On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems Design Handbook Revisions Individual Residential Wastewater Treatment Systems Design Handbook 1996 New York State Department of Health
OWTS Advisory Committee Formed to provide guidance to DOH on Appendix 75-A and now the Design Handbook Committee members : DOH: LHDs & DOs Conf. of Environmental Health Directors NYSDEC NYCDEP NYSSPE (professional engineers) NYLICA (contractors) Delaware County SWCD Catskill Watershed Corporation NY Onsite Training Network Initial Draft has been sent to Committee
Summary of 75-A Changes Daily Flows: 110 gpd per bedroom Enhanced Treatment Units (ETUs): allow for reduction in trench length or raised system basal area Responsible Management Entity (RME): recognize need for management and maintenance of ETUs (or other) Gravelless systems: allow for reduction trench length for qualifying products Alternate Aggregate: Tire Chips, polystyrene, others to come? Remove: Evapo-transpiration and Engineered Systems, Interim Approval Add: Specific Waivers
Goals of Design Handbook Changes Incorporate Appendix 75-A changes Recognize advancements in products; Wastewater treatment and Water conservation Recognize changes in engineering Practice Recognize changes in construction Practice Provide guidance on system management ETUs, RMEs, Local Sanitary Codes Provide guidance on Specific Waivers Figures & Tables: update, add, remove Provide technical information and basis for design and construction options to aid decision making
Advancements in products Gravelless Absorption Systems
Advancements in products Enhanced Treatment Units (ETUs) PEAT FILTER Aerobic and Media Unit Aerobic Treatment Unit TEXTILE FILTER
Standard 40 (BOD/TSS) and Standard 245 (nitrates) Infiltration and exfiltration resistance Stress tests: wash, vacation, working parent, power loss Noise level Mechanical components: no periodic maintenance or adjustment during testing Access ports for maintenance & sampling Failure sensing and signaling (audible and visual) Two-year initial service policy with purchase Two-year limited warranty Manuals: owner's, installation, O&M, repair
Responsible Management Entity (RME) A legal entity with the requisite managerial, financial and technical capacity to ensure long-term management of residential wastewater treatment systems. RMEs may include: sewer districts, utilities, municipal authorities or other entities with the authority to enforce and the capacity to finance the long-term operation and maintenance requirements necessary to ensure residential wastewater treatment systems are functioning properly. Management in NY: Keuka Lake Skaneateles Lake Canandaigua Lake Otsego Lake Schuyler County Putnam County Septic Repair Program Catskill Watershed Corporation Repair Program LHDs that permit wastewater treatment systems (?) *DOH will Not Approve RMEs. The RME is responsible for having the Technical & Legal capacity for Implementation
Local Sanitary Code? OWTS Application: Make homeowner and engineer are aware of their responsibilities before construction Maintenance Contracts: Keep current and submit reports or proof of system inspection/maintenance Tracking: System location, type and maintenance status. Online tracking programs and software are available. Enforcement: NOVs, fines, penalties... local court can readily enforce sanitary code
Advancements in products Low Flow(1994): Water conservation faucets/showerheads = 2.5gpm toilets = 1.6 gpf EPA Water Sense: faucets = 1.5 gpm showerheads = 2.0 gpm toilets = 1.28gpf dual flush toilets EPA Energy Star: washers use > 50% less water
Changes in engineering practice TIMED DOSING DUPLEX PUMPS Flout FLOUT CONTROL PANEL PUMP INSERT
Changes in construction practice Soil Stabilization May be stabilized by mechanical compaction in shallow lifts if a sand or sandy loam fill material with a preferred percolation rate of 5-10min/in. Use appropriate soil to avoid freeze-thaw cycle
Alternate Aggregate Materials may be used as substitute for conventional gravel or stone aggregate when it is demonstrated that the material provides the equivalent soil infiltration area and storage volume. Materials shall also maintain structural integrity and be non-degradable by wastewater effluent. TIRE CHIPS POLYSTYRENE
Specific Waivers Deviations from these standards may only be allowed at the discretion of the Department or local health Department in accordance with a specific waiver issued pursuant to Part 75 of this title or a written approval granted by a local health department pursuant to a local sanitary code. SPECIFIC WAIVER APPLICATION FORMS: DOH-4345, Residential On-Site Water Supply Systems - New or Replacement DOH-4346, Residential On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems
Coming Technologies & products? - Drip dispersal - constructed wetlands - Graywater reuse - Bottomless sand filter - Modified mounds treatment & dispersion - Shallow/narrow trenches w/pressure distribution - Septic Tanks: PCANY certification - Recycled Glass as a substitute for sand - Effluent filters with alarms - System tracking & location software - Repair options: microbial inoculators, Soil-Air, retrofit aerators & pump, wireless pump controls - Others?
DEC Wastewater Standards? Being drafted internally by DEC, however, DOH has provided comments. First Draft is expected to be published in the Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB) in November. We will inform the CEHD when it is actually noticed. DOH-DEC MOU is not being re-visited at this time because the principal of the MOU is not changing. i.e.; OWTS review and approval responsibilities Attempt to mimic DOH and DEC standards where possible: separation distances, flows, etc.
Design Handbook Supplement DOH Permitted Facilities Intended to provide condensed design guidance from DEC s standards specifically intended for use for DOH permitted facilities. Typical DOH Facilities Hotels and Motels Campgrounds Restaurants Mobile Home Parks Typical Design Needs: Daily Flow Grease Traps Absorption Area options Separation Distances ETUs? Gravelless Systems?
Jim Meacham Bureau of Water Supply Protection 547 River Street Troy, NY 12180-2216 (518)402-7650 jrm16@health.state.ny.us