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How & Why to Inspect the Septic Tank Interior After Cleaning
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InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
Septic tank interior inspection: here we explain the importance of (and procedures for) inspecting the septic tank baffles and tank interior after septic tank pumping/cleaning. Cleaning the septic tank during tank pump-out can expose damage to
the septic tank sides and bottom that cannot otherwise be found. This septic tank pumpout article series provides a step by step, photo-illustrated guide to opening, pumping, and inspecting septic tanks,
how a conventional septic tank is
located, opened, pumped out, cleaned, and inspected. This guideline is intended for septic pumping tank truck
operators and as general information for homeowners or septic service companies concerned with septic system care.
Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
Septic Tank Inspection Points After the Tank has been Pumped & Cleaned
A Photographic Guide to Pumping a Septic Tank
Inspecting the Septic Tank Condition After Pumping
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After septic tank pumping or perhaps better, after both pumping and wash-down, the empty septic tank is inspected for damage such as damaged or missing baffles, cracks, or holes.
The right hand photo shows the septic tank intake baffle viewed from the cleanout port.
Warning: do not enter nor lean into the septic tank. We obtained this view using a remote
digital camera to see the condition of the tank baffles.
If the tank is cracked or the baffles missing or damaged, repairs may be needed.
Watch out: Do not enter the septic tank as doing so is likely to cause death by asphyxiation by methane gas in the tank. Even leaning over a septic tank, even one that has been pumped, is dangerous. You can be asphyxiated and fall in. Also, do not work alone.
Special
breathing equipment and other safety measures are needed if a tank needs to be emptied.
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 reviewers are welcome and are listed at "References."
This is a chapter of Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems an online book on septic systems. |
Inspect the Cleaned-Out Septic Tank for These Problems
Evidence of cracks, settlement, or damaged tank baffles may be seen after pumping.
At this
time the operator can also confirm the tank size.
When a steel septic tank has been serviced by removing entire tank cover these conditions are
seen easily.
But normally a septic tank is pumped by through a center port intended for tank cleaning.
Some older concrete tanks which lack this port are pumped at the tank outlet opening but
possibly at the inlet.
Septic pumpers can easily fabricate a tool combining a pole, mirror,
and bright flashlight to inspect a tank interior.
We have had good success by inserting a digital camera into the tank and taking flash
photos. Most of the photos in this article were obtained by that method. If septic tank damage is found such as cracking, it may be possible to repair the septic tank by cleaning the surfaces and
applying an appropriate masonry patching compound. But no one should enter the septic tank without proper equipment or
preparation as there is a real danger of death by asphyxiation by the methane gas remaining in the tank. |
Next step be sure to read CLOSE the SEPTIC TANK.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about septic tank cleaning: how & why to inspect septic tanks during the tank cleanout procedure
Question: Is it acceptable practice to return sewage from a septic pumper truck back into the septic tank after a pumpout?
The septic contractors convinced our municipalities that after a septic tank has been emptied it should be immediately refilled (to its original level) with effluent from the pumper truck - claiming that a) gravity in the pumper truck's tank separates the solids from the liquids (during the 5 to 10 minutes the effluent is in the truck) so that mostly only liquid is returned to the septic tank; and b) that this return of effluent improves septic performance. I can see the financial advantage for the contractors (fewer trips to the water treatment center; lower disposal costs; charge homeowners extra $$$ for 'complete' emptying) but I cannot find any independent evidence from a reputable source that supports these claims. Does anyone know of any sources that actually support these claims? - Bob 5/3/12
Reply: Pumping out and then restoring sewage to a septic tank is a Churn-and-Return Septic Tank Agitation that is likely to cause costly damage to the septic system
Bob,
Thank you for this question about what appears from your description to be a seriously problematic septic tank "service procedure". This process you describe will absolutely not improve septic tank performance, in fact it will harm it and will destroy the septic drainfield. In fact no septic tank additives nor improvers are necessary nor recommended for conventional septic tank operation and using them is not only harmful, but is illegal in many jurisdictions in the U.S. and Canada.
In our opinion the process you describe fails to respect the most fundamental principles of septic tank and drainfield operation, as we explain below.
In addition to the financial issue that you point out surrounds the apparent delivery of a service that is then "un-done" afterwards, below we list the concerns in order from least harmful and costly to most harmful and costly.
