A typical residential sewage lagoon is pictured in Figure 1. Conserving water or more frequent pumping may extend the life of the system. 5. The soil must be of a suitable type and must be deep enough to treat wastewater before it reaches groundwater. Do use professional certified installers when needed. Mike Mueller, Associate Commissioner District 1 Required length of drainfield trenches is based on the amount of wastewater produced by the system and how much water a unit area of soil can treat. Twenty-four hours after the start of the presoak process, you are ready to begin the perc test measurements. The distribution system consists of a series of perforated plastic distribution pipes laid in the ground, usually in gravel-filled trenches. Your Partner in Building a Healthy Community . Seepage pits and cesspools are perforated tanks or pits lined with concrete blocks or bricks through which wastewater can seep into the soil. Curtain drains are dug 12 to 24 inches wide and cut a minimum of 6 inches deep into the top of the restrictive subsurface soil layer at a distance of at least 10 feet upslope of the lagoon. Note the distances from the septic tank opening to at least two permanent points such as the corner of the house foundation or survey stakes on the property line. Look for the signs on failure listed in Part 2 of this guide. If you live in one of these areas, or if you are not sure of the pollution potential from your proposed system, seek professional help with your site selection. 1404 Elm Tree Road. Services Provided: Septic Tank Pumping. If the site has enough slope, the pipe outlet can be brought to ground level downslope of the lagoon and screened to allow free drainage. This was done under the authority of Section 193.300, RSMo 1986. The soil scientist will also provide a site plan, showing major topographical features such as streams and drainage patterns and locations for proposed buildings. 0000002208 00000 n These chemicals can contaminate sludge in the septic tank, kill the beneficial bacteria that digest wastes, and travel into groundwater. The administrative authority shall be the Lincoln County Office of Environmental Sanitation. New Septic Permitting Guidelines. General Questions: Ask to speak with a Permit Specialist. Leveling devices on the distribution box help ensure an even flow of wastewater to every trench. Lay the pipe on a firm foundation to maintain a slope of 1/4 inch per foot (1/8 inch per foot minimum) and extend it to discharge into the center of the bottom of the lagoon. Adjusting the outlet levels or using a plug or valve in the distribution box allows effluent to flow into only some of the trenches while other trenches are allowed to rest for about six months. Important Requirements A local wastewater treatment system permit is Bentonite clay is often effective in sandy and gravelly soils that are lacking enough clay particles and in soils with bright red clays. Pumpers, contractors and laboratories are valuable sources of information as well. After primary treatment in the septic tank, liquid effluent flows to the lagoon through a watertight pipe and discharges near the center of the lagoon bottom. The appropriate regulatory agency shall approve the method of effluent disposal. A lagoon system consists of two components: a septic tank and a small earthen pond with a uniform 3-foot depth. Depending on tank size and sewage volume, the sludge and scum may need to be pumped out every two to five years to allow bacterial digestion to continue in the tank. site map| If a sewage system permit is not required, you may follow the steps listed in the "Percolation test procedure" section for conducting a percolation test. <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Divert roof runoff, footer drains, sump pumps and other surface runoff away from the drainfield. This new boom is bolstering Lincoln Countys mainstay home builders and also bringing back a few quality builders who were forced out after the crash. Use extra care in these soils not to breach the fragipan, or lagoon leakage could easily contaminate regional groundwater. Adjust water softener settings to reduce the amount of water needed for backwashing and regeneration, or divert away from wastewater system. Use curtain drains, terraces, downspout extensions, retaining walls, etc., to divert water. The lagoon may be round, square or rectangular, but a rectangular lagoon should not have a length of more than three times its width. Metal sewage tanks are not to be used unless specifically allowed by the regulatory agency on a case-by-case basis, and then should be used only if they are covered inside and outside with a bituminous coating. COVID-19 Resources. It's a wise investment to keep your system working well, since replacing a failed system can cost thousands of dollars. Construction and Operation of Wastewater Irrigation System To prevent contamination of water supplies, the drainfield must be at least 100 feet from any wetland, shoreline, stream bed or drinking water well. The bottom of the scum layer is within three inches of the bottom of the outlet baffle (or top of the outlet tee). The commission is also responsible for approving and adopting the annual budget for all county operations. 