WQ0044177_More Information (Received)_20230414

Initial Review
Reviewer
Nathaniel.Thornburg
Is this submittal an application? (Excluding additional information.) *
Yes No
If not an application what is the submittal type?* Annual Report
Residual Annual Report
Additional Information
Other
Permit Number (IR) * W00044177
Applicant/Permittee Whispering Pines Farms, LLC
Email Notifications
Does this need review by the hydrogeologist? * O Yes OO No
Regional Office
CO Reviewer
Admin Reviewer

Submittal Form
Project Contact Information
Please provide information on the person to be contacted by NDB Staff regarding electronic submittal, confirmation of receipt, and other correspondence.
Name* Alisha Hudson
Email Address*
[e-mail]
Project Information
.........................
Application/Document Type*
New (Fee Required)
Modification - Major (Fee Required)
Renewal with Major Modification (Fee
Required)
Annual Report
Additional Information
Other
Phone Number*
919-367-6314
Modification - Minor
Renewal
GW-59, NDMR, NDMLR, NDAR-1,
N DAR-2
Residual Annual Report
Change of Ownership
We no longer accept these monitoring reports through this portal. Please click on the link below and it will take you to the correct form.
https://edoes.deq.nc.gov/Forms/NonDischarge_Monitoring_Report
Permit Type:* Wastewater Irrigation High -Rate Infiltration
Other Wastewater Reclaimed Water
Closed -Loop Recycle Residuals
Single -Family Residence Wastewater Other
Irrigation
Permit Number:* WQ0044177
Has Current Existing permit number
Applicant/Permittee Address* 3717 National Drive, Suite 209, Raleigh, NC 27612
Facility Name* 1594 NC 50 SFR
Please provide comments/notes on your current submittal below.
Provided is the response letter to the comments from April 4, 2023 from Zachary J. Mega.
At this time, paper copies are no longer required. If you have any questions about what is required, please contact Nathaniel Thornburg
at [e-mail].
Please attach all information required or requested for this submittal to be reviewed here.
(Application Form, Engineering Plans, Specifications, Calculations, Etc.)
(Stamped) AWT Reponse Letter - Whispering Pines Farm
27.17MB
WQ0044177.pdf
Upload only 1 PDF document (less than 250 MB). Multiple documents must be combined into one PDF file unless file is larger
than upload limit.
* By checking this box, I acknowledge that I understand the application will not be accepted for pre -review until the fee (if required) has
been received by the Non -Discharge Branch. Application fees must be submitted by check or money order and made payable to the
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ). I also confirm that the uploaded document is a single PDF with all parts
of the application in correct order (as specified by the application).
Mail payment to:
NCDEQ — Division of Water Resources
Attn: Non -Discharge Branch
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
Signature
�' ltO�il�Yy!lllJt'i/
Submission Date 4/14/2023

April 14, 2023

Mr. Zachary J. Mega, Engineer II
NC Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Water Resources / Water Quality Permitting
Non-Discharge Branch
512 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27604

RE: Application No. WQ0044177
Additional Information Request
Whispering Pines Farm, LLC Property WWTS
1594 NC 50
Creedmoor, NC 27522
SFR Wastewater Irrigation System
Granville County

Dear Mr. Mega,

Thank you for your comments regarding the application for the Whispering Pines Farm,
LLC Property WWTS (Application No. WQ0044177).

Below, please find a response to each of the questions/comments listed in the letter dated
April 4, 2023. To facilitate the review of this response, I have included each point from
the comment letter in bold.

F. Engineering Plans:

1. General –
a. What previous system were the existing septic tank and pump tank
part of? How were these tanks originally installed if the county
recently denied a permit for a subsurface system on the adjacent
parcel?

Response: The existing septic tank and pump tank currently serve the existing
residence. The system is permitted for a 3-bedroom home. A repair permit
was issued by Granville County in 2018. New tanks and drainfield were
installed. The drainfield is located on the parcel (PIN 0895-01-25-6270)
beyond the barn near the Northern property line. The supply line runs under
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the driveway to the drainfield, approximately 600 feet. The desire of the
property owner is to potentially reuse the existing drainfield for one of the
barns closer to the field. The septic system inspection report, with the existing
permit, is included in Attachment A for reference.

b. Have the existing tanks been field verified to be in good condition,
capable of handling the proposed flow, and able to be retrofitted for
the proposed system?

Response: A septic inspection was completed by Heath Clapp of AWT on
November 5, 2020. The inspection report notes that all components of the
septic system were functioning properly during inspection. The liquid levels
in the existing septic tank and pump tank were found to be at an appropriate
height and leakage was not suspected. The top of the tanks were found to be
approximately 16 inches deep. This information was utilized in the elevation
calculations to ensure proper fall to added system components.

c. Is there an existing septic drain field on any of the parcels where the
treatment system or drip irrigation site is proposed? If so, will this
cause any issues during construction or with future system
performance and maintenance?

Response: The existing drainfield is located on the same parcel as the
residence towards the Northern property line as indicated in the previous
response. The parcel containing the surface irrigation system does not contain
any existing drainfields.