- Unable to verify septic tank cleaning is complete: You will note by reviewing our description and photographs of the earlier stages in septic tank pumping that during a pumpout the operator first breaks up and pumps the floating scum layer from the top of the septic tank, then the tank contents, with special attention to breaking up and removing settled sludge from the tank bottom. By restoring wastewater to a septic tank after pumping it is not possible for the consumer nor any third party to make an independent inspection of the tank to verify that in fact, all of the sludge and debris from the tank bottom was even removed. This procedure also makes it impossible to inspect the tank itself for cracks, leaks, damage.
- Cross-contamination issues: because the pumper truck normally services multiple properties during a day of use, all of the wastewater from those properties is combined and mixed in the truck. Any contaminant or pathogen from a problematic property will be cross-contaminated into the septic tanks of other customers. Examples of such problematic contaminants include chemicals or petroleum products that one property may have dumped into the tank in excess, killing tank bacteria and stopping the treatment process, or wastewater from a septic tank high in salt, or in antibiotics that have the same harmful effect. One property's problem that is ruining its drainfield will be spread to its neighbors.
- Insertion of agitated suspended solids into the septic tank: the pumping operation aggressively mixes, macerates, agitates, and homogenizes the separate contents of a resting septic tank. Greases, floating scum, floating solids, and settled bottom sludge are all macerated to some degree as they pass through the vacuum pump, and they are certainly mixed further as they flow onwards into the pumper truck tank by the pumping process. Septic pumper truck operation is described at Pumper Truck Operation. Septic pumper truck vacuum pumps are detailed below.
An example of the type of vacuum pump used on septic tank service vehicles is the Masport HXL400 System - Water cooled 400 CFM unit. Various pump sizes and pumping rates are available, all of them that work on septic pumper trucks will be similar in effect however. This is a very powerful pump, typically weighing 470 pounds, using 6-vanes, water cooled, and pumping sewage at 400 cubic feet per minute. It should be readily apparent that septage moving through the unit and into the pumper truck will be highly agitated and mixed in the truck. This agitation effect will be true with any pump used for this application. Common septic pumper truck vacuum pump brands include Battioni & Pagani vacuum pumps, Conde vacuum pumps, Hertell vacuum pumps, Masport vacuum pumps, Moro vacuum pumps, NVE (National Vacuum Equipment) pumps, PB vacuum pumps, Juro vacuum pumps. Your municipal authorities are welcome to review the specifications for those units. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
There is not the slightest prospect that these materials will then be separated in a normal septic pumping truck tank, not in 5-10 minutes, not even in a day of rest time. A review of the concept septic tank retention time or settlement time (defined at MEASURE SCUM & SLUDGE) makes this clear. Therefore, in effect, the same sewage that was removed from the septic tank is being reinserted into it on return, but in an agitated condition that may make it appear more liquid. Even if the pumper truck passed sewage through a septic filter (which, if effective, would clog almost immediately) the other problems listed for this process would remain.
- Destruction of the septic system drainfield & contamination of the environment: one of the most destructive things you can do to a septic drainfield is to send suspended solids and greases out of the septic tank and into the absorption field or drainfield. The suspended solids and greases speed the clogging of the soils surrounding the drainfield trenches, thereby reducing the drainfield life substantially. And of course a clogged drainfield is not only expensive to replace, but it results in a period of contamination of local groundwaters by the field's failure to absorb and treat the septic effluent.
What is insidious about this problem is that in most cases the drainfield failure will not be immediate and thus the association of the cause (agitated suspended solids and greases placed by the pumper back into the septic tank) and effect (passage of suspended solids and greases into the drainfield and its ruination) may not be readily apparent. But there is no doubt that this procedure will substantially reduce the anticipated life of the drainfield, hastening the need for very costly repairs.
We recommend the use of effluent filters at the septic tank outlet to extend the life of drainfields, precisely in order to reduce the passage of suspended solids into the fields. If, however, the septic is simply agitated by the process you describe rather than being properly pumped, cleaned, and inspected, even if a septic filter were installed at every septic tank serviced by the pumpers you describe, the filter life would be drastically reduced, septic system operating costs will be increased, and the other problems we listed above will still be present.
