Iowa Department of Natural Resources Private Sewage Disposal Program Iowa Environmental Health Association Fall Conference 2012

In Remembrance

Communication

Your Contribution to Water Quality Approx. 300,000 septic systems in Iowa 52.5 million gallons of wastewater generated every day Approx systems permitted each year (1.3mgpd)

Thank you!! Approximately 15,000 inspections Approximately 15,000 inspections Repairs without ToT inspections not counted Repairs without ToT inspections not counted About 1/3 require repair or replacement About 1/3 require repair or replacement 302 inspectors renewed 302 inspectors renewed 5000 new systems = 875,000gpd of previously untreated wastewater now being treated (or 300 million gallons annually) 5000 new systems = 875,000gpd of previously untreated wastewater now being treated (or 300 million gallons annually)

Rule changes – Ch 68 On farm food processing law On farm food processing law Wineries, cheese making etc. Wineries, cheese making etc. Produces less than 1500gpd Produces less than 1500gpd Meets definition of “on-farm food processing facility” Meets definition of “on-farm food processing facility” Provides options for disposal Provides options for disposal New option – land application New option – land application Old options; Class V well, POTW, holding tank Old options; Class V well, POTW, holding tank

Rules Changes – Ch 69 Standardize definition of PSDS Standardize definition of PSDS Renew GP4 Renew GP4 New language for state owned lakes, OIW’s, anti-deg New language for state owned lakes, OIW’s, anti-deg Site evaluation done by administrative authority Site evaluation done by administrative authority Public well separation distances Public well separation distances

Ch69 changes continued Added 150gpd/bedroom language Added 150gpd/bedroom language Standardize certified technician language Standardize certified technician language Removed “person demonstrating knowledge” Removed “person demonstrating knowledge” Effluent screens can replace baffle Effluent screens can replace baffle Risers must also be 18” in diameter Risers must also be 18” in diameter

Ch 69 changes continued Added IAPMO language for plastic tanks Added IAPMO language for plastic tanks Remove maximum width for mounds, at-grades Remove maximum width for mounds, at-grades Added “or an intermittent sand filter” language to emphasize this option before other media filters Added “or an intermittent sand filter” language to emphasize this option before other media filters

Ch 69 changes continued Maintenance contracts provided to county BEFORE installation Maintenance contracts provided to county BEFORE installation Homeowner knows what will be required Homeowner knows what will be required Removed requirement to record maintenance contract in abstract Removed requirement to record maintenance contract in abstract

Ch 69 changes - ToT 10 working days to submit report 10 working days to submit report Added existing exemptions to rule Added existing exemptions to rule Added existing real estate contract language Added existing real estate contract language Removed “provide copy to Recorder” Removed “provide copy to Recorder”

Ch 69 changes - ToT Removed E. coli testing for ToT only Removed E. coli testing for ToT only Removed recording in abstract Removed recording in abstract Added binding agreement for future install Added binding agreement for future install Changed NPDES requirements for inspector Changed NPDES requirements for inspector Report location of discharge not whether permitted Report location of discharge not whether permitted

Inspection Example Ask about the septic system when they call for an inspection. Ask about the septic system when they call for an inspection. How old is the system? How old is the system? Do you know where the septic tank is? Do you know where the septic tank is? Where does it go after that? Where does it go after that? Where is the secondary treatment? Where is the secondary treatment? Is the house occupied? Is the house occupied? Do you have a mean dog? Do you have a mean dog?

Inspection Example Contact the county environmental health/sanitarian office Contact the county environmental health/sanitarian office Is there a permit? Is there a permit? Get a copy Get a copy Does the homeowner have a copy of the permit or a drawing ? Does the homeowner have a copy of the permit or a drawing ? Other records? Other records? Pumping, maintenance, service contracts Pumping, maintenance, service contracts

The Inspection Site Authorized entry? From homeowner or agent Lender or agent? Authorized entry form Recommended Is the water on? Hydraulic loading test Haul water?

The Inspection Site Indoor plumbing Indoor plumbing Does everything go to the septic tank? Does everything go to the septic tank? Older homes may have sinks, washing machines, basement fixtures etc. that do not go to the septic system Older homes may have sinks, washing machines, basement fixtures etc. that do not go to the septic system

Basement Plumbing

Indoor Plumbing

Finding the Tank What direction does the sewer leave the house? Location of main vent on roof frequently above the main sewer pipe Depression or dry spot in yard Your best friend – the tile probe!

Location of Septic Tanks and Soil Absorption Field Lines Could ask neighbor, previous owners, current owners, or their representative Could ask neighbor, previous owners, current owners, or their representative Ask original installer Ask original installer Ask regulatory agency for files/permits Ask regulatory agency for files/permits Depressions in the soil Depressions in the soil Probes Probes Trace sewer line from basement Trace sewer line from basement Use Locator Technology Use Locator Technology Must detect it to report it!!!!! Must detect it to report it!!!!!

