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BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE BUILDING SETTLEMENT SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR ADDITIVES / TREATMENTS for SEPTIC SYSTEMS AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEMS ALTERNATING BED SEPTIC SYSTEMS BACKUP PREVENTION, SEWER LINE BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS in the HOME - EPA BOOKS, RECOMMENDED SEPTIC BOOKSTORE, SEPTIC SYSTEMS CESSPOOLS CESSPOOL SAFETY WARNINGS CHECK VALVES CHEMICALS & TREATMENTS for SEPTICS CHLORAMINE / CHLORINE Tests CHLORINE IN DRINKING WATER CHLORINE IN SEPTIC WASTEWATER CISTERNS D BOX TROUBLESHOOTING DEFINITIONS OF SEPTIC SYSTEM TERMS DIFFICULT SEPTIC SITES DISTRIBUTION-BOX INSPECTION, SEPTIC DRAINFIELD FAILURE DIAGNOSIS DRIVING or PARKING OVER SEPTIC DRYWELL DESIGN & USES FILTERS SEPTIC & GREYWATER FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP FLOODED SEPTIC SYSTEMS, REPAIR GARBAGE DISPOSAL vs SEPTICS GRAVELLESS SEPTIC SYSTEMS GRAVITY/SIPHON DOSING SYSTEMS GREYWATER SYSTEMS HOME BUYERS GUIDE to SEPTIC SYSTEMS HOME SELLERS GUIDE TO SEPTIC INSPECT LAGOON SEPTIC SYSTEMS LEACHFIELD FAILURE DIAGNOSIS MEDIA FILTER SEPTIC SYSTEMS MOUND SEPTIC SYSTEMS NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE ODOR DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST ODORLESS CHEMICALS / GASES: CHECK FOR? ODORS, PLUMBING SYSTEM ODORS, SEPTIC or SEWER ODORS, SULPHUR SMELL SOURCES OUTHOUSES & LATRINES PLANTS & TREES OVER SEPTIC SYSTEMS PRESSURE DOSING SEPTIC SYSTEMS RAISED BED SEPTIC SYSTEMS SAND BED SEPTIC SYSTEMS SEEPAGE PITS SEPTIC & CESSPOOL SAFETY SEPTIC SYSTEM ARTICLES SEPTIC AUTHORITIES 75-A.0 New York State Regulation of Private Septic Systems 75-A.1 Introduction to Septic Systems, Definitions of Septic System Terms 75-A.2 Regulation of Sewage Treatment Systems by other agencies 75-A.3 Sewage flows and design flow estimates 75-A.4 Soil and site appraisal for Septic Systems 75-A.5 House or building sewer line specifications 75-A.6 Septic tank capacity requirements, installation, and placement 75-A.7 Distribution lines, distribution boxes, gravity flow, pressure distribution, dosing, siphons 75-A.8 Subsurface treatment of effluent, absorption field requirements, leach field design criteria 75-A.9 Alternative Septic System Designs 75-A.10 Other systems 75-A.11 New product/system design interim approval SEPTIC BACKUP PREVENTION SEPTIC BACKUP REPAIR SEPTIC BOOK, ONLINE SEPTIC BOOKSTORE SEPTIC BIOMATS SEPTIC CARE INSTRUCTIONS SEPTIC CLEARANCE DISTANCES SEPTIC CODES & REFERENCES SEPTIC CONSULTANTS SEPTIC D-BOX INSPECTION SEPTIC DRAINFIELD FAILURE DIAGNOSIS SEPTIC DRAINFIELD INSPECTION & TEST SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LIFE SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LOCATION SEPTIC DRAINFIELD RESTORERS? SEPTIC DRAWINGS SEPTIC DYE TEST PROCEDURE SEPTIC FAILURE LAWSUIT SEPTIC FAILURE SIGNS SEPTIC FIELD INSPECTION SEPTIC FILTERS SEPTIC FLOOD RESPONSE SEPTIC INSPECTION BOOK SEPTIC INSPECTION & TEST GUIDE SEPTIC LIFE EXPECTANCY SEPTIC LIFE MAXIMIZING STEPS SEPTIC METHANE GAS SEPTIC ODORS SEPTIC PUMPS SEPTIC PUMPING REPAIR SEPTIC REFERENCES SEPTIC & CESSPOOL SAFETY SEPTIC SUPPLIES & PARTS SEPTIC SYSTEM DEFINITIONS SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN ALTERNATIVES Master List of Septic System Types ALTERNATIVE SEPTIC DESIGNERS ALTERNATIVE SEPTIC PRODUCTS AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEMS ALTERNATING BED SEPTIC SYSTEMS BIOGAS PRODUCTION & USE CESSPOOLS DISINFECTION SYSTEMS, SEPTIC EFFLUENT DRYWELL DESIGN & USES EVAPORATION-TRANSPIRATION SEPTIC SYSTEMS FILTERS SEPTIC & GREYWATER FIXED-FILM PROCESS SEPTIC SYSTEMS GRAVELLESS SEPTIC SYSTEMS GRAVITY/SIPHON DOSING SYSTEMS GREYWATER SYSTEMS HOLDING TANK SEPTIC SYSTEMS LAGOON SEPTIC SYSTEMS MEDIA FILTER SEPTIC SYSTEMS MOUND SEPTIC SYSTEMS OUTHOUSES & LATRINES PEAT FILTER SEPTICS PRESSURE