country living - a homeowner's guide

8/3/2019 Country Living - A Homeowner's Guide

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C O U N T R Y L I V I N G :

College of Agricultural Sciences

Cooperative Extension

A H o m e o w n e r s

G u i d e


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With peace and quiet comes

responsibility

*If you need a new water or septic system,

either because you are building a new house

or your old system n eeds replacement , you

should contact Pennsylvanias Department of

Environmental Protection (DEP) or th e Penn

State Cooperative Extension office in your

county for information on the various systems

and which are best suited to your area or plot

of land.

hances are that you have chosen to

live in the country because you cherish

the peace and quiet, the wide open

spaces, and the beauty of nature. How-

ever, with this enjoyment and indepen-dence often comes responsibility. Most

drinking water supply and sewage

disposal in rural areas of Pennsylvania is

done on-lot. As the property owner, you

are responsible for maintaining your

drinking water and septic systems.

Understanding how they work and how

to keep them operating efficient ly is good

for your familys health and for your

household budget; replacing these

systems can be expensive.

C This publication covers the basics of

private drinking water supply, on-lot

wastewater disposal, and the authorities

and workings of township government . It

was written with the assumption thatyour house already has a working

drinking water supply system and a septic

system, or that you will soon purchase a

house with these systems already in

place.* The publication also discusses the

changing face of Pennsylvanias country-

side and farmer-nonfarmer relations, and

provides further sources of information

for each of these topics. Being informed

and having realistic expectations about

country living will increase the chances

that your life in the country will be

pleasant.


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To safeguard the quality of your well

water, there are a number of precautions

that should have been taken during

construction. If you find that your well

does not have the safety features de-

scribed below, you should talk to aprofessional about revamping the well,

especially if you have had quant ity or

quality problems.

You should have records of the yield of

the well, ideally from tests done in wet

and dry seasons. You should also have

information about the well specifications

its diameter, depth, length of grouting,

etc., as shown in Figure 2. Carefulrecords of quant ity and quality measures

provide a baseline against which to

compare future changes. Note any

unusual noise or vibration while the

pump or motor is running or upon

starting or stopping. This could indicate

that well maintenance is required, as

could a sudden decrease in water pres-

sure. Routine maintenance is necessary

on any piece of equipment. Performing

this maintenance will help protect your

investment by prolonging the life of your

well. Having records of well maintenance

will help allay concerns about the water

system should you decide to sell your

home.

Spring Water

A similar set of potential contamination

and maintenance issues accompanies

water obtained from a spring, a place

where groundwater discharges to the land

surface. Be sure that t he spring to be used

for drinking water is present all year long

not just in the wettest seasons. If thestream is intermittent, it may be possible

to store water in a holding tank during

periods of high flow for use in drier

months. It is common to need disinfec-

tion equipment for spring water because

it is often subject to surface contamina-

tion. Make certain there are no contami-

nation sources uphill of your spring. You

should landscape the area so that all

surface water is diverted from the spring.

If you not ice that your spring water

becomes muddy after a rain storm, th is is

a sign that surface water is supplying asubstantial part of the flow; it is probably

best not to drink this water. Such a

spring is also quite likely to dry up in the

summer months.

The place where the spring emerges from

the ground should be covered with a

concrete spring box, an overflow pipe,

and a method of accessing, emptying,

and cleaning out the spring box (Figure

3). Springs should also be shock chlori-

nated upon completion of construction.

Drinking Water Systems

One of the most important responsibili-

ties rural residents face is ensuring that

they and their families have safe water to

drink. Groundwater from private

individual wells is the chief source of

drinking water for most rural Pennsylva-

nia residents. Groundwater is contained

in pore spaces between rock and soil

particles below ground.

Well Water

Most groundwater delivery systems are

composed of a well, a submersible pump,

a pressure tank, and plumbing. The pump

is most often located near the bottom of

the well. Most pumps and pressure tankscan be expected to last about 10 years.

Wells drilled in unconsolidated bedrock,

such as sand and gravel, often produce

large quantit ies of high quality water. In

consolidated bedrock a well drilled at the

intersection of two fractures in the rock

will produce the largest amount of

potable water. If water quantity is a

severe problem for you, you might

consult a well driller experienced in your

area or a qualified hydrogeologist. In

Pennsylvania it is not usually necessaryto drill deeper than 200 feet to tap a

supply of safe groundwater.

Soils have varying abilities to filter out

contaminants as surface water flows

down to the water table. Clays and fine

sands have better filtration capabilities

than coarse materials such as sands and

gravels. Normally, the more soil water

passes through, the cleaner it becomes.

Bacterial contamination is one of the

most common problems with well waterand is most often due to poor location of

the well or inadequate construction.

Wells should be located up slope from

potential sources of contamination. DEP

recommends that wells be at least 50 feet

from a septic tank and at least 100 feet

from an underground wastewater seepage

field.

Protecting Well Water Quality

through Proper Construction

A well should be lined with a steel

or plastic casing all the way down to

the water intake screen (Figure 1).

The casing should extend at least 8

inches above the ground, higher ifyour land is prone to flooding, so

that surface water can never

contaminate your well through the

top hole. To avoid contamination of

the water as it passes from the well

into the house, a pitless adapter or

above-ground discharge adapter

should be used to connect the

water service line from the home to

the well casing below the frost line

in the soil. Cement grouting should

be pored around the outside of the

well, usually for the entire length of

the casing. Grouting and casingtechniques differ for wells drilled in

consolidated and unconsolidated

rock.

