HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptic Pumping Record Letter - Correspondence - 239 GRANVILLE LANE 7/9/2019 i
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III Y!it I IPY 11 I..III V I I
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North Andover l I�
l ( Department
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(omlmunity and R i(DlevelopIment Division
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Septic System Pumping Records
Date:
Address: 239 Granville Ln.
Condition st y. Heavy solids in tank
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Please note that a septic system pumping record :t d 6 19 and received 7/8/19 states that
your septic s t , 's tank had a heavy level of solids inside,. Attached you will find a flyer,
Caring for your Septic System,. Pieria read through the r to learn some of the suggested
test practices for caging for your septic system. If you do have a garbage disposaln your house
please d1scontinUe its use immediately. If you have any questions or concerns, pilease contact the
Health Department atthe phone number li,steld below.
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Thank you fo�r taking the time to consider the impact this may have on your systems. as well, as the
enviromnent.
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Stephen Casey Jr.
Health inspector
Office: 9 68 8 954
E -, Caring, r your Septic System: A Reference Guide for Homeowners
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Page I of
North Andover health Departmieilt,, 11 20, Mai.n Street
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caring TIor your Septic System no A Reference
Guide for Homeowners
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Carino for Your Septic System
Sep,tilc Systems Ex la,ined
Septic systems are IndIvi raal wastewater treatment,systems nventi n l septic systems,
innovative/alternative(1 systems, or c s ols that use the soil and bacteria to treat small wastewater
flows, usually from'Individu l homes.They are typically used In rural or large lot settings where
centralized wastewater treatment,(sewer system to a treatment plant,),is im r ti l n unavailable.
There are many types of septic systems In use today'.While all systems are Individually designed for each
slt , most systems are based on the same rind l s. r
Conventional Septic System
A conventional septic system consists of a septic tank, a distribution box and a leach field. �
Your,peptic system taste your household stew ► t r by temporarily holding it ire the septic tank where
heavysolids and lighter debris are allowed to separate from the wastewater ter n bacteria begin to break
everything down.The solids sink,to the bottom and are calledthe sludge layer; the lighIter debris such as
hair, oils and grease float to the top and are called a scum layer; and the wastewater r effluent is left i ji
the middle. This separation r ess with the!Initial decomposition is,known as primary treatment.
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After the Partially treated wastewater r(effluent)leaves the tank it flows►s into distribution box. The
distribution box,separates,this effluent argil "into a network pipes call1edseptlic liras within the leach
field. Small holes,throughout the bottom each septic lira 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.,ent, A properly functioning septic system purifies the effluent through primary and secondary,
treatment and does not pollute the groundwater.
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(Conventional Septic System, Inn ova tive/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 cian cause it to fall. Failing systems can:
# Cause a serious health threat to your farrilly and neighbors,
a Degrade the environtnent, especially lakes,,streamis and groundwater,
0 Reduce the value of your property,
a Be very expensive to repair, and
10 Put thousands of'water supply users,at risk if you live in a publiG water supply watershed and fall
to maintain,your system.
Be alert to these warning signs of a failing stern:
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 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 ld cost up to$40�,0100 or more to
replace a falling system with a new one,compared to approximately$3,00 to$400 to have a
system Inspected, and pumped every couple of ars.Maintaining a septic system Is like
maintaining a car.A small effort on a regular,basis can save a lot of money and silgrifficantly
prolong the life of the sysitem,
lnnovative/Alternative (I/A)systems, although providing more advanced treatment, also r ire
=re frequent rift and maintenance.
P'lease refer to our Septic Installers list for licensed contractors.
" t s to AvoidTrouble
DO have your tank pumped out and system Inspected every 2 years by a licensed septic
contractor, If the tank fulls with an excess ofsolids,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 lines
and soil. More information on _urru in .
DO keep a record of pumping, Inspections, and other maintenance. Use the back page of th ps brochure t
record a int nan duty.
DO practice water con conse rvation.Repair dripping faucets and leaking toilets,,run washing machines and
dishwashers only when gull id long showery and use water-saving features In faucets, shower heads
and t ll ts. �
DO learn the location of your septic system and leach,field, Keep,a sketch oflt handy for service visits. It
your system has a flow diversion v,alve, learn its location, and turn it,once a year. Flow,div rt rs can add
many years to the life of your system.
DO divert root drains and surface water from driveways and hillsides away from the septic system. Keep
sump pumps and house ting drains,swag from the septic system as well.
DO grow grass or small 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 exciess runoff.
DO use nladditives 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 nvir rmerit at large.
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DO tale leftover hazardous household chemicals 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.
'T allow anyone to drive or park over any part of the system.The area over the,leach field should be
left undisturbed with nl a mowed grass cover.r. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage
your septic liras.
DOWT plant tureen withilin 30 teat of your s st rn or ark/drive over any part of the system.Tree roots will
clog your pipes,and heavy vehicles may cause your septic obi s to collapse.
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DON" 'make or allow repairs to your septic system without obtaining the required health department
+ rrar wit. a r fessi n l licensed contractors when needed
DON'T use commercial septic tank additives other than those allowed for use in Massachusetts
Ma a El .These products a suallly do not help and some may hurt your system In the long guru.
DON'T"use chemical solvents to clean the plumbing or septic system.W iracl "clericals will bill
microorganisms that consume harmful wastes.Thiess products can also cause groundwater
contamination.
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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 overwhelms the entire system with excess
wastewater., You could therefore be flooding your leach fileldi:without allowing sufficient recovery time,You
should consult a sepitiic professional to determine the gallon capacity and number of loads per day that
can safely go Into the system.
DON'T use a garbage gri1nder, garbage disposal or any,type of in sink food disposal,which feeds,
Into the septic system. If you dio have one in the house, severely 110t 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.
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DO T use your tollet 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 poluring harmful chemicals down the drain, They
can kill the beneficial bacteria that treat,your wastewater.Small amounts of standard hiousehold 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'.
NON-DEGRAD ABLER, ITEMS-.,
Cooking grease,disposable diapers, plastics,dental ►ss, cigarettes, etc.
POISONS,:
Gasoline,oil, paint, paint thinner, pesticides, polyurethane,,dyes,disinfectants,antlfreeze, etc.
Water Softeners
Many homes or small businesses may decide toinstall water softeners to address,"hard water"and the
resulting mineral deposits that build up from it.The Title 5 riegul2flons prohibit water softener backwash or
reject wastes from going into a septic system(conventional septic systarrii, I/A system, or cesspool),in
any amount.
Hlowever, the backwash from water softeners or from,other water purification or filtration dev�ices can be:
discharged into a drywell that,has been properly designed and i's approved by the local Board of Health.
Back,wash is wastewater generated from!the cleaning of water and wastewater treatment,filters, A drywell
is a pit with open-Jointed lining or holes that,allow infiltrafion,to the surrounding soil.
For,more Information on having a,drywell designed for your home or business, you should contact the
Health Department.