DOSING SEPTIC SYSTEMS RAISED BED SEPTIC SYSTEMS SAND BED SEPTIC SYSTEMS SEEPAGE PITS SEPTIC SYSTEM PUMPS SEQUENCING BATCH SEPTIC SYSTEMS SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEMS STEEP SLOPE SEPTIC DESIGNS TOILETS, INSPECT, INSTALL, REPAIR TOILET ALTERNATIVES TOILET TYPES Toilet Types, Flush Methods TOILETS, DON'T FLUSH LIST TRAPS on PLUMBING FIXTURES VEGETATED SUBMERGED SEPTIC BEDS Wastewater Treatment Levels Wastewater Dispersal Methods WETLAND SEPTIC SYSTEMS SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN BASICS DRYWELL DESIGN & USES FILTERS SEPTIC & GREYWATER SEEPAGE PITS SEPTIC CLEARANCES SEPTIC SOIL & PERC TESTS SEPTIC TANK SIZE SEPTIC TANK DEPTH SEPTIC TANK TEES SEPTIC DRAINFIELD SIZE SEPTIC DRAINFIELD SHAPE SEPTIC TANK PUMPING FREQUENCY SEPTIC TANK PUMPING PROCEDURE SEPTIC SYSTEM PUMPS SEPTIC TREATMENTS & CHEMICALS STEEP SLOPE SEPTIC DESIGNS SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN MANUAL - Online SEPTIC DRAINFIELD FAILURE DIAGNOSIS SEPTIC DRAINFIELD INSPECTION & TEST SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LIFE SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LOCATION SEPTIC DRAINFIELD RESTORERS? SEPTIC DRAWINGS SEPTIC DYE TEST PROCEDURE SEPTIC FAILURE LAWSUIT SEPTIC FAILURE SIGNS SEPTIC FIELD INSPECTION SEPTIC FILTERS SEPTIC FLOOD RESPONSE SEPTIC INSPECTION BOOK SEPTIC INSPECTION & TEST GUIDE SEPTIC LIFE EXPECTANCY SEPTIC LIFE MAXIMIZING STEPS SEPTIC METHANE GAS SEPTIC ODORS SEPTIC PUMPS SEPTIC PUMPING REPAIR SEPTIC REFERENCES SEPTIC & CESSPOOL SAFETY SEPTIC SUPPLIES & PARTS SEPTIC SYSTEMS, HOME BUYERS GUIDE to SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION & TEST GUIDE SEPTIC SYSTEMS INSPECTION COURSE SEPTIC INSPECTION TYPES & LEVELS SEPTIC FAILURE CAUSES SEPTIC TANK GRASS or SNOWMELT SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE SEPTIC DRAINFIELD FAILURES SEPTIC D-BOX INSPECTION SEPTIC DRAINFIELD INSPECTION SEPTIC DYE TEST PROCEDURE SEPTIC FAILURE CAUSES SEPTIC FAILURE CRITERIA SEPTIC FAILURE SIGNS SEPTIC FAILURE SPOTS SEPTIC INSPECTION WORK SHEETS SEPTIC INSPECTION TYPES & LEVELS SEPTIC SYSTEM ODORS SEPTIC SYSTEMS ONLINE BOOK SEPTIC SYSTEM PUMPS SEPTIC SYSTEM SAFETY WARNINGS SEPTIC SYSTEM TYPES, MASTER LIST SEPTIC TANKS SEPTIC TANK BAFFLES SEPTIC TANK COVERS SEPTIC TANK, HOW TO FIND SEPTIC SEARCH SAFETY WHO KNOWS SEPTIC LOCATION? FIND MAIN WASTE LINE EXIT DISTANCE TO SEPTIC TANK POSSIBLE SEPTIC TANK LOCATIONS VISUAL CLUES LOCATE the SEPTIC TANK WHERE TO LOOK for the SEPTIC TANK SEPTIC TANK DEPTH SEPTIC TANK LOCATING EQUIPMENT SEPTIC TANK LOCATION SKETCH SEPTIC TANK GRASS or SNOWMELT SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE SEPTIC TANK LEAKS SEPTIC TANK LEVELS of SEWAGE SEPTIC TANK PUMPING SCHEDULE SEPTIC TANK PUMPING PROCEDURE SEPTIC TANK SAFETY SEPTIC TANK SIZE SEPTIC TANK TEES SEPTIC TESTS: DYE & LOADING TESTS SEPTIC TREATMENTS & CHEMICALS SEWAGE & SEPTIC CONTAMINANTS SEWAGE BACKUP, WHAT TO DO SEWAGE BACKUP TEST & CLEANUP SEWAGE BACKUP PREVENTION SEWAGE CONTAMINATION in buildings SEWAGE CONTAMINANTS in FRUIT / VEGETABLES SEWAGE EJECTOR / GRINDER PUMPS SEWAGE LEVELS in SEPTIC TANKS SEWAGE NITROGEN CONTAMINANTS SEWAGE PATHOGENS in SEPTIC SLUDGE SEWAGE PUMPS SEWER BACKUP PREVENTION SEWER GAS ODORS SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT SINKHOLES, WARNING SIGNS SMELL PATCH TEST to Track Down Odors SOAKAWAY BED FAILURE DIAGNOSIS SULPHUR & SEWER GAS SMELL SOURCES SUMP PUMPS TOILETS, INSPECT, INSTALL, REPAIR TOILET ALTERNATIVES TOILET FLUSHOMETER VALVES TOILET INSTALLATION PROCEDURE TOILET OVERFLOW EMERGENCY TOILET PLUGS, SEWER BACKUP TOILET REPAIR GUIDE TOILET TYPES Toilet Types, Flush Methods TOILETS, DON'T FLUSH LIST TRAPS on PLUMBING FIXTURES TREATMENTS & CHEMICALS, SEPTIC VIDEO GUIDES: Septic Videos WASHING MACHINES WASTEWATER TREATMENT BASICS WATER, WELLS, WATER TANKS: TESTING GUIDE WATER PURIFIERS WATER QUALITY TESTS, CONTAMINANTS, TREATMENT WATER QUANTITY IMPROVEMENT WATER QUANTITY USAGE GUIDE WATER SOFTENERS & CONDITIONERS WATER SUPPLY & DRAIN PIPING WATER TESTS, CONTAMINANTS, TREATMENT WATER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT CHOICES WELLS CISTERNS & SPRINGS WELL CLEARANCES WETLAND SEPTIC SYSTEMS WINTERIZE A BUILDING More Information |