2. Sheet WW-3 –
a. There is no connection shown between the existing septic tanks. Please
revise.

Response: We apologize for the oversight; a connection has been shown
between the existing tanks. Updated Engineering plans have been included in
Attachment B.

b. On Sheet WW-8, the headworks units were shown separately from the
field dosing tank installed at the ground surface, however, on Sheet
WW-3 they are shown on top of the field dosing tank. Is this a
contractor preference?

Response: If space permits, the headworks units may be positioned over the
Pump Tank. However, the headworks unit can also be installed adjacent to the
pump tank if needed. This is based on site constraints and can be determined
by the contractor during installation.

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3. Sheet WW-5 - Note 7 references 8,885’ of tubing for the drip irrigation site
while the table on Sheet WW-4 shows 5,885’ of tubing. Please verify and
revise.

Response: We apologize for the oversight of this typo. The note on Sheet WW-5
has been updated to reflect the accurate amount of drip tubing, 5,885’. Updated
Engineering plans have been included in Attachment B.

H. Engineering Calculations:

1. Why was the PF 2005 1 1 model chosen for the field dosing pump if all
operating points are outside of the optimal conditions for this pump? This
may result in unnecessary additional maintenance for the homeowner.

Response: Thank you for this question as it is a valid point regarding the pump
selection. In determination of a field dosing pump for a drip system, the dose
condition and flush condition must both be met by the pump selection. An
appropriate balance of these two conditions is critical for system operation, which
typically is found to work best with the PF 2005. This system has a flush flow of
11.3 gpm at 102.2 ft TDH and a required dosing flow of 7.2 gpm at 46.2 ft TDH.
If a PF 1005 were to be specified, although the dose and flush conditions would
be in the optimal range for the pump, the required dose flow at 7.2 gpm would be
pushed to over 200 ft TDH. The PF 2005 allows for the required dose flow to be
7.2 gpm at ~145 ft. TDH. Additionally, the main concern associated with a less
than optimal flow is overheating of the pump. This is a submersible pump and the
required field dosing tank liquid level specified allows for the pump to remain
fully submerged at all times which eliminates the concern for overheating. Even
with the dose and flush conditions outside of the pump optimal range, it is our
experience in operating many of these systems that this pump will still work
without any additional maintenance for the homeowner.

I. Site Map:

1. Please provide the proposed easement document so it can be reviewed to
ensure compliance with 15A NCAC 02L .0107.

Response: The proposed easement document has been included in Attachment C.
The compliance boundary is shown as the property line of PIN 0895-01-25-6270
and the proposed easement on PIN 0895-03-24-1613 and 0895-01-24-6618 (10’
boundary around the drainfield). As noted, the intent of this application is to apply
for construction only with the proposed easement shown for the surface drainfield
that crosses current property lines. Formal recordation of the proposed easement
will be completed for operation of the system. For clarity, a revised site map has
also been included to show the relevant boundaries (waste, compliance, review,
and 500’ boundary) with the proposed easement.
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J. Operation & Maintenance Plan:

1. Please provide any applicable maintenance guides (i.e., AX20 unit. UV unit,
etc.) that are available.

Response: The Orenco Operation and Maintenance Manual has been included in
Attachment D.

K. Operation & Maintenance Agreement (Form: SFRWWIS-O&M
09-18)

1. Please fill out the permit number at the top of the form. (The form does not
need to be re-signed to address this comment)

Response: We have included the permit number WQ0044177 at the top of the
Operation and Maintenance Agreement Form. This updated form is included in
Attachment E.

Thank you for your assistance with this review. If you have any further questions or
comments, please feel free to contact me at 919-367-6310 or via email at
[e-mail].

Best Regards,

Kevin Davidson, P.E.
V.P. of Engineering

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Attachment A
Inspection Report

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Septic System
Inspection Report

1594 NC 50 Highway,
Creedmoor, NC 27522

Prepared For: Jonathon Keener, Trustwell Property Group

Prepared By: Heath Clapp, NCOWCICB Inspector #6276I

Report Date: November 6, 2020
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SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION REPORT
For
1594 NC 50 Highway, Creedmoor, NC 27522

PREPARED FOR: Jonathon Keener, Trustwell Property Group

PREPARED BY: Heath Clapp, NCOWCICB Inspector #6276I

DATE: November 6, 2020

The septic system serving the new home at 1594 NC 50 Highway was inspected by Heath Clapp
of Agri-Waste Technology, Inc., (AWT) on November 5, 2020. The residence is served by a
pressure manifold septic system consisting of a septic tank, pump tank, pressure manifold, and
drain field. The system is permitted for a 3-bedroom home. Water is supplied to the home via a
private well. A copy of the septic permit from the Granville Vance District Health Department is
included in Attachment 1. A copy of the septic system inspection checklist, pictures taken
during the inspection, and the inspection request form can be found in Attachment 2. A detailed
discussion of the inspection is below.

General septic system information can be found on the North Carolina State University - Soil
Science Department website. The address is www.soil.ncsu.edu. Additional routine septic
system and maintenance information is in Attachment 3 following this report.

