Post on 15-Feb-2021
transcript
Options and Resources for Individuals and Communities using Onsite Systems
Amy Galford, M.S., Extension AssociateCollege of Human Ecology & NYS Water Resources Institute
Cornell Universityaeg1@cornell.edu 607-255-1943
Canadarago LakeRichfield Springs, Otsego County, NY
20 April 2013
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Options and Resources for Property Owners
Decentralized vs. Centralized Wastewater Treatment
Community Decentralized Management Options
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Options and Resources for Individuals and Communities using Onsite Systems
Septic Workshop, Otsego Co, April 2013
Options and Resources for Property OwnersLow-Cost Improvements (free to few hundred $)
Organize records
Routine inspection and pumpingOrganize with neighbors to negotiate inspection
and pumping rates
Add features such as effluent filter (outflow from tank), access risers to make maintenance easier
Water conservation3
Septic Workshop, Otsego Co, April 2013
Emergency measuresHave system inspected and pumped immediatelyConserve water, use water elsewhere
Work with local agencies and design professionals to determine options
Siting – can you use another location on the property?
Rehabilitation – replace, add, or upgrade parts of OWTS
Install an advanced treatment component?
Join a larger system?
Options for a Failing System
4U.S. EPA
Septic Workshop, Otsego Co, April 2013
Options and Resources for Property Owners
Check Local Agencies Before Making Changes• Which changes allowed? • What forms, permits, inspections, or fees are required?
Local Clerk (town or village)
County Code Enforcement Officer – forms may be online
Local Health Department (State not County Health Dept. here)Otsego Co: NYS DOH Oneonta District 607-432-3911Herkimer Co: NYS DOH Herkimer District 315-866-6879
NYS DEC Region 4 Stamford – for activity near wetlands, shoreline; Shoreline General Permit for in-kind replacement http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6048.html
• Who can do the work? e.g.,NYS DEC regulates waste disposal and transport
See NYS DOH Factsheet “Need for Licensed Design Professionals– Residential Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems” 5
Septic Workshop, Otsego Co, April 2013
Possible Sources of Financial Assistance
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USDA Home Repair Loans and Grantswww.rurdev.usda.gov/nylow-income, rural, agemore info next slide and on handout
RCAP Solutionswww.rcapsolutions.org/financial_services.htm
It’s free to ask!
Organize, cooperate, negotiate, be creative
Septic Workshop, Otsego Co, April 2013
Options and Resources for Property Owners
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USDA Home Repair Loans and Grantswww.rurdev.usda.gov/ny
Septic Workshop, Otsego Co, April 2013
Most local area eligible
Property, income, age guidelines
Local contacts:
Otsego CoSchoharie Service Center(518) 295-8600 x4
Herkimer CoMarcy Service Center(315) 736-3316 x4
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Septic Workshop, Otsego Co, April 2013
Individual Property Owners or Community Wastewater Treatment Solution?
• Owner responsible for maintenance
• Provide local groundwater recharge
• Limited by site condition
• Limited life but decades if maintained
• Smaller capital investment and ongoing commitment
• May be low energy
• Good for large rural lots
Wastewater Treatment – Generalizations
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• State, county, watershed regulation
• Nutrient and organism levels reduced to levels for surface discharge
• Regular maintenance, inspection, laboratory testing
• Professional staffing – but can be a challenge for small systems
• Can use or generate energy depending on technology
• Cost-effective for dense population
Septic Workshop, Otsego Co, April 2013
Decentralized (On-Site) vs. Centralized
Much of upstate New York falls in the middle?
