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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptic Pumping Record Letter - Correspondence - 717 FOSTER STREET 7/9/2019 ' II oll� I IUII tlll pi�I I+;iI i+Ili;V ,u„r j Y I ' I V i III II I ii ilol�i IY y� HealthNorth Andover, ,i (onimunity sineDevelopment Division Septic,System a In Records Date. 9 91 Address.- Foster St. Condition of system: Heavy solids tank Dear Owner: Please rote that septic system pumping record dated 6 2 19 and received 7 9 states, that your septic system's system' tank had a heavy level of bottom solids inside. Attached you will find flyer n Cap*gin ` r your Septic tic System., Please read through the flyerto learn some of the suggested best practi •caring for your sepb,c system. If you do have I garbage disposal in your house please discontinue its use immediately. If you have any questions, or concerns,, please contact the Health Department .t the phone number listed below. Thank you for taking the time to consider the impact this may have Ian your system as well as the environment. Stephen Casey Jr. I� ,gip Health Inspector Office: (978), 6,88 9,540 Eric., Caring for yo r Septic System: A Reference Guide for Homeowners, Page 1 of i North, Ando alfh Department,, 120 Main, tit 1 Caring for your Septic System: A Reference Guide for Homeowners Caring for Your Septic System Sepitfic Systems Explained Septic systems are Individual wastewater treatment systems(conventional septic,systems, inn ovative/alternative(I/A)systems, or cesspools)that use the soil andbacteria 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 on the same principles. ,A Conventional Septitc System, A conventional septic system consists of a septic tank,a distribution box and a leach field. Your septic system treats your household wastewater by temporarily holding it in the septic tank,where heavy solids and lighter debris are allowed to sleparatel from the,wastewater and bacteria begin to break everything down.The solids sink to the bottom and are called the sludge layer;the l'ighter 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 treatment. A ad" AA1 F nspuc"tion RIP 011t) Fill, .I (oil Tee I p! 1 v I Idea:sevitagle 1 Outlet:tre'806 ited %Islewater goes o f t; ro,m limll th dist6butlo'" hO Pry dr;*01014 yeator $ludge Milli After the partially treated wastewater(effluent)leaves the tank it flows into,a distribution box. The! distribution box separates this,effluent evenly in�to 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 dlrain Into gravel and sand layers where bacteria furlther treat and purify the effluent. This is known as secondary treatment. A propet-ly fUnictloning septic system purifies the effluent through primary and secondary treatment an does not pollute the groundwater. Caring for Your Sept!c System (Conventional Septic,Sy sit em, Innovative/Alternative(l/A)System,or Cesspool) The accumulated solids In,the bottom of the septic tank should be puemu ped'OUt every two,years to prolong the life of your system.Septic systems must be malinta inn d regularly to stay working. Neglect or abuse of your systemcan cause it to,fail. Failing systems can: Cause a serious health th�r,eat 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 public water supply watershed 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 true leach field, Slow draining toilets or drains, Sewage odors. Sliave Money by M, a,trot aining Your,Septic System A major reason to ma,intain your septic system is to,save money. Failing systems are expensive to,repair or replace, and poor maim enance'pis often the culprit'.Preventive mali nits nanceis a whole lot cheaper than repair,or replacement. For example,it could cost up to$40,000 or more to replace a falling 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.Asmall effort on a regular basis can save a lot of money and significantly prolong the life of the systern. Innovative/Alternative (I )systems, although providing more advanced treatment,also require more frequent oversight and maintenance, Please refer to,our Septic Installers Ilst for licensed contractors. 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 an excess of solids,the wastewater will not have enough time to settle in the tank. These excess solid's will then, pass on to the leach field,where they will clog the drain lines and soil. More information on Pumvir1g. DO keep a record of pumping, inspections, and other maintenance.,Use the back,page ofthl's brochure to record maintenance dates. DO practice wator conservation. Repair dripping faucets and leaking toilets, run washing machines and dishwashers only when full, avold'long,showers, and use water-savIng features In faucets, shower heads and toilets. DO learn the location of your septic systern and [each field, Keep a sketch ofit an 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 system. DO divert roof drains and surface water from driveways and hillsides away from the septic system. Keep sump pumps and house foloting drains away from the septic system,as well. DO grow grass,or small plants(not trees or shrubs)above the septic system:to hold the drain field in place. Water conservation,through creative liar dscapingis a great way,to control excess runoff, DO use only additives that have been allowed for usage in Massachusetts by MassDEP.,Additives that are allowed for use in Massachusetts have been determined'not,to produce,a harmful effect to,the individual system or its components or to the environment at large., DO take leftover hazardous household chemicals to,your approved hazardous waste collection center for disposal'. Use,bleach,disinfectantsil and drain and toilet bowl,cleaners sparingly and In accordance with product,labels. DON'T allow any to drive or park:over any part of the system.The area over the leach field should be left unidisturbed with only a rnowed grass cover. Roots,from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage your septic lines. DON'T plant trees within 30 feet of your system or park/drive over any part of the system.Tree roots will clog your plpes,and heavy vehicles may cause your septic lines,to collapse. DON"T make or allow repairs to your septic system without obtaining the required health department permit'. Use professionarl licensed contractors when needed. DON'T use commercial septic tank additives other than those allowed for use in Massachusetts by MassDEP.These products usually do not help and some may hurt your system In the long run.. DON'T use chemical solvents to clean the plumbing or septic system. "Viracle"chemicals will kill microorganisms that consume harmful wastes,.These products can also cause groundwater contamination. DONIT perform excessive laurildry loads with your washing machine. Doing load after load does not allow your septic tank time to adequately treat wastes and overwhelms the entilresystern with excess %,I wastewater. You could therefore be flooding,youir 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 system. DON'T use a garbage grinder,garbage disposal,orany type of'In sink food difspKasai,which feeds Into the sep tic systeno. If you do have one in the house, severiely limit its use or remove It. Food materials do not break diown 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. I i w I DON'T use your toilot as a trash can bly durnping no degradable!Items do n your tollet or drains.Also, don't poison your septic,system and the groundwater by pouring hair ful chemicals down the drain.They can kill the beneficial bacteri�a,that treat your wastewater. Small amounts,of standard household cleaners,, dn drain cleansers, det"Urgents,etc.will be dilated 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, poilyurethane,dyes, disinfectants,antifreleze, etc. Water Softeners, Many homes or small businesses may dlecide to Install water softeners to address"hard water"and the resulting mineral deposits that build up from It.The Title 5 regulations prohibit wat�er softener backwash or reject wastes from going Into a septic system(conventional,septic system,, I system, or cesspooll),in any amount. However,,the backwash from water softeners or from 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 'I's wastewater generated from the cleaning of water andl wastewater treatment filters, A drywell is a pit with open-jointed linling or holes that allow infiltration to the surrounding soil., ror more Information on having a)drywell designed for your home or business,you should contact the Health Department.