Section 8 of the septic design regulations discusses the means of disposition of septic effluent using a conventional septic leach field (drainfield, absorption bed are synonyms). Distances from the leach field to other site features, design criteria based on soil percolation test results, absorption trench length requirements, and materials to be used are all discussed. InspectAPedia offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest. We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices, false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at InspectAPedia.com/Contact.htm.This document uses the New York State wastewater treatment standard for individual household septic systems (Appendix 75-A) to provide an example of state regulated design and installation of both conventional tank and leach field septic systems and alternative septic system designs, including raised septic systems, septic mound systems, intermittent sand filter septic systems, and evaportion-transpiration septic systems. Citation of this article by reference to this website and brief quotation for the sole purpose of review are permitted. Use of this information at other websites, in books or pamphlets for sale is reserved to the author. Technical review by industry experts has been performed and is ongoing - reviewers welcomed and are listed at "References." © Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website. Section 75-A.8 Subsurface treatment - disposal of septic effluent using a conventional septic leach field or absorption fieldEffective Date: 12/01/90 (a) General InformationAll effluent from septic tanks or aerobic tanks shall be discharged to a subsurface treatment system. Surface discharge of septic tank or aerobic unit effluent shall not be approved by the Department of Health or a local health department acting as its agent. (b) Absorption Field Systems - Conventional Septic Leach Fields[DF NOTE: This section discusses the design requirements for septic absorption fields, also called leach fields, drain fields, drainfields, or conventional soil absorption systems.] (1) Site requirements for Septic Drainfields(i) The minimum distances that absorption fields shall be separated from other facilities are shown in Figure 1 and Table 2. (ii) A minimum of four feet of useable soil shall exist above bedrock and groundwater with a minimum separation of two feet to the lowest part of any trench. (iii) Absorption fields shall not be built under driveways, parts of buildings or under above-ground swimming pools or other areas subject to heavy loading. Surface waters shall be diverted from the vicinity of the system. (2) Design criteria for Septic Drainfields(i) The required length of absorption trench is determined from Table 4A based upon the percolation test results and confirmed by the soil evaluation. The maximum trench width for design purposes shall be 24 inches. Only 24 inches shall be allowed for absorption area calculations. Where trenches exceed 24 inches in width, calculations of absorptive area shall be based on a width of 24 inches. (ii) Adjacent trenches shall be separated by at least four feet of undisturbed soil. Individual trenches shall be constructed parallel to the ground contours with trench bottoms as near level as possible. They need not be perfectly straight but abrupt changes in direction shall be avoided.
