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A STATEWIDE AND LOCAL PERSPECTIVE ON ONSITE SEPTIC SYSTEMS:
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR LAKES, ESSENTIAL MAINTENANCE AND ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS
Bindu Bhakta, Educator, MSU Extension
Terry Gibb, Senior Educator, MSU Extension
Dr. Ted Loudon, Professor emeritus, MSU
Laura Pobanz, Supervisor, Macomb County Health Department
Michigan Inland Lakes Conference
April 30, 2016
EXTENSION’S MISSION
Helping people to improve their lives through an educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues, needs and opportunities.
SMITH-LEVER ACTTHE BEGINNING OF THE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
1914 – 2016Over 100 Years of Researched-based
Education
MSU EXTENSION FUNDING PARTNERS
Contracts/GrantsApplied for based on current local needs and issues identified by citizen input
County•County Board
of Commissioners•County voted millage
State•State Legislature•Land Grant University
Federal•USDA•Smith‐Lever Act of 1914
ONSITE SEWAGE TREATMENTMAINTAINING YOUR SYSTEM
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Protect The Environment Protect Your Health Protect Your Investment
Laura PobanzMacomb County Health Department
THERE IS NO “AWAY”
Onsite wastewater systems need long term maintenance.
WHY NOW? WHAT’S CHANGED?The old paradigms
The sewer is coming It just goes “away”
The new paradigms The sewer is NOT coming! There is NO “AWAY”!
THE WATERS OF THESE UNITED STATES
Laws based on navigation Prohibit any restrictions or actions that inhibit navigation
Waterways led the westward expansion
Waterways are economic engines
THE CLEAN WATER ACT -- 1972
No one has the right to polluteNot citiesNot corporationsNot you or me
National Goal that our waters be:Fishable Swimmable
Source: © http:www.cleveland.com
THE EPA SUPPORTS DECENTRALIZED OPTION
In 1997, the EPA reported to Congress on Use of Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems
Here’s an excerpt from the EPA’sExecutive Summary:Adequately managed decentralized wastewater systems are a cost-effective long-term option for meeting public health and water quality goals ...
REGULATING ONSITE WASTEWATER IN MICHIGAN
Local Health Department Codes for single and two family homes and commercial systems less than 1,000 gallons per day.
• Statewide rules for subdivisions, condominiums, and parcels less than one acre.
• Statewide rules for commercial systems over 1,000 gallons per day.
WHAT IS SEWAGE? Black-water vs. Gray-
water Wastewater Streams
Garbage Grinder Laundry Kitchen Bathroom
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SEPTIC TANK
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SEPTIC OUTLET
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DRAIN TILE
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STONE
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TRENCH COVER
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TRENCH DESIGN
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DRAINFIELD BED
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WHAT DETERMINES THE SIZE OF A SEPTIC FIELD?
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1. Type of soil
2. Water Table
3. Number of bedrooms in the house
PERC TEST VS. SOIL EVALUATION
Soil Evaluation Dig into soil Observe slope, soil
horizons, texture, structure, color
Look for indications of water table fluctuation and flooding
Perc Test Apply water to ground
& clock absorption time
Does not show impact of continuous dosing, effect of ground water, flooding potential
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USDA SOIL TRIANGLE
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SOIL STRUCTURE
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DESIRABLE CONDITIONS
Porous and Dry Soil -Amount of sand compared to clay and siltThe more sand the better for absorptionLimits: too coarse leaches to groundwaterTexture – blocky structure vs. layeredLow seasonal high water table
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WELL DRAINED SOIL - NO MOTTLING
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UNDESIRABLE CONDITIONS Non-porous soils (clay,silt) Compact soils Saturated soils (seasonal or year round) Mottled soil Gray / Blue soil Thick & black top soil Surface water Water marks on trees Vegetation types Topography
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MOTTLING IN SOIL
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ISOLATIONProper Isolation - Well – protect water supply
Basement – prevent flow back to basement; footing drains can be a quick route to well
Surface water – prevent contamination of surface water; prevent surface water from impacting function of drainfield
Property line – prevent neighbor disputes Driveways - prevent traffic on drainfield
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ADDITIONAL DESIGNS/COMPONENTS
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Effluent Filter
DIVERTER VALVE
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DISTRIBUTION BOX Install tile lines at different elevations Slow effluent from pump prior to header
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DISTRIBUTION BOX
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DROP BOX
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PUMP SYSTEMS
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STONELESS SYSTEMS
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ADVANCED TREATMENT DESIGNPRETREATMENT FILTER
Use where natural soils are not suitable for a conventional drainfield
Use when available space is limited Effluent goes from septic tank through a
pretreatment device (sand filter, manufactured media filter etc.)Clean effluent from pretreatment goes to final drainfield
Must have O & M contract
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SAND FILTER
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FILTER EFFLUENT
TankSingle PassMultiple pass
(recirculating)
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MEDIA FILTERS
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HOW TO AVOID THIS…
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BIOMAT FORMATION
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CONTRIBUTORS
Improper DesignPoor InstallationHydraulic OverloadLandscape IntrusionPhysical DeteriorationPoor/Improper Maintenance
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POOR SITE PREPARATION
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GOOD SITE PREPARATION
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ROOT INTRUSION
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PHYSICAL FAILURE OF TANK
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KNOW WHERE YOUR SYSTEM IS
Check with your local health department for records
Make a sketch of your yard showing where everything is; include measurements
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PUMP REGULARLY
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CONSERVE WATER
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Don't run the washer in water-usage prime times, such as when the toilets, showers, and bathtubs are in demand.