In the final stages of construction,

your well should have been shock

chlorinated with the appropriate

amount of household bleach as

determined by the depth of water in

the well and the well diameter

(Table 1). In order to sterilize the

equipment in the well there must be

a concentration of at least 100 parts

per million of chlorine in the water inthe well. For further information on

any of the above topics, obtain

Penn State Cooperative Extension

Circular 345: Safeguarding Wells

and Springs from Bacterial Con-

tamination. Ordering information

appears at the end of this publica-

tion.


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Water Quality: Testing for Bacterial

ContaminationAs a private drinking water system

operator, your health and that of your

family could depend on the initiative you

take to get the water analyzed. An

annual test for total coliform bacteria is

the absolute minimum recommended

testing; a test every six months is

preferred. Water-borne bacteria can

cause gastrointestinal illnesses such as

giardiasis. While most coliform bacteria

will not cause illness, they suggest the

presence of other potentially pathogenic

organisms such as fecal coliform andGiardia because these may all be present

in human or animal waste. Saturated soil

with large pore spaces, such as coarse

sand, may not adequately filter pathogens

out of surface water.

The Federal Safe Drinking Water Act of

1972 and subsequent amendments

established a process for the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) to develop water quality standards

for public water supply facilities. The

primary standards are set for healthreasons and the secondary standards

pertain to aesthetic issues. Although

water quality of private systems is not

regulated, these standards can serve as a

reference to check the relative quality of

your water. Check the yellow pages for

certified water quality testing laborato-

ries; more than 100 laboratories in

Pennsylvania perform bacteria t esting for

about $15. DEP will also test your water

for bacteria for about $10. You can get

Source: Adapted from Manual of Individual Water Supply Systems, EPA-430/9-74-007, U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency.

Plug

Sanitary well cover (vented)

Lift-out device

Submersible power cable

Conduit

Frost line

Discharge fitting

Flexible connectionDischarge line to basement

Pitless adapter

Casing

Locking device

Check valve

Snifter valve or air charger

Cement grout formation seal

Submersible pump

Packer

Screen

Table 1. Amount of bleach required to

disinfect well water.

Water Well diameter (inches)

depth

(feet) 6 8 10 24 32 36

10 1 c 1 c 2 c 3 qt 4 qt 6 qt

20 1 c 2 c 4 c 5 qt 8 qt 10 qt

30 2 c 4 c 3 pt

40 1 pt 2 pt 4 pt

60 2 pt 3 pt 6 pt

80 2 pt 4 pt 7 pt

100 3 pt 5 pt 4 qt

50 5 pt 4 qt 6 qt

Note: The table shows the quantity of

household laundry bleach (5.25 percent

chlorine, approved for water disinfection)

required to develop a concentration of 100 ppm

of chlorine in clear water standing in the well. If

you cannot determine the depth of the water in

your well, use the following guidelines:

For wells up to 8 inches in diameter

holding less than 80 feet of water, mix a

minimum of 1/2 gallon of chlorine bleachwith

about 10 gallons of water.

For wells with more than 80 feet of water,

use 1 gallon of bleach. In any case, it isbetter to use too much chlorine than too

little.

Source: Adapted from How to Disinfect a

Water System, Agricultural Engineering Fact

Sheet SW4.

Figure 1. Pitless adapter with submersible pump installation for basement storage.


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information about laboratories and

interpreting your water quality analysis

report from several Penn State Coopera-

tive Extension fact sheets listed at the

end of this publication.

If you notice sudden changes in the

color, taste, or smell of your water,

contact the cooperative extension office

in your county or DEP to discuss the

possible causes and to develop a plan forwater testing. This consultation can save

you money by helping you ident ify the

tests that will provide the most informa-

tion for the least cost. Accurate records

of system specifications, maintenance,

testing, and repair can also help pinpoint

problems.

If you suspect that land use changes

around your house have affected the

quality of water from your well, you

should consult DEP or the Penn State

Cooperative Extension office in your

county to determine the appropriate

water tests that may be necessary. For

example, if pesticides are used or stored

in your neighborhood, it is a good idea to

conduct periodic screenings for these

pollutants. If pollutants are found, yourlocal cooperative extension agent can

help you decide how to correct the

problem and develop a schedule for more

frequent testing until the problem is

solved.

Check the water supply location,

construction, and patterns of surface

water flow if a water sample comes back

positive for bacterial contamination.

Correct any obvious problems, divert all

surface water from the area around the

water outlet, shock chlorinate the

system, and retest the water after two

weeks. If the problem has not been

solved, you should set up a cont inuous

disinfection system.

Extensive water quality testing can be

expensive. Tests for specific organic

chemicals and/or pesticides, for example,

are not standard and thus are more

costly. A scan that detects the presence

of any pesticide but does not specify

which one is significantly less expensive

than a test to determine the exact

pesticide in the water. Any pesticide in

your water is a problem requiring

attention.

Figure 2. Well completion report.

WELL OWNER (REQUIRED)


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Sand

Gravel

Stone

Collecting wall

Lead-in pipe

Fence

Alternate collecting system

Figure 3. Spring development in creviced rock.

Source: Adapted from Spring Development, Plan 800-166, Department of Agricultural Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University.