Septic Drain Field & Pressure Manifold
The septic drain field is located beyond the barn, in the pasture area (see permit sketch). Four
EZ Flow™ trenches (each approx. 162-166 ft. long) are installed along the contour. The drain
field was assessed with a soil probe. The trenches are not saturated. The drain field is pressure
fed via pressure manifold. The pressure manifold box was accessed during the inspection. The
pump was activated by its float and allowed to dose a normal dosing cycle. Effluent was
conveyed to the distribution device as part of the flow assessment of the distribution device. The
drain lines received and accepted the effluent flow [(Backup from the drain field did not occur)]
in the distribution device. The drain field area is well-maintained. There was no surfacing
effluent within the drain field at the time of inspection. Surface water did not collect in the drain
field area during the inspection.

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Pump Tank
The pump tank is located in the back yard. The septic permit indicates that the size of the pump
tank serving this residence is 1,000 gallons. An EZ Set™ riser is installed over the pump tank.
The liquid level in the pump tank is at the appropriate height and leakage is not suspected. The
pump was activated by its associated floats and both floats and pump were determined to be
functioning properly. The high-water alarm was also activated by its associated float, the audible
alarm sound was heard, and the light mounted on the control panel illuminated. The control
panel is mounted on a post and is located next to the pump tank riser. The panel is adequately
sealed and its components are functioning properly.

Septic Tank
The septic tank is located near the back of the house. EZ Set™ access risers are installed over
both compartments of the septic tank. The liquid level in the septic tank was found to be at the
appropriate height and leakage is not suspected. The top of the tank is buried approximately 16
inches deep. A total of 4-6 inches of residuals were measured in the septic tank; therefore,
pumping is not recommended at this time. The baffle wall, outlet tee, and all piping were found
to be functioning properly. The effluent filter was cleaned during the inspection.

Attachment 3 contains a table entitled Estimated Septic Tank Inspection and Pumping Frequency
in Years that indicates the recommended pumping frequency based on the number of occupants
in the house and the septic tank size. The permit indicates that the size of the septic tank serving
this residence is 1,000 gallons.

Conclusions
▪ All components of the septic system were functioning properly during the inspection.

We appreciate the opportunity to assist you. Please contact us with any questions, concerns, or
comments.

Sincerely,

Heath Clapp

As indicated in the AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Point of sale “septic system
inspections constitute a snapshot evaluation in time of the system(s) and do not guarantee future performance of the system(s)
due to numerous factors including, but not necessarily limited to, the following: water use patterns of the inhabitants of th e
dwelling, occupancy of the dwelling (no occupancy for an extended period of time or occupancy in excess of the system design
parameters), acts of God or natural disasters, lack of visibility of many of the system components, placement of inappropriate
items into the system (non-degradable items, water softener brine, etc.), physical disturbance of or damage to the system or
system components, etc.”
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ATTACHMENT 1: Granville County Health Department
Documentation
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ATTACHMENT 2: Septic System Inspection Checklist
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1
SUBSURFACEWASTEWATERSYSTEMINSPECTIONCHECKLIST

DateofInspection Inspector’sName CertificationNumber
_______________________________________________________
PermitNumberDateofOperationPermitAdvertised#ofBedrooms
_____________________________________________
BuyerAddressofProperty CurrentOwner
_____________ ____________ ________________________________________________
TaxMapParcelLot# PIN WaterSource

INSPECTIONRESULTS:
COLLECTION/TANKSYSTEM: YES / NO/NA REMARKS
Evidenceofleaks? //
Waterlevelintank:
Tankrisersaccessible,freeof
infiltrationandsurfacewaterdiverted?
Inletriser? //
Type:_____________________
Outletriser? //
Type:_____________________
Estimateddistancefromsoilsurfaceto
Topoftank:inches
Tankhasbafflewall? //
OutletTispresent/intact? //
Rootspresentintank? //
Inletpipeclear/unobstructed? //
Outletpipeclear/unobstructed? //
Septictankneedspumping?//
Inchesofsolids:
Dateoflasttankpumpingknown? //
Ifknown,when://
EstimatedDistanceFrom:
House/Structure:ft
Well:ft
WaterLine:ft
PropertyLine:ft
Septictankfiltercleaned? //

PRETREATMENTSYSTEM:
(SandFilterorPeatBiofilter)
Certifiedoperatorrequired? //
Filtersurfacemaintained? //
Evidenceofponding? //
Filtereffluentfreeofexcesssolids? //
Peatmodulesfreeofdamage,accessible,
properlyventilated&freeofinsects? //
Samplescollectedatthisinspection? //____________________________________

EFFLUENTDOSINGSYSTEM:
Requiredpumpspresent&functional? //
Highwateralarmoperatingproperly? //
Floats,valves,etc.ingoodcondition? //
Controlpanel&componentsingood
condition? //
Evidenceofleaks? //
Waterlevelintank:
Tankriseraccessible,freeof
infiltrationandsurfacewaterdiverted? //
Type:_____________________
Rootspresentintank? //
Estimateddistancefromsoilsurfaceto
Topoftank:inches
31188
- -
1594 NC 50 Highway
Well
11/5/2020 6276I
Shifflett
ok
-
ok
--
10/3/2018
4-6
5+
50+
10+
16
EZ Set
EZ Set
EZ Set
Keener
Heath Clapp
16
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Dateoflasttankpumpingknown? //
Ifknown,when://
EstimatedDistanceFrom:
House/Structure:ft
Well:ft
WaterLine:ft
PropertyLine:ft
SepticTank:ft
Effluentfreeofexcesssolids? //
Inchesofsolids(pump/dosetank):
Elapsedtimereadings?________________
Counterreadings?____________________ ___________________________________________