In sum, the procedure you describe is not one we can recommend for your community nor any other. [11][12][13]
Watch out: Pushing grease, scum, and small solid debris out of the septic tank and into the leach field reduces the future life of that expensive component of a septic system. In fact if a septic tank has become blocked or even nearly-blocked by solids, the system has already had a history of pushing solids into the drainfield and even if the system appears to still be working properly, the future life of the drainfield has been substantially reduced.
Reader Follow-Up 5/15/12 - will I find an authority that prohibits churn-and-return septic tank pumping?
Mr Friedman: Thank you for the very comprehensive response that confirms my suspicions that homeowners in our (rural) municipalities have long been paying $175 every 2 years for a mandatory service using a questionable procedure (empty & refill) that is damaging septic systems (using the “it removes the solids & maintains a bacterial population” rational sold to them by the service contractors). To date they have not been able to provide me with valid, independent documentation supporting ‘empty & refill’.
Their response to your expert advice will be “info on the web isn't always valid.” So the onus is on me to find published (govt, industry or academic) sources that a) clearly define septic tank ‘emptying’ as complete evacuation with no fluid replacement (and why); and preferably b) that ‘empty & refill’ is not an advisable procedure because of all the deleterious effects you itemized in detail.
I have gone through the two huge EPA OWTSM manuals and many of the extensive links on your site, but have yet to find the support I need to ‘make a solid case’.
Question: Before I start buying manuals, will I find the evidence I need in your references: Ontario’s "Manual of Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines for Onsite Sewage Systems” and/or a current publication of the "International Private Sewage Disposal Code"? If not, could you possibly point me towards other publications. [BTW: Even if the “Manual of Septic Tank Practice” was available, its 1957 publication date would be challenged as outdated.]
Once again, thank-you for your excellent professional advice & guidance… I really appreciate it!
Reply: No, probably not. The number of bad ideas always exceeds the details in codes & legislation
Seeking Authority vs. Understanding A System
You are welcome to refer your
authorities to the identitiy of many of our principal
technical reviewers and contributors found in these pages and to my own CV and bio linked-to from the About Us page link at the
bottom of each of our web pages and to .
However, in my OPINION the approach of seeking an authority that the parties
(with conflicts of interest) will accept and who will provide a simple
statement that the septic tank stirring-up churn-and-return practice you described is "prohibited" or "illegal" is a
dangerous simplification.
The number of crackpot or profit-motive bad ideas
and the rate of their appearance in most fields easily exceeds the specific prohibitions one will find in model building
codes. You won't find a specific law stating that it is "illegal"
to use M1 firecrackers instead of a conventional buckle to un-fasten your
car's seatbelt, a goofy example I just "invented", so you won't find explicit prohibition for every crazy septic
scheme that comes along.
A second approach, and one that I prefer, requires some mental effort on the
part of those involved, to become familiar with how a system works, its
principles and with its established maintenance and care procedures,
sufficiently to form an educated and defensible opinion about the advisibility
of the proposed septic tank "churn and return" policy your pumpers and
municipality like.
Two Technical Approaches to Evaluating the Sewage Churn-and-Return Pumping Procedure
While the time, cost and trouble may preclude a scholarly study of the matter,
I can describe how you might produce two additional compelling data points to
add to the explanation I've already offered.
1. Septic Tank Effluent discharge sample analysis: Collect 5 samples of clarified effluent flowing into the D-box from a
conventional septic tank in good condition, with a reasonable net-free area,
that has not been churned-and-returned by the process you describe.
Collect 5 samples of effluent flowing into the D-box of a septic system out of
septic tanks that have just been "serviced" by the churn-and-return procedure.
Compare these. You will almost certainly observe a very much higher level of
floating solids and debris in the second group than the first. Those solids
are what are being sent into and damaging the drainfields of homes in your
community. In addition to what will be visually obvious you could have the BOD and total suspended solids in the samples examined by an independent testing laboratory.
2. Aerobic septic system comparison: compare the design of aerobic septic systems to conventional non-aerobic
designs. In an aerobic system we deliberately agitate the contents of the
septic tank and add oxygen via an air bubbler at the same time. This approach
significantly increases the treatment level of the sewage and produces
effluent with a lower level of both solids and pathogens.
However, you will
observe that in aerobic systems provision is made, usually in the form of
additional chambers or a separate tank, to provide additional settling time
for effluent before it is discharged to the drainfield.
I am very doubtful that your officials can produce a single independent
government or exert source that supports the claims of your pumpers. No one
except those profiting by the procedure would be expected to support such a
worrisome approach.
