityofliquidsandincreasesettlingofsolids;limitsmovementofsolidstotheabsorptionarea.
• Baffle• Berm• Aerator• Stopper
_____boxisdefinedasaconcrete,fiberglass,orplasticboxthatissituatedbetweentheseptictankandabsorptionareatoevenlydistributeeffluentbygravityflowfromtheseptictanktotheabsorptionarea.
• Distribution• Sewage• Scum• Solids
_____istheliquidthatisreleasedtoorfromaseptictankoraerobicunit;raweffluentisthatwhichhasnotbeentreatedinanyway;treatedeffluentisthatwhichhasgonethroughaseptictank,aerobicunit,orabsorptionarea.
• Effluent• Sewage• Clearwater• Septic
T/F:Asanitaryteeisabaffle.
• True• False
_____referstotheaccumulatedsolidsthatsettletothebottomofaseptictank.
• Sludge• Scum
_____referstothehumanandhouseholdwastedischargedthroughthehomeplumbingsystem,orsewage.
• Wastewater• Effluent• Liquidflow• Solids
Homeowner'sGuidetoSepticSystemsAHomeowner’sGuidetoSepticSystemsYOURSEPTICSYSTEMISYOURRESPONSIBILITY
Didyouknowthatasahomeowneryou’reresponsibleformaintainingyoursepticsystem?Didyouknowthatmaintainingyoursepticsystemprotectsyourinvestmentinyourhome?Didyouknowthatyoushouldperiodicallyinspectyoursystemandpumpoutyourseptictank?
Ifproperlydesigned,constructedandmaintained,yoursepticsystemcanprovidelong-term,effectivetreatmentofhouseholdwastewater.Ifyoursepticsystemisn’tmaintained,youmightneedtoreplaceit,costingyouthousandsofdollars.Amalfunctioningsystemcancontaminategroundwaterthatmightbeasourceofdrinkingwater.Andifyousellyourhome,yoursepticsystemmustbeingoodworkingorder.
Thisguidewillhelpyoucareforyoursepticsystem.Itwillhelpyouunderstandhowyoursystemworksandwhatstepsyoucantakeasahomeownertoensureyoursystemwillworkproperly.Tohelpyoulearnmore,consulttheresourceslistedatthebackofthisbooklet.
TopFourThingsYouCanDotoProtectYourSepticSystem
1. Regularlyinspectyoursystemandpumpyourtankasnecessary.2. Usewaterefficiently.3. Don’tdisposeofhouseholdhazardouswastesinsinksortoilets.4. Careforyourdrainfield.
Howdoesasepticsystemwork?
Components
Atypicalsepticsystemhasfourmaincomponents:apipefromthehome,aseptictank,adrainfieldandthesoil.Microbesinthesoildigestorremovemostcontaminantsfromwastewaterbeforeiteventuallyreachesgroundwater.
Pipefromthehome
Allofyourhouseholdwastewaterexitsyourhomethroughapipetotheseptictank.
Septictank
Theseptictankisaburied,watertightcontainertypicallymadeofconcrete,fiberglass,orpolyethylene.Itholdsthewastewaterlongenoughtoallowsolidstosettleout(formingsludge)andoilandgreasetofloattothesurface(asscum).Italsoallowspartialdecompositionofthesolidmaterials.CompartmentsandaT-shapedoutletintheseptictankpreventthesludgeandscumfromleavingthetankandtravelingintothedrainfieldarea.Screensarealsorecommendedtokeepsolidsfromenteringthedrainfield.
Newertanksgenerallyhaveriserswithlidsatthegroundsurfacetoalloweasylocation,inspection,andpumpingofthetank.
Septicsystemaliases:
• On-lotsystem• Onsitesystem• Individualsewagedisposalsystem• Onsitesewagedisposalsystem• Onsitewastewatertreatmentsystem
Tip
Topreventbuildup,sludgeandfloatingscumneedtoberemovedthroughperiodicpumpingoftheseptictank.Regularinspectionsandpumpingarethebestandcheapestwaytokeepyoursepticsystemingoodworkingorder.