Uncovering the tank Both lids to the tank must be uncovered Both lids to the tank must be uncovered Inspecting the tank using small diameter risers is not sufficient Inspecting the tank using small diameter risers is not sufficient Tank lids must be accessible Tank lids must be accessible

Uncovering the tank

Inspecting tanks

Pump/siphon tanks

Locate Find the system Find the system Gravity- Downhill Gravity- Downhill Pump- Anywhere Pump- Anywhere Tools Tools Map Map Probe Probe Locator Locator Witching Witching

Use of Probe to Locate Components for Digging

Uncovering the D-box The distribution box must be uncovered The distribution box must be uncovered Many need replacement (concrete) or adjustment Many need replacement (concrete) or adjustment Provides evidence of secondary treatment Provides evidence of secondary treatment Header pipes Header pipes Exposed trenches Exposed trenches

Uncovering the D-box

Inspecting D-boxes

D-boxes

Hydraulic Loading Ideally we run water from the house to the septic tank Ideally we run water from the house to the septic tank Watch level in tank/box Watch level in tank/box Should stay constant Should stay constant If tank has been pumped, add water to tank outlet or d-box If tank has been pumped, add water to tank outlet or d-box Use your own hose! Use your own hose! Caution! High flow rate Caution! High flow rate Garden hose calculator Garden hose calculator

Hydraulic Loading

Dye Testing

Probing the field or sand filter Tile probe Tile probe Be careful! Be careful! Underground electric Underground electric Sludge on probe indicates poor condition Sludge on probe indicates poor condition Overloaded field may flow out of probe hole Overloaded field may flow out of probe hole

Probing fields

Location of Septic Tanks and Soil Absorption Field Lines Must have some evidence of absorption field Must have some evidence of absorption field Noticeable odors from the field? Noticeable odors from the field? Excessive areas of vegetative growth due to water and nutrients Excessive areas of vegetative growth due to water and nutrients Obvious signs of past discharges of sewage (black areas, lack of vegetation, etc)? Obvious signs of past discharges of sewage (black areas, lack of vegetation, etc)? Was sewage or dye evident after dosing cycle or hydraulic loading? Was sewage or dye evident after dosing cycle or hydraulic loading?

Discharging Systems Sand filters Sand filters Locate vent pipes and discharge pipe Locate vent pipes and discharge pipe Note if there are no vents Note if there are no vents Take a effluent sample, BOD, TSS, E. coli Take a effluent sample, BOD, TSS, E. coli If no discharge and no evidence that it has discharged report that If no discharge and no evidence that it has discharged report that Packaged systems Packaged systems Ensure parts are there/working as outlined earlier Ensure parts are there/working as outlined earlier Take sample Take sample

Reporting Fill out appropriate sections of the inspection form Fill out appropriate sections of the inspection form Write a narrative report fully describing what was found Write a narrative report fully describing what was found MORE information is better! It will protect you. MORE information is better! It will protect you. Take pictures if something is questionable Take pictures if something is questionable Provide report to county, DNR and person who ordered the inspection Provide report to county, DNR and person who ordered the inspection

Report Examples Report everything that you saw! Report everything that you saw! Go with too much information as opposed to too little. It will protect you! Go with too much information as opposed to too little. It will protect you! The narrative report is required and is your opportunity to expand on what you put on the inspection sheet. The narrative report is required and is your opportunity to expand on what you put on the inspection sheet. Provide inspection sheet (filled out), a narrative and the drawing. Provide inspection sheet (filled out), a narrative and the drawing.

Transfers Exempted Transfer pursuant to a court order Transfer pursuant to a court order Foreclosure or forfeiture Foreclosure or forfeiture Includes the lenders resale Includes the lenders resale Transfer by trustee in bankruptcy Transfer by trustee in bankruptcy Transfer by eminent domain Transfer by eminent domain Transfer by a fiduciary in the execution of a trust, estate or guardianship of a decedent Transfer by a fiduciary in the execution of a trust, estate or guardianship of a decedent Transfer from the estate to anyone Transfer from the estate to anyone

Transfers Exempted Transfers made to a spouse or a person in the lineal line of consanguinity Transfers made to a spouse or a person in the lineal line of consanguinity Consanguinity = blood relative Consanguinity = blood relative Lineal line = grandparents – parents – children etc. Lineal line = grandparents – parents – children etc. Not brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts etc. Not brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts etc. Transfer between spouses resulting from divorce, legal separation or property settlement Transfer between spouses resulting from divorce, legal separation or property settlement

Transfers Exempted Transfer between joint tenants Transfer between joint tenants Transfer of a property that will be razed or demolished (requires DNR form ) Transfer of a property that will be razed or demolished (requires DNR form ) Transfers of five hundred dollars or less. Transfers of five hundred dollars or less.