Overflow

Diversion ditch

Creviced rock

Gravel

Collecting wall

Lead-in pipe

Spring box

To storage

Drain

10' minimum

Drain

Cross-section

Gravel covered with plastic sheet and 1-2' of soil

Collecting wall 4-6" concrete

4" Lead-in pipe

Spring box

Overflow

To storage


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Disinfection

If bacterial contamination is the only

problem with the water supply, it

probably makes sense to disinfect the

present system using chlorination ,

iodination, or ultraviolet light. If yourwater test shows high suspended solids

concentrations or if the water is occa-

sionally muddy, it should be filtered

before disinfection.

Many water treatment companies sell

disinfection equipment that will ad-

equately treat bacterial contamination.

This equipment may not, however, kill

some viruses and Giardia cyststhese

pathogens may require additional

specialized disinfection t reatment. For

more information on disinfection ofthese pathogens, contact a water equip-

ment dealer or DEP or obtain a copy of

Penn State Cooperative Extension fact

sheet F-134,Removing Giardia Cysts from

Drinking Water. See the end of this

publication for ordering information.

As with any major purchase, you should

do some investigating and be sure to

have a basic understanding of the

potential solutions to your water quality

problem before you call a water t reat-ment vendor so that you can tell if a

salesperson is trying to sell you more

equipment than you need. Having an

understanding of the system will also

help you maintain the equipment and get

the most value for your money.

Chlorination. The injection of chlorine

into water in the form of sodium hy-

pochlorite (5-15% available chlorine) or

calcium hypochlorite (about 70%

available chlorine) is a common method

of disinfection. Any product you useshould state on the label that it is safe for

drinking water disinfection. To ensure

disinfection, you must provide ample

contact t ime for the chlorine to interact

with the water. Often a pipe coil or

holding tank is installed for th is purpose.

Normally, at least 0.4 mg/l of free residual

chlorine should be in contact with the

water for at least 30 minutes. Chlorina-

tion leaves a small residual concentration

of chlorine in the water so recontamina-

tion will not occur after disinfection.

Iodination. Another substance used for

disinfection is iodine, although its use is

not recommended for long periods

because iodine can influence the

workings of the thyroid gland. Iodination

with a contact time of 30 minutes issuitable for places where no one will

drink the water for extended periods of

time, such as a vacation home or hunting

camp. However, it can be difficult to

achieve disinfection while not giving the

water an adverse taste. Like chlorine,

iodine disinfection provides continual

protection of the water.

Ultraviolet light. Disinfection can also

be accomplished with an ultraviolet light

sealed in a quartz sleeve inside a stainless

steel cylinder. Since this method of

disinfection does not leave a residual

disinfectant in the water, it is possible for

recontamination to occur after initial

disinfection and before consumption.

Therefore, the light should be installed at

the end of all underground pipes. Bulbs

must be replaced about once a year.

More About Water Quality Testing

At least every th ree years, you should

have your water supply tested for pH,

nitrate, total dissolved solids, andturbidity. Water with a pH less than 7.0

or with total dissolved solids exceeding

500 mg/l may be corrosive to metallic

pipes. If analysis of your water reveals

these characteristics and your pipes are

copper, you should collect a sample after

allowing water to sit in the pipes over-

night and have it tested for lead and

copper. If your pipes are made of galva-

nized iron, test for zinc and cadmium.

Call your regional DEP office or the

Penn State Cooperative Extension office

in your county if you need help interpret-ing your water analysis report.

Pollution Prevention

As the guardian of your drinking water,

you should do your part in protecting the

quality of your well water and the water

from wells around you by performing

routine maintenance on your well; byusing pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides

sparingly; and by safely and responsibly

disposing of hazardous and toxic wastes.

Never dump used motor oil on the

ground or in a stream. Bring it to an

authorized collection or recycling site.

Avoid dumping extra paint or household

chemicals down the toilet or disposing of

them with your regular household waste.

Some communities have an annual

household hazardous waste day when

residents can bring these items to a

centralized location and a local govern-ment agency or other organization takes

care of disposing of them safely. Find out

if your community holds one. If not, you

might offer to help organize the first

annual collection. If this is not possible,

call DEP, your county extension agent, or

a solid waste disposal company to find

out how you can safely dispose of the

waste.

An Alternative Drinking Water Supply

System

If potable water cannot be obtained from

a well or spring on your property, there is

another optionthe rainwater cistern.

Roof-catchment cisterns collect rainwa-

ter falling on the roof of your house

and/or barn. The water is then stored in a

holding tank for use as needed. The

system includes a mechanism by which

rain falling in the first few minutes of a

storm is not collected, allowing the roof

to be cleansed of particulate matter

before collection begins. Water collected

in a rainwater cistern usually requirestreatment before it is suitable for use. For

more information on this type of drink-

ing water system, obtain Special Circular

277,Rainwater Cisterns: Design, Construc

tion, and Water Treatment. See the end of

this publication for ordering information


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Septic Systems

Perhaps where you lived in the past, your

house was connected to a sewer and you

didnt have to worry where the water

went after you flushed your toilet. In the

country your responsibility may not end

with the flush. If your house is one of

many not hooked to a sewer, the water

your family uses flows literally into your

own backyard. Septic system problems

can cause sewage to seep up to the

ground surface in your yard or produce

sewage odors in your house. A poorly

maintained system could contaminate a

neighbors drinking water supply or your

own.

