HomeMy WebLinkAboutGarbage Disposal Letter - Correspondence - 234 BRIDGES LANE 6/14/2019 ii IIIfIII�'�r
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HealthNorth Andover
Comniunjlty and Efonomic Development Division
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June , 219'
Address: 23 Bridges Lane
All North Andover Residents with Septic,Systems and Garbage isposals
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Please note that due �review Title 5 Report, your �.�� I � � I �� �� �i i � �
maintaining�a w rtrung garbage disposal teat GIs being used in j �.i with.a,septic system.
The Health Department sconcerned r the longevity of your septic system.
Gal-bage disposalsr never ec mi-vended where se fi systems are used, but i �they :*
tiled, the system must be specitically designed to handlethe waste from them" your system
can not handle the waste as designed., Please note that,continued use of this, disposal could
quickly cause a pre-mature failure of your septic system,, resulting in a legs expenditure
replace it. The Noah Andover Health Department,recommends 'that you remove it from your
home as, soon as possible.
Some inforination regarding regular,maintenance your septic system. is attached. Please call
the Health, Department at 978.68,8.9540 if you have any questions', or e-mail your questions to:
healthdep,t,(('jnlorth.andiovgn a.goy.
Thank.you for taking the time to consider the impact that your current setup has on your se
ptic
system and the environment.
Sincerely,
00,
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-ian L,aGrassel, CENT
Director ofic Health,
Andover,120 Main Street, North Massachusetts
Phone . -. "' .north n
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caring tor your Septic Systemn.
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Guide for Homeowners
Caring for Your Septic System
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Septic Systems Explained
Septic systems are individual wastewater treatment systems (conventional septic systems,
in ati e alter at + I/A) systems, r cesspools) that use the solil and bacteria to treat small wastewater
flows, usually from individual urea. They are,typically used in rural or large lot settings where
centralized wastewater treatment(sewer system to a treatment plant) is it r actical are unavailable,.
'There ,r moray types f septic systems in use today. While all systems are indi i a ally designed for each!
site, most systems are based on the same principles.
Conventional Septic System
conventional septic system consists of a septic t ,n ;, a distribution bay and a ]each field.
Your septic s st rn treats your household' wastewater by temporarily holding it in the septic tank where
heavy solids and lighter debris are allowed to separate from the astew ater and bacteria begin to break
everything dawn. The solids sink to the bottom and are ca,lled the sludge layer; the lighter debris such as
hair, oils ,and grease float to the top and are called a scum layer and the wastewater or effluent is left in
the middle. This separation process'with the initial decomposition is known as primary treatment.
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After the partially treated wastewater(effluent) leaves the tank it flows into a distribution box., 'The
distribution box separates this effluent evenly into a network f pipes called septic lines within the lei h
field. Small boles throughout the bottom of a h septic line allow the effluent to slowly drain into gravel
and sand layers where bacteria further treat and purify the effluent., This is known as secondary
treatment. A properlyfunctioning s,le tie system purifies the effluent through prim n secondary
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treatment,and does not pollute the groundwater.,
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Caring for Your SeptiG S,ySteM
(Conventional Septic System, Innovative/Alternative (I/A), Systern, or Clessplool)
The accumulated solids in the bottom of the septic tank should be purnped out every two years to prolong
the, life of your system., Septic systems must be maIntalned regularly to stay working,
Neglect or abuse of your system can cause it to fall. Failing systems, can:
Cause a serious health threat to our family and neighbors,
Degrade the environment, especially, lakes,, streams. and groundwater,
Reduce the value of your property,
0 Be very expensive to repair,r, and'
0 Put thousands of water supply users at risk if you live in a public water supply watershed and fail
to maintain your system..
Be alert to these warning s,igns of a failing, system-,
a sewage su rfaci ng ove r the I ea,c h 'fie Id (es pecia II y after sto rm s),
0 Sewage back-ups in the house,
0 Lush, green growth over the leach field,
0 Slow draining toilets or drains,
0 Sewage odors.
Save one by Maintaining Your Septic System
0 A major reason to, maintainyour septic system is to,save money.. Failing systems are expensive
to repair or replace, and poor maintenance is often the culprit. Preventive maintenance is, a whole
lot cheaper than repair or replacement. For example, it could cost up to $40,000, or more to
replace a,failing system with a new one, compared to approximately $300 to $4010 to have a
systern inspected, and' pumped every couple of years. Maintaining a septic system is, like
maintaining a car'. A small effort on a regular basis,can save a lot of money and significantly
prolong the life of the system.
