HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptic System Pumping Letter - Correspondence - 104 BRIDGES LANE 7/11/2019 I
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North Andover Health Departmetif
(ommunIty,and Economic DevelopnientDivision
System Pumping r
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Address: 104 Bridges
Condition of system: Heavy solids, in ter
Dear Owner.
Please note that a septic system pumpingrecord dated 6/5/19 and received on 7/8/19 states that
your septic yste tan had a heavy level of tip and, bottom solids inside. Attache,d.your will
find a flyer on, Caring for your,Septic System. Please read,through the flyer to learn some of
the suggested best practices for caring for your septic system., If you o have a garbage disposal
in your house,please discontinue its use immediately. If you have any questions r concems,
please contact the Health e rtme u.t at the phone number listed below.
Thaw you for taking the time to consider the impa t this may have on your system as well as the
en�viromnent.
n
Sty 1k Casey Jr.
Health Inspector
Office: 978) 6,88 9540
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n Caring for your Septic System; A Reference Guide for Homeowners
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Caring for your Septic
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Guide for Homeowners
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Caring for Your Septic System
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Septic Systems Exp1ained
Septic systems are Individual wastewater treatment systems (conventional septic systems,
irin tie lternati e 1 t rns,er cesspools)that use the soil and bacteria to treat small wastewater
flogs,usually from individual homes.They are typically used in,rural or large let settings where
centralized wastewater treatment(sewer system to a,treatment plant)is impractical and unavailable.
"here are many types of,septic systems In use today.'"chile all s stems are individually designed,for each
site, moist systems are based n the same principles.
Conventional Septic System
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conventional septic system consists of a septic tank,a distribution box and e leech field.
Your septic system treats your household stewat r 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 brew
everything down.The solids sink to the bottom,and are,called the sludge layer,the lighter debris such as
hiair, oills and grease float to the top and are called a scum layer; and the wastewater or effluent is,left in
the middle., 'This separation ration ma ss with the initial decomposition is known as primary treatment.
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.After the partially treated wastewater(effluent)leaves the tank it flows into e 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 lime allow the effl gent to slowly rA in into gravel
and sand layers where bacteria further treat and purify the effluent, This is known n s 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
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(Conventional Septic System, Inn ova tive/Alternative(1t/A)System,or Cesspool)
The acclumulated solids In the bottom of the septic tank should be pumped out every two years,to,prolong
the life of yoairs ystem. Septic systems must be maintalned regularly to stay working.
Neglect or,abuse ofyour system can cause it tofa,11.Failing sysitems can:
a Cause a serious health threat to y,our family and neighbors,
0 Degrade the environment, especially lakos,stream rid groundwater',
0 Reduce the value of your property,
a Be very expensive to repair,, and
0 Put thousands of water supply users at risk If you live in a public water suppilywatershed'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 gro,wth 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.Fai'ling 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 now 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.A small effort on a,re, ular basis can save a lot of money and significantly
prolong the life of the systerri.
• Inniovative/Alternative(I/A,)systems,although providing more advanced treatment,a,lso require
more frequent oversight and maintenance.
• Please refer to our Septic Installers list for licensed contractors.
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Tips to Avoid Trouble
DO have your tank pumpedout and;system Inspected eves ear's by a licensed septic
contractor,,if the tank fill's up with an excess of solids,the wastewater will not have enough timeto settle ;
In the tank.These e excess solids will then pass on to the leach field,where they will clog the drain lines
and soil. More Information on pumping.
o keep a re+ or of pumping, Inspections, and other maintenance. Use the back page of this brochure to
record maintenance dates.
o practice teeter conservation.ation.Repair dripping faucets cet and leaking toilets, ruin washing machines err
dishwashers only when full avoid long showers,and use water-saving features In faucets,shower heeds
and toilets. I
o learn the location of your sept(r,system and leach f ��� etc of it �ar ,�for� �ivisits. If
your system has a flow diversion velure learn its location,and turn it once a year. Flow diverterscan add i
many years to the life of your system.
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o,divert roof drains and surface water from driveways and hillsidies,away from the septic system.Kee
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sump pumps and house footing drains away from the septic system as well.
o grow gauss or small pleats (riot trees or shrubs)above the septic system to bold the drain Field i
place.Water conservation through creative landscaping Is a great way to control excess runoff'.
o use only additives that have been allowed for usage in Massachusetts,setts Ies ) P,Additives that
are allowed for use in Massachusetts have beendetermined'not to produce a harmful effect to the
individual system or its components or to the environment at large.
o take a leftover hazardous household of chemicals to your approved hazar ooe waste collection center for
disposal. Use bleach,disinfectants,and drain and toilet bowl cleaners sparingly and in accordance with
product labels.
ON'T allow anyone to drive or park over any part of'the system.The area over the leach field should be
left undlisturbed with only a mowed grass+co rer.,Roots from n�learby 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 tem.Tree roots will
clog your,pipes,and
heavyvehicles maycause your septic lines to collapse.
DON'T make or allow repairs to your septic system without o' tainiru the required health department l
permit.Use professional licensed contractors hen needed. 1
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DON'T use commercial septic tank additives other than those allowed'for use In Massachusetts
MassDEP.Teeproducts usually o not help and some may hurt your system in the long run.
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DON'T use chemical solvents,to clean the plumbing or septic system."Miracle"'chemicals will kill
r' lor0or Bn isms that consume harm foul wastes.These products can also cause groun dwater l'
contamination
DON'T perform,excessive laundry loads with your washing machine.Dolng load after load does not allow
your septic tank time to adequately treat wastes and overwhelms 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 loads per day that
can safely go into the system.,
DON17 uso a garbage grinder,garbago disposal,or any type of in sink food disposal,which feeds
Into the septic system.lip you do have one in the house, severely limit its,use or remove It. Food materials
do not,bireal(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 SeptiGtank and can damage your systun.
DON'T use your toilet as a trash can by dumping non-degradableltems,down your tollet or drains.Also,
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don"t poison your septic tem and the groundwater by pouring harmful chemicals down the drain.They
can kill the beneficial bacteria that treat your wastewater. Small amount off"standard household cleaners,
drain cleansers,detergents,,etc.willble diluted In the tarik 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, pesticidesl plotyurethane,dyes,disinfectants,antifreeze, etc.,
Water,Softeners
Many homes or small businesses may decide o 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 goling into a septic system(conventional septic system, I/A system, or cesspool),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 b�een properly designed and Is roved the local Board of Health.
Backwa,shis wastewater generated from the cleaning of water and wastewater treatment filters, A drywell
is a pit,with apen-jointed lining or,holes that allow Infiltration to thin surrounding so'
ror more information on having a)d'rywell designed for your home or business,you should contact the
Health Department,.,