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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
CHLORINE IN DRINKING WATER
CISTERNS
CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR

D BOX TROUBLESHOOTING
DEFINITIONS OF SEPTIC SYSTEM TERMS
DIFFICULT SEPTIC SITES
DISTRIBUTION-BOX INSPECTION, SEPTIC
DRAINFIELD FAILURE DIAGNOSIS
DRIVING or PARKING OVER SEPTIC COMPONENTS?
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
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 AUTHORITIES

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
  WHAT TO DO FIRST
  ABANDONED or NEW SEPTIC SYSTEM TESTS
  OUTSIDE SEPTIC INSPECTION
    IMMEDIATE SEPTIC FAILURE EVIDENCE
    LOOK FOR SEPTIC COMPONENTS
    DIFFICULT SEPTIC SITES
    RECENT SEPTIC WORK
    SEPTIC SAFETY
  STEP BY STEP SEPTIC TEST
  INSIDE SEPTIC TEST STEPS
    AVOID SEPTIC DYE POWDER CATASTROPHY
    WATCH FOR INSIDE
  OUTSIDE SEPTIC TEST STEPS
  SEPTIC DRAINFIELD INSPECTION & TEST
  SEPTIC FAILURE CAUSES
  SEPTIC FAILURE CRITERIA
  SEPTIC FAILURE SIGNS
  SEPTIC FAILURE SPOTS
  SPOTTING SEPTIC DYE BREAKOUTS
  SEPTIC TEST VOLUMES & DYE AMOUNTS
    SEPTIC TEST WATER & DYE TABLE
    SEPTIC TEST FIXTURE FLOW RATE
    HOW TO SET THE SEPTIC TEST VOLUME
  REPORTING SEPTIC TEST RESULTS
  PUMP THE SEPTIC TANK
  SEPTIC DYE TEST WARNINGS

SEPTIC FAILURE LAWSUIT
SEPTIC FAILURE SIGNS
SEPTIC FIELD INSPECTION
SEPTIC FILTERS
SEPTIC FLOOD RES

SEPTIC INSPECTION BOOK
SEPTIC INSPECTION & TEST GUIDE
SEPTIC INSPECTION TYPES & LEVELS
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
SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN BASICS
SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN MANUAL - Online

SEPTIC SYSTEMS, HOME BUYERS GUIDE to

SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION & TEST GUIDE
SEPTIC SYSTEMS INSPECTION COURSE
  SEPTIC INSPECTION TYPES & LEVELS
  ABANDONED or NEW SEPTIC SYSTEM TESTS
  DISPOSAL vs TREATMENT
  DRAINFIELD FAILURE DIAGNOSIS
  SEPTIC FAILURE CAUSES
  SEPTIC FAILURE CRITERIA
  SEPTIC FAILURE LAWSUIT
  SEPTIC D-BOX INSPECTION
  SEPTIC DRAINFIELD FAILURE DIAGNOSIS
  SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LIFE
  SEPTIC DRAINFIELD FAILURE DIAGNOSIS
  SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LIFE
  SEPTIC DRAINFIELD INSPECTION & TEST
  SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LOCATION
  SEPTIC DYE TEST PROCEDURE
  SEPTIC FAILURE CAUSES
  SEPTIC FAILURE CRITERIA
  SEPTIC FAILURE SIGNS
  SEPTIC FAILURE SPOTS
  SEPTIC FIELD FAILURE CAUSES
  SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION WORK SHEETS
  SEPTIC SYSTEMS, PLANTS OVER
  SEPTIC TANK GRASS or SNOWMELT
  SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE
  SOIL CONDITIONS
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 TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE
  SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION CHECLIST
  Safety Warnings
  CLEANING SEPTIC TANKS
  Find the Septic Tank - a Photo Guide
  How to Open Septic Tanks
  Inspect Before Pumping
  SEPTIC TANK LEAKS
  SEPTIC TANK SEWAGE LEVELS
  Pumper Truck Operation
  Pumping the Septic Tank
  Inspect During Pumping
  Washing Septic Tank Sides/Bottom
  Inspect After Pumping
  Close the Septic Tank
  Record Septic Tank Location
  Advising Owners
  MEASURE SCUM & SLUDGE
  STEEL SEPTIC TANKS
  CONCRETE SEPTIC TANKS
  FIBERGLASS / PLASTIC SEPTIC TANKS
  HOME MADE SITE BUILT TANKS
  SEPTIC TANK BAFFLES
  SEPTIC TANK SOLIDS & SCUM
  SEWAGE LEVELS in SEPTIC TANKS
  WHEN to CLEAN THE SEPTIC TANK

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 TEST VOLUMES & DYE AMOUNTS

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 LEVELS in SEPTIC TANKS
SEWAGE NITROGEN CONTAMINANTS
SEWAGE PATHOGENS in SEPTIC SLUDGE

SEWAGE & SEPTIC CONTAMINANTS
SEWAGE BACKUP, WHAT TO DO
SEWAGE BACKUP TEST & CLEANUP
SEWAGE BACKUP PREVENTION

SEWAGE PUMPS
SEWAGE PUMP CLOG DAMAGE

SEWER BACKUP PREVENTION
SEWER GAS ODORS
SEWER GAS ODORS in COLD WEATHER
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

VIDEO GUIDES: Septic Videos

WASHING MACHINES & SEPTIC SYSTEMS
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

WINTERIZE A BUILDING

More Information

LARGER VIEW of
septic dye breakout at a basement entry from a failed septic system buried below a driveway during conduct of a septic loading and dye test
- an expert can find clues and perform tests that reduce risk of a costly surprise

How & Where to Look for Septic System Components: tank, D-box, drainfield
InspectAPedia®  -         

  • Where to look for septic system components during a septic inspection & test
  • How to perform a septic loading & dye test, step by step
  • Questions & answers about how to look for septic system components during a septic system inspection or test
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 septic system inspection article explains where to look for and how to locate septic system components as part of the Septic Loading and Dye Test procedure for testing the function of septic systems. Septic System. Our page top photo shows a recently-created pile of rocky soil pushed against trees and over the "septic tank" location at a rural property. This act of burying the septic tank right before the inspection raised an immediate concern about just what was installed at the property.