0 Innovative/Alternative (I/A) systems, although providing more advanced treatment, also, require
more frequent overs,ight and maintenance.
0 Please refer to our Septic Installers list,for,licensed contractors.
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Tips Avoid Trouble
have your tank pumped out and system inspected every 2 years by a ficensed,septic
contractor, If the e tank fills up With an excess of solids, the ast w ter will not have enough, time to settle
in the tank. These excess solids will then pass on to the ]each field, where they will clog the drain line
and soil. More information a in
DO keep a record ef' rn ing inspections, and ether maintenance. Use the back,page of this, brochure to
record maintenance dates.
DO practice water conservation, Repair dripping fauciets and leafing toilets, run washing machines and
d is hwa s,hers only when f ,iI, avoid long shower,, end use water- virtu g features in f u oetsa, s,l! ewer leads
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and toilets, i
O learn the location of your septic system and leech field„ beep a sketch of it bandy for service visits. If'
your system has e flow diverslion valve learn its location, and turn it once a year. Flow di erters can, add
many years to the life of your system.
DO divert roof drains,and surface water from driveway's and hillsides away from the septic system. Keep
sump pumps and house footing drains away from the septic system as well.
DO grow guess or small, plants, (not trees or shrubs) above the septic system to held the drain field in
place. Water conservation through creative landscaping i's a, great way to control excess runeft.
DO use only dditives that,have been allowed for usage in Massachusetts by Mass,DEP. Additives that.
are allowed for use in Massachusetts have been determined not to produce a harmful effect to the
individual system or its components,or to time environment at large.
DO tale leftover hazardous household chemicals, to your approved hazardous waste collection center for
disposal. Use bleach, disinfectants, and drain and toilet bowl cleaners sparingly and in accordance with
product,labels.
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DON'T al'lew anyone to drive or park over any part of the system. The area over the leach field shoi ld be
left undisturbed with only a mowed grass curer,. Roots from nearby trues or shrubs may clog and damage
your septic lines.
DON'T plant trees within 30 feet of your system or park/drive over any part of the system.. Tree rots will
clog your pipes, and heavy vehicles may cause your septic lines to collapse.
DON'T make or allow repairs to your septic system without obtaining the required health department
permit. Use professional licensed contractors when needed.
DON'T use commercial septic tare additives, other than those allowedfor use in Massachusetts, b
l' assDE . These prodU!GtS, usually do not help and some may hurt your system in the long run.
DON'T use chemical solvents to clean the plumbing or septic system. "Miracle"'chemicals will sill
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microorganisms that consume harrnf l wastes. These products can also,cause,groundwater
contamination. 1
DON'T perform excessive laundry loads with your washing machine. Doing load after load does not allow
your septic tank time to adequately treat wastes,and overwhelms the entire systerni with excess
wastewater. You could therefore be flooding your leach field without allowing sufficient recovery time. You
should consult a septic professional to determine the gallon capacity and number of loads per day that
can safely go, into the system.
DON'T use a garbage grinder, garbage disposal or any type ofin s,ink food disposal, which feeds
into the septic system�. If'you do havie one in the house, severely limit its use or remove it. Food' material's
do not break down the same way as wastewater and adding food wastes or other solids severely reduces
your system's capacity, increases,the need to pump the septic tank and ca.ri damage your system.
DON'T use your toilet as a trash can by dumping non-degradable items down your toilet or drains. Also,
don't poison your septic system and the groundwater by pouring harmful' chemicals down the drain., They,
can kill the beneficial bacteria that treat your wastewater. Small amounts of'standard' household cleaners,
drain cleansers, detergents, etc, will be diluted in the tank and' should cause no,damage to the system.
Keep the following material's out of your system:
NOWDEGRADABLES, ITEIVIS,-
Cooking grease, disposable diapers. plastics, dental floss, cigarettes, etc.
POISONS-
Gasoline, oil, paint, paint thinner, pesticides, polyurethane, dyes, disinfectants, antifreeze, etc.
Water Softeners
Many homes or small blusiniesses may decide to install water softeners to address "hard wateC' and the
resulting mineral deposits that build up fromm It, The Title 5, regulations prohibit.water solftener backwash it
reject,wast s from going into a septic system (conventional septic system, I system, or cesspool), iin
any amount.
However, the backwash from water softeners,or from other water purification or filtration devices can be
discharged into a drywell that has been properly designed and is approved by,the local Board of Health.
Backwash is wastewater generated from the cleaning of water and wastewater treatment filtlers,. A drywell
is a pit with open jointed lining or holes that allow infiltration to the surrounding soil.
For more information on having a drywell designed for your home or business, you should contact the
Health Department,