FindingYourSystem
Yourseptictank,drainfield,andreservedrainfieldshouldbeclearlydesignatedonthe“as-built”drawingforyourhome.(An“as-built”drawingisalinedrawingthataccuratelyportraysthebuildingsonyourpropertyandisusuallyfiledinyourlocallandrecords.)Youmightalsoseelidsormanholecoversforyourseptictank.Oldertanksareoftenhardtofindbecausetherearenovisibleparts.Aninspector/pumpercanhelpyoulocateyoursepticsystemifyourseptictankhasnorisers.
Drainfield
Thewastewaterexitstheseptictankandisdischargedintothedrainfieldforfurthertreatmentbythesoil.Thepartiallytreatedwastewaterispushedalongintothedrainfieldforfurthertreatmenteverytimenewwastewaterentersthetank.
Ifthedrainfieldisoverloadedwithtoomuchliquid,itwillflood,causingsewagetoflowtothegroundsurfaceorcreatebackupsinplumbingfixturesandpreventtreatmentofallwastewater.
Areservedrainfield,requiredbymanystates,isanareaonyourpropertysuitableforanewdrainfieldsystemifyourcurrentdrainfieldfails.Treatthisareawiththesamecareasyoursepticsystem.
Soil
Septictankwastewaterflowstothedrainfield,whereitpercolatesintothesoil,whichprovidesfinaltreatmentbyremovingharmfulbacteria,viruses,andnutrients.Suitablesoilisnecessaryforsuccessfulwastewatertreatment.
Alternativesystems
Becausemanyareasdon’thavesoilssuitablefortypicalsepticsystems,youmighthaveorneedanalternativesystem.Youmightalsohaveorneedanalternativesystemiftherearetoomanytypicalsepticsystemsinoneareaorthesystemsaretooclosetogroundwaterorsurfacewaters.Alternativesepticsystemsusenewtechnologytoimprovetreatmentprocessesandmightneedspecialcareandmaintenance.Somealternativesystemsusesand,peat,orplasticmediainsteadofsoiltopromotewastewatertreatment.Othersystemsmightusewetlands,lagoons,aerators,ordisinfectiondevices.Floatswitches,pumps,andotherelectricalormechanicalcomponentsareoftenusedinalternativesystems.Alternativesystemsshouldbeinspectedannually.Checkwithyourlocalhealthdepartmentorinstallerformoreinformationonoperationandmaintenanceneedsifyouhaveorneedanalternativesystem.
WhyshouldImaintainmysepticsystem?
Whensepticsystemsareproperlydesigned,constructed,andmaintained,theyeffectivelyreduceoreliminatemosthumanhealthorenvironmentalthreatsposedbypollutantsinhouseholdwastewater.However,theyrequireregularmaintenanceortheycanfail.Septicsystemsneedtobemonitoredtoensurethattheyworkproperlythroughouttheirservicelives.
Savingmoney
Akeyreasontomaintainyoursepticsystemistosavemoney!Failingsepticsystemsareexpensivetorepairorreplace,andpoormaintenanceisoftentheculprit.Havingyoursepticsysteminspectedregularlyisabargainwhenyouconsiderthecostofreplacingtheentiresystem.Yoursystemwillneedpumpingdependingonhowmanypeopleliveinthehouseandthesizeofthesystem.Anunusablesepticsystemoroneindisrepairwillloweryourpropertyvalueandcouldposealegalliability.
Protectinghealthandtheenvironment
Othergoodreasonsforsafetreatmentofsewageincludepreventingthespreadofinfectionanddiseaseandprotectingwaterresources.Typicalpollutantsinhouseholdwastewaterarenitrogen,phosphorus,anddisease-causingbacteriaandviruses.Ifasepticsystemisworkingproperly,itwilleffectivelyremovemostofthesepollutants.