The churn-return procedure you described lacks the continuous oxygenation of
the churned effluent, settling chambers, filters, and any other step to
protect the septic drainfields. I expect that if you send our discussion to
nationally recognized septic system design and maintenance experts such as
Jantrania, Loomis, or Minnis, they will be as worried as I am about the
process you described.
Watch out: It will take some time for homeowners in your area to figure out that the
average life of their septic system drainfields has been significantly cut by
the new churn/return practice (soil conditions, maintenance, usage levels,
tank sizes, site variations add complexity to septic field life). There are numerous citations to this effect,such as Laak (1970) who observed that "Investigators found that the initial soil clogging rate was directly related to the TSS load.". I worry that both your municipalities and your septic pumpers are
inviting class action litigation.
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Questions & answers or comments about inspecting the septic tank interior for cracks, damage, baffle damage, other signs of trouble, after it has been pumped out or cleaned.
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Technical Reviewers & References
- InspectAPedia.com® - Daniel Friedman - Publisher & Editor.
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- Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.
- Special thanks to M & O Sanitation, Dutchess County NY (845) 471-0308 for permitting us to photograph steps during septic system service at our demonstration property.
Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website
SEPTIC TANK PUMPING PROCEDURE - see detailed links at page top & left
- [1] Special thanks to M & O Sanitation, Dutchess County NY (845) 471-0308 for permitting us to photograph steps during septic system service at our demonstration property.
- [2] Pennsylvania State Fact Sheets relating to domestic wastewater treatment systems include
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-161, Septic System Failure: Diagnosis and Treatment
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-162, The Soil Media and the Percolation Test
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-l64, Mound Systems for Wastewater Treatment
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-165, Septic Tank-Soil Absorption Systems
- Document Sources used for this web page include but are not limited to: Agricultural Fact Sheet #SW-161 "Septic Tank Pumping," by Paul D. Robillard and
Kelli S. Martin. Penn State College of Agriculture - Cooperative Extension, edited and annotated by
Dan Friedman (Thanks: to Bob Mackey for proofreading the original source material.)
- [3] Battoni & Pagani vacuum pumps,
Battioni Pagani Pompe S.p.A. - Via Cav. Enzo Ferrari n. 2 RAMOSCELLO di SORBOLO Parma (Italy), Email: info@battionipaganipompe.it, Website: http://www.battionipaganipompe.it/bp/default.asp?sLang=PT
U.S. distributor, NVE National Vacuum Equipment, Inc., PO Box 685
Traverse City, MI 49685 USA, Website: http://www.natvac.com/products/battioni.html
- [4] Conde vacuum pumps, Westmoor Ltd.
P.O. Box 99
906 West Hamilton Avenue
Sherrill, New York 13461
(800) 367-0972
Pumps@WestmoorLtd.com, Website: http://www.westmoorltd.com/
- [5] Hertell KD vacuum pumps, Industrialdea 2, 20267 Ikaztegieta, Spain (Espana) +34-943-643-240, Email: info@hertell.net Website: http://www.hertell.net/en/products/vacuum-pumps
/serie-KD/index.html
- [6] Juro vacuum pumps,
- [7] Masport Vacuum Pumps,Masport Inc., 6140 McCormick Dr.
Lincoln, NE 68507 Website: http://www.morousa.com/, Tel: 800-228-4510
- [8] Moro Vacuum Pumps, Moro USA, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA, Website: http://www.morousa.com/, Email: sales@morousa.com, Tel: 800-383-6304
- [9] NVE Vacuum pumps, NVE National Vacuum Equipment, Inc., PO Box 685
Traverse City, MI 49685 USA
- [10] PB Vacuum pumps, PB Pumps
PO Box 142 - 1230 SE 2nd Street
Galva, IL 61434
Phone: 309-932-3311 Fax: 309-932-3155
info@pbpumps.com, Website: http://pbpumps.com/
- [11] "International Private Sewage Disposal Code," 1995, BOCA-708-799-2300, ICBO-310-699-0541, SBCCI 205-591-1853, available from those code associations.
- [12] "Manual of Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines for Onsite Sewage Systems," Ontario Reg. 374/81, Part VII of the Environmental
Protection Act (Canada), ISBN 0-7743-7303-2, Ministry of the Environment,135 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto Ontario M4V 1P5 Canada $24. CDN.
