Small Community Wastewater Issues Explained to …

1 FALL 2004. Vol. 15, No. 4. Small Community Wastewater Issues Explained to the Public Maintaining Your Septic System A Guide For Homeowners uried beneath your have a significant impact on how B back yard, it is out there constantly working. When you're at work, it is working. well it works and how long it lasts, and in most communities, septic system maintenance is the responsibility of the homeowner. When you're eating dinner, it Preventing groundwater pollution Why Maintain Your System continues working. And when There are three main reasons from failing septic systems should you're sleeping, it's still out there why septic system maintenance is be a priority for every Community in the dark working. What is so important.

2 The first reason is and every homeowner. Contam- it? Your septic system. It may be money. Failing septic systems are ination of the groundwater source the most overlooked and under- expensive to repair or replace, can lead to the pollution of local valued utility in your home; but and improper maintenance by wells, streams, lakes, and ponds . with proper care and mainte- homeowners is a common cause exposing family, friends, and nance, your septic system can of early system failure. The mini- neighbors to waterborne diseases continue to work for you for at mal amount of preventative and other serious health risks. least 25 to 30 years. maintenance that septic systems When a septic system fails, require costs very little in com- If you are like most homeowners, inadequately treated domestic parison to the cost of a new you probably never give much waste can reach the groundwater.

3 System. For example, it typically thought to what happens when Bacteria and viruses from human costs from $3,000 to $10,000 to waste goes down your drain. But waste can cause dysentery, hepa- replace a failing septic system, if you rely on a septic system to titis, and typhoid fever. Many compared to $100 to $300 aver- treat and dispose of your house- serious outbreaks of these diseases age per year costs to have a septic hold Wastewater , what you don't have been caused by contaminat- system routinely pumped and know can hurt you. ed drinking water. inspected. Proper operation and mainte- Nitrates and phosphates, also The second and most important nance of your septic system can found in domestic Wastewater , reason to properly maintain your can cause excessive algae growth system is the health of your family, What's in lakes and streams called algal blooms.

4 These blooms cause aes- your Community , and the envi- ronment. When septic systems thetic problems and impair other fail, inadequately treated house- Maintaining Your Septic aquatic life. Nitrate is also the hold Wastewater is released into What Not to cause of methemoglobinemia, or the environment. Any contact blue baby syndrome, a condition with untreated human waste can M o d e rn Appliances that Affect that prevents the normal uptake pose a significant risk to public Septic Systems ..5. of oxygen in the blood of young health. Untreated Wastewater How Your Septic System babies. from failing septic systems can In addition, a failing septic system contaminate nearby wells, Use Water Wisely All Around the House ..6 can lead to unpleasant symptoms, groundwater, and drinking water such as pungent odors and soggy sources.

5 Septic System Dos and Don'ts ..7. lawns. Related Products ..8. Maintenance Chemicals improperly disposed Water Use Around The Home of through a septic system also can pollute local water sources and can contribute to early system failures. For this reason it is important for homeowners to educate themselves about what can and what cannot be 45% Toilets disposed of through a septic system. 30% Bathing A third reason to maintain your Laundry & Dishes 20%. septic system is to maintain the economic health of your com- munity. Failing septic systems Drinking & Cooking 5%. can cause property values to decline. Sometimes building permits cannot be issued for How to Maintain Your System locate the buried piping. Once these properties.

6 Also, failing Septic system maintenance is the system components are septic systems may contribute to often compared to automobile found, be sure to sketch a map the pollution of local rivers, maintenance because only a and keep it on hand to save time lakes, and shoreline that your little effort on a regular basis on future service visits. Community uses for commercial can save a lot of money and 2. Uncovering the manhole or recreational activities. significantly prolong the life and inspection ports. of the system. This may require some digging in Annual inspections of your the yard. If they are buried, it septic system are recommended will help future inspections if to ensure that it is working prop- elevated access covers or risers erly and to determine when the are installed to make it easier to septic tank should be pumped.

7 Access the ports and manhole. Systems that have moving parts 3. Checking connections. may require more frequent Flushing the toilets, running water inspections. By having your in the sinks, running the washing Pipeline is published quarterly by the system inspected and pumped machine through a cycle will help National Environmental Services Center regularly, you can prevent the at West Virginia University, to determine if the household Box 6064, Morgantown, WV 26506-6064 high cost of septic system failure. plumbing is all going to the Pipeline is funded through a grant from the A professional contractor can do system and working correctly. Environmental Protection Agency a thorough inspection of the Washington, 4. Measuring the scum and Steve Hogye Project Officer entire system and check for sludge layers.

8 Municipal Support Division cracked pipes and the condition The inspector will measure the Office of Wastewater Management of the tees or baffles and other National Small Flows Clearinghouse scum and sludge layers with spe- West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV. parts of the system. cial tools inserted through the Rick Phalunas IED A thorough septic system inspec- inspection port. A proper inspec- Marilyn Noah Editor tion will also include a visual Jennifer Hause Technical Advisor tion will include the following Ed Winant PE Technical Advisor steps: observation of the scum and John Fekete Senior Graphic Designer sludge layers. (The sludge layer is Jamie Bouquot Graphic Designer 1. Locating the system. Permission to quote from or reproduce articles in the heavier solids that have set- Even a professional may have this publication is granted when due acknowledgement is given.)

9 Tled down to the bottom of the Please send a copy of the publication in which information trouble locating the system if the was used to the Pipeline editor at the address above. tank. The scum layer is made up access to your tank is buried. One of grease and light solids that way to start looking is to go in float near the top of the tank.). an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution the basement and determine the ISSN 1060-0043 direction the sewer pipe goes out If the sludge depth is equal to The contents of this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does the mention of trade names through the wall. Back outside, one third or more of the liquid or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

10 Printed on recycled paper the inspector will use an insulated depth, the tank should be probe inserted into the soil to pumped. Also, the tank needs to 2. PIPELINE Fall 2004; , No. 4 National Environmental Services Center (800) 624-8301 or (304) 293-4191. Maintenance be pumped when it is 1/3 full. distribution box, drop box, or field, this could clog and strain See the table below for estimated pump, these need to be the system to the point where a pumping frequencies. But be checked too. new drainfield will be needed. aware it is most prudent to con- How often the tank needs to be Recordkeeping duct regular inspections and pumped depends on the tank It is very important to keep a pump when the inspection says size, the number of people living detailed record of all inspections, the tank needs to be pumped.