5 Health Department Drive, Troy, Missouri 63379 -- United States -- Phone: (636) 528-6117 -- Fax: (636) 528-8629. But how often a tank needs to be pumped depends on the size of your tank, the amount of wastewater generated in your household, the amount of solids carried in the wastewater, and the age of the system. Sunlight is essential to promote this algae growth. Other types of filters use small foam pieces or peat as a filter medium. Locate a site for the potential sewage lagoon. The top-seal tank is formed into a one-piece tank portion with a concrete lid secured to the open top with mastic sealant. Both the septic tank and drainfield should have adequate capacity to treat all the wastewater generated in your house, even at times of peak use. A general rule of thumb is to have a septic tank pumped by a licensed pumper every three to five years. Pumping as needed based on the results of periodic inspections will minimize your maintenance costs and maximize the system's longevity. With more than 400 different kinds of soils in Missouri, it is likely more than one type will be found on even a small lot. Lincoln County Grass Roots Community Garden. 0000002657 00000 n Do conserve water to avoid overloading the system. Installing low-flow toilets and water-saving faucets may reduce the size of the system needed. For complaints and concerns about sewage systems or any risk to the environment, residents of Missouri can Adoptable Pets from Animal Services /QuickLinks.aspx. Estimated number of years between septic tank pumpings. Figure 2Areas where potential groundwater pollution may restrict location of a sewage lagoon. Overflows are a sure sign that you need to schedule pumping more often. The biological breakdown of wastes in a septic tank's anaerobic (oxygen-deprived) conditions is relatively slow. Typically, a new three-bedroom home is equipped with a 1,000-gallon tank. Contact your nearest county Department of Health or a septic system contractor for advice. Secure the fence wire to pressure-treated wood or galvanized and/or painted steel posts that are spaced not more than 10 feet apart and anchored 24 inches or deeper in the ground. In a conventional, gravity-fed distribution system, the distribution pipes are often laid out in a fork-shaped pattern joined by a distribution box (Figure 4.3). Figure 4bPVC pipe cleanout for a drain pipe. However, if duckweed grows and shades more than half of the water surface area, it should be removed. However, they provide good wastewater treatment on homesites that are otherwise unsuitable for development because the soil type, depth or area is inadequate for an on-site treatment system. Figure 4.3Cross section of a septic system showing the septic tank and distribution system. There are many steps you can take to reduce how much water you use. To protect the drainfield: Foul odors in your home or yard tell you that your system is not working well. %PDF-1.5 Your local MU Extension center can provide you with information about composting. Though generally safe when diluted, high concentrations or large volumes of water-soluble cleaners or bleach can harm septic tank microbes. Repeated intestinal illnesses in your family may occur if your water is contaminated by poorly treated wastewater. Use our feedback form for questions or comments about this publication. Misuse of individual sewage systems results not only in water quality problems and nuisance conditions, but also in costly repairs to rehabilitate a failing system. Copyright Lincoln County Health Department | All Rights Reserved, On-Site Wastewater treatment system permit application, Frequently Asked Questions on Septic Systems. Q {SEvR0!9>*wRafg~qmy$~V,Sv6&.c. For more information, contact Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Environmental Health Services, P.O. These activities compact the soil, and soil microbes need oxygen to digest wastes. Even with this type of soil, you may not exceed the 8-inch maximum depth. WATER DEPARTMENT Phone: 781-259-2669 BOARD OF HEALTH Phone: 781-259-2614 TOWN OF LINCOLN MIDDLESEX COUNTY MASSACHUSETTS 16 Lincoln Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 If odors become offensive, they may be controlled by broadcasting agricultural sodium nitrate or ammonium nitrate at a rate of two pounds per day over the surface of the lagoon until the lagoon turns green and the odor goes away. Copyright Lincoln County Health Department | All Rights Reserved, 19 Money Saving Tips for Your Next Grocery Trip. The tank must be watertight to keep sewage from leaking out and groundwater from seeping in. (These types of systems are discussed further below.). If you live in a rural area, there is a high likelihood your home is served by a septic system. Table 2 shows the dimensions for various sizes of square and round lagoons. Without the blackwater (water carrying human waste) from toilets, greywater (wastewater other than sewage) from sinks, tubs and washing machines can be treated in a household wastewater system sized to handle about half the volume of a standard wastewater system. Table 2House lagoon system: Septic tank size and lagoon area requirements. Paints, solvents, acids, drain cleaners, oils and pesticides can pass untreated through your system and contaminate the groundwater. Add 12 inches of water (measured from the bottom of the hole) and