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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptic System Pumping Letter - Correspondence - 1148 OSGOOD STREET 7/11/2019 �;P I VII I t1M'ii�r. 1y PV P T i i North, Andover ni (ommu,nity aAE(onoi Ivelopnie,nt Division 1 P in ,ping Records Date.- 1 1 t Condition of system: heavy solids in tank Dear Owner Please note that a septic system pumping rIecord,dated 6 6 and received 19 states that your septic system"s, tan had a heavy level solids Inside. Attached you will :d a fy r on C g for your Septille System. Please read throughthe flyer~to learn some e suggested best radices for caring for your septic system. If you do have a garbage disposal in your house, please discontinue its use immediately. you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Health Department at the phone number listed,below. Thank you for tak-i the time to consider the 'impact this may have on your system aswell as the environment. Sincerely, Y w � Stephen(, C/asey Jr. Health.Inspector Office,-. (978 688 9540 c: Caring for your Septic System. A Reference Guide for,11 m wners i _.............................................._._..___....__.._.............._......._.___.___._..._................._..._...___ ..__.._...... ___.. ... _. m __...___.__._-__.._._w._.__.__._p_w.....__.. .. _.._..___.__._ ._ ..._......_.... _.__. __...._... _.._..__..... i Page North-Andoverealth Department, 120, Main Street Caring for your Septic System: A Reference Guide for, Homeowners Caring for Your Septic System Septic Systems Explained Septic systems are'Individual wastewater treatment systems(conventional Septic systems, innovative/afternativ I/A)systems,, or cesspools)that use the soil and bacteria 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 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' flghter debris are alllowed to separate from the wastewater and bacteria begin to break eIverythinn down.The Solid's sink to the bottom and are called the sludge layer; the lighter debris such as hair, olls 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. h,A AAA it wW k 1.14..At 'Sop 0; !It* 4 loll '1 9,• IN 0, .14 elm P 10 14 of MIME""-1 0 4 0111),Pa Vq ANI MIN ididd 11 11 01 1101 ire 0 1011,Mol"I III I I IMM Outlet:tirel Inlet:semage aht6r5l fro m hpu�;b 09tilibullon bO PO,dialn'f d ...........M...........0, im I RI in, 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. Sm all proles throughout the bottom of each septic line allow the effluent to slowly drain into gravel and pan layers where bacteria further treat and purify the:effluent. This 'is known,as Secondary treatment., A properly functioning septic system,purifies the eff' eI lunt through primary and secondary treatment and does not pollute the groundwater. Caring for Your Septic System (Conventional Septic System, Innovative/Alternative(111A)System,or Ces l) 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 can cause it to fall. Failing systems,can: Cause a serious health threat to your family and neighbors, Degraide 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 your live in a public water su ly watershed and fail 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 the leach field, S low d ra i n Ing toilets or d rains, Sewage odors. Save Money by MaintainIng Your Septic System 0 A major reason to maintain your septic system,is to save money. Failing systems are expensive tol 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 failing 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,regular basis can save a lot of money and signiflicantly pr!olong the life of the sys,t:em,, 0 Innovative/Alternative([./A)systems, although providing more advanced treatment,also require more frequent oversight and maintenance. 0 Pleasie refer to our Si tic,Installers fist for licensed contractors. TIp,s to Avoid'Trouble DO have your tank pupped out,and system inspected every 2 years by a 111cansed septic contractor, If the tank fills up with an excess of solids,,the wastewater,will not have:enough time to settle Min the tank. These excess solids will then pass,on to the leach field,wher,e they will clog the drain lines and soil. More,informatilon-ors_pUm_ping DO keep a record of pumping, Inspections,, and other maintenance. Use the back page of this brochure to record ma,intenance dates., DO practice water conservation.Repair dripping faucets g machines and dishwashers,only when full, avoid long showers, and use water-saving features In faucets,, shower heads and toilets. 0:0 learn the,location of your sep tilc system and leach field. Keep a sketch of it handy for service visits. If' your system has a flow diversion valve, learn it, location, and turn,it once a year., Flow divefters 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 plumps and house footing drains away from the septic system as well. DO grow grass or sm,all plants(not trees or shrubs,)above the septic system,to hold the drain field in p lacle.Water conservation th roug h creative Ian ds ping is a great way to co ntrol excess run f. 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,disinfectants,and drain and toilet bowl cleaners sparingly and in accordance with product labels. DON'T allow anyone to drive or park over any part of the system.The area over the leach field should be left u ndistu rbed with only a,mowed grass cover. Root�'s from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage your septic lines. D 0 IT plant trees with I n 30,feet of your system or park/drive over any part of the system.Tree roots will clog your pipes,,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 professional licensed contractors when needed. DON'T use commercial sleptic tank additives other than those allowed for use In Wssachusetts,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."'Miracle"chemical's will kill m1croorga n isms that consume harmful wastes.These products can also,cause groundwater contamination. 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 floodin�g your leach field without allowing sufficient recovery t1me,You sh consult a,septic profession al to determine the gallon capacity and number of loads per day that ould can safely go Into thie system. DON'T use a garbaqO grindiero garbage,disposal or any type of in sink food'disposal,which feeds Into the septic.system. if you do ha ,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. i DOS"T use your toilet as a trash can by dumping non Bur Items do�w�n your toilet or drains, Also, 0 1" don't,poison your septic,system and the groundwater by pouring harmful chemicals down the drain,They I can kIll the beneficial bacteria that,treat,your wastewater,. Small amounts of standard household cleaners, drain cleansers,,detergents, etc.will be diluted In tp tank and should cause no damage to the system, Keep the following materials out fyour system: NOWDEGRADABLES Coo in grease, disposable diapers, plastics,,dental floss, cigarettes, etc., POISONS: Gasoline,oil, paint,,paint thinner, pesticides, polyurethane,dyes,, disinfectants, antifreeze, etc. Water Softeners Many homes or all businesses may decide to install water softeners address,"hard water and the resulting mineral dieposits that build up from It,The Title 5 regulations prohibit water softener bac,kwash or reject wastes from going into a septic system(conventional septic system, I system, or cesspool),,in any amount. How ver, the backwash from,water soft�eners,or from other water purification or filtrationdevices,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 pit with,open-j"pinted lining or,holes that allowinfiltration to the surrounding soil. For more Information on having a,dry well designed foryour home or business,you should contact the Health Department.