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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGarbage Disposals and Septic Systems - Correspondence - 84 SUGARCANE LANE 5/21/2024 North Andover Health Department Community and Economic Development Division March 21, 2024 Address: 84 Sugarcane Lane All North Andover Residents with Septic Systerns and Garbage Disposals Please mote that clue to a recent review of a Title 5 Report, your property has been identified as maintaining a working garbage disposal that is being used in conjunction with a septic system.. The Health Departtrtent is concerned fir the longevity of your septic system. Garbage disposals are, never reconiniended where septic systems are used, but ifthey are installed, the system must be, specifically designed to handle the waste from them; your system tnay not be able to handle the waste as designed. Please note that continued use; of this disposal. could quickly cause a pre-inature. fitilr.rre ol'yottr septic system, resulting in a large expenditure to replace it. The North Andover Iwlcalth Department recornmettds that this disposal be remove from your home as soon as possible. Some information regarding regular maintenance of your septic system is included. Please call the I lealth I.)epa:rtment at. 978.688.9540 if you have any cluestions, or e-mail your questions to h-(.,lthdcm(tr tc uftftdover n vn/- Thank you for taking the time to consider the impact that your current setup has on your septic system and the, environment. Sine— y' Brian ,aGrasse, C't IIT L)irec:tor of l?Ubli.c I lealth — ........... _. __ ... .._._ ..... . . ........ . . ................. _......_ 120 Main Street, North Andover, Massachusetts 01845 Phone 978.688.9540 Fax 978.688.9542 Web http://www.northandoverma.gov 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 systerns, innovative/alternative(I/A)systems, or cesspools)that use the soil and bacteria to treat sniall 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 consist,; of a septic tank, a distribution box and a leach field. Your septic system treats your household wastewater by ternporarily 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. h *%n( mp opt)parts Scum Not sewage worsimm house waslewattr goo$ to Oistdbvtlon hox zrwJ drain field 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 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. A properly functioning septic system purifies the effluent through primary and secondary treatment and does not pollute the groundwater. Caring for Your Septic System (Conventional Septic System, Innovative/Alternative (I/A.) Systern, or Cesspool) The aCCUrnulated solids in the bottom of the septic tank should be pumped out every two year's to prolong the life of your system. Septic systerris must be maintained regularly to stay working. Neglect or abuse Of Your system can COUSO it to fail. Failing systems can: • Cause a serious health threat to your farnily and neighbors, • 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 supply watershed and fail to maintain your system. Be alert to these warning signs of afailing 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 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 could cost up to$40,000 or more to repUice a failing system with a new one, compared to approximately$300 to$400 to[lave 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 motley and significantly prolong the life of the system, • Innovative/Alternative (I/A)systems, although providing more advanced treatment,also require more frequent oversight and maintenance. • Please refer to our Septic Installers list for licensed contractors, ----------- ------___ I------- Tips to Avoid Trouble DO have your tank pumped out and system inspected every 2 years by a licensed septic contractor, If the tank fills up with an excess of solids, the wastewater will not have enough tirrie 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 pumping. DO keep a record of pumping, inspections, and other maintenance. Use the back page of this brochure to record maintenance dates. DO practice water conservation. Repair dripping faucets and leaking toilets, run 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 of your septic system and leach field, Keep a sketch of it handy for service visits. If your system has a flow diversion valve, learn its location, and turn it once a year. Flow diverters can add many years to the life of your system, DO divert roof drains and surface water frorn driveways and hillsides away from the septic system, Keep SUMP Pumps and 110LIse footing drains away from the septic system as well. DO grow grass or small plants(not trees or shrubs)above the septic system to hold the drain field in place. Water conservation through creative landscaping is a great way to control excess runoff. 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 chernicals to your approved hazardous waste collection center for disposal. Use bleach, disinfectants, and drain and toilet bowl cleariers 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 undisturbed with only a mowed grass cover. [Roots from nearby 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 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 corninercial septic tank additives other than those allowed for Use in Massachusetts by MassDEP. Those products usually do riot help and some may hurt your system in the long run. DON'T use chemical solvents to clean the plUmbing or septic system. "Miracle"chen'licals will kill microorganisms 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 firne to adequately treat wastes and overwhelms 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. DON'T use a garbage grinder, garbage disposal or any type of in sink food disposal, which feeds into the septic system. if you do have one in the house, severely limit its use or rernove 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 systern, DON'T use your toilet 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 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 in the tank and should cause no damage to the system. Keep the following materials Out Of your system: NOWDEGRADABLES ITEMS: Cooking grease, disposable diaper,,,,,, plastics,dental floss, cigarettes, etc. POISONS: Gasoline,oil, paint, paint thinner, pesticides, polyurethane:,, dyes, disinfectants, antifreeze, etc, Water Softeners Many hornes or small businesses may decide to install water softeners to address"hard water"and the resulting mineral deposits that build Lip 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. However, the backwash from water softeners or from other water purification or filitration 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 pit with open jointed lining or hoies that allow infiltration to the surrounding soil. For more information on having a drywell designed for your horne or business,you should contact the Health Department.