DISPOSALFIELD:
Evidenceofeffluentsurfacing? //
Evidenceofeffluentpondingintrenches? //
Surfacewatereffectivelydiverted? //
Diversions/swalesproperlymaintained? //
Vegetativecovermaintained? //
Protectedfromtraffic/unauthorizeduses? //
Distributiondevicesingoodcondition? //
Fieldfreeofsettledorlowareas? //
EstimatedDistanceFrom:
House/Structure:ft
Well:ft
WaterLine:ft
PropertyLine:ft
SepticTank:ft ___________________________________________

PRESSUREDISTRIBUTIONSYSTEM:
Certifiedoperatorrequired? //
Turnups/cleanouts/valvesintact&
accessible? //
Lateralsfreeofexcesssolids? //
Lateralsflushedthisinspection? //
Pressureheadsproperlyadjusted? //_________________________________________

SYSTEMPERFORMANCE:
DesignPressureHead(ft): AdjustedPressureHead(ft):
DesignDeliveryRate(gpm): MeasuredDeliveryRate(gpm): %ofDesign:
DosingVolume(gal.):
Note:DeliveryRate(gpm)=( inchesdrawdown gallons/in) minutesofruntime
DoseVolume(gal.)= inchesbetweenfloaton&floatoff gallons/in.

ADDITIONALCOMMENTS:

“Client requesting this inspection has been advised that for a complete inspection to be performed, the tank
needs to be pumped. Client has declined to have the tank pumped at inspection and hereby acknowledges they
have so declined.”

Signature
N/A
-Accessed pressure manifold box at
the time of the inspection
-Dosed effluent to the drain field with
no backup or over saturation observed
-Assessed the drain field with a soil
probe, found no evidence of over
saturation
0-1
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
N/A
N/A N/A N/A
N/A
5+
50+
10+
3+
-
5+
50+
3+
10+
-
N/A
See Electronic Form
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Septic Tank Location

Inlet Access Point of the Septic Tank

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Baffle Wall

Outlet Access Point of the Septic Tank

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Effluent Filter

Pump Tank

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Control Panel

Pressure Manifold Box

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Drain Field Location
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Online Forms <[e-mail]>
New submission from Inspection Service 2.0
1 message
Agriwaste <[e-mail]>Fri, Oct 23, 2020 at 3:33 PM
To: [e-mail]
Who Are You?
Who are you?
Agent
Inspection Type?
Inspection Type?
Both Septic & Well
Your Information
Name
Jonathon Keener
Company
Trustwell Property Group
Address

3717 National Drive, Suite 209
Raleigh, North Carolina 27612
United States
Map It
Phone
[phone]
Email
[e-mail]
Client Billing Information
Client Name
Jonathon Keener
Client Billing Address

3717 National Drive, Suite 209
Raleigh, North Carolina 27612
United States
Map It
Client Phone
[phone]
Client Email
[e-mail]
Who is AWT's Designated Client?
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Who is AWT's designated client?
Agent
Property Information
Property Address

1594 C NC 50 Highway
CReedmoor, North Carolina 27522
United States
Map It
Subdivision Name & Lot Number
N/A
County
Granville
Year house was built?
2011
How many bedrooms does the house have?
3
Current owner's name?
Cynthia Shifflett
Will anyone meet AWT during the inspection?
No
Is the property occupied?
Yes
Is power/water on?
Yes
Is property under HUD/VA/FHA/USDA loan?
No
What is your Due Diligence date?
11/21/2020
Do you have a copy of the Septic Permit?
Yes
Pricing
Well Inspection/Lab Analysis DURING THE SAME VISIT with a Septic Inspection (price added onto septic inspection
cost below)

$250.00 - Level 1 (Everything in FHA/VA/HUD – PLUS: Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Cadmium, Calcium,
Chromium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Mercury, Nickel, Selenium, Silver, Sodium, Thallium, Uranium,
Vanadium, Zinc, Hardness) (10 business days)
Contract Authorization
Contract Authorization

I decline to have the septic tank pumped as part of the inspection. Client requesting this inspection has been advised that
for a complete inspection to be performed, the tank needs to be pumped. Client has declined to have the tank pumped at
inspection and hereby acknowledges they have so declined.” [per 21 NCAC 39 .1006 (b)(2)(S)]
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Authorized Representative Signature
Jonathon Keener
Date
10/23/2020
Any Additional Comments?
Additional Comments
There are two wells and two septics on site. All need to be checked. We understand from your representative that septic
will be $350/tank. Please confirm well pricing thank you.
Contract Authorization
I agree to the above contract
I agree to the above contract
Inspection Consent
I/We the potential buyers (or buyers representative) have obtained written permission from the current homeowner(s) to
complete the septic system inspection.
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ATTACHMENT 3: Industry Standard Well and Septic
System Maintenance Information –
Authored by North Carolina State
University Personnel, North Carolina
Cooperative Extension Service Personnel,
and Wake County Department of
Environmental Services Personnel.
No endorsement from the North Carolina Onsite Wastewater Contractors &
Inspectors Certification Board
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1
HOMEOWNER GUIDE FOR UTILIZATION AND MAINTENANCE OF
ON-SITE WASTEWATER DISPOSAL SYSTEMS

What is an On-site Wastewater Disposal System?