On-lot wastewater treatment regulations

for the state are set forth in the Sewage

Facilities Act (#537) and its 1994

amendment, Act 149. Four basic on-lot

systems are permitted for residential use:

in-ground trench, in-ground seepage bed,

subsurface sand filter, and elevated sand

mound. Your local sewage enforcement

officer (SEO) ,a certified official who is

responsible for permitting the installa-

tion of on-lot sewage disposal systems in

one or several townships, can be a

valuable source of information aboutsystem designs.

Wastewater treatment systems generally

have three components: a septic tank, a

distribution system, and a seepage bed.

The septic tank is the initial repository of

wastewater from the house. It is a

watertight chamber made of concrete,

fiberglass, or other approved material

that is resistant to decay. Its function is

to keep solids from entering and clogging

the seepage bed (Figure 4). For adequate

settling of solids to occur, liquid mustremain in the tank for at least 24 hours.

Bacteria slowly break down the solids to

about 50 percent of original volume.

Clarified liquid is discharged to the

distribution box, and then to the seepage

bed, a system of piping through which

clarified sewage is absorbed into the

surrounding soil for further purification.

Wastewater disposal systems are sized

based on the number of bedrooms in a

house. Pennsylvanias Sewage Facilities

Act requires at least a 900-gallon tank for

a house with three or fewer bedrooms

(Table 2). The capacity of the tankshould be increased by 100 gallons for

each additional bedroom. If you have

recently moved into a new house and do

not know the size of your tank, arrange to

have the tank pumped and inspected and

ask the technician to assess its size, age,

and condition.

Effluent Distribution and Absorption

The seepage bed accomplishes the actual

cleansing of the effluent , or clarified

water, discharged from the septic tank.

State regulations require that at least four

feet of soil lie below the distribution

pipes and above the water table or

confining bedrock layer. State law also

requires that the percolation rate, a

measure of soil drainage capacity, be

between six and ninety minutes per inch

to allow the installation of a conven-

tional system. A properly maintained and

operating seepage bed will not produce

any soggy ground areas.

Septic Tank Pumping

Because solids accumulate in the tank, it

must be pumped by a licensed operator

every two to five years at a cost of $75 to

$100. The distribution box should be

checked and cleaned at the same time.The condition of the tank and the baffles

that keep solids and scum from entering

the distribution lines should also be

checked at each pumping and replaced if

worn. If solids are allowed to build up for

too long, they may eventually overflow

into the seepage bed and clog the system.

The frequency of pumping depends on

the size of the tank, the volume of

wastewater produced, and the amount of

solids in the water. Use of a garbage

disposal will decrease the amount of time

that can lapse between pumpings. The

use of additives that claim to eliminate

the need for tank pumping is not

recommended.

Waste-

water level

Influent from

residence

Scum

Baffle

Effluent to

drainage

field

Inspection ports

Manhole

Inspection ports

Solids

(sludge)

Source: Agricultural and Biological Engineering Fact Sheet F-161, Septic Tank Pumpingby Paul

Robillard and Kelli Martin.

Figure 4. Cross section of septic tank.


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When the seepage bed lies down slope

from the septic tank and the soilspercolation rate is between six and sixty

minutes per inch, the distribution system

generally works by gravity. An

unperforated pipe carries effluent from

the t ank to the distribution box, from

which effluent is spread evenly around

the absorption field through perforated

pipes. Distribution is usually accom-

plished by a pump tank when the seepage

bed is uphill from the septic tank or in

soils with percolation rates greater than

sixty minutes per inch. A pressure

distribution or dosing pump located

between the septic tank and the distribu-

tion line delivers the wastewater evenly

at set intervals to the seepage bed.

Intermittent delivery allows the absorp-

tion field to drain between doses.

Effluent also can be spread through the

seepage bed by a trench systemanetwork of perforated pipes placed in

trenches that follow the contours of the

lot. Another option is a bed system in

which distribution lines lie in a single

excavation hole at least 10 feet wide.

The trench system is more often used in

areas with steep slopes. The bed system is

suitable for flatter, more compact areas

and is usually less expensive to install.

Sand Mound Systems

Because of the soil drainage capacity, the

elevation and slope of the land, and t he

depth to bedrock or the water table,

certain areas of Pennsylvania are not

suited for conventional wastewater

treatment systems. If the capacity of your

land to support a septic system was

previously evaluated and it was deemed

less than ideal, a sand mound system may

have been installed. The elevated sand

mound is a constructed embankment of

sandy fill material placed on the natural

soil surface. Mound beds are usable on

land with a slope less than 8 percent,

while mound trenches can be used on

slopes up to 12 percent. A limiting layer

must lie 20 to 60 inches from the surface

and the percolation rate must be between

3 and 120 minutes per inch for thesesystems to be feasible. They are not

permitted on flood plains and must be at

least 100 feet downhill of a well or

spring, at least 50 feet from streams, and

at least 5 feet from property lines.

Use of elevated sand mounds on slopes of

8 to 12 percent is increasingly common,

and DEP has made moves to list this

technology as another type of conven-

tional system, rather than as an alternate

system requiring more permits and

paperwork. Recent changes in Pennsyl-

vania septic system regulations have

made the use of elevated sand mounds on

slopes of 12 to 15 percent a viable

alternative; t hese systems were previously

only experimental. Contact DEP for a

copy ofGuidelines for Experimental

Elevated Sand Mound Bed Systems on

Slopes Between 12 and 15 Percentor get

more information from your SEO.