maintain that level for a 4-hour presoak period. There are no standards for individual water supplies, such as wells or cisterns. Enter and space open menus and escape closes them as well. The environmental health specialists are available in the mornings between approximately 8:00 am - 9:30 am before they leave for inspections. Trees and high weeds should be located at least 50 feet from the water's edge. The amount of wastewater flowing out of a house may average 100 to 200 gallons or more per bedroom per day multiplied by the number of bedrooms in the home. Use Assessment 1 in the work sheet to begin rating your risks related to septic system design and location. home| A holding tank must be pumped frequently because it has no outlet. For example, inside the boundaries of Lincoln County Fire Protection District, the International Residential Code has been in effect since 2006. Don't plant a garden, trees or shrubbery near the lagoon. Lincoln County is bordered by St. Charles and Warren Counties to the south, Montgomery County to the west and Pike County to the north. If known, show the location of the drainfield. When submitting an application, additional details and requirements are identified inside the application. A driveway permit from either the State of Missouri (Mike Sanders, mike.sanders@modot.mo.gov or 607-2187) or the Clay County Highway Department (407-3300) is required. Help improve lives, communities and economies throughout the state. In severe cases, the contents of the lagoon may need to be pumped or dredged out. Depending on the amount of wastewater generated and tank capacity, you may need to pump it every month or every week. Subsurface water flows that may damage the lagoon can be diverted by use of a curtain drain ("Interceptor 'curtain' drains" section). Don't make or allow repairs to your lagoon system without obtaining the necessary permits. Figure 4.1 A backhoe should not be used because it is difficult to control the proper lagoon dimensions and uniform soil compaction needed. Figure 7bA curtain drain diverts water around a sewage lagoon. 0000002852 00000 n Several surveys throughout the state have shown that 70 percent, or 150,000, of these systems are not . To reduce water consumption by toilets by as much as 50 percent, install low-flow toilets. Human contact with sewage is a serious public health risk. 590 0 obj << /Linearized 1 /O 593 /H [ 1070 800 ] /L 459263 /E 4632 /N 51 /T 447344 >> endobj xref 590 15 0000000016 00000 n The monolithic cast tank is factory-formed as one unit, making it more watertight but more expensive than the other two types of concrete tanks. Help is available through your local Department of Health office, MU Extension center, Natural Resources Conservation Service office, or the Missouri Division of Geology and Land Survey in Rolla, Mo. The property deed, building permit and design plans for your home and property will likely contain information about the presence (or lack) of a . Often, however, certain trenches or low points in the distribution system receive more effluent than others. Wastewater treatment systems help protect your health and the environment. Contact your nearest county Department of Health or a septic system contractor for advice. Continue reading at 30-minute intervals, then replacing water to 8 inches above the hole bottom until you have three consecutive readings within 10 percent of the previous reading. The tank needs to be pumped if (Figure 4.5): Figure 4.5Three conditions under which a septic tank needs to be pumped. For counties that have adopted the state standards without modifications, homeowners three acres must obtain a county permit before beginning construction of any sewage system. For each question, indicate your risk level in the right-hand column. (If you do not know where your system is located, see Part 2 of this fact sheet.). The site navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Adjust the water level in each hole to an 8-inch depth, measured from the bottom of the hole. If these methods are unsuccessful, or whenever there are less than 12 inches of permeable soil over a restrictive layer, use controlled surface irrigation. Next, the liquid waste, or effluent, flows out of the tank, through the distribution system, and into the drainfield or soil absorption field (figure 4.3). Depending on weather conditions, the lagoon may discharge excess liquid, which must be disposed of on the property from which it originates. (636) 583-6384. This relationship causes the water in the lagoon to turn green with algae at certain times of the year. Prospective home buyers can also request their home builder obtain a permit and have inspections conducted through our Fire District. Figure 4.4Septic systems with alternating trenches. The distribution box and drainfield are usually located downslope from the septic tank. Regular pumping is the most important action you can take to maintain your system. If the system includes a pump, the pump should be checked along with the float switch, alarm and air vents to the dosing tank. However, it is desirable to have the excavated area fully saturated and the lagoon prefilled with enough water for the solids to stay in suspension. No islands, coves or peninsulas in the lagoon are permitted. DEFINITIONS. Wastewater