(3) Materials used for Septic Drainfields(i) Perforated distributor pipe shall be used in the trenches. Solid (non-perforated) pipe shall be used between the distribution box and the trenches. Perforated pipe shall be made of rigid or corrugated plastic and be labeled as fully meeting ASTM standards for use in septic systems. Corrugated plastic pipe delivered in coils is not to be used unless provision is made to prevent the recoiling or movement of the pipe after installation. (ii) Aggregate shall mean washed gravel or crushed stone 3/4 - 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Larger diameter material or finer substances and run-of-bank gravel are unacceptable. (iii) The aggregate shall be covered with a material that prevents soil from entering the aggregate after backfilling, yet must permit air and moisture to pass through. The preferred material for covering the aggregate is a permeable geotextile. Untreated building paper or a four inch layer of hay or straw is acceptable. Polyethylene and treated building paper are relatively impervious and shall not be used. (4) Construction of Septic Drainfields(i) Trench locations and depths should be marked by stakes before the trenches are excavated. The natural surface shall not be significantly disturbed. If the site is re graded or similarly disturbed, the soil shall be allowed to stabilize and new percolation tests conducted. (ii) The trench depth shall be as shallow as possible, but not less than 18 inches. At least six inches of aggregate is placed below the distribution line and two inches above the line. The earth cover over the aggregate should not exceed 12 inches in order to enhance natural aeration and nitrogen uptake by plant life. Trenches shall be excavated to design depth with bottoms practically level. Heavy equipment shall be kept away from the field because the weight may permanently alter soil characteristics due to compaction, cause trench cave-ins, and/or mis-align and break pipe. (iii) Trench bottoms are to be raked and immediately covered with at least six inches of aggregate. (iv) Any smeared surfaces on the trench walls are to be raked. Distributor lines are carefully placed on the aggregate and covered with aggregate to a depth of at least two inches over the top of the pipe. Additional aggregate may be required to bring the top of the aggregate to within six to 12 inches of the surface. (v) In gravity distribution systems, the pipe shall be carefully sloped at between 1/16 inch and 1/32 inch per foot. Grades shall be determined by an engineer's level, transit or carpenter's level. (vi) After the upper aggregate is placed, the geotextile, untreated building paper, hay or straw is to be immediately installed and the trench backfilled with native soil. If the trenches cannot be immediately backfilled, they should be temporarily covered with an impervious material such as treated building paper to prevent sidewall collapse and siltation into the aggregate. (vii) The earth backfill is to be mounded slightly above the original ground level to allow for settling and after settlement the entire area should be graded without the use of heavy equipment and seeded with grass. (c) Gravelless Septic Absorption Systems(1) In one type of system, a large diameter corrugated plastic pipe (eight inches or greater in diameter) surrounded by a hydrophilic geotextile is installed in an excavated trench using only the original soil as backfill. Other systems utilizing products such as galleys, flow diffusers or leaching chambers can be installed without aggregate backfill. One linear foot of these products shall be equivalent to one linear foot of conventional (24 inch wide) absorption trench. (2) Site requirements for gravelless septic absorption systemsThese systems shall be used on sites that have been classified as having a design percolation rate of one to 45 minutes per inch, and meet the vertical and horizontal separation distances in Table 2 which is shown in 75-A.4 Soil and site appraisal for Septic Systems. (3) Design criteria for gravelless septic absorption systemsThe local health department having