Withone-fourthofU.S.homesusingsepticsystems,morethan4billiongallonsofwastewaterperdayisdispersedbelowtheground’ssurface.Inadequatelytreatedsewagefromsepticsystemscanbeacauseofgroundwatercontamination.Itposesasignificantthreattodrinkingwaterandhumanhealthbecauseitcancontaminatedrinkingwaterwellsandcausediseasesandinfectionsinpeopleandanimals.Improperlytreatedsewagethatcontaminatesnearbysurfacewatersalsoincreasesthechanceofswimmerscontractingavarietyofinfectiousdiseases.Theserangefromeyeandearinfectionstoacutegastrointestinalillnessanddiseaseslikehepatitis.
HowdoImaintainmysepticsystem?Inspectandpumpfrequently
Youshouldhaveatypicalsepticsysteminspectedatleastevery3yearsbyaprofessionalandyourtankpumpedasrecommendedbytheinspector(generallyevery3to5years).Alternativesystemswithelectricalfloatswitches,pumps,ormechanicalcomponentsneedtobeinspectedmoreoften,generallyonceayear.Yourserviceprovidershouldinspectforleaksandlookatthescumandsludgelayersinyourseptictank.Ifthebottomofthescumlayeriswithin6inchesofthebottomoftheoutletteeorthetopofthesludgelayeriswithin12inchesoftheoutlettee,yourtankneedstobepumped.Remembertonotethesludgeandscumlevelsdeterminedbyyourserviceproviderinyouroperationandmaintenancerecords.Thisinformationwillhelpyoudecidehowoftenpumpingisnecessary.
Fourmajorfactorsinfluencethefrequencyofpumping:thenumberofpeopleinyourhousehold,theamountofwastewatergenerated(basedonthenumberofpeopleinthehouseholdandtheamountofwaterused),thevolumeofsolidsinthewastewater(forexample,usingagarbagedisposalincreasestheamountofsolids),andseptictanksize.
Somemakersofseptictankadditivesclaimthattheirproductsbreakdownthesludgeinseptictankssothetanksneverneedtobepumped.Noteveryoneagreesontheeffectivenessofadditives.Infact,septictanksalreadycontainthemicrobestheyneedforeffectivetreatment.Periodicpumpingisamuchbetterwaytoensurethatsepticsystemsworkproperlyandprovidemanyyearsofservice.Regardless,everyseptictankrequiresperiodicpumping.
Intheservicereport,thepumpershouldnoteanyrepairscompletedandwhetherthetankisingoodcondition.Ifthepumperrecommendsadditionalrepairsheorshecan’tperform,hiresomeonetomaketherepairsassoonaspossible.
Usewaterefficiently
Averageindoorwateruseinthetypicalsingle-familyhomeisalmost70gallonsperpersonperday.Leakytoiletscanwasteasmuchas200gallonseachday.Themorewaterahouseholdconserves,thelesswaterentersthesepticsystem.Efficientwaterusecanimprovetheoperationofthesepticsystemandreducetheriskoffailure.
• Installhigh-efficiencyshowerheads• Fillthebathtubwithonlyasmuchwaterasyouneed• Turnofffaucetswhileshavingorbrushingyourteeth• Runthedishwasherandwashingmachineonlywhenthey’refull• Usetoiletstoflushsanitarywasteonly(notkittylitter,diapers,orothertrash)• Makesureallfaucetsarecompletelyturnedoffwhennotinuse• Maintainyourplumbingtoeliminateleaks• Installaeratorsinthefaucetsinyourkitchenandbathroom• Replaceolddishwashers,toilets,andclotheswasherswithnew,high-efficiency
models
Formoreinformationonwaterconservation,visithttp://www.epa.gov/watersense/index.html.
High-efficiencytoilets
Toiletuseaccountsfor25to30percentofhouseholdwateruse.Doyouknowhowmanygallonsofwateryourtoiletusestoemptythebowl?Mostolderhomeshavetoiletswith3.5-to5-gallonreservoirs,whilenewerhigh-efficiencytoiletsuse1.6gallonsofwaterorlessperflush.Ifyouhaveproblemswithyoursepticsystembeingfloodedwithhouseholdwater,considerreducingthevolumeofwaterinthetoilettankifyoudon’thaveahigh-efficiencymodelorreplacingyourexistingtoiletswithhigh-efficiencymodels.