Wastewater Treatment
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Septic Workshop, Otsego Co, April 2013
All need state, local, watershed regulation and/or oversightAll need investment to last over timeAll affect community financial and environmental resourcesCommunity planning process
Conventional septic systemAdvanced on-site treatment systemCluster system (e.g., septic tanks but shared treatment field)Management combinationsPackage plantsCentral wastewater treatment plant
Best solution will vary locallyContinuum of centralization and technologyVariety of combinations
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water.epa.gov/infrastructure/septic
Septic Workshop, Otsego Co, April 2013
Range of Community Management Options
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1. Homeowner Awareness – education, records, reminders
2. Maintenance Contracts – for more complex systems (may be required by NYS or county health dept.)
3. Operating Permits – owner permits, renewal, often with contract
4. Responsible Management Entity (RME) Operating and Maintenance – permit to the RME (public or private; fees; technical, managerial, financial capacity)
5. RME Ownership – RME ownership of wastewater treatment system, most similar to sewerage
Septic Workshop, Otsego Co, April 2013
Community Decentralized Management Models
US EPA 2003 Voluntary National Guidelines for Management of Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems
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• Adapt based on environmental sensitivity, public health risk, complexity of systems, other local factors
• May phase in additional management measures over time, monitor results
• Appendices with detailed tables of program elements, responsible parties, activities
• EPA suggestions; NYS, County, Local, watershed regulations may supersede
Septic Workshop, Otsego Co, April 2013
Community Decentralized Management Models
US EPA 2003 Voluntary National Guidelines for Management of Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems
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Integrate with other water resources management (stormwater, private water wells, drinking water source protection, etc.)
Monitoring data to evaluate options and progress
NYS DEC regulation with > 1000 gallons per day –intermediate systems, larger systems
Various federal and state financing assistance for small water systems (next slide)
Septic Workshop, Otsego Co, April 2013
Community Decentralized Management Models
Possible Sources of Financial AssistanceOften geared toward building centralized systems;
ask about decentralized options
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USDA Rural Developmentwww.rurdev.usda.gov/NY_WEP_Home.html Other organizations may get grants from USDA RD to run grant, loan, or technical assistance programs
NYS Environmental Facilities Corporationwww.nysefc.org EPA Clean Water State Revolving Fund for NYS
Syracuse Univ. Environmental Finance Centerefc.syracusecoe.org/efc/sub.html?skuvar=5
RCAP Solutionswww.rcapsolutions.org/financial_services.htm
Septic Workshop, Otsego Co, April 2013
Community Decentralized Management Models
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Case Studies
Otsego Lake – covered in previous presentation
Keuka Lake – 8 municipalities, uniform ordinances, inspection program, contracts, permits (see handout, website)
Owasco Lake – Cayuga Co. Code for periodic inspection + Watershed Inspectorwww.cayugacounty.us/hhs/doh/environmental/septicsystem.htmcayugacounty.us/wqma/owasco/index.htm
Skaneateles Lake (Onondaga Co.)
See handouts and EPA for more examples and principles; Cornell WRI working on developing more NYS case studies
Septic Workshop, Otsego Co, April 2013
Community Decentralized Management Models
What about Canadarago Lake?
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Septic Workshop, Otsego Co, April 2013
The State of Canadarago Lake 2011
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Septic Workshop, Otsego Co, April 2013
• SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station Technical Report #30, Feb 2012
• Provides perspective with data over time and history of wastewater treatment plant, phosphate ban, agricultural practices, invasive species
• “During times of high water, there is concern that submergence of private wastewater treatment systems poses potential human health risks. Also, the inundation of systems could cause substantial flushing of P and N to the lake. Few details are known regarding the current state of treatment systems around Canadarago Lake, and no inspection program is currently instituted to monitor their functionality or treatment performance.”
• Fecal coliform bacteria data in lake and tributaries; spatial and temporal variation.
Public Survey 2008
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Septic Workshop, Otsego Co, April 2013
• Anonymous mail-in survey in Canadarago Lake Improvement Association Spring 2008 Newsletter
• 23% pumping every 3-5yrs>25% never pumped (at least while they owned)
• Do you believe there are significant wastewater problems in the community? ~50% yes
• Do you favor a community wastewater system?31% yes, 48% unsure, 21% no
Discussion of next steps for Canadarago Lake
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Septic Workshop, Otsego Co, April 2013
• Current understanding of onsite wastewater treatment?* Homeowner behavior* Water quality impacts
* Public opinion about options
• Which options technically feasible?
• Which options practical, affordable, preferred?
• Educational strategies?
• Funding opportunities to pursue?