The failed soil absorption system (drainfield) for this system was promptly found simply by climbing over this rock-pile and looking over the edge of the hill. More photos of this troubled septic system are below.

Use of this information at other websites is prohibited; reproduction in electronic or printed form is prohibited.

© 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.

LOOK FOR SEPTIC COMPONENTS - Where, When, How Look for Septic System Components as Part of a Septic System Inspection & Test Procedure

  • Possible Septic Tank Locations: what are the likely locations for a septic tank? see SEPTIC TANK, HOW TO FIND for details of how to find the septic tank. See SEPTIC TANK LOCATION SKETCH for examples of how people may have made a record of where to find the septic tank at a property.

  • Shared septic systems What are all of the possible locations for a tank on the property? Perhaps there is essentially none, or room for a tank but no absorption system. Do not assume that all septic components are even on the property. Some older properties were built with shared septic systems, or individual tanks and a shared leach field. Later owners may never have been told that their leach field was on a neighbor's property, and vice versa. See SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LOCATION for detailed procedures for finding the septic drainfield or leaching bed (also called soakaway field) at a property.

  • Space for septic fields? Is there even room for a conventional tank and drainfield at this property? If the property is too small it is unlikely to have a septic tank and drainfield but it might be using a cesspool. Beware: a "grand fathered" cesspool or other non-conforming septic system at a property may not be permitted to continue in use in that form when septic repair is needed.

  • LARGER VIEW of a too-small home made septic tank - evidence of a failed septic system Are there site encumbrances likely to make installation or replacement of the septic system difficult or costly, such as nearby streams or lakes, storm drains, trees, rocky or steep site conditions (see our septic failure case examples), or limited distances from a well or property boundary?

    Remember to check nearby streams and lakes during and after the dye test. Are there pipes extending from the property into a nearby stream, possibly discharging septage?

    The site shown in this photo was all that was available to place a septic system. Rocky and steep, a conventional system could not work properly (though special steep slope septic system designs are available.

    This system appeared to be in failure before we started our test - we saw water, probably septic effluent running over a rock just below the reported (new) septic tank.

    Our dye confirmed that it was from the septic system. Here is the same rock ledge with increased effluent flow as soon as we started our septic test. Sewage from this system had been discharging to the surface from an overflow pipe or from the bottom of a tiny, home made seepage pit which itself was sitting on solid rock, sending septic effluent running downhill to Wappingers Creek and from there to the Hudson River for decades.

    We were informed by the agent that the system was in perfect working order but that the owners, simply to improve the "curb appeal" of the property, had just installed a new septic tank. Unfortunately what was needed was an entire steep slope system to handle the effluent.

    The seller's money was not well spent.

Questions & Answers regarding this article

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Technical Reviewers & References

  • InspectAPedia.com® - Daniel Friedman - Publisher & Editor.
  • InspectAPedia Bookstore lists recommended books, organized by topic & available for purchase. Most of our articles also include a list of recommended books for the specific article topic as well as other references, and information sources.
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  • Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.

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 DYE TEST PROCEDURE
  WHAT TO DO FIRST
  ABANDONED or NEW SEPTIC SYSTEM TESTS
  OUTSIDE SEPTIC INSPECTION
    IMMEDIATE SEPTIC FAILURE EVIDENCE
    LOOK FOR SEPTIC COMPONENTS
    DIFFICULT SEPTIC SITES
    RECENT SEPTIC WORK
    SEPTIC SAFETY
  STEP BY STEP SEPTIC TEST
  INSIDE SEPTIC TEST STEPS
    AVOID SEPTIC DYE POWDER CATASTROPHY
    WATCH FOR INSIDE
  OUTSIDE SEPTIC TEST STEPS
  SEPTIC DRAINFIELD INSPECTION & TEST
  SEPTIC FAILURE CAUSES
  SEPTIC FAILURE CRITERIA
  SEPTIC FAILURE SIGNS
  SEPTIC FAILURE SPOTS
  SPOTTING SEPTIC DYE BREAKOUTS
  SEPTIC TEST VOLUMES & DYE AMOUNTS
    SEPTIC TEST WATER & DYE TABLE
    SEPTIC TEST FIXTURE FLOW RATE
    HOW TO SET THE SEPTIC TEST VOLUME
  REPORTING SEPTIC TEST RESULTS
  PUMP THE SEPTIC TANK
  SEPTIC DYE TEST WARNINGS

  • Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, for permission to use illustrations from their publication, The Illustrated Home which illustrates construction details and building components. Carson Dunlop provides home inspection education, publications, report writing materials, and home inspection services. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
  • The Septic System Information Website home page for this topic
  • Septic Systems Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance- online textbook. Detailed how to inspect, maintain, repair information
  • The Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems
  • Septic Tank Pumping Guide: When, Why, How to pump the septic tank
  • Home & Outdoor Living Water Requirements
  • Septic Tank Capacity vs Usage in Daily Gallons of Wastewater Flow, calculating required septic tank size, calculating septic tank volume from size measurements
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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.)
  • ...

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

  • Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
  • 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), Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies. 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 we 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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