There are a number of different types of on-site wastewater disposal systems each
designed for a specific set of site conditions. However, there are several system
components that are common to most systems. These include the following:

1. A septic tank - a concrete tank that is designed to receive wastewater from the house
and to provide a degree of pretreatment for the waste, chiefly through removal of
some of the solids in the waste. Note that these solids accumulate over time and
necessitate periodic pumping of the septic tank. Currently septic tanks are equipped
with two access risers (normally constructed of concrete) which are designed to be at
least 6 inches above the ground surface to prevent surface and shallow groundwater
from entering the septic tank and to provide access for maintenance. Care must be
taken not to damage or cover these risers so that water inflow / infiltration can
be prevented and the tank can be accessed for maintenance.

2. In some installations, a pump tank - a concrete tank, very similar to the septic tank,
which contains a pump along with the associated controls / componentry. The pump
tank and pump is designed to receive effluent from the septic tank, and pump the
effluent to a disposal field located at a higher elevation and/or to a pressurized
distribution network in the disposal field. The pump tank also has an access riser
which must be protected in a similar manner to that indicated for the septic
tank. Servicing of the pump tank components often necessitates the assistance of a
professional such as a septic tank installer or Certified Subsurface System Operator.
The latter is required for operation and maintenance of certain types of systems.

3. A disposal field - a series of subsurface trenches and lines that are designed to
distribute the effluent into the soil and provide for the ultimate treatment and disposal
of the effluent. There are numerous variations on the design of the disposal field,
related chiefly to the type of system chosen, site constraints, etc. Dependent on the
type of disposal system, you may have to maintain a contract with a Certified
Subsurface System Operator for operation and maintenance of your wastewater
disposal system.

Utilization of Your Wastewater Disposal System

In order to obtain the maximum efficiency and life expectancy from your system, the
following simple procedures must be adhered to:

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1. Practice water conservation. This can include many practical considerations such as
not leaving the water running while you brush your teeth, not overfilling the tub,
limiting time in the shower, not replacing low flow fixtures with those of higher
flows, over rinsing dishes (allow the dishwasher to do its job), immediate repair of
any leaking fixtures, running washing machines and dishwashers only when full, etc.

NOTE: Washing machines generate significant volumes of wastewater. As a result,
laundry activities should be spread over the week as opposed to accumulating all of
laundry until the weekend.

2. Do not utilize your wastewater disposal system as a trash can by dumping
nondegradables down your drains or toilet. These include cigarette butts, sanitary
products, grease, plastics, disposable diapers, etc. Avoid use of garbage disposals.
Do not retrofit garbage disposals unless the system is specifically permitted for their
use. Also, do not dump harmful chemicals down the drain. These include petroleum
products, paint, paint thinner, pesticides, antifreeze, etc.

Maintenance of Your Wastewater Disposal System

Every wastewater disposal system requires maintenance in order to function properly.
The specific maintenance required is related to the type of system. The following are
general considerations that apply to all systems.

1. Protect your wastewater disposal system components including the tanks, access
risers, disposal field and associated components. Do not drive or park on any
portion of the system. The area over the disposal field should be left undisturbed with
the grass cover being maintained as you would your lawn. Location of trees and
shrubs on or in close proximity to the disposal field is not recommended since roots
may clog or damage your drain lines. Additionally, great care must be exercised when
considering the addition of any structure(s) to the site. The location of any
appurtenances cannot encroach on the installation or repair areas for your system. It is
not recommended that irrigation systems be located in proximity to the disposal
system since their construction can cause system damage and/or result in additional
hydraulic load on the disposal field.

2. Protect the system from excess surface and shallow groundwater. The land
surface on and around the wastewater disposal system should be landscaped to shed
rainfall and runoff and prevent ponding. Be sure that foundation drains, runoff from
roofs and drives, etc. are diverted away from the disposal system.

3. Regularly have the septic tank / pump tank pumped and cleaned by a permitted
septage hauler. Although the necessary frequency of pumping varies with the
household and system, most tanks need pumping at a frequency of 3-5 years and at
any time solids occupy one-fourth to one-third of the septic tank liquid depth.

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Note that all septic tanks being currently installed incorporate an effluent filter within
the outlet compartment of the septic tank. This filter is to be cleaned anytime the
septic tank is pumped. If plumbing becomes sluggish, this filter should be checked. If
filter service is found to be necessary, the tank is to pumped, the filter cleaned and
the filter reinstalled.

4. Be alert to warning signs that your system may not be functioning properly.
These include sewage surfacing over the disposal system, sewage backups / slow
draining in the house, lush growth over the disposal system, sewage odors, etc.

