HomeMy WebLinkAboutPumping Slip Letter - Correspondence - 71 CANDLESTICK ROAD 7/10/2019 u' y'I dd
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HealthNorth Andover
unity and Ron mi(Develo,pment Division
Septic,System Pumping.Records,
7/10/19
Address.- '�1 Candle stick road.
Condition of systems. Heavy ,solids in tank,
Dear Owner.:
Prase note that a septic system pumping record dated 6/3/19 and re 8/19 states that
your septic sys t 's tank- had a heavy level oftop solids inside. Attached you will rind a flyer
on Caring your Septic System,. Please read through e flyier to learn some, 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. you have any questions or concerns, please contact the
Health 1 rtm t at the phone number listed below. ,
Thank you for,taking the time to consider the impact this may have on your system as well as the
environment.
Sincerely,
e
S tehe Casey,Jr.
Health Inspector
Office: 9, , 9540
Caring for your Septic System A ReBere ce Guide for Homeowners
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Page 1 of I
h Andover', Phone: 9,78.688.9540Fax: ,. 6
Caring for your Septic System,., A Reference
Guidea 1
for Homeownersit
Carling,for dour Septic System
Septic Systerns Explained
Septic systems are I nid ivid u al wastewater treatment,systems(conventional septic systerns,
Irmo vative/alternative(I/A,)systems, or cesspools)that use the sail and bacteria,to treat small wastewater
flows, usually from individual homes,.,They are typically used ire rural or large lot,settings where
centralized wastewater treatment(sewer system to a,treatment plant)isimpracticall,and unavallable.
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
A conventional septic system consists of a septic tank, a distribution box and a leach fleld.
Your septic 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 scum layer; and the wastewater or effluent is left in,
the middle,. This separation process with the initial decomposition is known as primary treatmento
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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 of pipes called septic lines within the 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 thie effluent through primary and secondary
treatment and does not pollute the groundw ter.
Caring for Your Septic System
(Conventional Septic System, Innovative/Alternative(I/A)S t,em,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:
0 Cau se a serious hea I th threat to your`fa m,i ly a nd n eigh bors,
0 Degrade tyre environment,, especlally lakes,streams and groundwater,
0 Reduce th lue of your property,
a Be:very expensive to repair, and
Put thousands of water supply users at risk if you live,in a public water supply watershed and fall
to maintain your system.
Be alert to these warning signs of a failing system:
Sewage surfacing over the leach,field (especially after storms),
Sewage back-ups in the douse,
Lush,green growth over the leach field,
Slow draining toilets or drains,
Sewage odors.
Save Money,by,Maintallning 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 maintenance is a whole
lot cheaper than repair or re plat ernent* For example, it could cost up to,$40,0010 or more,to
replace a falling system with a now one,compaired to approximately$1300 to,$4,00 to have a
system Inspected, and pumped ever, couple of years.Maintaining a septic system is like
y
maintaining a car,A small effort on a regular basis can save a lot of money and slginificantly
prolong the,life of the system,
Innovative/Alternative(I/A)systems, alth ►ugh providing more advanced treatment, also require
more frequent oversight and maintenance.
Please refer to our Septic Installers list for licensed contractors.
Tips to Avold Trouble
DO have your tank pumped out and system inspected every 2 years by a,IlCensed septic
contractor, If the teak 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 leaGh field,where they will clog the r, in litres
and soil. More information on pumping.
DO keep a record of pumping, inspections, and other maintenance. Use the back page of this brochure t
record maIntlenance dates.
DO
practice water conservation. Repair dripping faucets and leaking toll ts,run washing milac irr s and
dishwashers only when full, avoid long show rs, and use water-saving features In faucets,,shower heads, l
and t~ llt .
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 Dace a year. Flolw diverters can add
many years to the life your system.
DO divert roof drains and'siurface 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 pleats(not traces or shr l above the septic system to bold the drain field i
place.Water conservation through creative landscaping Is,a great way to control excess runoff,
DO use nly additives that have been allowed for usage in Massachusetts by Mass,DEP.Additives that �
are allowed for use in Massachusetts have been determined not to produceharmful ffa t to the
Individual system or its components or to the environm nt at large,
DO take leftover z r s household chemicals to your approved hazardous waste collection center for
disposal. Use bleach,disinfectants,,and drain anfloilet bowl cleaners r' sparingly and In accordance with
product lbllls,
DON'T allow anyone to drive or park over any part of the system.The area a over the leach field should be
left undisturbedwith only mowed grass cover. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and~damage
your septic lines.
DON'T pleat trees within 3,0 feet t f your system or perm/drive over any part of the system.Tree roolts will
clog your pipes,and heavy vehicles may cause o'er septic litres to collapse.
DON'T make or allow repairs to your septic system without obtaining the required"health a rtment
,permit. Use professional licensed ontract rs when needed.
l" ' "use commercial septic tank additives other than those alll wed for use in Massachusetts
Ma,ssD,EP.These products usually ll not help and some may hurt your system in the long run.,
DON'Tchemical solvents,t clean � "Miracle" ro i is will kill
� � t l�rrarr� � r septic system.
microorganisms that consume harmful i wastes.These products can also cause groundwater
contamination.
i
DON'T perform excessive laundry loads with,your washing machine.hine. Doing load after load does not allow
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.'Yolu
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 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 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.
DON'T use your toilet as a traish 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 bene:ficlial bacteria that treat,your wastewater'.Small amounts of standard household cleaners,
drain cleansers,,detergents,etc.,will be diluted In the,tank and should use no damage t 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,,, polyurethane,dyes, disinfectants,antifreeze, etc.
'Water Softeners
Many homes or,small,businesses may decide to install water softeners address"hard water"anid the
resulting mineral deposits that build up from It,The Title 5 regulations prohlbit water softener backwash or
react wastes from in into a septic system(conventional,septic system, I system, or cesspool), in
any,amount.
However, the backw,as from water softeners or from other water purification or filtration devices can be
discharged 'Into,a drywell that has,beenproperly designed and is approved by the local Board of Health.
Blackwash is,wastewater generated from the cleaning of water and wast ewater treatment filters, A drywell,
i11 a It with open-jointed lining or holes that allow infiltration,to the surrounding soil.
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r,or more information on having a)d rywell designed for your home or business,, you should,contact the,
Health Department.