Don't do several loads of laundry in one day. Spread it out and do one load a day for several days.
DO NOT FLUSH
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COFFEE GRINDS
DENTAL FLOSS
DISPOSABLE DIAPERS
KITTY LITTER
SANITARY NAPKINS
TAMPONS
CIGARETTE BUTTS
CONDOMS
FAT, GREASE, OR OIL
PAPER TOWELS
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PROPERLY USE AND DISPOSE OF CLEANERS AND CHEMICALS
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Too many chemicals can cause disruption of the bacterial process in the tank
KEEP VEHICLES & LARGE LANDSCAPING OFF
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DIVERT SURFACE WATER
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WHAT DO I DO?????
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TAKE HOME POINTS
Know what your site conditions are or are not capable of handling
Make sure the design is suited for the site conditions
Protect the site from damage prior to, during, and after construction
Maintain through regular pumping, proper landscaping, water conservation, and conscious disposal.
Keep good records59
ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT –PHOSPHORUS, NITROGEN AND
PATHOGEN REMOVALTed Loudon
Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department
MSU
Permeability
The ability of a soil to allow water to move through it
Nutrients
Compounds which can cause water quality problems at elevated levels
Pathogens
Organisms which can pose health risks
Important Definitions
LAKE WATER QUALITY CONCERNS
Biological Bacteria – Coliform is the indicator organism
typically used
Nutrients Phosphorus Nitrogen
BIOLOGICAL AND NUTRIENT REMOVAL OCCURS IN SOIL
ABSORPTION TRENCH CONSTRUCTION
SOIL STRUCTURE
PERMEABILITY OF SOIL
High Low
Course Fine
PROCESSES AT WORK
MEDIA
BIOLOGICALMASS
LIQUID WASTES
ORGANICS
END PRODUCTS
AIR
PAT HOGENS
EXCESSCELL MASS
B.O.D.SS
NUTRIENTS
LIMITATIONS OF CONVENTIONAL SEPTIC SYSTEM
Type of Soil
Depth of Soil
Environmental Sensitivity of the Site
Type of Wastewater
Absorption Field Trench
Water Table
Backfill
StoneAir
WASTEWATER TREATMENT IN SOIL
Physical Processes Filtering Adsorption
Biological and Chemical Processes Aerobic biological processes Microscopic Organisms Reduction of Pathogens
BIOLOGYTYPES OF ORGANISMS Anaerobic
Thrive in the Septic tankMost pathogens areSlow growth
AerobicMost soil-based treatmentAerobic treatment unitsFaster growth in response to food availability
Both break down wasteUse it as food source
PATHOGEN RETENTION
Pathogen trapped physically
Pathogen trapped –+ and – charges attract
PATHOGEN REMOVALAttacked by soil bacteria,Die due to temp. and Moisture fluctuations.
PATHOGEN REMOVAL
Depends on flow rate through soilTwo types of water flow in soil
Saturated flowUnsaturated flow
Pathogen removal best in unsaturated flow situation
PATHOGEN REMOVAL RATES
Depends on wastewater strengthDepth of loam soil to remove fecal
coliform:Septic tank effluent – 18-24 inchesConstr. Wetland effl. – 6-12 inchesSand filter effluent – less than 6 in.
PHOSPHORUS REMOVAL
Many soils have ability to remove PSandy soils remove less unless they
have Iron, Aluminum or Calcium present
Soils with clay or organic matter usually are good at P removal
PHOSPHORUS REMOVAL
Soils horizons where Iron, Aluminum or Calcium are present are effective in removing Phosphorus.
Iron and Aluminum tend to be associated with clay particles and may be concentrated in certain soil layers
THE SYSTEM EVALUATED
PHOSPHORUS IN GROUNDWATER
In most silt and clay rich soils, groundwater velocities are slow enough (<10 m/year) and phosphate retardation factors are high enough that phosphate migration (perhaps <1 ft/yr) is not normally of great concern.
