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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGarbage Disposals and Septic Systems - Correspondence - 315 ABBOTT STREET 7/1/2024 • North Andover Health Department tornnaanity and Economic Develolanaent Division :holy 11, 2024 Address:ss: i l S Abbott Street All Nortlr Andover Residents with Septic 4 sterns and Carrleaa e l:)irs arsaaIs please note, that due to as recent review, of"aa`I"itle, 5 Report, your property has been identified as maintaining as working garbage disposal that is being used in conjunction with as septic system. The l leaalth 1)cpaartrnean is concerned fior the longevity ot.`yoarr septic system. (i4r:rliarge disbar als arr � a�ever reccara mended where septic. systems aare used, kart ii"tlacy are installed, t,lae SYSteM naaast he specifically designed to handle tlae waste t`rorn tlac,rn; your systern may not be able to handle the waste as designed. Pteaase note that contiaaaaed use ot`this disposal could claaickly cause as pre-naaataarC' l4ailrare of`yocar septic systenl, rep aaltialg in as large expenditure to replace it. The 'North Andover l leaalth l)epaarnrient rccoinnaends that the disposal be remove From your hoa"aye is soon as possible. Some inforraaaation regarding regular maaintenaance, of`your septic system is included. Please call the l-leaalth l)c pl artanent at 978.688.£)r40 ifyou have any questions, or e-naaail yoaar clerestioras to l�r�G�ltl�cl�l�r��cr�,�rct��l��ar��.�ctvc.rs��� • Thank you t6r taking the tirnc; to consider the impact that yoaaa° Current setup has on yoaar septic system and the; environment. �i�rx c:re^l ® .... ria I.,iI ircis s e (.T;l IT " Director of t'uhlic l leaalth _._...... ---- --------------- . ..... 120 Main Street, North Andover, Massachusetts 01845 Phone 978.688.9540 Fair 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 systems, innovative/alternative(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 lighter debris are allowed to separate frorn 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 scurn layer; and the wastewater or effluent is left in the middle. This separation process with the initial decomposition is known as primary treatment. arrMindort(Purnp Out)PortspW*" Tee Inlet:Rffl4e th'L&5 from house wlkstavatir goes tP Oistriblitibn box ond dmin field Waslowakr -I P 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) System, or Cesspool) Tire 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 fail. Failing systems can: • Cause a serious health threat to your family 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 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 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 replace a failing system with a new one, compared to approximately$300 to$400 to have a systern 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 significantly prolong the life of the system. • Innovative/Alternative (I/A) systerns, although providing more advanced treatment, also require more frequent oversight and maintenance. • Please refer to our Septic Installers list for licensed contractors. Tips to Avoid Trouble DO have your tank purnped out and systern inspected every 2 years by a licensed septic contractor, If the tank fills LIP with an excess of solids, the wastewater will riot have enOLIgh time 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 pL!Mj.)in,( 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 systern and leach field, Keep a sketch of it handy for service visits, If your systern has a flow diversion valve, learn its location, and turn it once a year. Flow diverters can add niany years to the life,of your system, DO divert roof drains and surface water from driveways and hillsides away from the septic systern. Keep surnp pumps and house footing drains away from the septic system as well, DO grow grass or small plants (riot 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 beery allowed for usage in Massachusetts by MassDEP.Additives that are allowed for use in MaSSadIUSettS 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 arid toilet bowl cleaners sparingly arid in accordance with product labels. DON'T allow anyone to drive or park over any part of the systern. The area over the leacli field Should be left undisturbed with only a mowed grass cover-. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs r-nay clog and damage your septic lines. DON'T plarittrees 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 SyStern Without obtaining the required health department permit. Use professional licensed contractor's when needed, DON'T use cornmercial septic tank additives other than those allowed f()1"use in Massachusett's by MassDEP, 'Fliese products usually do not helr.r and some may hurt your,system in the long run, DON'T USC')cheernical solvents to clean the plumbing or septic system. "Miracle" chemicals will kill microorganisms that C01"ISUrne harrTifirl wastes.These products can also cause groundwater contamination. DON'T perform excessive laundry leads v ith your washing machine, Doing load after load does not allow YOUrseptic tank time to adequately treat wastes arid overwhelms the entire system with excess Wastewater, YOU could therefore be flooding your leach field WithOUt allowing Sufficient recovery tirne. You should consult a septic professional to determine the gallon capacity and number of loads per (lay that oa r, safely go irito 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 remove it. Food Materials do not break down the same way as wastewater and addirig food wastes or other solids severely reduces Your systern'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 iterns down yoLir toilet or drains. Also, don't p6son your septic,systerfl and the grOUndwater by pouring harniful chernicals down the drain,They can kill the beneficial bacteria that treat your wastewater. Small arnotirits of standard household cleaners, drain cleansers, detergents, etc.will be diluted in the tank and should cause no damage to the system. Keep tile following materials OUt of your systern'. NOWDEGRADABLES ITEMS: Cooking 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 suiafl 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 frorn going into a septic systern (conventional septic system, I/A systern, or cesspool), in any amount. However,the Imckwash from water softeners or from ott,ier water rRirification or filtration doViCeS can be en property designed and is approved by the local Board of Health. discharged into a drywell that has be Backwash is wastewater generated fromthe cleaning of water an(J wastewater treatment filters. A drywell is a fait with open jointed liriing or holes that,allow infiltration to the SUrr'OUnding soil. For more infort-natJon on having a drywell designed for your home or business, YOU should cont,.ict the. Health Department.