Faucetaeratorsandhigh-efficiencyshowerheads
Faucetaeratorshelpreducewateruseandthevolumeofwaterenteringyoursepticsystem.High-efficiencyshowerheadsorshowerflowrestrictorsalsoreducewateruse.
Waterfixtures
Checktomakesureyourtoilet’sreservoirisn’tleakingintothebowl.Addfivedropsofliquidfoodcoloringtothereservoirbeforebed.Ifthedyeisinthebowlthenextmorning,thereservoirisleakingandrepairsareneeded.
Asmalldripfromafaucetaddsmanygallonsofunnecessarywatertoyoursystemeveryday.Toseehowmuchaleakaddstoyourwaterusage,placeacupunderthedripfor10minutes.Multiplytheamountofwaterinthecupby144(thenumberofminutesin24hours,dividedby10).Thisisthetotalamountofcleanwatertravelingtoyoursepticsystemeachdayfromthatlittleleak.
Watchyourdrains
Whatgoesdownthedraincanhaveamajorimpactonhowwellyoursepticsystemworks.
Wastedisposal
Whatshouldn’tyouflushdownyourtoilet?Dentalfloss,femininehygieneproducts,condoms,diapers,cottonswabs,cigarettebutts,coffeegrounds,catlitter,papertowels,andotherkitchenandbathroomitemsthatcanclogandpotentiallydamagesepticsystemcomponentsiftheybecometrapped.Flushinghouseholdchemicals,gasoline,oil,pesticides,antifreeze,andpaintcanstressordestroythebiologicaltreatmenttakingplaceinthesystemormightcontaminatesurfacewatersandgroundwater.Ifyourseptictankpumperisconcernedaboutquicklyaccumulatingscumlayers,reducetheflowoffloatablematerialslikefats,oils,andgreaseintoyourtankorbepreparedtopayformorefrequentinspectionsandpumping.
Washingmachines
Byselectingtheproperloadsize,you’llreducewaterwaste.Washingsmallloadsoflaundryonthelarge-loadcyclewastespreciouswaterandenergy.Ifyoucan’tselectloadsize,runonlyfullloadsoflaundry.
Doingallthehouseholdlaundryinonedaymightseemlikeatime-saver,butitcouldbeharmfultoyoursepticsystem.Doingloadafterloaddoesnotallowyourseptictanktimetoadequatelytreatwastes.Youcouldbefloodingyourdrainfieldwithoutallowingsufficientrecoverytime.Trytospreadwaterusagethroughouttheweek.AnewEnergyStarclotheswasheruses35percentlessenergyand50percentlesswaterthanastandardmodel.
Careforyourdrainfield
Yourdrainfieldisanimportantpartofyoursepticsystem.Hereareafewthingsyoushoulddotomaintainit:
• Plantonlygrassoverandnearyoursepticsystem.Rootsfromnearbytreesorshrubsmightcloganddamagethedrainfield.
• Don’tdriveorparkvehiclesonanypartofyoursepticsystem.Doingsocancompactthesoilinyourdrainfieldordamagethepipes,tank,orothersepticsystemcomponents.
• Keeproofdrains,basementsumppumpdrains,andotherrainwaterorsurfacewaterdrainagesystemsawayfromthedrainfield.Floodingthedrainfieldwithexcessivewaterslowsdownorstopstreatmentprocessesandcancauseplumbingfixturestobackup.
Whatcanmakemysystemfail?
Iftheamountofwastewaterenteringthesystemismorethanthesystemcanhandle,thewastewaterbacksupintothehouseoryardandcreatesahealthhazard.
Youcansuspectasystemfailurenotonlywhenafoulodorisemittedbutalsowhenpartiallytreatedwastewaterflowsuptothegroundsurface.Bythetimeyoucansmellorseeaproblem,however,thedamagemightalreadybedone.
Bylimitingyourwateruse,youcanreducetheamountofwastewateryoursystemmusttreat.Whenyouhaveyoursysteminspectedandpumpedasneeded,youreducethechanceofsystemfailure.
Asysteminstalledinunsuitablesoilscanalsofail.Otherfailurerisksincludetanksthatareinaccessibleformaintenance,drainfieldsthatarepavedorparkedon,andtreerootsordefectivecomponentsthatinterferewiththetreatmentprocess.
