Leaching Bed Maitenance

Keep heavy things away from the septic bed

Driving cars or machinery over your septic system will crush it. The soil surrounding the pipes may become compacted, making it less able to absorb the wastewater coming out of the pipes.

Snowmobiles compress the snow cover over the septic field, reducing its natural insulating effect and increasing the risk of freezing pipes.

Be a mindful gardener

Planting trees and shrubs (especially willows and poplars) near the field is risky because their roots travel significant distances to seek water and can plug or damage the pipes.

And watering of the grass over the field, whether by in-ground systems or by hand should be eliminated or minimized. Watering interferes with the soil’s ability to absorb liquids and break down wastes.

Source:  Ontario Ministry of Environment

Septic System Setbacks

BIOMAT EXPLAINED

Biomat on bottom & sides of leaching bed trench

Biomat found in soil sample from a soil auger

Biomat is a naturally occurring tar-like substance that forms on the bottoms and sides of the leaching bed trenches.  This layer is critical in the processing of fine biological solids and pathogens which are in the effluent, and without it the septic system would not be adequately treating the septic system effluent. Inadequately-treated effluent released into the ground risks contamination of nearby ponds, wells, streams, etc. A similar layer also forms around drywells used to accept greywater from buildings.

It is made up of living anerobic (without oxygen) organisms, which feed on organic matter in septic system wastewater.  As the biomat ages it grows thicker slowing down the flow of wastewater to the surround soil.  As the wastewater passes through the biomat, pathogenic organisms and viruses are removed.  On the outside of the trench, beyond the biomat where the soil is not saturated, are living colonies of aerobic (with oxygen) bacteria.  These aerobic bacteria colonies feed on the biomat and keep it from becoming so thick that wastewater will no longer pass through.

When soil floods these aerobic colonies will die off and no  longer keep the biomat in check.  The biomat will grow too thick and drainage will stop.  As these colonies die off they leave behind sulfides, which over time will clog soil passages stopping the flow of water, when the biomat grows too thick a waterproof barrier develops and absorption stops.



 

Clogged Drain Pipes - First in a series of Four reasons why a septic system fails


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Clogged drain/leaching septic system pipe
  

One of the reasons a septic system fails is due to "biomat" build-up inside the tile bed/leaching field area.  Biomat is a build-up of a black sludge material that clogs everything it comes into contact with.  Evidence of a biomat clogged leaching bed are:

• the ground around the septic tank or over the leaching bed may be soggy or spongy to walk on
• toilets, showers and sinks may be slow to drain or even back up
• sewage odours may become noticeable especially after a rainfall or when you have company
• gray or black liquids may be surfacing in your yard or backing up through fixtures into the house/cottage
• E. coli or faecal coliform indicator bacteria may be found in nearby well water or in a surface ditch close to the leaching bed
• the water level in the septic tank is higher than the outlet pipe which indicates that the water is ponding in the distribution lines (inspection should only be conducted by a qualified person)
• sewage effluent  is ponding in the distribution lines (inspection should only be conducted by a qualified person)

Refer to Biomat Blog (July 31, 2012) for additional information

  

  

  

"YOU ASKED" What questions should I ask during a real estate transaction of a property with a septic system?

I am buying, what should I ask the vendor?
If you are buying a property with an on-site system, you should ask the following questions:

• How old is the system?
• Does the system have a permit? Ask for a copy.
• Is the septic system working properly (no sewage back-up, foul odours noticed)?
• Where is the septic tank and leaching bed?
• How often has the tank been pumped? By whom?
• Have there been any repairs? If so, what did they consist of? Who performed them? What was the cost?

I am selling a property with an on-site system, what should I tell the buyer??
If you are selling your property, you should give the buyer the following tips:

• Pump the tank every 3 - 5 years;
• Do not pour hazardous chemicals down the drain, harmful chemicals will pass through the system and may end up in the groundwater;
• Do not use septic tank additives (not proven effective, may be harmful);
• practice water conservation (less water used, the less your system has to treat);
• Don't use a garborator;
• Must have a permit to repair a system;
• Must contact local inspector if putting an addition onto the house, or adding a Jacuzzi or pool etc.;
• Divert roof drains away from the tank and drainfield (can overload >saturate= the soil in the area).

What should I look for when assessing a property?
Look for the following items when assessing a property with an on-site system:

• Presence and location of the septic tank and the leaching bed;
• Accessibility of tank for maintenance;
• Roof drains directed onto the leaching bed;
• Leaching bed has been shaped to shed water;
• Trees and bushes are planted away from the leaching bed

Source:  Ontario Rural Wastewater Centre

Cottager Renters Guide to Your Septic System

If you rent your cottage or home and have a septic system we have produced a fact sheet that you can post in the washroom to educate your renters about the basics of a septic system and the Do's & Dont's to protect your system. The fact sheet has been laminated so it will stand up to wear & tear. To obtain a copy: Email pscharfe@bmross.net Call 519-524-2641 Ext. 242.