jurisdiction shall be contacted prior to construction regarding the acceptability of specific products for use as a gravelless distribution system. (4) Construction of gravelless septic absorption systemsGravelless distribution systems shall be installed in conformance with the manufacturer's instructions because of the proprietary design of some products. (d) Deep Septic Absorption Trench Systems(1) Site Requirements for deep trench septic systemsThese are used on sites where an useable layer of soil is overlaid by three to five feet of impermeable soil. (2) Design Criteria for deep trench septic systems(i) There shall be at least four feet of useable solid beneath the impermeable layer. (ii) The required length of absorption trench is determined from Table 4A based upon percolation tests conducted in the underlying soil. (3) Construction specifications for deep trench septic absorption systems(i) Trenches are excavated at least two feet into the useable layer and backfilled with aggregate or coarse sandy material containing a low percentage of fines more permeable than the underlying material to a level 30 inches below the original ground surface. (ii) An absorption trench system as described in Section 75-A.8(b) is constructed in the upper 30 inches of the excavation. (e) Shallow Septic System Absorption Trenches(1) Site Requirements for shallow septic system absorption trenchesThese systems are used where there is at least two feet but less than four feet of useable soil and/or separation to boundary conditions. (2) Design criteria for shallow septic absorption trenches(i) A minimum two foot separation must be maintained between the bottom of each trench and all boundary conditions. (ii) The bottom of each trench must not be above the original ground surface. (iii) Material of the same permeability as the underlying original soil shall be used as fill material. The depth of the fill shall not be greater than 30 inches above the original ground elevation. (iv) An absorption trench system as described in Section 75-A.8(b) is designed using the percolation of the underlying original soil. (3) Construction of Shallow Septic Absorption Trenches(i) Heavy equipment shall be kept out of the absorption area. (ii) Fill material is carefully placed within the absorption area. (iii) The edge of the fill material shall be tapered at a slope of no greater than one vertical to three horizontal. On sloped sites a diversion ditch shall be placed on the uphill side to prevent runoff from entering the fill. (iv) The absorption trench system is constructed in the fill material, extending into the existing natural soil. (f) Cut and Fill Septic Systems(1) A cut and fill septic system is an absorption trench system installed on sites where impermeable soil overlays a permeable soil. (2) Site Requirements for cut and fill septic systemsCut and fill septic systems may be used where all the following conditions are found: (i) A soil with a percolation rate slower than 60 minutes per inch, such as clay or clay loam, overlays a useable soil with a percolation rate faster than 60 minutes per inch; (ii) At least three feet of useable soil is available beneath the tight soil; (iii) All minimum vertical and horizontal separation distances can be maintained as described in Table 2. (3) Design criteria for cut and fill septic systems(i) It shall provide for the removal of the overlaying unusable soil and replacement by soil having a percolation rate comparable with the underlying soil; (ii) An absorption trench system is designed as described in Section 75-A.8(b). (iii) The required length of absorption trench is based upon the percolation of the underlying soil or the fill material, whichever has the slower percolation (lower permeability). (4) Construction of cut and fill septic systems(i) The area excavated and filled must provide at least a five foot buffer in each direction beyond the