Mound systems all require pressure

dosingthey use a pump to deliverwastewater to the absorption field at

intervals. The pump lies between the

tank and the distribution line and usually

discharges water once per day, allowing

the mound to dry between applications

and prevent clogging. The pump tank

should be large enough to hold at least

one days sewage flow from the house in

case of system failure. The tank must be

pumped every three to five years. For

more information on mound systems, see

the list of fact sheets at the end of this

publication.

Spray Irrigation

A recent development at DEP is the

permitting by local sewage enforcement

officers of individual residential spray

irrigation systems (IRSIS) as alternate

year-round wastewater disposal systems.

This technology enables a homeowner to

spray pretreated household effluent on

forest land, grass, or agricultural land.

Each IRSIS must include an initial

Table 2. Estimated septic tank pumping frequencies in years (for year-round

residences).

Household size (number of people)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Tank size(gal) Years between pumping

500* 5.8 2.6 1.5 1.0 0.7 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1

750* 9.1 4.2 2.6 1.8 1.3 1.0 0.7 0.6 0.4 0.3

900 11.0 5.2 3.3 2.3 1.7 1.3 1.0 0.8 0.7 0.5

1000 12.4 5.9 3.7 2.6 2.0 1.5 1.2 1.0 0.8 0.7

1250 15.6 7.5 4.8 3.4 2.6 2.0 1.7 1.4 1.2 1.0

1500 18.9 9.1 5.9 4.2 3.3 2.6 2.1 1.8 1.5 1.3

1750 22.1 10.7 6.9 5.0 3.9 3.1 2.6 2.2 1.9 1.6

2000 25.4 12.4 8.0 5.9 4.5 3.7 3.1 2.6 2.2 2.0

2250 28.6 14.0 9.1 6.7 5.2 4.2 3.5 3.0 2.6 2.3

2500 31.9 15.6 10.2 7.5 5.9 4.8 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.6

*Below the minimum size allowed in Pennsylvania.

Note: More frequent pumping needed if a garbage disposal is used. Generally, the indicated

frequency will vary with the volume of solids (+20% for high volume, -20% for low volume).

Source: Agricultural and Biological Engineering Fact Sheet F-161, Septic Tank Pumping, by Paul

Robillard and Kelli Martin.


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10

treatment unit, an intermittent sand

filter, a chlorine disinfection unit, and a

spray field. The initial treatment unit

may consist of (1) a conventional septic

tank that allows anaerobic degradation

and settling of solids before dischargingthe effluent to the sand filter, or (2) an

aerobic treatment t ank in which air is

introduced to facilitate the bacterial

degradation of solids. The intermittent

sand filter uses filtration and biochemical

treatment to send a high quality effluent

to the disinfection unit , which kills

harmful bacteria. At this point the

system should also cont ain an effluent-

holding tank for use when the ground is

very wet or frozen.

IRSIS can be used on slopes of less than

25 percent in woodlands, less than 12

percent on grass, and less than 4 percent

on agricultural land. Lot size must be at

least two acres. At least the top 10 inches

of soil must be free of water and mottling,

a sign of continual moisture in the soil,

and at least 16 inches of soil must lie

above bedrock. Designs should be based

on a flow of 400 gallons per day for a

three-bedroom house.

IRSIS is expected to cost about 20percent more than an elevated sand

mound system. This system should

provide a usable alternative for wastewa-

ter disposal in about 32 percent of the

area in Pennsylvania that is not suitable

for convent ional systems including sand

mounds. For more information contact

your sewage enforcement officer or

obtain DEPsManual for Individual

Residential Spray Irrigation Systems.

System Failure

Your on-lot wastewater disposal system isinadequate or failing if sewage backs up

into the household plumbing or if

untreated sewage emerges at the land

surface or leaches into groundwater.

Hydraulic overload is the most common

cause of system failure and occurs when

more wastewater is delivered to the soil

absorption system than can be adequately

disposed of in a given time. This can

result, for example, if the seepage bed was

designed too small, if overland flow is

allowed to occur over the seepage area,

or if the seasonal high groundwater table

was not accurately located. Failure can

also be caused by an undersized septic

tank or a tank that is past due for

pumping. In the latter case solids areallowed to pass into the seepage bed and

clog the soil pores. Additional people

living in the house and new water-using

appliances can also stress a septic system

beyond its limits.

Specially designed dyes or chemical

tracers can be used to con firm a sus-

pected system failure. The dye is added to

the system and the place where it

reappears is noted. This test should be

done only by a qualified technician

check the yellow pages for a wastewater

disposal company or an environmental

consulting firm.

Solutions for System Failure

Two possible solutions exist for system

failure: the use of water conservation

devices on all fixtures and absorption

area resting. Water conservation devices

reduce the amount of water pouring into

the system, allowing the seepage bed to

adequately cleanse the remaining water.

Absorption area resting involves con-

structing an alternate trench system for

distribution of wastewater ( Figure 5).The two seepage beds are used in

alternate periods to allow the resting bed

time to dry out and thoroughly drain of

wastewater. For more information, refer

to the list of cooperative extension

materials at the end of this publication.

