Managing Innovative Onsite Wastewater Treatment at the Local Level

Transcription

1 Managing Innovative Onsite Wastewater Treatment at the Local Level Denitrification RCN Workshop Denitrification in Managed Ecosystems May 12, 29 Lorraine Joubert, RI NEMO University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension

2 Contacts RI Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials Lorraine Joubert, Program Director Lisa D. Philo, Communication Specialist Dr. Art Gold, Hydrology Professor and Director Cooperative Extension Water Quality Program University of Rhode Island, Kingston RI

3 Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials RI NEMO provides training and technical support to local decision makers in evaluating and managing impacts of land use on local water resources. RI NEMO is part of the University of Rhode Island s Cooperative Extension Water Quality Program

4 New England Onsite Wastewater Training Center at URI George Loomis, Director David Kalen, Manager Web: Call us at

5 Topics in local use and management of alternative systems Early challenges Building blocks for local management Where we are / what we ve learned A community effort to protect, recycle and sustain local water resources

6 RI south shore coastal ponds and watersheds focus of N research in early 198s

7 Watershed issues Totally unsewered watersheds. OWTS identified as major source of N to coastal ponds Substandard systems & cesspools 8 houses / acre on shallow wells Very permeable unconfined aquifers Groundwater contamination risk Shellfish closures due to bacteria.

8 Conventional solution - fill systems meet vertical separation and perimeter setbacks Reinforced need for large lots and/or retaining walls Altered stormwater flow Changed character of neighborhood

9 Alternative systems Site Conditions only repair option on many sites PL PL 5, sq. ft. lots 3-5 ft. well setbacks Shallow water tables Wet soils Limited buffers and access / space

10 Early Concerns about alternative systems 1. System function and reliability 2. Effect of seasonal use and cold weather 3. Can you trust inspectors? 4. Who are you going to call when it fails? 5. Ability of state staff to oversee. 6. Town capacity to manage keep it simple 7. Minimize town bureaucracy and costs 8. Homeowner resistance.

11 Topics in local use and management of alternative systems Early challenges Building blocks for local management Where we are / what we ve learned A community effort to protect, recycle and sustain local water resources

12 Basic elements of a local wastewater management program 1. Needs Assessment and Plan 2. Public education 3. Financial incentives 4. Inventory and tracking database 5. Inspection, maintenance and repair ordinance 6. Phase out cesspools 7. Siting and treatment standards A community effort to protect, recycle and sustain local water resources

13 State Support for local management 1. Strong State Enabling Legislation for Wastewater Management Districts (1987) Authorizes the establishment of wastewater management districts for inspection and maintenance. 2. Landmark Zoning Enabling Legislation (1991) Promotes innovative land management techniques, such as watershed-based treatment standards.

14 3. RIDEM Technical and Financial Support Community Septic System Loan Fund. Grants to cities and towns to develop wastewater plans (Section 319 Grants). Septic System Check-Up: The RI Handbook for Inspection. Procedure for review and approval of innovative technologies through Technical Review Committee. Designer, siting, and inspection certification.

15 DEM Local Wastewater Management Planning Grants 29 out of 39 towns participate. >5% of towns have a wwmgt program or are preparing a plan. At least 7 of these have a mandatory inspection program

16 URI Cooperative Extension Research-based training and technical support 1. Construct and monitor performance of >5 demonstration systems 2. Hands-on training for RIICA installers. 3. Soils research supporting site suitability assessment. 4. Technical support in local wastewater management program development. 5. Ongoing training for licensed professionals, installers, inspectors and others. 6. Worked with Carmody Data Systems to set up web-accessed tracking database.

17 Topics in local use and management of alternative systems Early challenges Building blocks for local management Where we are / what we ve learned A community effort to protect, recycle and sustain local water resources

18 Technology Lessons PL

19 Types of IA systems installed 25 total RUCK ATUs Single pass sand filters Recirc. sand filters Early textile filters Foam biofilters Shallow narrow pres. drainfields Bottomless sand filters - early Modular peat filters Textile filters Fixed activated sludge systems Bottomless sand filters current Denite upflow filters Trickling filters UV disinfection Soil treatment area renovation technologies

20 Rhode Island standard for nitrogen reducing technologies: TN concentration : less than or equal to 19 mg/l and Percent TN reduction : greater than or equal to 5 % reduction

21 Summary what factors appear to influence technology use in RI? Nitrogen and pathogen reduction Stable and reliable treatment and operation time dosing, surge protection, flow equalization Footprint one tank, drainfield size reduction Modularity, transportability Low energy use Timers, controls, telemetry - proactive management Shallow placement of soil treatment areas

22 Technology IA System Approvals per Year To 3/3 3/4 3/5 2/6 1/7 2/8 1/9 TOTALS 3/2 Advnt. AX Bot. Sand Filt FAST SN Drainfield Nor. Singulair Inflt. Chmbr SP Sand Filter Recirc. S. F

23 IA System Approvals per Year continued Technology To 3/3 3/4 3/5 2/6 1/7 2/8 1/9 TOTALS 3/2 Ultrav. Light RUCK Bioclere Comp. Toilet Waterloo Bio Advnt AX Puraflo peat White Knight 3 3

24 Management Lessons

25 Comprehensive programs adopted in 3 Demonstration Project Communities All septic system owners must have their systems regularly inspected by and maintained as needed. Failing systems must be replaced. Alternative systems must have maintenance contracts Cesspools phased out over time- generally 5 years after 1st inspection or within 1 year of property transfer. Compliance with inspections range from 82% - 98%

26 Tracking Inspection and Maintenance Results The Rhode Island Wastewater Information System (RIWIS) is a web-accessed statewide database for community wastewater management supported by Carmody, Inc. Now Free to RI municipalities To learn more contact Scott Carmody: CarmodyTM Tel: Carmody Website: RIWIS web:

27 Benefits exported to other RI communities Other towns are following suit. New programs are affordable - $35/ yr supports ½ staff in Jamestown. More than 3 million in septic system repair loan funds secured through 26 in state. Several rural towns setting up programs focusing on I/A system maintenance. Alternative systems used to support more compact Smart Growth development.

28 Final lessons Towns with strong wwmgt programs: Have clear motivation to protect local water resources, maintain property values. Use Inspection reports to provide feedback for management. Enforcement varies based on public education and political will. Current challenge controlling development of marginal land using alternative systems.

29 Thank you to our funding agencies and partners U.S. Environmental Protection Agency The towns of South Kingstown, New Shoreham and Charlestown, Rhode Island

30 Resources at Contacts: Lorraine Joubert Tel: Lisa DeProspo Philo Tel: University of Rhode Island, Natural Resources Science