Failuresymptoms
Themostobvioussepticsystemfailuresareeasytospot.Checkforpoolingwaterormuddysoilaroundyoursepticsystemorinyourbasement.Noticewhetheryourtoiletorsink
backsupwhenyouflushordolaundry.Youmightalsonoticestripsofbrightgreengrassoverthedrainfield.Septicsystemsalsofailwhenpartiallytreatedwastewatercomesintocontactwithgroundwater.Thistypeoffailureisnoteasytodetect,butitcanresultinthepollutionofwells,nearbystreams,orotherbodiesofwater.Checkwithasepticsystemprofessionalandthelocalhealthdepartmentifyoususpectsuchafailure.
FailurecausesHouseholdtoxics
Doessomeoneinyourhouseusetheutilitysinktocleanoutpaintrollersorflushtoxiccleaners?Oil-basedpaints,solvents,andlargevolumesoftoxiccleanersshouldnotenteryoursepticsystem.Evenlatexpaintcleanupwasteshouldbeminimized.Squeezeallexcesspaintandstainfrombrushesandrollersonseverallayersofnewspaperbeforerinsing.Leftoverpaintsandwoodstainsshouldbetakentoyourlocalhouseholdhazardouswastecollectioncenter.Rememberthatyoursepticsystemcontainsalivingcollectionoforganismsthatdigestandtreatwaste.
Householdcleaners
Forthemostpart,yoursepticsystem’sbacteriashouldrecoverquicklyaftersmallamountsofhouseholdcleaningproductshaveenteredthesystem.Ofcourse,somecleaningproductsarelesstoxictoyoursystemthanothers.Labelscanhelpkeyyouintothepotentialtoxicityofvariousproducts.Theword“Danger”or“Poison”onalabelindicatesthattheproductishighlyhazardous.“Warning”tellsyoutheproductismoderatelyhazardous.“Caution”meanstheproductisslightlyhazardous.(“Nontoxic”and“SepticSafe”aretermscreatedbyadvertiserstosellproducts.)Regardlessofthetypeofproduct,useitonlyintheamountsshownonthelabelinstructionsandminimizetheamountdischargedintoyoursepticsystem.
Hottubs
Hottubsareagreatwaytorelax.Unfortunately,yoursepticsystemwasnotdesignedtohandlelargequantitiesofwaterfromyourhottub.Emptyinghottubwaterintoyoursepticsystemstirsthesolidsinthetankandpushesthemoutintothedrainfield,causingittoclogandfail.Drainingyourhottubintoasepticsystemoroverthedrainfieldcanoverloadthesystem.Instead,draincooledhottubwaterontoturforlandscapedareaswellawayfromtheseptictankanddrainfield,andinaccordancewithlocalregulations.Usethesamecautionwhendrainingyourswimmingpool.
Waterpurificationsystems
Somefreshwaterpurificationsystems,includingwatersofteners,unnecessarilypumpwaterintothesepticsystem.Thiscancontributehundredsofgallonsofwatertotheseptictank,causingagitationofsolidsandexcessflowtothedrainfield.Checkwithyourlicensedplumbingprofessionalaboutalternativeroutingforsuchfreshwatertreatmentsystems.
Garbagedisposals
Eliminatingtheuseofagarbagedisposalcanreducetheamountofgreaseandsolidsenteringtheseptictankandpossiblycloggingthedrainfield.Agarbagedisposalgrindsup
kitchenscraps,suspendstheminwater,andsendsthemixturetotheseptictank.Onceintheseptictank,someofthematerialsarebrokendownbybacterialaction,butmostofthegrindingshavetobepumpedoutofthetank.Usingagarbagedisposalfrequentlycansignificantlyincreasetheaccumulationofsludgeandscuminyourseptictank,resultingintheneedformorefrequentpumping.
Improperdesignorinstallation
Somesoilsprovideexcellentwastewatertreatment;othersdon’t.Forthisreason,thedesignofthedrainfieldofasepticsystemisbasedontheresultsofsoilanalysis.Homeownersandsystemdesignerssometimesunderestimatethesignificanceofgoodsoilsorbelievesoilscanhandleanyvolumeofwastewaterappliedtothem.Manyfailurescanbeattributedtohavinganundersizeddrainfieldorhighseasonalgroundwatertable.Undersizedseptictanks—anotherdesignfailure—allowsolidstoclogthedrainfieldandresultinsystemfailure.
Ifaseptictankisn’twatertight,watercanleakintoandoutofthesystem.Usually,waterfromtheenvironmentleakingintothesystemcauseshydraulicoverloading,taxingthesystembeyonditscapabilitiesandcausinginadequatetreatmentandsometimessewagetoflowuptothegroundsurface.Waterleakingoutoftheseptictankisasignificanthealthhazardbecausetheleakingwastewaterhasnotyetbeentreated.
Evenwhensystemsareproperlydesigned,failuresduetopoorinstallationpracticescanoccur.Ifthedrainfieldisnotproperlyleveled,wastewatercanoverloadthesystem.Heavyequipmentcandamagethedrainfieldduringinstallation,whichcanleadtosoilcompactionandreducethewastewaterinfiltrationrate.Andifsurfacedrainageisn’tdivertedawayfromthefield,itcanflowintoandsaturatethedrainfield.
SepticSystemDosandDon’ts
(adaptedfromNationalSmallFlowsClearinghouse)
Dos
• Doaskyourinspectorifyoursystemcanhandleyourgarbagedisposalgrinder.• Doconservewater.Puttingtoomuchwaterintothesystemcaneventuallyleakto
systemfailure.• Dorepairleakyfaucetsortoilets,andinstallhigh-efficiencyfixtures.• Doavoidlongshowers.• Docleanthetoilets,sinks,showers,andtubswithamilddetergentorbakingsoda
insteadofcommercial-gradecleanersandlaundrydetergents.• Doaskyourinspectoraboutallowingthewatersoftenertobackflushintotheseptic
system.• Dokeeprecordsofrepairs,pumpings,inspections,permitsissued,andothersystem
maintenanceactivities.
• Dokeepasketchofyoursystemincludingmeasurementsfromtwopointsonthehouse.
• Dohaveyoursepticsysteminspectedandpumpedaspartofaregularhomemaintenanceplan.
• Dohaveonlygrassoveryoursepticsystem.Rootsfromnearbytreesorshrubscouldcauseproblemsfortheabsorptionarea.
• Domakesurethataconcreteriserisinstalledoverthetankiftheopeningisnotwithin12inchesofthesurface,providingeasyaccessformeasuringandpumpingthetank.
Don’ts
• Don’tuseyoursepticsystemlikeatrashcan.Don’tputdentalfloss,femininehygieneproducts,condoms,diapers,cottonswabs,cigarettebutts,coffeegrounds,catlitter,papertowels,latexpaint,pesticides,orotherhazardouschemicalsintoyoursystem.
• Don’tusecommercial-gradedraincleanerstoclearacloggeddrain.Instead,useboilingwateroradrainsnaketoopenclogs.
• Don’tallowsurfacewatertoflowoverthetankorabsorptionarea.• Don’tdriveheavyequipment,trucksorvehiclesoveranypartofyoursepticsystem.
Doingsocancompactthesoilinyourdrainfieldordamagethepipes,tank,orothersepticsystemcomponents.
• Don’tdigintheabsorptionarea.
Adaptedfromthepublicdocumentslocatedatwww.epa.gov/owm/septic/pubs.
QuizT/F:Whensepticsystemsareproperlydesigned,constructed,andmaintained,theyeffectivelyreduceoreliminatemosthumanhealthorenvironmentalthreatsposedbypollutantsinhouseholdwastewater.
• True• False
Emptyingthe_____tubwaterintothesepticsystemstirsthesolidsinthetankandpushesthemoutintothedrainfield,causingittoclogandfail.
• hot• laundry• bath• shower
T/F:Eliminatingtheuseofagarbagedisposalcanreducetheamountofgreaseandsolidsenteringtheseptictankandpossiblycloggingthedrainfield.
• True• False