5. Do not make or allow repairs to your system unless all necessary permits are
obtained from Wake County Department of Environmental Services.

6. Commercial additives for septic tank systems - It has generally not been
demonstrated that these additives enhance the function of septic systems or reduce the
need for tank pumping and other necessary maintenance.

7. Special maintenance considerations - As already alluded to, some of the more
complex wastewater disposal systems require that you retain / maintain the services
of a Certified Wastewater System Operator in order to comply with Laws and Rules
and maintain a valid operation permit for your system. In Wake County this
maintenance requirement should be recorded with Register of Deeds if applicable.

Where Do I Obtain Information and Assistance?

If you are purchasing a new home, you should request a copy of your wastewater system
permit from the builder / seller along with information regarding any special maintenance
requirements. You may also obtain information and assistance from the Wake County
Department of Environmental Services, 336 Fayetteville Street Mall, Raleigh, NC,
Telephone [phone]. The County also maintains an Internet web site at
http://www.wakegov.com/directory/wwds. This site contains much useful information
and a number of links.

WEL 3/15/04
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The septic tank, soil-treatment system (also called a septic system) is an effective,
long-standing method for collecting, treating, and disposing of sewage from rural
and suburban homes and businesses. Septic systems are used in every county in
North Carolina. Nearly 50 percent of the state’s homes have them, and new systems
are being installed at a rate of more than 40,000 per year. This fact sheet will
answer some typical questions about septic systems and their maintenance.
Why Use a Septic System?
Septic systems are used when centralized
sewage treatment plants are not accessible in
a community. They safely treat and dispose of
wastewaters produced in the bathroom,
kitchen, and laundry. These wastewaters may
contain disease-causing germs and pollutants
that must be treated to protect human health
and the environment. Septic systems are
usually a permanent solution to wastewater
treatment and disposal. Therefore, they must
be properly used, operated, and maintained
by the homeowner to assure the long-term
performance of these systems. Even when
used as a temporary wastewater treatment
solution until sewer lines are extended to a
community, special care and maintenance are
needed for septic systems so that they don’t
pose a risk to public health or the environ-
ment.
What Is a Septic System?
Several different types of septic systems are
available, each with its own design. The
traditional, conventional system is the one
that has been most commonly used in North
Carolina up until the past decade (Figure 1).
It consists of three main parts: the septic
tank, the drainfield, and the soil beneath the
drainfield.
The septic tank is a watertight container about
9 feet long and 5 feet tall. It is buried in the
ground just outside the home. The tank is usu-
ally precast from reinforced concrete, although
tanks made from plastic or fiberglass may be
seen on occasion. While a tank is typically
designed with a 1,000-gallon liquid capacity,
its size is legally determined by the number of
bedrooms in the home. The tank temporarily
holds household wastes and allows a small
amount of pretreatment to take place (Figure
2).
What Takes Place in the Septic Tank?
All of the wastewaters from the home should
flow into the septic tank. Even waters from the
shower, bathtub, and washing machine can
contain disease-causing germs or environmen-
Soil Facts
Distributed in furtherance of the
Acts of Congress of May 8 and
June 30, 1914. North Carolina
State University and North
Carolina A&T State University
commit themselves to positive
action to secure equal
opportunity regardless of race,
color, creed, national origin,
religion, sex, age, or disability.
In addition, the two Universities
welcome all persons without
regard to sexual orientation.
North Carolina State University,
North Carolina A&T State
University, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, and local
governments cooperating.
Septic Systems and
Their Maintenance
Figure 1. A conventional septic system.
SepticTank
Repair Area
Drainfield Trenches
27 of 97
Soil Facts
NC STATE UNIVERSITY
Septic tank
Distribution box
Perforated pipe
Water supply line
Well
Drainfield
Soil layers
To streams and lakes Bedrock
To well
Casing
Grout
Purification
Soil absorption
tal pollutants. As wastewater flows
into the tank, the heavier solid materi-
als settle to the bottom (forming a
sludge layer), and the lighter greases
and fats float to the top (forming a
scum layer). The tank’s primary
purpose is to retain the solids. After a
retention time of about two days, the
liquid portion (the sewage effluent)
flows out of the tank through the
outlet pipe. The retention time is
necessary for separation of the solids
from the liquid and for anaerobic
digestion of the solids to begin in the
septic tank.
An outlet baffle (or a sanitary tee at
the outlet end) prevents solids from
flowing out with the liquids. Newer
septic systems installed since 1999,
however, include an effluent filter in
the septic tank. These are installed in
place of the sanitary tee at the outlet
end of the septic tank (in the second
compartment shown in Figure 2).
What Happens in the
Drainfield and the Soil?
The purpose of the drainfield is to
deliver the liquid sewage effluent to
the soil. The real treatment of the
wastewater occurs in the soil beneath
the drainfield. Sewage effluent flows
out of the tank as a cloudy liquid that
still contains many disease-causing
germs and environmental pollutants.
Effluent flows into the perforated pipe
in the trenches, passes through the
holes in the pipe, and then trickles
adsorbs some of the smaller germs,
such as viruses, until they are de-
stroyed. The soil can also retain cer-
tain chemicals, including phosphorus