is evenly distributed throughout the entire drainfield, promoting better treatment of wastewater and system longevity. Another oxygen source is breezes blowing across the lagoon surface. Septic Tank Installation. Sites with more than 5 to 7 percent slope (5 to 7 feet of elevation drop per 100 feet of horizontal distance) should generally be avoided for lagoon construction. Such nutrients promote weed growth and lower oxygen levels in surface water and thus affect fishing and recreational use of rivers and lakes. In all septic tanks, the inlet and outlet pipes should be at least 4-inch diameter Schedule 40 PVC, cast-iron or other approved pipe and be protected by baffles or sanitary tees made of acid-resistant concrete, acid-resistant fiberglass or plastic. Permitting Authority in: Andrew. trailer << /Size 605 /Info 582 0 R /Encrypt 592 0 R /Root 591 0 R /Prev 447333 /ID[] >> startxref 0 %%EOF 591 0 obj << /Type /Catalog /Pages 584 0 R /Outlines 374 0 R /OpenAction [ 593 0 R /XYZ null null null ] /PageMode /UseNone /PageLabels << /Nums [ 38 << /St 39 /S /D >> 39 << /St 40 /S /D >> 39 << /St 40 /S /D >> 50 << /St 51 /S /D >> ] >> >> endobj 592 0 obj << /Filter /Standard /R 2 /O (cFBYYT\($&4-}mL\\+L) /U (Hg_-EQJ) /P -44 /V 1 >> endobj 603 0 obj << /S 837 /T 893 /O 1006 /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 604 0 R >> stream A grassed area surrounding the lagoon takes up these liquids, minimizing the potential for ground or surface water pollution. Please call 573-642-5750 to make your appointment for class. privacy, Missouri septic tank pumping and maintenance. A serial distribution system is designed so that the trenches are used in sequence; when the first trench is overloaded, the wastewater overflows into the next trench down. A green covering of algae on the lagoon is normal. No starter bacteria or other additives are necessary to put a new lagoon into use. Department of Natural Resources. There may be more lush vegetative growth over absorption fields. The retention capacity allows time for solids to properly separate from the liquids before the liquids pass into the lagoon. The mid-seal tank is cast in two nearly identical halves that are joined together with a sticky, tar-like mastic sealant. Lagoons may be used where there are no significant limitations related to groundwater and the soils are known to be impermeable. Saturated soil is less effective at treating wastewater. The addition of a bathroom, bedroom or water-using appliance (such as a hot tub, garbage disposal, dishwasher or water softener) to your home may require expanding your system. Although some choices may not correspond exactly to your situation, choose the response that best fits. . To ensure an adequate seal in the clay liner on the lagoon bottom, it is important to destroy the original soil structure by repeated compaction and/or disking with rubber-tired equipment, such as a wheel tractor or with a sheepsfoot roller. A two-compartment tank or a second tank after the first one can improve sludge and scum removal and help prevent drainfield clogging. Here the wastewater is further processed by aerobic (oxygen-loving) bacteria. A and S Septic Pumping. As more solids accumulate in the tank, particles are more likely to flow out of the tank and into the drainfield. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has publications as well, such as document number EPA/841/B-95/002, Cleaner Water Through Conservation; to order contact the National Center for Environmental Publications and Information, P.O. Many local water utilities have booklets of water conservation tips available. Community Resources. Dig a minimum of four holes at least three holes around the perimeter of the lagoon site and one in the middle of the site. Use our feedback form for questions or comments about this publication. Figure 4aManhole cleanout for a drain pipe. Questions? Class size is limited to 40 people. You should test your well water more often for nitrates and bacteria if your system is closer to your well than recommended. local Missouri authority for more information on how to get Sewer Systems. The tank may contain up to three compartments, and it must be watertight to prevent leakage of untreated sewage from the tank that might pollute groundwater and to prevent leakage of groundwater into the tank that could overload the lagoon. None have been proven beneficial and some actually cause damage to soil and vegetation and may pollute groundwater. 636-462-2995. These pipes are for checking solids levels and clogs and should be capped when not in use. A single-cell lagoon is generally adequate for single-family residences. 4. The process that takes place in a lagoon is a natural one, with microscopic plants and animals coexisting and dependent on each other. No power augers may be used. Chemical products advertised to "sweeten" or improve your septic system operation cannot replace routine pumping and may even be harmful. 1 0 obj Cesspools may be a safety hazard for children and pets and are not allowed for new construction in Missouri. If the air spaces between soil particles remain filled with water, the lack of oxygen prevents the rapid breakdown of wastes by aerobic (oxygen-requiring) soil microbes.
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