The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Invest-

ment Authority (PENNVEST), the

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

(PHFA), and DEP sponsor the On-Lot

Funding Program, a loan program for

homeowners needing money to rehabili-

tate, improve, repair, or replace existing

septic systems. The loans carry a yearly

interest rate of only one percent and are

available to homeowners in areas where asewer system is not available and will not

be constructed in the next five years.

There is an upper income and loan limit

and borrowers must have demonstrated

ability to repay the loan. For more

information, contact PENNVEST at

(717) 787-8137 or PHFA at (800) 822-

1174.

Avoiding System Failure

Routine maintenance on your septic

system will pay off in the long run. As

with your car, it is much less expensive to

maintain a system in working order than

to install a new system or perform major

renovations on an inadequate system.

You can prolong the life of your septic

system by using water conservatively and

by installing water conservation devices

on your faucets, toilets, and showers

before problems with the system arise.

Your septic tank should be inspected and

pumped every two to five years. Avoid

using chemicals to clean your tankbecause of the potential for groundwater

contamination. Harsh chemicals can also

kill the essential bacteria working in the

tank to decompose solid material.

Without these bacteria, your tank will

need to be pumped twice as often.

Substances such as bleach, pesticides,

heavily sudsing laundry detergent , oil,

grease, antifreeze, and paint s should not

be poured down the drain or into t he

toilet for the same reason. Avoid disposal

of bulky solids in the drain or toilet . Even

using a garbage disposal can shorten thelapse between pumpings of the system

because of the increased load of solids to

be broken down in the t ank.

Landscaping your yard to divert water

from the area above the seepage bed will

cut down on the amount of water that

must be filtered through this soil. The

ability of water to flow through the soil

in t he seepage bed will be reduced by

heavy equipment use and livestock

Free Counseling from DEP

DEP contracts with an environmen-

tal consulting firm to provide free

advice to homeowners with septic

system problems. The toll free

numbers are (800) 282-9254 and

(800) 291-2659.


11/16

11

Backfill

Sand 4"

Stone 6"

Building paper

Backfill

Figure 5. The alternate trench system.

Source:Restoration of Failing On-Lot Sewage Disposal Areas, Environmental Resources Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University,

University Park, Pennsylvania.

Building sewer

Existing septic tank

Manhole (clean-out)

Pumping support

Dose pump

Union

Manhole extension

Dose tank

High water level

Low water level

Gate valves

Cap

Existingsystem

2'

5'

80'


12/16

12

grazing on the area. Trees and shrubs

should not be planted over or near the

distribution system because roots can

grow into pipes and clog the system.

Keeping your wastewater disposal system

in good working order will help ensurehigh quality drinking water because of

reduced chances of inadequately treated

wastewater mixing with groundwater. As

with your well, you should keep accurate

records of your systems location, con-

struction, specifications, maintenance,

repairs, and pumping.

How will you know when your septic

tank is full or when the system needs

repairs? Some th ings to watch for are

sewage odors in the house and/or

drinking water, sponginess of the ground

above any part of the system, raw sewage

at the land surface, a constantly running

dosing pump, failure of the dosing pump

to run at all, and backup of wastewater

into washing machines and plumbing. It

is obviously cheapest, simplest, and safest

to keep track of tank pumping and

maintenance and t o call the pumper

before these problems arise.

On-Lot Wastewater Disposal Regulations

The Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (#537) requires local governments to

administer a permitting system for the installation of on-lot sewage disposal

systems. A certified sewage enforcement officer (SEO) is responsible for evaluat-ing permits in one or several townships on the basis of lot slope and soil character-

istics. The SEO may offer advice on which type of system would work best based

on a sites conditions. This person must inspect the completed system before it is

covered with soil. Repairing or replacing a septic system requires a permit from the

local SEO. Routine maintenance such as tank pumping and distribution pipe

flushing can be done without a permit.

Many municipalities have recently joined with their neighbors to form multi-

municipal local agencies, making the enforcement of Act 537 more cost effective.

Each agency employs one or more SEOs to evaluate, permit, and inspect on-lot

wastewater disposal systems within their borders. The creation of multi-municipal

local agencies allows other municipal staff more time to tend to other duties and

enables the wastewater treatment specialists to concentrate on their area of

expertise.

Some townships have created septic system maintenance regulations that require

all residents to have their septic tanks pumped every three years, for example.

These regulations are designed to protect local groundwater from being contami-

nated by a poorly maintained septic system. Remember that your poorly main-

tained system may not just affect your well, but your neighbors wells too.

DEP is a good place to get more information on all aspects of septic systems. Your

local sewage enforcement officer or the Penn State Cooperative Extension agents

in your county will also be able to give you valuable advice.


13/16

13

Township Government

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has

a decentralized system of government

involving townships, boroughs, cities,

and counties. Most rural areas of Penn-

sylvania are located in townships of the

second class. The township is governed

by a board of supervisors, usually three

elected officials. Other officials are

elected or appointed by the board of

supervisors. Some townships have one or

more authorities. An authority can

buy, build, improve, maintain, and

operate facilities that provide a specific

service, such as sewage treatment plants,

waterworks, highways, and airports. An

authority is also authorized to borrowmoney and issue bonds to finance the

special project.

At the local level, public schools are run

by elected members of the school board

who are authorized to hire personnel,

operate school buildings, buy supplies,

and levy taxes and issue bonds for school-

related expenses.