and some forms of nitrogen.
A special zone, called a biomat, forms
in the upper 1 to 6 inches of the soil at
the soil/trench interface just below the
trench bottom. This biomat zone is
useful. It helps remove many of the
germs and chemical pollutants. If the
solids accumulating in the septic tank
are never pumped out, however, they
can flow into the trenches and accu-
mulate into an intensive biomat that
becomes too thick. When that hap-
pens, the biomat completely clogs the
soil and does not allow the sewage
effluent to flow out of the trench. An
improperly maintained system will
fail and cause untreated sewage to
completely fill the trenches and come
out on top of the ground or back up
into the home in its plumbing system.
Where Can a Septic System Be
Used?
A centralized sewer system with a
large sewage treatment plant usually
Figure 2. A two-compartment septic tank.
down through the gravel to the soil
(Figure 3). There are also “gravel-less”
trenches used where plastic louvered
chambers, polystyrene aggregate, tire
chip aggregate, large diameter pipes, or
multiple small pipes are used in place of
the gravel aggregate. These materials
provide a void space in the trench to
allow distribution of the effluent to the
trench bottom. As sewage effluent en-
ters and flows through the ground, soil
particles filter out many of the bacteria
that can cause diseases. The soil
Figure 3. Wastewater treatment and disposal in the soil.
2
Risers
Access
Points
Solids
Liquid
Greases
Second
compartment
Sewage
effluent
filter/tee
Effluent
Wastewater
enters
First
compartment
28 of 97
Septic Systems and Their Maintenance
discharges treated wastewater into a
body of water. On the other hand, a
septic system depends on the soil
around the home to treat and dispose
of sewage effluent (Figure 3). For this
reason, a septic system can be used
only on soils that will adequately
absorb and purify the effluent. If a
septic system is installed in soil that
cannot do so, the effluent will seep
out onto the soil surface overlying the
drainfield or back up into the home.
In addition to causing an unpleasant
smell, this untreated sewage can pose
health problems.
In some cases where the soils do not
adequately absorb the wastewater, the
toilets and sinks might not drain
freely. If the soil can absorb the efflu-
ent, but not treat it, or if the trenches
are installed directly into groundwater
or bedrock, the sewage may contami-
nate the groundwater. Because the
underlying groundwater serves as the
source of drinking water for your well
or possibly your neighbors’ wells
(Figure 3), it is very important that the
system be installed in the proper soil
conditions and that the septic system
is correctly used, operated, and main-
tained.
What Kinds of Soil Conditions
Are Best Suited To a
Conventional Septic System?
Gently sloping, thick, permeable soils
with deep water tables make the best
sites for the traditional, conventional
septic system and simple modifica-
tions of it. The soil should be a uni-
form brown, yellow, or bright red
color. It should not have spots of gray
colors that often indicate the soil
becomes excessively wet or that
groundwater comes up close to the
ground surface during the wet times
of the year. The soil texture should be
neither too sandy nor too clayey, and
it should have good aggregation, or
structure (that is, a handful of the soil
should easily break apart into small
aggregates).
Areas that are unsuitable for conven-
tional septic systems have rock close
to the surface, very sticky clays, soil
layers that restrict the downward
flow of water, or areas with shallow
groundwater. These factors would
prevent a conventional septic system
from working properly.
What About Other Types of
On-Site Systems That Are
Alternatives to the
Conventional System?
Other types of on-site systems are
sometimes used on sites where the
soil is not suited to a conventional
system. Where soils are too wet or too
shallow for the conventional system,
the drainfield might be placed very
close to the ground surface in the
upper layers of the soil. In some wet
soils, artificial drainage around the
septic system lowers the level of the
shallow water table. On some clayey
soils that have a thick sandy surface,
the low-pressure pipe (LPP) system
provides an alternative.
On some soils that are not deep
enough to provide adequate treatment
of the sewage effluent, it may be
possible to use an advanced pretreat-
ment unit to supplement the soil’s
treatment capacity. Examples are
fixed media biofilters such as a sand
filter, peat filter, textile filter, or po-
rous foam biofilter or mechanical
aerobic treatment units that bubble air
into the sewage itself. Most of these
pretreatment units are installed be-
tween the septic tank and drainfield.
They provide better purification of the
wastewater than is provided by the
traditional septic tank alone. Some
sites may need more sophisticated
methods of distributing the sewage
effluent within the drainfield itself
using a pressure manifold, LPP, or
drip irrigation system. These systems
use pumps, special controls, and
specially designed pipe networks that
can improve the wastewater treatment
in the soil. In other situations, it may
be cost effective to collect the waste-
water from several homes in an area
or subdivision by using a cluster
system. This type of system has a
drainfield located in a common area
within the best-suited soils in the tract
of land. These newer and more so-
phisticated types of on-site system
options can often provide a better
wastewater treatment solution for a
particular building lot, or a tract of
land, than either the traditional, con-
ventional septic tank system or large-
scale, centralized public sewers.
How Do I Know if My Site is
Suitable for a Septic System?
North Carolina has more than 400
different kinds of soil, and a 1-acre lot
can contain several different soil
types. Because many of these soils are
unsuitable for conventional septic
systems and even unsuitable for more
advanced or alternative on-site sys-
tems, you should always obtain an
