SEPTIC SYSTEMS. A Primer & Training

Transcription

1 SEPTIC SYSTEMS A Primer & Training

2 WARNING! Be aware that his training includes photos that some my consider to be yucky or gross. Feel free to turn your attention away from the monitor if you are bothered by the images. View at your own risk!

3 What is a Septic System? The purpose of a Septic System, officially known as an Individual Subsurface Sewage Disposal System, is to protect the environment by treating wastewater from residential or commercial buildings, where public sanitary sewers are not available. In general, a contemporary septic system consists of two basic units; an underground septic tank, and a soil absorption area or drainage field.

4 Septic System Regulations The design, construction and operation of septic systems in New Jersey is governed by the Standards of Individual Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems, N.J.A.C. 7:9A, also known as Chapter 199. Local (municipal or county) Health Departments are responsible for enforcement of Chapter 199 throughout the state. Plans for septic systems for new homes, additions, or septic system repairs must be approved by the local Health Department and permits for construction issued.

5 The Basic Septic System The Septic Tank & Drainage Field

6 SCARC Programs with Basic Septic Systems Administration Building Beemerhill GH Clearview GH Franklin GH Fredon GH Hampton GH Hardyston GH Lafayette GH Sparta GH Stanhope GH Valcourt GH Vernon GH Wantage GH Warbasse GH

7 THE SEPTIC TANK is a buried, watertight container typically made of concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene. It s purpose is to hold the wastewater long enough to allow solids to settle out, forming a sludge layer on the tank bottom, and oil and grease to float to the surface, forming a scum layer. Compartments and a T shaped outlets prevent sludge and scum from leaving the tank and traveling into the drainage field.

8 How does a Septic Tank treat wastewater? Solids in the waste settle to the bottom of the tank where digestion through microbial action occurs. Baffles prevent solids from leaving the tank and reaching the drainage field. Septic tanks need to be routinely pumped, which are tracked and scheduled by the Facilities Office.

9 THE DRAINAGE FIELD consists of a series of perforated pipes laid in a filter media of gravel and/or sand. The field receives the wastewater that exits the septic tank for further treatment as is flows through the filter media and the soil beneath the field.

10 How does a Drainage Field treat wastewater? Effluent form the septic tank is distributed through the drainage field piping system then seeps by gravity through the filter media (gravel and/or sand) and continues through the natural soil. The media and soil each help to remove impurities and so purified water reaches the ground water table.

11 Why Do Some Septic Systems Have Pumps? Most septic system flow by gravity:

12 Why Do Some Septic Systems Have Pumps? Pumps are needed when the drainage field is higher than the septic tank.

13 SCARC Programs with Pump Septic Systems Frankford GH Hampton Community Center Seniors/Sparta Center Stillwater GH

14 Why some homes do not have a Septic System? If a residence is located within a close proximity to a public regional sanitary sewerage system, New Jersey law requires that the residence be connected to the sanitary sewer system rather than to an individual septic system.

15 SCARC Programs Connected to Sanitary Sewers Branchville GH Heritage Foods Hillside GH Holly GH Lenape GH (Pump) Newton GH Sussex GH To protect their drains and the environment, these programs should follow the same guidelines for septic systems as to what not to flush and what not to pour down the drain!

16 Be Nice To Your Septic System! If constructed correctly and maintained properly, a septic system can function for many years. To extend the life, the follow these recommendations: Use water efficiently to avoid overloading the septic system. Submit maintenance requests for leaky faucets and toilets. Use commercial bathroom cleaners and laundry detergents in moderation. Do not repeatedly use caustic drain openers for a clogged drain. Call the Facilities Office instead.

17 Be Nice To Your Septic System! Only flush toilet paper with waste. DO NOT FLUSH SANITIZING WIPES! Throw them in the trash!

18 Be Nice To Your Septic System! Don t pour oil or grease down the drain! Pour it into an old milk carton or paper coffee cup and discard in the trash. Wipe grease from the pan with paper towels and discard in the trash.

19 Be Nice To Your Septic System! Use only single ply septic friendly toilet paper. It breaks down quickly and is less likely to clog pipes and pumps.

20 Drain & Septic Problems... Yuck! When your drains & septic system fail to function:

21 Nobody wants to deal with this!

22 Septic repairs are very inconvenient, and expensive! Just ask Hardyston GH. Hardyston GH Septic drainage field replaced in 2016 at a cost of $29,400 for pump-outs, engineering plans, permits and construction.

23 What Happens when oil & grease are poured down the drain? Pipes get clogged! Grease accumulates in the septic tank!

24 What Happens when wipes are flushed? Wipes clog pipes and septic tanks and damage pumps! Hampton Center Pump replacements March $5000 Pump Wipes

25 Treat your Septic properly and it will be good to you! Otherwise,.... Live with the alternative......

26 The Alternative!

27 For more information... Visit the Sussex County Division of Health website at: