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Home My WebLink AboutSeptic Letter - Correspondence - 83 LIBERTY STREET 7/2/2019 air i..Mt yr 1 i yy r a i Niorth Andover Health Mi,i Econoi 'lpnl Division Septic System Pumping Records Date,-. 72 9 Address: 83 Liberty St. Condition f system.. Heavy solids in tame I DearOwner: i Please note that a septic system pumping record dated1. 1 : and received on 6 2 19 states that your septic s. stem's tank had a heavy level 1 solids 'Inside. Attached you 'will find a flyer on Caring for your Septic System. Please read,through the flyer to learn some of the suggested best practices for caring for your septic system. If you do have a garbagedisposal in your house please discontinue,its use lonunediately., if you have ny questions or concerns, 1 contact the Heal,th,Department at the phone number listed below. Thank you for takl*ng the time.e to c cider the impact this may have on your system as well, s the Stephen Casey Jr. Health Inspector Office.- (978) 688 9540 E c* Caring for your Septic System-, A Re rence Guide for Homeowners i ___ . . Fags 1 of 'North Andover Health Department, 6 , 1 Osgood Street Befits 2035 i i 'f 1 1 J Car"Ing for your Septic System: A Reference 1 Guide for Homeowners, Caring for Your Septic System Septic Systems Explained t Septic systems are Individual wastewater treatment systems(conventional septic systerns, Innr o ti lt+ rn ti I systems,,or cesspools)that use the soil and bacteria to treat small wastewater flows, usually all from individual Domes.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 on the same principles, A Conventional Septic System conventional'SOptiG system onsist' of a septic tank,a distribution box and a leach field. Your septic systeml treats your household wo t w t r 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 own.The,solids sink to the bottom:m and are called 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 loft in the middle. This separation process with the initial decomposition is krillown as primary treatment. W ,.��►� ��R��..�'..wr�y�'��e Me*��iW��VNgpwc��..��,�IMW�•yRW,� �w *1i�,WM �+u� � � ,��}'+� R.,.*.q� � ��.� aWM�1�IW'A",�; �0rr( ',11�'1 M 0 it) ,rt I.Wu�'E;,w W'.��'"u�w �r'MMt°#v"''MYY .WWiw W. M��' r-��, a W 1p i � .*WM�X• �1a w 'k�'1A tlN ar��'A�Y�Wr„� Teor Inlet. W ,� W Outlet,-treated waster Ateres r W from)hou to distriInflon i f SlOge r Afar the partially treated wastewater + fflu nt leaves the tank it flows into distribution box. The distribution box separates this effluent evenly Into a,n tw rk of"piples called septic lines within this leach field., Small holes throughout the bottom of each 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,properly functioning septic system purifies the effluent through gh primary and secondary treatr rat and does not pollute the ,Caring for Your;peptic System i (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 fall.Falling systems can: Cause a serious health threat to your family,and neigh bors, 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 r1sk if you live in a plubilic water supply watershed and fall to maintain you'r system® 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 Slow draining toilets or drains, Sewage odors. Save Money by Maintaining Your Septic System A major reason to maintain your septic systern is to save money.Failing systerns are expensive to repair or lace,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$400 to have a :syst m 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 prollong the life of the systern, 0 Innovative/Alternativie(VA),systems, ailthough providing more,advanced treatment,also require more frequent oversight and maintenance, 0 Please refer to our Septic Installers list for licensed contractors. �C 1 i Tips to Avoid Trouble o have your tank pulmped out and system inspected every years by a 111censed septic contractor, if the tank fills up with an excess of solids the wastewater will not have enough time to settle in the tank..These excess solids will then pass on to the leach field,where they will clog the drain linos and soil. More Information on_pu� in Do keep a record of pumping, Inspections,, and othlelr maintenance, Use the back page of this brochure to, record maintenance dates. o practice water conservation.Repair dripping faucets and leafing toilets,run washing machines and dishwashers only when,full, avoid long showers, and use water-saving features,In faucets, shower heads and toilets. o learn the location of your septic system and leech field. Keep a sl etch of it handy for service visits. if your system was,o flow diversion valve, learn its location,,and turn it once a year. Flows dig enters can odd many years to the life of your system. DO divert roof drains and surface water from driveways,and hillsides away from the septic,system.Keep sum pumps and house footing dr ir��away from the septic system well. i Do grog gross orsmall plants(not trees or shrubs)above the septic system to bold the drain field in place.Water,conservation through creative landscaping is a great way to control excess runoff. w o use only additives that have been allowed for usage in Massach usetts by Mass EP.Additives that l are allowed for use in Massachusetts have been determined not to produce e harmful effect to the individual system or its components or to the environment at large. Do take leftover hazardous household chemicals l to your approved hazardous waste collection center for disposal.Use bloeoh�,disinfectants,and drain and toilet bowl cleaners sparingly and in accordance with product labels, DON"Tallow llour anyone to drive or park over any part of the system.,The area over the teach field should be left undisturbed with only a Mowed grass clover. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage your septic lines DON'T plant trees within 30 fait of your system or park1drive over any part of the system.Tree roots will clog your pipes,and heavy vehicles may caves your septic lines to collapse. DON'T make or allow r repairs to your septic system withiout obtaining the required health department i permit. Use professional licensed contractors when needed. DON'T'use commercial septic tangy additives other than those allowed for use In Massachusetts b Mass E .These products usually do not hel l and tome may hurt our Ater ire the lore run. i i of use chemical solvents to clean tie plumbing,or,septic system.,""Miracle"chemicals will kill microorganisms that consume harmful wastes,.These products,can also cause groundwater contami,nation. DON'T perform excessive(laundry load's with your washing machine.Doing load after load does not alloy your septic tank time to adequately treat wastes and overwhelms,the entire system with excess wastewater., You could therefore be flooding your leach field without allowing sufficient recovery time,You should consult ar septic professional to determine tl allon capacity and number of loads per day that, can safely gointo,the system, DON' "arse a garbage grinder,garbage disposal or any type of in sink food disposal,,which feeds into the septic system.If you do have one'in the house,severely limit its use or remove It. Food materials do,not break down the sarrie way as wastewater and adding food wastes or other solids severely reduces your s,ystem's capacity, increases the need to pump the septic tank and can darrialge your systeml. DON'T use,your toilet as a trash can by,dumpling non-degradable,it ms 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,materials out of your system: N1,ON-DEGRADABLES ITEMS& Cooking grease, disposable diapers,, plastics,dental floss,,cigarettes, etc., POISONS: line,oil, paint, pa'Int thinner, Pestioi an des,,polyurethe,dyes,disinfectants,antifreeze,etc. Gaso Water Softeners Many homes or small businesses may decide to,install water slofteners to address"hard water"and the resulting mineral deposits that build up from It,The TItle5 regulations prohibit water softener backwash or 6 reject wastes from.going Into a septic system(conventional septic system, I/A,system,or cesspool)I In any amount. However,,the backwash from water s ften�ers or from oth r water purification or filtration devices can be discharged into a drywell that has been properly designed and Is a,ppiroved by the local Board of Health. Backwash I's wastewater gienerated from the cleaning,of water and wastelwater treatment filters, A drywell is a pit with open-Jointed lining or hoilles that allow infiltration to the surrounding sail. For more Information on having a dry ell designed for your home or business,you should contact the Health Department.,