- [13] Manual of Septic Tank Practice, US Public Health Service's 1959.
- [14] "Drainfield Rehabilitation", Pipeline, Vol. 16, No. 1, Winter 2005, National Environmental Services Center, West Virginia University, PO Box 6064, Morgantown WV 26506-6064, online source: http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/pdf/WW/publications/pipline/PL_WI05.pdf [ copy on file as Drainfield_Rehab_NESC.pdf ]
- [15]
US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual [online copy, free] Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm Onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems,
Richard J Otis, published by the US EPA. Although it's more than 20 years old, this book remains a useful reference for septic system designers.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Program Operations; Office of Research and Development, Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory; (1980)
- [16] "A Manual for Managing Septic Systems", Sussex County Planning Dept., & New Jersey DEP & E, February, 1994
- [17] Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf.
- [18] Converse, James C. & Jerry Tyler. "Aerobically Treated Domestic Wastewater to Renovate Failing Septic Tank-Soil Absorbtion Fields", 8th Northwest On-Site Treatment Short Course & Equipment Exhibition, Proceedings, 1995
- [19] Siegrist, Robert L., "Soil Clogging During Subsurface Wastewater as Affected by Effluent Composition and Loading Rate", Journal of Environmental Quality, Vol. 16 No. 2, p. 181-187 (1986) - Abstract:
The soil clogging effects of wastewater effluent composition and loading rate were investigated in pilot-scale infiltration cells installed in situ in the structured silty clay loam subsoil of a Typic Argiudoll (fine-silty, mixed, mesic). Over a 70-month period domestic septic tank effluent (DSTE), graywater septic tank effluent (GSTE) and tapwater (TW) were intermittently applied in an average of 5.2 doses/d to yield daily loading rates of 1.3, 2.6, and 5.2 cm/d. Soil clogging was negligible in all TW treatments and in the GSTE treatments at 1.3 and 2.6 cm/d. In the GSTE treatments at 5.2 cm/d and in all DSTE treatments, severe soil clogging led to continuous ponding of the soil infiltrative surfaces. A logistic model fit to the experimental data confirmed that soil clogging development was highly correlated with the cumulative mass density loadings of total biochemical oxygen demand and suspended solids. After 62 and 70 months of loading, soil properties were determined with depth. Clogged infiltrative surface zones exhibited significant accumulations of organic materials at the infiltrative surface and within the first few millimeters of the soil matrix. This field study demonstrated that higher quality wastewater effluents can be discharged to subsurface infiltration systems at hydraulic loading rates in excess of those utilized for DSTE without stimulating soil clogging development.
- [20] Stuth, William L., & Matthew M. Lee. "Recovery of Failing Drainfields and a Sand Mound Using Aerobic Effluent", 9th National Symposium on Individual and Small Community Sewage Systems, 2001
- [21] Winneberger, John H. et als. "Biological Aspects of Failure of Septic-Tank P)ercolation Systems", University of Califorinia, Berkeley, Aug. 1960.
- [22] APHA (1985). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. 16th Ed. American
Public Health Association. Washington.
- Amer. Publ. Health Assoc.,Amer.Water Works Assoc.,Wat. Environ Fed, APHA 1995. Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and Wastewater, 19th ed, Washington, D.C.
- [23] ANZECC (1992b) Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters. Australian and
New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council.
- [24] Laak, R., "Influence of Domestic Wastewater Pretreatment on Soil Clogging", Journal (Water Pollution Control Federation)
Vol. 42, No. 8, Part I (Aug., 1970), pp. 1495-1500
Published by: Water Environment Federation
Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25036739
- [25] Whelan B.R., Z.B> Titamnis, "Daily chemical variability of domestic septic tank effluent", Water, Air & SOil Pollution, Vol. 17 No. 2 (1992) - Abstract:
Effluent from the septic tanks of five households was sampled daily for 15 days. Temperature, redox potential, conductivity and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) were measured and samples were analyzed for N, P, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Zu, Zn, Cd, Cr, Pb, Mg, and linear alkylate sulphonate (LAS). Samples from the five households differed in the values obtained but the differences were small. Little daily variation occurred in the effluent from any one household. The effluent was in a reduced and anaerobic condition with almost all the N and P occurring in the inorganic form in solution. The effluent concentration N was about 100 mg l–1 and P concentration about 15 mg l–1. The mean annual N and P loading in the effluent over the five households was 3.8 kg N/head yr and 0.6 kg P/head · yr. Copper and Zn were the only trace metals of any significance and their concentrations were less than in tap water. The chemical composition of the effluent was very similar to that found in New Zealand, Canada, and U.S.A.
- Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies, Anish R. Jantrania, Mark A. Gross. Anish Jantrania, Ph.D., P.E., M.B.A., is a Consulting Engineer, in Mechanicsville VA, 804-550-0389 (2006). Outstanding technical reference especially on alternative septic system design alternatives. Written for designers and engineers, this book is not at all easy going for homeowners but is a text I recommend for professionals--DF.
- Septic Systems Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance- online textbook. Detailed how to inspect, maintain, repair information
- Septic Tank Pumping Guide: When, Why, How to pump the septic tank
- Septic Tank Capacity vs Usage in Daily Gallons of Wastewater Flow, calculating required septic tank size, calculating septic tank volume from size measurements
- How Big Should the Leach Field Be? - table of soil percolation rate vs. field size
- Septic System Drainfield Absorption System Biomat Formation - what leads to drain field clogging and expensive drainfield repairs
- Table of Required Septic & Well Clearances: Distances Between Septic System & Wells, Streams, Trees, etc.
- Ten Steps to Keeping a Septic System Working, suggestions from the U.S. EPA, edits and additions by DJF
- ...
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
|
- Inspecting Septic Systems: Online Book, Inspection, Test, Diagnosis, Repair, & Maintenance: our Online Septic Book: Septic Testing, Loading & Dye Tests, Septic Tank Pumping, Clearances, details of onsite waste disposal system inspection, testing, repair procedures.
- Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies, Anish R. Jantrania, Mark A. Gross. Anish Jantrania, Ph.D., P.E., M.B.A., is a Consulting Engineer, in Mechanicsville VA, 804-550-0389 (2006). Outstanding technical reference especially on alternative septic system design alternatives. Written for designers and engineers, this book is not at all easy going for homeowners but is a text I recommend for professionals--DF.
- Builder's Guide to Wells and Septic Systems, Woodson, R. Dodge: $ 24.95; MCGRAW HILL B; TP;
Quoting from Amazon's description: For the homebuilder, one mistake in estimating or installing wells and septic systems can cost thousands of dollars. This comprehensive guide filled with case studies can prevent that. Master plumber R. Dodge Woodson packs this reader-friendly guide with guidance and information, including details on new techniques and materials that can economize and expedite jobs and advice on how to avoid mistakes in both estimating and construction. Chapters cover virtually every aspect of wells and septic systems, including on-site evaluations; site limitations; bidding; soil studies, septic designs, and code-related issues; drilled and dug wells, gravel and pipe, chamber-type, and gravity septic systems; pump stations; common problems with well installation; and remedies for poor septic situations. Woodson also discusses ways to increase profits by avoiding cost overruns.
- Country Plumbing: Living with a Septic System, Hartigan, Gerry: $ 9.95; ALAN C HOOD & TP;
Quoting an Amazon reviewer's comment, with which we agree--DF:This book is informative as far as it goes and might be most useful for someone with an older system. But it was written in the early 1980s. A lot has changed since then. In particular, the book doesn't cover any of the newer systems that are used more and more nowadays in some parts of the country -- sand mounds, aeration systems, lagoons, etc.
Design Manuals for Septic Systems
-
US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual [online copy, free] Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm Onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems,
Richard J Otis, published by the US EPA. Although it's more than 20 years old, this book remains a useful reference for septic system designers.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Program Operations; Office of Research and Development, Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory; (1980)
- Eco John® Innovative Toilet Solutions, Global Inventive Industries, Fountain Valley CA, PDF, product brochure
- "International Private Sewage Disposal Code," 1995, BOCA-708-799-2300, ICBO-310-699-0541, SBCCI 205-591-1853, available from those code associations.
- "Manual of Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines for Onsite Sewage Systems," Ontario Reg. 374/81, Part VII of the Environmental
Protection Act (Canada), ISBN 0-7743-7303-2, Ministry of the Environment,135 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto Ontario M4V 1P5 Canada $24. CDN.
- Manual of Septic Tank Practice, US Public Health Service's 1959.
