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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGarbage Disposal Letter - Correspondence - 132 CRICKET LANE 6/24/2019 J i 1 Y �I 1, i North :.r ". (om=njity and E Development Division ! .//,e�.dd r,.<.ovd �,�Yl.6lr Hfl9 .i�DJII I.Glfi 11��::E::/�.r,r ii,mY,,.,,.,,✓✓O',.,.L/n,J l..r /. ,.FA.IrL..X n d June 24 2019, Address: 132 Cricket Line All North Andover Residents ali h S'e fig Systems and Garbage Disposals Please note that due to a recent review Title 5 Report your property has been identified as maintaining w r%i g garbage disposal that is being used in conjunctionwith a septic system., The Health Department is concerned for the longevity of your septic system. Garbage disposals .re never recommended where septic systems are used.,but if they are installed, he system must be p eciffi idesigned handle the waste from them; your system. can not handle the waste as designed. Pieria Hate that,continued use of this disposal could quickly au pre-mature fai'lure ofyour septic system resulting in.a largle,expenditure to replace . The North,Andover Health Department recommends that you rernove it fromyour home soon as possible. t ' Some infiormation regarding regular ai r septic system is attached. Please call the Health Department at 978.688,.915410 if you have any questions, ore-mail your questions, 'i'lea,,I,thd,ept(tiD,,northand�o,ve�riii�a.�ov�. Thank you for taking the time to consider, the impact that your current setup has on your septic system. and the environment. Sincerely?, i II ri LaGrasse C UT Director of Public Heath f C 120, Main Street, North AnAover, Massachuseffs, 01845 Phonic 978.688.9540 Fax 97 .6 81 8.9542 Web h�ttp://www.n� ma.go,v Caring for Dint Septic System.n Reference GuiwdeI for Homeowners Caring for Your Septic System Septic Systems Explained n Septic systems are individual wastewater treatment systems(conventional septic systems, innovative/alternative I' tans, or cesspools)that use the soil and bacteria.to treat small wastewater flows, usually from individual homes. They are typically used in rural or,Large lot,settings where centralized wastewater treatment(sewer 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, most systems are based one the same principles., Conventional Septic"System conventional septic system consists of a septic tank, a distribution box and leach field.. i Your seti s °strn treats your Inush 'Id wastewater by tempor arily l holding it in the septic tank where heavy solids and lighter debris are allowled 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„ mils and grease float.to the top and are called a scum layer; and the wastewater or effluent is left in the middle. This separation proiciess with the initial decomposition is known wn as primary treatment. ALUALL �,�w.�i w' �wrt� W*A'iw� w#'rw�.�' as Grp��',�w,����yM'+�wµw wrts�w,��w..w w w ■, w. w wr .rt w . s ��'IFlRr�w'�MII�i� N�pwi "pw� w M"^ �'�; Yw w• �wr w r �...*rt. ♦- H �,`w. iN # 1 a,w ♦w rt w %Wa Inspection �4(pump outport r a r w`a, w * , rt�ww!w�•r , a IN .......... .. Inlet:sevmge, � � ��rt��� .,� � * ,di�..w yp yyy� m�,yMy�"�ly�:M'.111 r i,M�*��'1 JY ,y�,_„�a',i w I ��� *� � '*x � w � Y 9 Outlet.Vet wastewater goes eaters from houlse to distOution box and drain field Sludge i f After the partiall treated wastewater(effluent) Ieaves the ta n k it flows 1 n to a distribution box. The distribution box separates this effluent evenly into a network of pipescalled septic lines within the leach field. Small Ih, l s throughout,the bottom ,of eachseptic line allow the effluent to slowly drain into gravel and sand layers where'bacteria further treat and purity the effluent, This is known as secondary treIatment. A properly functioning septic tic stem purifies the effluent through primary and secondary treatmeInt and does not pollute!th r undwaterw Caring for Your Septic S m (Conventional Septic System, Innovative/Alternative(I/A) 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. Neglect or abuse of your system can cause it to fail. Failing systems can: Cause a serious health threat to your family and neighbors, Degrade the environment, especially lakes,, streams and groundwater, Reduce the,value,of your property, Be very expensive,to repair, and Put thousands of water supply users,at risk, if you live in a publ'ic water supply watershed and fail to maintain your system. Be alert to,thiese warning signs,of a failing system: • Sewage surfacing over the leach field (especially after storms), • Sewage back-ups in the house, • Lush, green growth over the peach field, • Sjow draining toilets or drains, • Sewage okra,., Save Money by MaIntaln'Ing 