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Site Evaluation for Septic Systems: Ensuring Clean and Safe Environment

This site evaluation process determines the suitability of soil, setback requirements, and separation distances to prevent contamination and health risks from subsurface sewage disposal systems. It is necessary for newly designed systems, pit privies, and holding tanks.

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Site Evaluation for Septic Systems: Ensuring Clean and Safe Environment

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  1. LPI ISSUES&inspections

  2. Evaluates type of soil (drainage capabilities) Keeps system away from wells, water bodies. (setback requirements) Keeps system away from the water table, ledge and other restrictive layers (separation distances) Size of system– based on soil type and # of bedrooms. Determines what type of system is best for property. Why is a site evaluation needed?To prevent contamination and health risks HOW??

  3. A site evaluation is needed for; All Newly Designed Subsurface sewage disposal systems Pit privies Holding tanks

  4. IF THE STATE AND LOCAL PLUMBING INSPECTOR APPROVAL BOX IS CHECKED DO NOT PERMIT IT, SEND IT TO US FOR APPROVAL

  5. The HHE-200 Form • All boxes on the first page are checked • Signed by applicant or agent • 3 measurements from 2 ref. points or 2 measurements with a compass bearing • All setbacks are met if no variances are asked for • Permit application, give applicants copy back

  6. Signed by applicant or agent Signed/dated by SE

  7. 2 ref. points, 3 ties

  8. 2 Horizontal points with Compass bearing

  9. Permitting Permit labels  The label on the far left is the permanent record for the permit number, permittee’s name, date of issue and inspection, fee charged, and installer’s name.

  10. Permitting Permit labels  The center label is to be placed on the owner’s copy of the HHE-200 Form. It states that this has been permitted to install an onsite sewage disposal system.

  11. Permitting Permit labels  The two smaller labels on the far right are to be placed on the Town and State copy of the HHE-200 Form, respectively. These copies serve as permanent records of the design, but not of any subsequent inspections.

  12. Permitting Vault Privies Vault privies are permitted as “Alternative Toilets”. The LPI can prepare an application for a vault privy by completing Page 1 of an HHE-200 Form.

  13. Why does a holding tank need a site evaluation but a vault privy doesn’t? • Holding tanks receive gray water as well as solids – Vault privies only receive solids • It has to be proven a property cannot produce the passable soils or other issues to retain a full system by a SE for a holding tank to be designed • Holding tanks are a last resort

  14. Permitting Replacement Septic Tanks If a replacement septic tank is being installed to serve an existing non-engineered disposal area, and there are no alterations proposed to the disposal area, no soil test is needed. The LPI can prepare an application for a replacement septic tank by completing Page 1 of an HHE-200 Form.

  15. Permitting Holding Tanks Holding tanks require an HHE-200 Form and a completed holding tank pumper agreement (HHE-233) with an owner and municipality statement.

  16. Entire system is located by… • Elevation Reference Point (vertical measurements) And the system ties which are: • 3 measurements from 2 or more known horizontal reference point • Or 2 reference point ties with compass bearings to 2 corners each

  17. Elevation Reference PointERP • Usually a nail in a tree with a bright orange ribbon • Easily visible • Usually that point will be 0 inches. • Anything below is a negative #, above is a positive #.

  18. Elevation Reference points Measurements to: Bottom of bed Top of pipe Finish grade

  19. Page 1-5, sec:111.7Preparation for inspection.THE INSTALLER SHALL: • Arrange to enable the LPI to inspect all parts of the system • Have present the proper equipment for conducting the inspection • Furnish assistance as may be necessary

  20. Contractors • Page 8-1: Section 803.1 The installer of the system SHALL make certain that the system and all its component parts are installed in conformance with this code, the site evaluator plan and any special design requirements required by this Department

  21. Notification required • LPI SHALL be notified at least 24 hours in advance • There is no time limit to inspect, use courtesy and inspect as soon as you can to not hold up the contractor