Onsite Wastewater Disposal Books
- Onsite Wastewater Disposal, R. J. Perkins;
Quoting from Amazon: This practical book, co-published with the National Environmental Health Association,
describes the step-by-step procedures needed to avoid common pitfalls in septic system technology.
Valuable in matching the septic system to the site-specific conditions, this useful book will help you install a reliable system in
both suitable and difficult environments. Septic tank installers, planners, state and local regulators, civil and sanitary engineers,
consulting engineers, architects, homeowners, academics, and land developers will find this publication valuable.
- Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Bennette D. Burks, Mary Margaret Minnis, Hogarth House 1994 - one of the best septic system books around, suffering a bit from small fonts and a weak index. While it contains some material more technical than needed by homeowners, Burks/Minnis book on onsite wastewater treatment systems a very useful reference for both property owners and septic system designers.
- Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf
- Soil Percolation Tests soil perc testing guide and instructions
- Percolation Testing Manual, CNMI Division of Environmental Quality, PO Box 501304, Saipan, MP 96950
- Planting Over Septic System Component", Daniel Friedman (author/editor, InspectAPedia.com), The Innovator, Winter/Spring 2008, BCOSSA, British Columbia OnSite Sewage Association, 201-3542 Blansard St., Victoria BC V8X 1W3 Canada
- Save the Septic System - Do Not Flush These Items Down the Toilet, Daniel Friedman, InspectAPedia.com - PDF document, printable
- SEPTIC STANDARDS
- SEPTIC MAGAZINES
- Septic System Owner's Manual, Lloyd Kahn, Blair Allen, Julie Jones, Shelter Publications, 2000 $14.95 U.S. - easy to understand, well illustrated, one of the best practical references around on septic design basics including some advanced systems; a little short on safety and maintenance. Both new and used (low priced copies are available, and we think the authors are working on an updated edition--DF.
Quoting from one of several Amazon reviews: The basics of septic systems, from underground systems and failures to what the owner can do to promote and maintain a healthy system, is revealed in an excellent guide essential for any who reside on a septic system. Rural residents receive a primer on not only the basics; but how to conduct period inspections and what to do when things go wrong. History also figures into the fine coverage.
- Test Pit Preparation for Onsite Sewage Evaluations, State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Portland OR, 800 452-4011. PDF document. We recommend this excellent document that offers detail about soil perc tests, deep hole tests, safety, and septic design. Readers should also see Soil Percolation Tests and for testing an existing septic system, also see Dye Tests
- Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank, Bombeck, Erma: $ 5.99; FAWCETT; MM;
This septic system classic whose title helps avoid intimidating readers new to septic systems, is available new or used at very low prices.
It's more entertainment than a serious "how to" book on septic systems design, maintenance, or repair. Not recommended -- DF.
- US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm
- Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook, R. Dodge Woodson. This book is in the upper price range, but is worth the cost for serious septic installers and designers.
Quoting Amazon: Each year, thousands upon thousands of Americans install water wells and septic systems on their properties. But with a maze of codes governing their use along with a host of design requirements that ensure their functionality where can someone turn for comprehensive, one-stop guidance? Enter the Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook from McGraw-Hill.
Written in language any property owner can understand yet detailed enough for professionals and technical students this easy-to-use volume delivers the latest techniques and code requirements for designing, building, rehabilitating, and maintaining private water wells and septic systems. Bolstered by a wealth of informative charts, tables, and illustrations, this book delivers:
* Current construction, maintenance, and repair methods
* New International Private Sewage Disposal Code
* Up-to-date standards from the American Water Works Association
- Wells and Septic Systems, Alth, Max and Charlet, Rev. by S. Blackwell Duncan, $ 18.95; Tab Books 1992. We have found this text very useful for conventional well and septic systems design and maintenance --DF.
Quoting an Amazon description:Here's all the information you need to build a well or septic system yourself - and save a lot of time, money, and frustration. S. Blackwell Duncan has thoroughly revised and updated this second edition of Wells and Septic Systems to conform to current codes and requirements. He also has expanded this national bestseller to include new material on well and septic installation, water storage and distribution, water treatment, ecological considerations, and septic systems for problem building sites.
- The NSFC Products List has an excellent list of design manuals/modules available from their website or by telephone 800-624-8301
- Submissions welcome. send us a suggested document link or request an exchange of website links
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