'dour SiepfiGSystemi A major reason to,maintain your 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 t or more to replace a failing system with a new one, comparedto 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. Innovative/Alternative(I/A), systems, although providing more advanced treatment, also,require more,frequent oversight and maintenance. Please refer to our Septic Installers list for licensed contractors. w Tips to Avoid Trouble CEO have your'hank pumped outand system inspected every 2 years by a licensed septic contractor, If the tank fills up with an excess of solidi the wastewater will not have enough time to settle in the tank., These excess solids will then pass on to the leech field,, where they will clog the drain lines and soil.. More information on pumping. DO keep a record of pumping, ins e ti nsl and other maintenance. use the hack page of this brochure t record maintenance dates. DO practice water conservation. Repair dripping in faucets and leafing toilets, run washing machines and' dishwashers only when full, avoid lung showers, and usewater-saving features in faucets,, shower heads and toilets DO learn the location of your septic system and leach, field. Keep a sketch of it handy for service Visits,. If your system has a flow diversion valve learn its location, and turn it once a year. Flow diverters can add many years to the life of your stern. CEO,divert roof drains and surface water from driveways and hillsides away fr rn the septic system Keep sump pumps and house footing drains away from the septic system as w ll. DO grow grass or small, hints (not trees or shrubs)above the septic system to hold the drain field in place..Water conservation through creative landscaping is a great way to control excess runoff. , use only additiv s that have been allowed for usage in Massachusetts by,1" ass E ..Additives that are allowed for use in Massachusetts have been determined not to produce a harmful effect to the individual system r its components or to the environment at large. DO tale leftover hazardous, household h rrmicals 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. 1 i DON'T allow anyone to,drive r park over any part of the system. The area over the leach field should be left undisturbed with only a mowed grasis cover., loots from nearby,trees or shrubs may clog and damage your septic lines. �l DON'T plant trays within 30 feet of your system orpark/drive over any part of the system.. Tree roots will clog your piles, and heaver vehicles may douse your septic line t ,collapse. I DON'T make or allow repairs to you,r septic system without obtaining the required health department permlt. Us e professional licensed contractors when, needed. DON'T use cornmercial septic tank additives other than those allowed ed for use in Massachusetts by MassDE,P. `Lhasa products usually do not help and some may hurt your system in the lung run. DON'T use chemical,solvents to clean the plumbing r septic system. "Miracle"'chemicals will bill microorganisms that consume harmful wastes. These products can also cause groundwater contamination,. 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 overwh�elms the entire systea with excess wastewater,, You could therefore be flooding your]each field''without allowing sufficient,recovery time. You should consult a septic professional to determine the garllon capacity and number of loads, per day that can safely,go into the system. DON'T use a garbage gr1inder, garbage disposal or any type of in sink food disposal,which feeds into the septic system. If you do have,one in the house, sieverely limit its use or remove it, Food materials do,not break down the same way as wastewater and adding food wastes or other solids severely reduces your system' pacity, increases,the need to pump the septic tank and can 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 chernicals,down the drain. They can kill the beneficial bacteria that treat your wastewat r. 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 ,materials out of your system*, NOWDEGRADABLES ITEMS: Cooking grease, disposable diapers, plastics, dental floss, cigarettes, etc. POISONS* ,Gasoline, 'oil, paint, paint thinner, pesticides, polyure than ie, dyes,, disinfectants, antifreeze, etc. 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 regulations prohibit water softener ha was,h or reject wastes from going into a septic system (conventional septic system, I/A system, or cesspool), i'n any amount. However, the backwash from water softeners or from other water purificatioln 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 wat r 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.