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Home My WebLink AboutSeptic Letter - Correspondence - 327 FOREST STREET 7/2/2019 ■ i v i CC i North it (oipmn[ty and onomk Development Division Sepfic System Pumping,,Records :1 72 9 Address: 327 Forest S4 Conffition. of system. high level in, tank ea,r wner' Please note that a s pi. g record dated 6 1 19 and.received 2 19, s that your septic ytank had a high level of wastewater., This can from leaking utliti in house, or other issues. attached you will find a flyerk on C for your Septic System, Flame read through the flyer to learn me, �of'the suggested best practices for caring for your septic system. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Health Department the 1 phone mbe�r listed below. Thank you for taking the time to consider the impact this a,y have n your system as well as the environment. Sincerely, Stephen Casey Jr. Ileatth Inspector Office: 97 9540 Enc.- Caring for your Septic Sy s F A Reference Guid for Homeowners Page 1 of 1, u o,�tlh.Andover f1ealth Department, 120, Main Street MA North I Andover", ?L.� Phone: 9 w w 9 4 l Fax: 978.688.8476 Al i Car'ing, for your Septic Systemn. A Reference Guide for Homeowners Caring or Your Septic System Septic Systems Explained 1 Septic systems ,re individual wastewater treatment systems�(conventional septic systems, innovative/alternative(1/A systems, r cesspools)that use t w loll and'bacteria to treat,small wastewater flows, usually from individual homes.They are typ�icall'y usedIn aural or large lot settings where centralized wastewater treatment "sewer system to,a treatmentplant)is impractical and unavailable. There are many types of septic systems In use today.While all systems are Individually design for each site, most systems are based on the same principles, Conventional nal Septic System , conventional septic system consists of a septic,t'ank, a,distribution box and' a leach field. Your septic system treats your household wastewater by temporarily holding it in the septic tarry where heavy solids and lighter debris are allowed to separate from the wastewater and bacteria begin to brash everythingdown.The solids sink to the bottom and are called the sludge layer; the lighter debris such as ha,ir, ally and greas,efloat to the top and are called a scum layer-,and tihe wastewater or effluent is,left in the riddle. This separation process with the initial decomposition is known as primary treatment. s'M ''IWw spy wow,Y. •'9iW* ,Y y *i NS '„ ..w s w +br Y N N"Jill w w � I i l(pump Out Pets ,� rsli.. we ep 4 Ill; lK�"�a w b v r .� N +M1"'"��'� " ' w M Outlet treMed ter Does Oterri I li " "list�w t iIr' tn rOralti,fielld wastevot 1 J r 1 sludge t e After the partially treated wastewater(effluent)leaves the ta,n it flags,into a distribution,box. The distribution box separates this effluent evenly Into a network f pipes called septic lines wlit in,the leach field. Small holies throughout the bottom of each septlic line allow the ffl ent to slowly, rain into gravel and sand' layers where bacteria further treat and purify the effluent. This la known as secondary treatment. A properly functioning septic system purifies the effluent through primary and secondary treatment and does not pollute the groundwater. Caring for Your Septic System 1' (Conventional Septic System, Innovative/Atternative(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 1"Ife of your system. Septic systems must be maintained regularly to stay working., Neglect,or abuse of your system,can cause it to fall. 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 we expensive to,repair, and Put thousands of water supply users at risk if you live in a public water supply wa,tershed and fall to maintain your system, Be alert to these warning signs of a falling system: 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 Maintailming Your Septic System • 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 mainter nce 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 now one, compared to approximately$300 to$400 to have a systlem Inspected,, and mpled 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 11stfor 11censed contractors. Ties 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,an excess of solids,the wastewater Will not have enough time,to,settle in the tear , These excess solids will there pass on to the leach field,,where they will clog the drain litres and soil, More information on pumping. keep a record of pumping, inspections, and other,maintenance. 's the back page of this brochure to, r u+ r maintenance dates,. d DO practice,water,conservation.Repair dripping faucets and'leaking t ll t , run washing machines andi dishwashers only when full, avoid berg showers, and use'water-saving features In frets,shower head's grid tliets, DO t learn the location f your,septic system and leach field. Keep a sketch of It heady for service visits. If your system has a flow diversion valve, learn its location,and tune it Dane a year., Flow di rterscan add many years to the life f your system. DO i r rt r f drains rr surface �t�r tarn riv w ys n hillsl ' s away from the septic system. Keep sumlp pumps,and house footing drains away from the septic,system as well. grow,grass or small pleats(riot trees or shrubs)above the,peptic system to hold the drain field in place.Water conservation through creative landscaping is a great way to control excess runoff. i DO use only additives that have been allowed for usage in Massachusetts ssI E ,Additives that are allowed for s i_ have been determined not tproduce harmful effect t the ,r� Massachusetts In ividual system r its components or to the environment at large* DO take leftover hazardous:household chemicals to youir approved hazardous wast collection center for disposal. Use blea,ch,disinfectants,and drain and toilet bowl cleaners sparingly and in accordance with product labels. DONT allow anyone to drive or park over any part of the system.The area over the leach field should be left undisturbed with only a mowed grass cover. Boas from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage your septic lines. DON'T plant trees within 30 feet of your system or parkldrive over any part of the systern.Free roots will clog your,pipes,and heavy vehicles may cause your septic litres to collapse. DON'T make r allow repairs to,year septic system without obtaining the required health department permit, Use professional licensed contractors when needed. DON'T use commercial septic teeth additives other*than those allowed for use ire Massachusetts by Mass .These products usually do not help and some may hurt your system in the long run. r DlON'T use chemical solvents to clean the plumbing or septic system."Miracle",",chemicals k will Dill microorganisms that consume harmful wastes.,These products can also cause groundwater r contarninatiom DON'T perform excessivelaundry loads,with your washing,machine. Doing load after load doles not allow t your septic tank time to adequately treat wastes and overwhelms,the satire system with excess I wastewater. You could therefore be flooding your leach fleld 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'Tuse a ga,rbage grind,er, garbage disposia! r any type of in sink food disposal,which feeds into the septic system. If you do have one in the house, severely 11mit,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's capacity, increases the need to pump the septic,tank and can damage your system. DONT use your toilet as a trash can by dumping non-degradable items down your toilet or drains. Also, don't polson your septic system and the groundwater by pouring harmful chernicals down the drain, They can kill tl e!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 sy sit em: NON-DEGRADABLES ITEMS: Cooking grease, disposable diapers, plastics, dental floss, cigarettes, etc. POISONS- Gasoline,oll, paint, paint,thinner, pesticides, polyurethane,dyes, disinfectants,antifreeze, etc. Water So ,en ers Many homes or small businesses may decide tolinstall water softeners to address"hard water"and the resulting mineral deposits that build, up from It.The Title 5 regulations prohibit water,softener backwash or reject washes from going Into a septic system(conventional,septic system, I/A systeml or GeSS,POOI),in any amount. However, the backwash from water softeners or frorn other water purification or filtration devices,can be discharged into,a drywell that has been,pr plerly designed and Is approved by the loical 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 holies that,allow infiltration to the surrounding soil. ror more Information on having a)drywell designed for your home or bu siness,you should contact the Health Department,. t