trenches. (ii) The material placed above the trenches shall have a percolation rate faster than 60 minutes per inch. (iii) Original surface material shall not be used as backfill above the trenches. (iv) The surface area of the fill system must be mounded and graded to enhance the runoff of rainwater from the system and seeded to grass. (g) Absorption Bed Septic Systems(1) GeneralAn absorption bed system operates on a principal similar to the absorption trench except that several laterals, rather than just one, are installed in a single excavation. This reduces the effective sidewall infiltration area per linear foot of lateral or leach line. (2) Site Requirements for absorption bed septic system(i) A bed system may be built in soils with a percolation rate between one and 30 minutes per inch. A bed shall not be built where the soil evaluation indicates silty loam, clay loam, or clay. (ii) Slope of the site shall not exceed eight percent. (iii) Bed systems are more practical on sites that are long and narrow with a minimal slope. (iv) All vertical and horizontal separation distance requirements shall be met. (3) Design Criteria for absorption bed septic systems(i) Pressure distribution is required for the installation of an absorption bed system. The local health department having jurisdiction may allow the use of siphon dosing on specific sites. (ii) The maximum width of the absorption bed shall be 20 feet. The maximum length of each lateral from a pressure manifold shall be 100 feet. Utilizing a center manifold system, a bed may then have a maximum length of 200 feet. Laterals for siphon dosing systems in beds are limited to 75 feet. (iii) The depth of the leachfield bed shall be between 18 and 30 inches below original ground level. (iv) Laterals for the drainfield shall be spaced five (5) feet apart. Two and one-half feet (2 1/2') must be provided between the laterals and the sidewalls. In the maximum width of 20 feet, only four laterals may be installed. (v) Using pressure distribution with a center manifold, a drainfield bed system shall have maximum dimensions of 205 feet by 20 feet. (vi) The required bed bottom area shall be calculated from the application rates shown in Table 5. TABLE 5 ABSORPTION BED SEPTIC SYSTEMS -- REQUIRED BOTTOM AREA PERCOLATION RATE APPLICATION RATE MINUTES/INCH GALLONS/DAY/SQ. FT. ------------------ ------------------ 1 - 5 0.95 6 - 7 0.80 8 - 10 0.70 11 - 15 0.60 16 - 20 0.55 21 - 30 0.45 30+ Not Acceptable (4) Construction of absorption bed septic systems(i) Heavy construction equipment shall be kept outside the proposed bottom area of the bed. (ii) The required drainfield or leach field bed bottom area is excavated as level as practical. The bottom and sides of the excavation are hand raked to reduce soil smearing. (iii) After excavation, a six inch layer of aggregate is placed across the bottom of the drainfield bed. (iv) The drainfield laterals are laid level on the aggregate and covered with aggregate to a level two inches above the top of the pipe. (v) The entire leachfield bed area is covered with a permeable geotextile. Untreated building paper or a four inch layer of loose hay or straw may be substituted if a permeable geotextile is unavailable. (h) Seepage Pits used for septic system effluent disposal(1) General notes about seepage pit septic system componentsA seepage pit, sometimes called a leaching pit, leaching pool, or incorrectly a cesspool, is a covered pit with an open-jointed or perforated lining through which septic tank effluent seeps into the surrounding soil. [DF NOTE: the term drywell might be used for a seepage pit disposing of septic effluent in this case; by contrast, a cesspool holds both solid waste and septic effluent. I use the term "seepage pit" to refer to a pit used to dispose of septic effluent which originated as blackwater, the solids having been retained in the septic tank. I use the term "drywell" to