  22. PERMITTING & INSPECTING SUBSURFACE WASTEWATER DISPOSAL SYSTEMS Inspections How many inspections are required?

  23. The first inspection shall be made after site preparation to confirm that: • The disposal field is in the correct location • The vegetation has been cut and removed in the disposal field area • The area under the disposal field and fill extensions has been scarified • A transitional horizon has been established • The erosion and sedimentation control measures are in place • Bottom of bed elevation

  24. Scarification • 6-8 inches into original soil, footprint and fill extensions • Roto-tilled or teeth of a backhoe

  25. Transition horizon • A minimum of 4” of backfill material mixed into scarified soil by plowing, disking or roto-tilling • HHE-200 form design may require more • This will be the bottom of the bed elevation

  26. The second inspection shall be made after installation of the system components • stone, pipes or proprietary devices • tanks, hay, filter fabric • curtain drains, diversion ditches

  27. Inspection #2 • Elevation for top of pipes or devices • Pipes or devices level, (2” within 100’) • Stone between ¾ & 21/2, or specified on design, clean & at least 1” over pipe • 2” compressed hay or a layer of filter fabric Overlapping at least 6” • Septic tank and “d” box level • Pipe pitch from house to tank ¼ per foot • Pipe pitch from tank to field 1/8 per foot

  28. No stumps, large rocks in any part of the system • Correct backfill material, usually gravely coarse sand • Minimum of 4 “ backfill over filter fabric-- hay or device • Minimum of 4” of loam over backfill • Any curtain drains or diversion ditches • Pumps/alarms working

  29. Curtain Drain Min. of 10 uphill of system

  30. The LPI Inspects according to; • The Rules & Regulations ( subsurface / Internal) • The HHE-200 Form ( Septic Design Permit) • The HHE-211 form ( Internal Plumbing Permit)

  31. When inspecting a septic tank • Its not backwards—(inlet is higher then outlet) • Bung hole is plugged • Level • The inlet pipe is not against the baffle • Baffles are in place • If filter is called for, it is installed

  32. Pump station • Is used if the disposal field is higher then the tank • Must have an alarm on a float switch connected to the inside of the dwelling (visual and audible) With separate breakers then the pump circuit

  33. This is not a legal pump station

  34. Pay attention to obvious signs IS THERE STANDING WATER ON TOP OF THE SCARIFICATION? DO YOU NOTICE A WELL CLOSER THEN WHAT’S ON THE PLAN?

  35. ENFORCEMENT

  36. Page 1-5, sec:111.8Covering of work No part of a system may be backfilled until it has been inspected and approved. It SHALL be uncovered at the discretion of the LPI and the expense and risk of the homeowner

  37. Resolving violations - complaints • Investigate the situation Is it a true complaint? • Evaluate the problem Talk to the owner, what can be done? • Document…………Write a letter • Initiate corrective actions

  38. INVESTIGATIVE NOTES • Inspection Observations • Date, Time, Location • Parties present • Result of the inspection • PHOTOS • Inspection form on page 15 of the Enforcement manual

  39. CORRECTIVE ACTIONS Issue an oral notice of violation Issue a stop work order Issue a written notice of violation

  40. Violations of the rulesduring installation • Issue a compliance order to the responsible party/stop work order In coordination with the municipal attorney or if cert. in 80K, pursue resolution in court

  41. Malfunctioning system violations Written letter ordering repair / certified 2nd written letter / certified Prepare and present all documentation to Municipal officials Serve abatement order signed by officials to responsible party In the event nothing is done, municipality may cause it to be fixed and recovering costs through court / taxes

  42. The written violation should include… • The violation • Penalties • Deadline date in which I shall be corrected

  43. Right of entry: 1) For the purpose of enforcing the rules. 2) Proper credentials If denied, the LPI may seek an administrative Inspection Warrant

  44. Administering violations requires Public Relations

  45. Assertiveness

  46. Understanding

  47. Determination

  48. Patience

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