BENEFITS OF ALTERNATING SYSTEMS
It has been observed that resting a soil absorption system (that is, suspending septic tank effluent loading) for several months can lead to regeneration of some of the phosphate removal capacity in the vadose zone (Gold and Sims 2000).
PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMDISTRIBUTION
SHALLOW PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION
SHALLOW TRENCHES
Backfill Over Area
Diversion ForSurface Water
Grass Cover
A SECOND PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION OPTION
DRIP IRRIGATION OPTION
MOUND SYSTEMTREATMENT AND DISTRIBUTION
Cross Section Detail
MOUND SYSTEM
MOUND SYSTEM WHY IS IT NEEDED?
Improves treatment
Provides Vertical Separation for Treatment
Above water table
Above impermeable layer
Above bed rock
Spreads Effluent over Large Area of Soil
Allows Use of Slowly Permeable Soil or soils with high
water table
SOURCE REDUCTION
Eliminate P in laundry detergentsRemoves up to 60%
Eliminate P in dish washing detergentsRemoves up to 25%
SOURCE DIVERSION Eliminate garbage grinders
Removes 2 – 10%
Micro-flush toilets and black water holding Involves very low water, usually vacuum assist toilets
Black water only holding tanks
Pump and haul by licensed hauler
Removes 50 – 90% depending on detergent diversion
Urine separation and diversion Urine only holding tanks
No pathogen concern
Application to agricultural land, possibly by farmers
Removes 33 – 43% depending on user’s motivation
PRECIPITATION IN THE SEPTIC TANK
Add precipitating agents to the tankAdds greatly to the solids accumulationRemoves up to 95%
NITROGEN REMOVALDepends on soil conditionsNitrogen removal is a two step process
First requires an aerobic conditionSecondly it requires an anaerobic condition
In a sandy soil with no clay layerAeration results in nitrate formationNo anaerobic condition existsNitrate moves toward groundwater
FOR PROPER SYSTEM USEDO:
Practice Water ConservationUse Garbage Grinder SparinglyHave Tanks Checked and PumpedWatch System For Warning Signs
WHY A STATE CODE? Onsite wastewater technology is changing rapidly
Less emphasis on disposal, more on treatment More science applied to the field and more research
results coming out Improved understanding of wastewater treatment by soils More treatment options – more hardware to choose from
With local rule, every local jurisdiction has to review, understand, and make judgment about each change that comes along
Society is more mobile and more communicative Installers work a wider area, don’t do well with varying rules People are more aware and don’t understand why a
technology that is OK in one place in not OK in another More use of onsite, more need to do it the best way
SEPTIC SYSTEM WORKSHOP FOLLOW UP
2015 Workshops
4 in person : Harrison Twp., Shiawassee Co., Washington Twp.,
Barry-Eaton Co.
105 participants
1 statewide webinar
148 participant sites
2015 FOLLOW UP RESULTS 33% response rate from in person
participants
27% webinar response rate
100% indicated knowledge increase on topic
79% / 82% primary residence was septic
29%/ 31% septic was second residence
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5
10
15
20
25
30
35
In person Webinar
Survey Response Rate
2014 & 2015 FOLLOW UP RESULTS2014 Workshops
Over 76% indicated making changes regarding septic use
Changes included:Spaced out laundry -69%Reduced water usage -56%Reduced use of garbage disposal -44%Had system checked by professional -44%Stopped putting grease, fats, oils down drain -44%
Over 95% shared program information with family, neighbors, co-workers
2015 F2F Workshops
74.3% indicated making changes regarding septic use
Changes included:
Spaced out laundry – 60.7%
Reduced use of garbage disposal – 53.5%
Reduced water usage – 46.3%
System checked by professional -39.3%
Stopped putting grease, fats, oils down drain – 39.3%
94.3% shared program information with family, neighbors, co-workers
2015 Webinar
61.5% indicated making changes regarding septic use
Changes included:
Spaced out laundry: 53.9%
Reduced water usage – 42.3%
Reduced use of garbage disposal – 30.8%
Had tank pumped – 34.6%
Stopped putting grease, fats, oils down drain – 26.9%
72% shared program information with family, neighbors, co-workers
FOLLOW UP SURVEY COMMENTS
I needed a new septic field and the session helped me understand and talk to the installers
I recently moved to a home with a septic and even though I had a home with septic decades ago, I needed up-to-date info
(You) imparted a great deal of useful knowledge and the importance of proper maintenance of our home septic system
Excellent webinar. Would highly recommend (I) attended program to increase knowledge to caution clients I don’t have a septic system – just wanted the knowledge
FOR MORE INFORMATION…
Questions regarding a specific property: Contact your localCounty Health Department
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QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION
Contact Information
Terry [email protected]
Bindu [email protected]
Dr. Ted [email protected]
Laura [email protected]