Transfers Exempted Transfers between family corporations, partnerships, LLP’s, LLC’s, as defined in section 428A.2, subsection 15, and its stockholders partners, or members for the purpose of transferring real property in an incorporation or corporate dissolution or in the organization or dissolution of a partnership, LP’s, LLP’s, LLC’s under the laws of this state, where the deed is given for no actual consideration other than for shares or for debt securities of the family corporation, partnership, LP, LLP or LLC. Transfers between family corporations, partnerships, LLP’s, LLC’s, as defined in section 428A.2, subsection 15, and its stockholders partners, or members for the purpose of transferring real property in an incorporation or corporate dissolution or in the organization or dissolution of a partnership, LP’s, LLP’s, LLC’s under the laws of this state, where the deed is given for no actual consideration other than for shares or for debt securities of the family corporation, partnership, LP, LLP or LLC.

Transfers Exempted Transfers of a property with a septic system installed within the last two years Transfers of a property with a septic system installed within the last two years Transfers arising from a partitioning process Transfers arising from a partitioning process Transfers from a tax sale deed by the county treasurer Transfers from a tax sale deed by the county treasurer

Binding Agreements Binding Agreement for a Future Inspection (DNR form ) Binding Agreement for a Future Inspection (DNR form ) Weather related only Weather related only Binding Agreement for Demolition (DNR form ) Binding Agreement for Demolition (DNR form ) Now an exemption but form still required Now an exemption but form still required Binding Agreement for a Future Installation (DNR form ) Binding Agreement for a Future Installation (DNR form )

Pumper Inspections Contracts – please send them in! Contracts – please send them in! Payment Payment $150 for 1 st vehicle, $50 for each additional $150 for 1 st vehicle, $50 for each additional $7 per 1000 gallons land applied $7 per 1000 gallons land applied Invoice using these amounts Invoice using these amounts Enforcement by county – licensing by DNR Enforcement by county – licensing by DNR

Equipment Inspections Lettering License on board? Good repair Does it leak? Clean and rust free Can it do the job? Agitation capability Vacuum tank No toxic waste

Land Application Inspections Separation distances Separation distances Vertical too! Vertical too! Slope Slope Ability to add lime or incorporate Ability to add lime or incorporate PH test strips Storage? No portable/holding tank waste Crop rotation

Recordkeeping Are they recording each load? Are they recording each load? Do they have treatment plant permission? Do they have treatment plant permission? Does the treatment plant ever see them? Does the treatment plant ever see them? Do the volumes they are reporting seem reasonable? Do the volumes they are reporting seem reasonable? Are they reporting all of their vehicles? Are they reporting all of their vehicles?

Pumper Inspections Discussion Questions or comments? How can we improve this process? Sharpen your pencil Tim!

New products and approvals DNR does not approve products DNR does not approve products Industry must get your approval for use Industry must get your approval for use Experimental section Experimental section “Other wastewater treatment systems may be approved by administrative authority” “Other wastewater treatment systems may be approved by administrative authority” NSF Std 40 or other equivalent testing NSF Std 40 or other equivalent testing What’s equivalent? What’s equivalent?

New products Soil based Geo-Flow (ADS) Presby AES Corrugated pipes with various coverings Laid on 6” sand Discharging – EZ Treat, media filter

New products – NSF Std 40 States with no approval processes often rely on NSF testing States with no approval processes often rely on NSF testing Std 40 originally for ATU’s, also applied to media filters and Presby product (below sand) Std 40 originally for ATU’s, also applied to media filters and Presby product (below sand) Premier Tech Eco Flo peat filter and Orenco Textile filter have NSF Std 40 Premier Tech Eco Flo peat filter and Orenco Textile filter have NSF Std 40 Eco Pure peat filter and EZ Treat do not Eco Pure peat filter and EZ Treat do not Orenco and Premier Tech challenging “equivalent testing” for Eco Pure Orenco and Premier Tech challenging “equivalent testing” for Eco Pure

Onsite Training Center 2013 Schedule out 2013 Schedule out High Strength Wastewater class next month in Cedar Rapids High Strength Wastewater class next month in Cedar Rapids Focus on restaurant wastewater Focus on restaurant wastewater Randy Miles presenting Randy Miles presenting Let us know what you want to see and where! Let us know what you want to see and where!

Questions? Daniel Olson Daniel Olson Tim Grotheer Tim Grotheer