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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptic Pumping Record Letter - Correspondence - 279 BOXFORD STREET 7/9/2019 4 J y:. s North Andover Health Department Septic Svstiem Puy Records ate 9 1 9 Address: 279 Boxford St. Condition system'-,, Heavy solids in to Dear Owner Please note that a septic system pumping,record date. 6 1 19 and,r iv d 8 1 " states that your septic y em's Stan had aheavy level f bottom solids e. Attaicheld you will find, a y n Carin,g for your Septile System. Ple se read through the fly r to learn some the sug Vie best practices for caring r your septic system. 1p you av gar .i � �1 in our house,p1ease discontinue 'its, use immediately. If you have any questions, or,concerns, please contact the Health Department at the phone number listeldbelow. Thank you for taking the time to consider the impact this,may have on your system as well s the environment. i S t+ 'asey Jr. Health,Inspector p e* 97 9540 Ens* Caring for your Se system: A Reference G 'or ow i Page o h Andover HealthDepartment . ,01 Main Sty,-ee :Niorth-Andover MA 0 1,845 Phone 978.6,88.9540 Fax .., Caring for your Septic System: A, R,eference Gulde for Homeowners Caring for Your Septic System Septic Systems Explained Septic systems are Individual wastewater treatment systems(conventional septic systems, innovative/alternative(I/A)systems,or cesspools)that use the soil and bacteria to treat small wastewater flows, usually from individual es. "hey are typically used In rural or large lot settings where centralized wastewater treatment(sewer system to a treatment plant)i's 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, 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 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 treatment. JVa6-LJ6fiA."A Us" A i&AAU V�*T 6111)Pad n,opr.for] 111TID 'pry W 'To 8 Oullet-tr0tod Platt:seviage a htsoss f to ni ltowqe W3108W11"Ier 0 Des to W Pfid Oralln field sludge 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 aflow the effluent to slowly dra,in into gravel and sand la rs where bacterla further treat and purify the effluent. This is known as secondary treatment. A pro peal yfunctioning septic system purifles,the effluent through prim ary and secondary treatment and does not.pollute the groundwater. Caring for Your Septic System (Conventional Septic System, Innovative/Alternative([/A)System, or Cesspool) The accumulated so�lids In the bottorn 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. Failing systerns can: Cause a serious he It th rot to your fam 1 ly c9 nd n eligh bo rs 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 supplywatershed and fall to maintain your 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 hous , Lush, green growth over the leach field, Slow draining toilets or drains, Sewage odor,s. Save Money by Maintaining Your Septic System 0 A major reason,to maintain lur 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 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 ystern 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, 0 Innovative/Alternative (I/A,)systems, although Providing more advanced treatment,also requ!irle more frequent oversight and maintenance., 0 Please refer to our Septic Installers list for licensed contractors. Tips to Avoid Trouble O have your dank pumped out and system inspected every 2 years,by a licensed septic contractor, if the tank fills pup with an excess,of a hide,the wastewater will not have enough time to settle in the tank.These excess solidi will then pass on to the leach field,where they will clog the drain lines and so'll, More Information tin u i . DO keep a record of purnping, Inspections, and other maintenance.mace. Use the back page of this brachure t record maintenance dates. u � DO practice water conservation. Repair dripping faucets and leaking toilets, rare washing machines and dishwashers only when full, avoid long showers, and use water-Saving features In faucets,shower heads and toilets., DO learn the location ofor septic system and leach field. Keep a sketch of It heady for service e imts. if your system has a flow diversion valve, learn its location,,anid,turn it once a year. Flow divetterscan add many years to the life of your system. DO divert roof drains and surface water from driveways and l i�llsl+d s away from the septic system., Deep pump pumps and house footing drains away from-the septic system as well. CEO grow grass or small plants(riot trees or shrubs)above the septic system to hold the drain field'in wl c . Waterconservation through creative landscaping Is a great way to control excess runoff. DO use only additives that have been allowed for usage in.1 ssa l us tts by M'ass ,EP,Additives that J are allowed fir use In Massachusetts have been determined not to!produce a harmful effect to the inn i id , l system r its,components or to the environment at large. DO take leftover hazard,lous 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', DON'T allow anyone to drive or park over,any,dart of the system.The area over the leach field should be left undisturbed with only a snowed grass �ov r. loots frnru nearby trees or shrubs may clog and darnage your septic Boas. DON' pleat trees itl In 30,feet ofyouur system or park/drive over any part of the system.Tree roots will clog your pipes,and heavy vehic,les,may,cause your septic lines to collapse. �1 ake or,allow repairs to your septic system without obtaining the required health department permit. Use professional licensed contractors when needed. 1 DON'T use commercial septic tank additives other than those allowed for use in Massachusetts Mass DER These products usually donot help and some may hurt your cyst rn in the long run. DON'T use chemical solvents to clean the l r i in r septic system."'l' it l "chemicals,will bill microorganisms that consume harmful wastes.These products can also cause groundwater i curet rnir ati n f DON'T performsexcessive laundry loads with your washing machine. Doing load after load does not allow u your;peptic tank time to adequatelytreat wastes andr r helms the entire system with excess wastewater, You could therefore be flooding your leach field,without allowing sufficient recovery time,You should consult a septic,professional to determine the gallon capacity and number of toads per day that, can,safely gointo the system. DON'T use a garbage griinder,garbage disposal or any type of'in sink food disposall,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 trash can bydumping 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 berieficial bacteria that treat your wastewater, Sma�ll amounts,of standard household cle!aners, 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.-DEGRADABLES ITEMS: Cooking grease,, disposable diapers, plastics,dental'floss, cigarettes, etc. P011SONS: Gasoline,oil, paint, paint thinner, pestic ides, polyure�thane,dyes,disinfectants,,antifreeze, etc. Water Softeners Many homes or small businesses may decide to install 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 wastes from going into a septic system(conventional septic system, I/A system, or cesspool),in any amount. How�ev,er, 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 Is wastewater generated from the cleaning of water and wastewater treatment filters,A drywell is a plit with open-Jointed lining or holes that allow infiltration to the surrounding soil. For more Information on having a I d shou rywell designed for your home or business,you ldcontact the Health Department.