refer to a pit used to dispose of graywater (greywater) which originated in sinks, laundry facilities, or showers. While their uses and implications of their presence at a property are quite different, the actual construction details of a seepage pit or a drywell are about the same. See Cesspools for more in-depth information about those systems. See DRYWELL DESIGN & USES for more in-depth information about those systems.] (2) Site Requirements for septic seepage pits(i) If soil and site conditions are adequate for absorption trenches, seepage pits shall not be used. (ii) A minimum three foot vertical separation must exist between the bottom of any pit and the high groundwater level, bedrock, or other impervious layer. (3) Design Criteria for seepage pits used to dispose of septic effluent(i) The required "effective seepage pit area" is obtained from Tables 6 and 7 which are shown below. (ii) No allowance for infiltration area is made for the bottom area of a seepage pit or the surface area of impervious soil layers (percolation rate slower than 60 minutes/inch). (iii) The effective diameter of a seepage pit includes the diameter of the lining plus the added diameter provided by the annular ring of aggregate. Any area surrounding the liner with rock smaller than 2 1/2 inches in size shall not be included as part of the effective diameter. (iv) Effective depth of a seepage pit is measured from the invert of the seepage pit inlet to the floor of the pit, with the thickness of impervious layers deducted.
(v) Seepage pit linings may be pre cast concrete, cast-in-place concrete, or built in place with un mortared hollow cinder or concrete blocks. Concrete shall have a minimum compressive strength of 2,500 psi and 3,000 psi is recommended. Material with comparable structural strength, determined in accordance with commonly accepted sewage construction standards, principles or practices, may be allowed on an individual basis to prevent unreasonable hardship, provided public health is not prejudiced. (vi) The separation between the outside edges of seepage pits shall be three times the effective diameter of the largest pit. This separation is measured as the undisturbed soil between pit excavations. (vii) Seepage Pits shall be designed with sufficient structural stability to withstand lateral soil forces as well as vertical loads. (4) Construction of seepage pits for septic effluent disposal(i) Laterals leading to each seepage pit must be at least four inches in diameter with a minimum slope of 1/8 inch per foot. (ii) Seepage pits shall not be connected in series. A distribution box shall be required where more than one seepage pit is installed. (iii) The seepage pit excavation is to be raked to minimize sidewall smearing that may occur and reduce infiltration capacity. If groundwater is encountered, the pit shall be backfilled with the original soil to a level at least three feet higher than maximum groundwater and adjustments made in the pit dimensions. (iv) The seepage linings are placed upon a concrete block, poured concrete, or pre cast footing and surrounded by a six inch minimum annular ring of large aggregate (2 1/12 - 4 inches in size). (v) The rock [used to provide improved drainage around a seepage pit] is covered to prevent soil from filling the void spaces. Building paper, a four inch thick layer of hay or straw may be used. (vi) The seepage pit cover shall be structurally sound and capable of supporting 300 pounds per square foot at the weakest point. Covers may be precast concrete or cast-in-place and shall be reinforced. A manhole with an opening of at least 20 inches in the shortest dimension shall be provided. Questions & Answers regarding this articleQuestions & answers about septic tank and drainfield building codes. Ask a Question or Search InspectAPediaHTML Comment Box is loading comments...
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