HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptic System Pumping Letter - Correspondence - 175 STONECLEAVE ROAD 7/11/2019 k
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North Andover
(ommunlity atildmf( 0,evellopmem Division
Septic System pin Records
Date: 7/10/19
Address: 1,75 Stonecleave road.
CondItIon of system Heavy solids ,tank
Deer Owner:
Please note that a septicsystem.pumping record dated 6 1 and received, on, 7 8states that,
your septic systems tank had a heavy level lids inside. Attached you will.rindd a flyer
on Caring for your Septic System.. Please read through the fl,yer to leam some ofthe suggested
best Practices f6r caring for your septic system. Ifyou do have a garbage disposal in your house,
lease: d1scontinue its use m y. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact
Health Department at the phone number fistedbelow.
Thank you for taking the time to consider the impact this may have on your system.as well as the
environment.
Sincerely,
000
N vw wm Y
Stephen C sey Jr.
Health Inspector
Office. 9 , 688 95 '
E : Caring for your Septic Systems.. A Reference Guide for Homeowners
Page
North Andover Health, Department, in,Street
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Caring tor your Septic System,,, A Reference
Guide for Homeowners
Caring for Your Septic System
Septic Systems, Explained
,Septic systems are Individual wastewater a mient systems,(conventional septic systems,
inn ti altern ti^ 1 A)systems,,or cesspools)that use the sell andbacteria,to treat small wastewater
flows, usually from individual homes.They are typically used in rural or barge lot settings wh r
centralized ra ast w at r treatment(sewer systern to a treatment plant)is'llImpractical and uiriavailable.
`here are many types of septic systems,In use today. hil all systems are Individually desI n for each
site, most systems are bused n the same principles.
Conventional Septic System
conventional.peptic system consists of a septic tank, a distributionboy and a leach field.
Your septic systems treats your household wastewater by temporarily holding it In the septic tank where
heavy solids and fighter debris are allowed to separate from the wastewater and bacteria begin to break
everything down.'The oli sink to the bottom and are called the sJudge 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 n as primary treatment.
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After the partially treated wastewater(effluent)leaves the tank it flows into a lstri Wion Ibox. The
distributlorI box separates this effluent evenly into a network pipes called septic lines within the!leach
field Small bolas throughout the bottom of each,septic line allow the affluent to slowly drain into,gravel
and sand layers where bacteria further treat and purify the effluent. This"is known as secondary
treatment. A properlyfunctioning septic rna tic system purifies the effluent through primary and ecru
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treatment and does not po,l1ute the groundwater.
Caring for Your Septic System
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(Conventional Septic System, Innovative/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 systern can cause,it fail., Failing sysitems can:
Cause a serious health threat to your farnilyand neighbors,
Degrade the environmienit, especially lakes,streams and groundwater,
Reduce the value of your property',
Be very expensive to repair',, and
Put thousiands,ofwater 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 house,
Lush, green growth over the leach field,
Slow draining toilets or drains,
• Sewage odors,.,
Save Money by MaMtalining Your Septic System
A major reason to maintain our septic system is to save mioney. 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 approxima,tely$300 to$400 to have a,
system Inspected,, and pumped every couple of years,. MaintaInIng a septIc system Is like
maintaining a car.A arnall effort on a regular basis can save a lot of money,and significantly
prolong the,life of the sy sit lem,
Innovative/Alternative (J/A)systems,, although, providing more advanced treatment,,also require
more frequent oversight and maintenance.
P'lease refer to our Septic Installers list for licensed contractors.
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Tips Avoid Trouble
DO have your teak pumped out and system inspected every 2 years by a licensed septic
contractor, If the tank fills up with an excess of s lids,the wastewater will not have enough time to settle
In the tank. These excess s llds will then pass on to the leach field,where they will clog the r iru lines
and *'I. More Information our numping,
O keep a record of pumping,ng, Inspections, and other maintenance.Use the back page of this brochure t
record intenan dates.
DO,practice water conservation. Repair dripping,fauclets and leaking tollu ts,run washing machines and
dishwashers only when full, avold lore showers, and use water-saving features In faucets,shower heads
and toilets.
DO learn,the location f your septic system and leach field., Keep a sketch of It handy for service visits. If
your system has a flow d1version valve, learn its location,and turn It once a year. Flow diverters can add
many years to the life of your system.
Odivert root drains and surface water from rivew s and hillsides away from the septic septj"Ic system. Keep
sump,pumps and house footing drains away from the septic system as well.
DO grog grass or small plants not trees or shrubs)abova the septic system to hoild the drain field in
place.'"Water conservation through creative landscaping is a great way to control excess r un tf.
DO use only additives that have been allowed'for usagein Massachusetts 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 r to the:environment at large.
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DO
tale leftover hazardous household lid he i is to your approved hazardous waste collection ruter for
disposal. Use bl h, disinfectants,and Idr In and toilet bowl cleaners sparingly and in accordance with
product.labels.
DON"Tallow anyone to drive or park over any part of the system.The area over the leach field should
left undisturbled with only a mowed grass cover. boots,from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and darna,ge
your septic lines.
DON'T'plant,trees within 30 feet of,your,system or,parr/drive over,any part of the system.Tree roots will
clog our p1pes, and ueavy'vehicles may cause s our septic lines to collapse.
DON'T make or allow repairs to your septic system without obtaining the required fired'health p rtment
permit, Use profesisionial licensed contractors where,needed.
DONT use cornmercial septic tank c itiv other than those allow d for use in Massachusetts
ss E .These products usually ll not help and some may hurt your system in the berg run.
DON'T use he i l solvents to clean the plumbing or septic system."Miracle"chernicals will Dill
microorganisms that consume h r'mfu ll wastes.These products can also,cause groundwater i
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DON'T
perform excessivelaundry Is with ou,r
r w,ashing machine. Dolng load after load does not allow
your septic tank time to adequately treat wastes and overwhelms the satire system wlth excess
wastewater. You could therefore be flooding your leash 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 systern.
DON'T use a garbage grinder,garbage is salt or any type of lin 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 systerri's capacity, 1,ncreases the need to,pump the septic tank and can damage your system.
DONT use your toilet as a trash can by dumping non-d radable items down your toilet or drains,Also,
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don't poison your sept1c system and the groundwater by pouring harmful chemicals down the drain.They,
can kill the beneficial bacteria that treat,your wastewater. Small amounts of standard household cleaners,
drain cleansers, detergents,etc. will,be diluted Ire the tank and should cause no damage to the system.
K p the following materials out of your system:
NOWDEGRADABLES,ITEMS:
Cooking grease, disposable d1a,pers, plastics, dental floss, cigarettes, etc.
POISONS:
Gasoline,oil, paint, paint thinner, pesticides, polyurethanie,dyes,, disinfect ants, antifreeze, etc,
Water Softeners
Many homes or small businesses may decide to install,water softeners to address"'hard water"'and thie
resulting mineral deposits that build up from it,The Title 5 regulations prohibit water softener backwash or
re,ject wastes from going Into a septic system(conventional septic system, I system, or cesspool), in
any amount.
However, the backwash�from water softeners or from oth or er water purification 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
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is a pit with open-jointed lining or holes that allow Infiltration to the surrounding soil,.
For more Information on having a I drywell,designed for your home or busine ss,you should contact the
Health Department.