Land Use

Townships govern land use th rough a

system of permits, zoning laws, subdivi-sion regulations, and other local ordi-

nances. Most townships require building

permits for new homes and structures.

Township supervisors are aided in land

use decisions by an appointed planning

commission and/or zoning board. The

planning commission develops recom-

mendations for the arrangement of

certain land uses within the t ownship

that allow for the maximum health and

safety of residents while still achieving

the objectives of the community.

Planning helps to ensure orderly develop-ment of facilities and safe traffic patt erns.

The zoning board establishes building

requirements for present and future land

use in the township. The members may

set such requirements as minimum lot

size, maximum building height, and use

of certain districts for residences,

industry, or commercial purposes.

Different requirements may exist for

different districts. The zoning board

hears appeals of the prescribed regula-

tions. Some townships have only a

planning commission, which is respon-

sible for each of the above activities.

Local Ordinances

Local ordinances may exist to regulatethe following issues. Check with your

township office on local regulations

governing these issues.

Road maintenance. Your township

government is responsible for maintain-

ing and plowing township roads.

Burning garbage and other waste. Some

townships allow burning of household

refuse and/or yard waste any time, while

others permit it on specific days and still

others may not allow it at all.

Lawn maintenance. Some local govern-

ments have policies concerning lawn

maintenance. These regulations may

require you to cut your grass if it exceeds

a predetermined height or if it looks

unkempt.

Animal control. The township may have

regulations requiring that dogs be leashed

at all times or other related rules.

Nuisances. Township governments have

the authority to prohibit nuisances

including dumping, storage of abandoned

automobiles, and offensive manufactur-

ing or business. Under the nuisance

power, the board of supervisors may

remove any structure considered danger-

ous, whether on public or private land. In

addition to the previously mentioned

powers, the supervisors are authorized to

cont rol fireworks, parks, parking, septic

systems and sewers, fire prevention, street

names, sanitation, public safety, andjunkyards.

Garbage Collection

In most rural areas of the state, there is

no garbage pickup by the township. Each

household is responsible for contracting

with a private trash hauler. You should

expect to spend about $150-$200 per

year on these services. Contact your

township office for names of reputable,

licensed haulers in your area or look in

the yellow pages under rubbish.

Emergency Services

Police services in rural Pennsylvania are

provided by municipal departments in

more populated areas and by state police

in areas where the population is so

dispersed and small that a township forceis not feasible. Some rural areas are not

yet equipped with 911 emergency service

notification. As soon as you move in, call

your local government office to find out

how to reach emergency personnel.

Dont wait until you need the services to

realize that you dont know the correct

number.

Fire protection is provided in most rural

areas by volunteer fire companies. You

can expect to receive periodic solicita-

tions from these groups. Remember thatthey will be there when you need them

only if you help to support their activi-

ties, and t hat voluntary contributions of

time and/or money play a vital role in

their operation.

Manure Disposal

Pennsylvanias Nutrient Management

Act of 1993 was passed to protect the

quality of the states surface- and

groundwaters and the Chesapeake Bay.

Excess nutrien ts in manure washing off

farm fields into streams and rivers can

deplete the water of oxygen, cause

excessive algae growth, and ruin valuable

fish habitats. The legislation was de-

signed to ensure that large loads of

manure are safely disposed of. The act

states that if the animal density exceeds a

certain number of pounds per acre on an

annual basis, the landowner is required to

file with the local conservation district

and implement an approved nutrient

management plan for the disposal of

manure. This legislation supersedes anypreviously established local regulation of

nutrient management. Contact your

local conservation district office or the

State Conservation Commission for

more information on t he implementation

of this act. See also Penn State Coopera-

tive Extension fact sheet 40,N utrient

Management Legislation in Pennsylvania,

listed at the end of this publication.


14/16

14

Be aware that septage, the liquid and

solid material pumped from individual

homes septic tanks, is sometimes

disposed of by surface application or

subsurface injection on agricultural fields.

The septage is often treated beforeapplication to reduce odors and the

number of disease-causing organisms.

DEP requires haulers and landowners to

have permits for in-land application of

septage. This practice produces minimal

threat to human health when done on a

suitable site with carefully analyzed

septage and incorporation of the applica-

tion into the farming operation. There

are strict regulations excluding some

crops from septage application.

You should also keep in mind that the

country landscape is constantly chang-

ing. Agriculture has become more

industrialized, and methods of operation

have changed. Market pressures have

caused farms to specialize in production

of one or two products. Many farms have

become larger in order to remain

economically viable. Be prepared for

change and attempt to understand it.

Not only may new houses go up around

you, new manufacturing or a new farm

could locate near your house. Try tobecome familiar with t rends in your

community. Respect the new occupants

rights just as you expect your right s to be

respected.

Safety

You may be th inking of buying a t ractor

to take care of your large yard, or you

may already own such equipment . Be

sure to obtain and follow operating and

safety instructions when using this

equipment because it can be dangerous.

Children are especially at risk around

tractors. Never allow a child to ride with

you on a lawn mower or tractor while it

is in use. Always wear safety belts and be

sure to purchase a model with roll bars,

especially if your land is on a hill where

tractors can more easily tip over. When

operating these machines give the task at

hand your full attent ion.

