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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPumping Letter - Correspondence - 1565 SALEM STREET 6/18/2019 / qO North Andover Health Department, (omm I 4 l 1i u I unity and fon mi( Developwnt Division i Septile,System Pumpin Records Date: 6/18/19 Address: 1565 Salem St. Condition of system: Heavy sol i tank Dear Owner-, Please septic system dumping r r . date 5/1 19 and received o 19 states that your septic system" , tank had a heavy level solids inside. This can e from. leaking utilities n.the house, a garbage disposal, or other issues. Attach,ed,you will find a, flyer, n Caring for your Septic System. Please read tlu-ough the flyer to learn soin,e of the suggested best practices for caring for your septic system,. If you do have a garbage disposal in your,house, please discontinue its use Immediately. If you hive any questions or,concerns,,please contact the Health Department at t o phone number listed below, Tharde, you for takingthe time e to consider the 'impact this may have on your ,system as well as,the environment. 1 I Stephen Casey,Jr.: Office-. (978) 688 95,40 Caging for your Septic Systems: A Reference Guide for Homeowners t i ._d ...M. _._._ . ...... .. . Page North Andover Health Department, 1600, Osgood Street, Suite 2035 North-Andover, N JIL Laring, tor your septic Sysuekm,: A Reference Guide for Homeowners Caring for Your Septic System Septic Systems Expla,i'ned Septic systems are individual wastewater treatment systems (conventional septic systems, innovative/alternative 1 systems, or cesspools)that use the soil and bacteria to treat small wastewater flows, usually from individual homes. They are typically used 'in rural or largo lot settings whore centralized wastewater treatment siowor system to a treatment plant) is impractical and' unavailable. There are many types of septic systems in use today. 'while all systems are individually designed for each site, rnnst systems are based on the same principles. Conventional Septic System conventional septic system consists of a septic tank, a distribution box and a leach field, Your septic p�c system treats your household wastewater by temporarily holding it in the septic,tank where heavy solids,and lighter debris are allowed to separate from the wastewater and bacteria begin to break. everything down.'The solids sink to,the bottom and are called the sludge layer; the lighter debris such as hair, oils and grease float to the top and are called a sourn lager; and the wastewater or effluent is left in the middle. This separation process with the initial decomposition is known as primary treatment. � - TM �, - .*�+.^ * e rr* ,o. 0;thin � Out) ;-M ,wxy'+ ,9� W + R-.4� a� �� o f r, + rl" w:�,W, Pw fee 77 61 WIN Scilm XOMP I'll r Graf ious0 f 'g 0.5.n!t, to d bobri bak or r, f10 Salle After thie partially treated wastewater(effluent) leaves the tank it flogs into a distribution box. The distribution box separates s this effluent evenly into ,a network of pipes called septic linos within the leach field. Srnall holes thro holut the bottom of each septic lire allow the 'effluent to slowly drain into gravel and sand layers,where bacteria further treatand': purify the effluent. This is known as secondary treatment. A properly functioning septic system purifies the effluent through primary and secondary treatment and does not pollute the groundwater. Caring fir Your Septic System (Conventional Septic System, Inn ti Itern ative (IM) System, or Cesspool) The accumulated solids, in the bottom of the septic tank should be pumped out every two years to prolong the life of your system., Septic systems must be maintained regularly to stay working. NegleGtor'abuse of your system can cause it to fall. Failing systems can, • Cause a serious health thr t to your family and neighbors, • Degrade the environment,, especially,lakes, streams and groundwater, • Reduce the value of your property, a, Be very expens,ive to repair, and 40 Put thousands of water Supply users at risk,if you live, in a, public water supply,watershed and fall to maintain your systern. Be alert,to these warning signs of a falling systern: Sewage surfacing over,the leach field (especially after storms), • Sewage back-ups in the house, • Lush, green growth over the leach field, a. Slow draining toilets or drains,, 46 Sewage odors., Save Money by Ma"Intainling,Your Septic System 16 A,major reason to maintain your septic systern is,to save money. Falling systems are expens ve to, repair or replace,, and poor maintenancells often the culprit. Preventive maintenance Is a wholle lot cheaper than repair or replacement. For examplie, it could cost up to$40,000 or more to replace a,failing system with a new one, compared to approximately$300 to $400 to have a system 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/Altern,ative (I )systems, although, providing more advanced treatment, also require more frequent oversight and, maintenance. 