2012

HURON-KINLOSS COMMUNITY SEPTIC INSPECTION PROGRAM IS UNDERWAY

The Township of Huron-Kinloss continues to take the lead in Ontario with its initiative to preserve the natural environment and improve water quality through the Community Septic Inspection (HK-CSI) program. The program was recognized with a "Success Story" award, presented at the State of the Lakes Ecosystem (SOLEC) Conference last fall. 

The Huron-Kinloss Community Septic Inspection Program is a mandatory program administered by B.M. Ross and Associates Limited, and is currently in its sixth (6^th) year of operation.  Over 70% of the Townships septic systems have now been inspected.

Every property in the Township with a septic system (including holding tanks, pit privies/outhouses) will be required to be inspected.  The program which began in 2007 is carried out in different areas of the township each year with owners notified by mail.  Property owners do not have to wait to receive a letter to book an appointment.  Owners who have received a letter in the past and have put off their inspection are encouraged to book an appointment.   

Inspection appointments can be made this year Monday-Thursday, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.  Some evening and Saturday appointments are available.

Property owners are responsible for booking an inspection appointment by calling the Huron-Kinloss Township office at (519)395-3735, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

Septic Tank Pumper Truck Roll Over

HK-CSI Program profiled in the March 2012 issue of Pumper Magazine

Matt Pearson, Environmental Planner and Principal of B.M. Ross and Associates Limited who is also the Program Manager for the Township of Huron-Kinloss Community Septic Inspection program was recently interviewed for the March 2012 issue of Pumper Journal.  The Journal is for the liquid waste handling industry, providing resources for education, equipment, parts, service and supplies.


The article can be accessed  by entering the following address in your web browser: 

http://www.pumper.com/editorial/2012/03/successfully_mandating_inspections

"YOU ASKED" What can I do if my on-site septic system develops problems?

The first thing to do if your on-site system develops a problem is to call a septic tank pumper. If having the tank pumped out only solves the problem for a little while, you'd best have a professional look at it. Get referrals for an inspector or private company to do an analysis on your system and come up with recommendations. Be aware that you may not have to have the entire system replaced. A thorough investigation should be conducted to determine the cause and extent of the problem. You will also be rquired to get a permit for any repairs or alterations that are completed on your system.

Source:  Ontario Rural Wastewater Centre

"YOU ASKED" - How do I know if there s something wrong with my septic system?

There a a number of advance signs that there may be a problem with an on-site system. Homeowners should be alert to the following warning signs of a failing septic system:

• Test results of well water show the presence of bacteria;
• The ground in the area is wet or soggy;
• Grass grows greener or faster in the area;
• Sewage odors in the house or yard;
• Plumbing backups into the house;
• Slowly draining sinks and toilets;
• Gurgling sounds in the plumbing.

If one or more of these warning signs exist, the homeowner should contact a licensed septic system pumper to have the system inspected and pumped 

Source:  Ontario Rural Wastewater Centre

Huron-Kinloss Community Septic Program featured in the Fall/Winter 2011 issue of OnSITE - Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association Newsletter.

Know your Sewage System Classes: Class 2 - Grey Water System

This is the second  post in a series titled 'Know your Sewage System Classes' about the different classes of onsite sewage systems regulated under the Ontario Building Code (OBC). This second post will summarize Class 2 sewage systems.

                                                          (Source:  Grey Bruce Health Unit)


Class 2 sewage systems are systems that receive only grey-water which comes from plumbing fixtures such as sinks, showers, or laundry machines. They are not to be used for the disposal of toilet waste. 

Leaching pits are used to treat and dispose of the grey water.  Since they are considered a sewage system they must be inspected and approved under the OBC.

A system cannot be constrcuted where the daily flow exceeds 1000 L/day.The total design flow for a Class 2 sewage system is calculated based on the fixtures discharging to the system as follows:

(a) 200 L per fixture unit where there is a supply of pressurized water, and
(b) 125 L per fixture unit where there is no supply of pressurized water

When considering a location of a leaching pit, caution must be taken to ensure that the minimum setbacks are strictly adhered to.  The following are just minimum distances and may have to be increased if the soil conditions are not ideal. Greywater sewage will contaminate ground water if not properly located and constructed.
                    
15 m (50 feet) from any lake, pond, river, stream or any water course
15 m (50 feet) from any dug well, sand point well, spring or any source of potable water

The leaching pit should be constructed in an area that is elevated and well drained.  Low lying areas are subject to excessive surface run-off which will overload the leaching pit and saturate surrounding soils.  This will result in poor treatment of the greywater and increase the possibility of ground water contamination.

Construction requirements are as follows:
(1)  The bottom of the pit shall be at least 900 mm above the high ground water table.
(2)  The pit shall be constructed in such a manner as to prevent the collapse of its sidewalls.
(3)  Material used to support or form the sidewalls must be open jointed materials that allow leaching.
(4)  The pit must have a tight, strong cover at all times except for removing greywater or maintenance.
(5)  The earth around the perimeter of the pit must be raised or mounded to a heigth of 150 mm above ground.
(6)  The ground in the pit area must be graded so that surface drainage is diverted away from the pit.