Remember that the nearest hospital or

emergency services provider may be quite

far away. Even if your county has 911

emergency service, emergency personnel

may have a difficult time finding your

house if you live in an especially remote

area. It is a good idea to tape directions

to your house next to the phonethat

way, in an emergency even someone such

as a visiting relative can give accurate

directions to emergency personnel.

Your Farming Neighbors

Farms account for almost 20 percent of

Pennsylvanias land use. Much of this

agricultural land is located where housing

development pressure from urban areas isstrong. Farming regions are attractive for

development because of the scenic

beauty of open fields and grazing animals.

Farms are businesses, however, and they

sometimes do not live up to the images

many people have of agriculture. Those

picturesque fields are open because the

farmer plants or mows them every year as

part of the production cycle. Those

grazing animals sometimes get out of

fences, and they all produce manure that

has odors or can degrade water supplies.

The best way to live peacefully with your

farming neighbors is to make friends with

them. Get to know the workings of their

farm and why they do what they do.

Some activities, such as plowing, can be

noisy, but can only be done within a

limited t ime frame or the entire years

crop may suffer. Remember that the

farmer is not there to annoy you

everything done on the farm has a

specific purpose.

You can also help maintain neighborly

relations with the farmers around you by

respecting their land and teaching your

children and animals to do the same.

Respect no trespassing signs. Although

farmland may look like a park, it is

private property and you should not be

on it unless specifically given the right to

use the land by the owner. Respect

farmers property right s as much as you

expect them to respect your rights.


15/16

15

For More Information

Your county cooperative extension office

is an excellent place to go for more

information on the topics covered in t his

publication. County extension offices

have a large collection of literature

dealing with almost any problem

residents may have, and the staff can

steer you in the right direction to get

more information.

Other agencies that may provide helpful

information include: your local soil

conservation district, the Natural

Resources Conservation Service of the

U.S. Department of Agriculture, or your

county planning commission.

Below is a list of publications available

through Penn States College of Agricul-

tural Sciences. These will give you more

details about many of the topics discussed

here. Single copies are available for free

unless otherwise noted. These publica-

tions can be obtained by contacting:

Publications Distribution Cent er

112 Agricultural Administration

Building

University Park, PA 16802Telephone: (814) 865-6713

Fax: (814) 863-5560

Extension Circular 345, Safeguarding

Wells and Springs from Bacterial Contami-

nation

NRAES-48,Home Water Treatment

($15.00)

Special Circular 277,Rainwater Cisterns:

Design, Construction, and Water Treatment

Extension Circular 302, Two Remedies for

Failing Septic Systems

Agronomy Fact Sheet 40,N utrient

Management Legislation in Pennsylvania

Single copies of the publications below

can be obtained for free by contacting:

Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Department

246 Agricultural Engineering BuildingUniversity Park, PA 16802

Telephone: (814) 865-7685

Fax: (814) 863-1031

Drinking Water

F-103,How to Interpret a Water Analysis

Report

F-104, Water Testing

F-105, Where to Have Your Water Tested

F-134,Removing Giardia Cysts from

Drinking Water

F-141, Water Softening

Septic Systems

F-161, Septic Tank Pumping

F-162, Preventing Septic System Failures

F-163, The Soil Media and the Percolation

Test

F-164,Mound Systems for Wastewater

Treatment

F-165, Septic Tank-Soil Absorption Systems

F-167, Use of Dyes and Tracers to Confirm

Septic System Failure

Material printed in this publication was

drawn from the following:

Extension Circular 345, Safeguarding

Wells and Springs from Bacterial Contami-

nation, by Joe Makuch and William E.Sharpe.

Extension Circular 302, Two Remedies for

Failing Septic Systems, by Joe Makuch and

William E. Sharpe.


Fact Sheet F-164,Mound Systems for

Wastewater Treatment, by Paul D.

Robillard and Kelli S. Martin.


Fact Sheet F-165, Septic Tank-Soil

A bsorption Systems, by Paul D. Robillard

and Kelli S. Martin.


16/16

Prepared by Joy R. Drohan, project

assistant/writer, Charles W. Abdalla,

associate professor of agricultural

economics, and Timothy W. Kelsey,

associate professor of agriculturaleconomics

Penn State C ollege of Agricultural Sciences research,

extension, and resident education programs are funded

in part by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the

U.S. Department of Agriculture.

This publication is available from the Publications

Distribution Center, The Pennsylvania State

University, 112 Agricultural Administration Building,

University Park, PA 16802. For information telephone

(814) 865-6713.

Where trade names appear, no discrimination is

intended, and no endorsement by the Penn State

College of Agricultural Sciences is implied.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work,

Acts of Con gress May 8 and June 30, 1914, in

cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture

and t he Pennsylvania Legislature. T. R. Alter, Interim

Director of Cooperative Extension, The Pennsylvania

State University.

This publication is available in alternativemedia on request.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the

policy that all persons shall h ave equal access to

programs, facilities, admission, and employment

without regard to personal characteristics not related to

ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by

University policy or by state or federal authorit ies.

The Pennsylvania State University does not

discriminate against any person because of age,

ancestry, color, disability or handicap, nat ional origin,

race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientat ion, or veteran

status. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimi-

nation policy to the Affirmative Action Director, The

Pennsylvania State University, 201 Willard Building,

University Park, PA 16802-2801; Tel. (814) 865-4700/

V; (814) 863-1150/TTY.

The Pennsylvania State University 1998

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