0 Please refer to our Septic Installers list for l,icensied contractors. y Tips to Avoid Trouble DO have your tank pumped out,and system inspected every 2 years by a licensed septic contractor, If the tank fills up with are excess of solids, the wastewater will not have enough time to settle in the t nk.These excess,solids will th rr pass on to the leach field, where they will clog the drain litres and soil., More information on pumping. �l DO keep a record of pumping, inspections, and other maintenance. Use the back page of this brochure t record maintenance dates. DO practice water conservation. Repair dripping faucets and leaking toilets, run washing machines and dishwashers, only when furll, avoid long showers, and use water-saving inn features in faucets, shower head's and toilets DO learn the location f your septic system and leach field'. Keep a sketch fit handy for service visits. If your system has a flow diversion valve, leant its location, and turn it orrice a year. Flow diverters can add marry years to the life of your setter. DO divert roof drains nd surface water from driveways and hillsides away from the septic system. Keep sump pumps and house footing drains away from the septic system as well DO grow grass or small plants,(trot trees or shrub above the septic system to hold the drain field in place,Water conservation thfou h creative landscaping is great way to control excess runoff. DO use only addifives that have been allowed for usage in Massachusetts, by MassDEP.,Additives that are allowed for use in Massachusetts have been determined net to produce a harmful effect to the individual system,or its components or to the environment t large. take leftover hazardous,hers h+ ld chemicals,to,your approved hazardous waste collection center for disposal., Use bleach, disinfectants, and drain and toilet howl clearers sparingly and In accordance with, product labels. DON'T allow anyone to drive or park over any part of the system. the area olvier the leach field should he left undisturbed with only a mewed grass cover. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage ,your septic lines. DON'T pleat trees within 30 feet of,your system or park/drive over any part of the system. Tree roots 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 obta,ining the required' health deplartment permit. Use professional licensed contractors when needed. DON'T use commercial septic tarry additives other than those ll w d for use in Massachusetts by M ss; '. 'These products usually de not h�el a 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 bill microorganisms that consume harmful wastes, These products can also cause groundwater contamination. i DON'T perform excessive laundry loads- ith your washing machine. Doing lead after lead does net allow year septic tank time to adequately treat,wastes and overwhelms s the entire system 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,systern. DDN'T use a garbage grinder, garbage disposall or any type of in sink food, disposal,, which feeds into,the septic system. If you do have one in the house, severely limit use or remove it. Food materials do not break down the same way as wastewater and adding food wastes or other solids severely reduces 1 4, 1 r system. it your system s capaci increases the need to purnp the septic tank and can damage you DON'T use you r toilet as a trash can by d urnpi ng non degradable iltem you s down r toilet or drains. Also, don't polson your septic system,and the groundwater by pouring harmful they icals down the drain.They can kill the beneficial bacteria that treat your w astewater. Small amounts of standard household cleaners, drain cleansers,, detergents, etc.will be diluted in the tank and should cause no dam age,to the system. Keep the following materials out of your system*. NON,-DEGRADABLES ITEMS: Cooking gases, disposable diapers, plastics, dental floss, cigarettes, etc. POISONS,: estic , polyurethane, dyes, disinfectants, antifreeze, etc. Ga solin e,, oil aint, paint thinner, p ides, p Water Softeners Many homes or small businesses may,decide to install water softeners to address "hard water" and the resulting mineral deposits that build up from it.. The Title 5 r egulations prohibit water softener bac�kwash.or reject wastes fro rn going into a septic system (Conventional septic system, I/A system, or cesspoo,l), in any amount. However, the ba,ckwash from water soft niers or frorn 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 filters. 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.