improvement permit (I.P.) before
purchasing a lot that you intend to
build on. You will submit an applica-
tion and a site plan to the county
health department. The environmental
health specialist (sanitarian) will
conduct a comprehensive soil and site
evaluation and either issue or deny
the permit. If an I.P. can be issued,
you will also need to obtain a con-
struction authorization (C.A.) before a
building permit can be issued.
If you are interested in developing a
tract of land to subdivide, you should
hire a licensed soil scientist to con-
duct preliminary evaluations and
advise you on the location of suitable
soils and lot configuration. You can
obtain additional information from
the Cooperative Extension publica-
tion (AG-439-12), Investigate Before
You Invest, available online at
www.soil.ncsu.edu/publications/
Soilfacts/AG-439-12/.
How Large is a Typical
Drainfield?
Usually, the drainfield for a home can
fit within the front yard or the back-
yard of a typical 1-acre home site.
Sometimes smaller lots can be used.
The precise area requirements will
depend upon the kinds of soils at the
home site, the size of the house (the
number of bedrooms), the topography
of the lot, and the type of on-site
3
29 of 97
Soil Facts
system used there. A site with clayey,
slowly permeable soils needs a larger
drainfield to absorb the sewage efflu-
ent than does a site with sandy, perme-
able soils. A home with five bedrooms
will need a larger tank and drainfield
area than a home with three bedrooms.
A rental property at the beach may
require a larger drainfield than a simi-
lar-sized permanent residence with the
same number of bedrooms. A home
using one of the newer, more advanced
types of on-site technologies may be
able to use a smaller area for the
drainfield than if a conventional septic
system is installed. Adequate land area
must be available to achieve adequate
setback distances from any nearby
wells, springs, streams, lakes, or other
bodies of water located either on the
lot or off-site.
There also must be enough area to
install a second system, called a re-
placement system, in case it is ever
needed. This replacement area (some-
times called a repair area) also must
have acceptable soil and site condi-
tions and must be left undisturbed and
available for system replacement. Be
aware that the type of on-site system
required for use in the repair area
could be a completely different, more
sophisticated type of on-site system.
Hence, if that repair area is ever
needed, you might have to install a
more expensive system than the origi-
nal system installed when the lot was
first developed.
What Legal Requirements
Regulate Septic Systems?
State law requires that soils be evalu-
ated by the local health department and
that an I.P. and a C.A. be issued before
house construction begins or the septic
system is installed. The I.P. allows the
site to be used, while the C.A. deter-
mines what type of system must be
installed. Sometimes these are issued
at the same time by the health depart-
ment. An I.P. is good only for five
years unless it is renewed, or unless it
is issued under special conditions for a
lot that has been professionally sur-
veyed. If a permanent I.P. is issued,
then you have some limited guarantee
that the lot can be used (even if the
state rules change), assuming that the
conditions on the lot or the intended
use don’t change. Nevertheless, the
type of system that will be required as
well as home size and location are not
assured until the C.A. is issued. Con-
tact your local health department to
be sure that you follow the correct
procedures and that you are fully
aware of the limitations that will
protect your investment. Also, the
installation must be approved by the
health department and an operation
permit (O.P.) must be issued by the
health department before electrical
service can be permanently connected
to the home and the septic system put
into use.
Once the home has been occupied
and the system put into use, you will
need to contact the county health
department if you plan to add on to
the home, install a pool, build an
outbuilding, or engage in activity that
requires a building permit. First,
obtain an authorization from the
county health department to make
sure that the septic system and repair
area remain intact and are properly
sized for the proposal.
What Maintenance Is Needed?
Both the septic tank and the drainfield
must be properly maintained for the
standard conventional septic system.
With conscientious maintenance, the
system should work correctly for
many years. Such maintenance begins
with water use and waste disposal
habits. Your family will determine
which materials enter the system, so
you should establish family rules for
proper use and maintenance. The
suggestions outlined in the box will
save you anguish and money when
applied to most conventional systems.
If your system has an effluent filter, it
will need checking and servicing
approximately every 2 to 3 years.
While this could be done by a home-
owner, it is a messy, unpleasant task
and there are potential safety issues
because of the germs in the sewage
and toxic gases. For most people, it
would be appropriate to hire a com-
pany that specializes in septic system
maintenance and service to inspect
and clean the effluent filter.
Special types of pretreatment units
and drainfield distribution technolo-
gies also must be carefully maintained
for the more advanced, newer tech-
Tips for Maintaining Your Septic System
„„„„„Do not put too much water into the septic system; typical water use is
about 50 gallons per day for each person in the family.
„„„„„Do not add materials (chemicals, sanitary napkins, applicators, and so
on) other than domestic wastewater.
„„„„„Restrict the use of your garbage disposal.
„„„„„Do not pour grease or cooking oils down the sink drain.
„„„„„Make a diagram showing the location of your tank, drainfield, and repair
area.
„„„„„Install a watertight riser over the septic tank to simplify access.
„„„„„Have the effluent filter in the septic tank cleaned periodically by a
professional.
„„„„„Have the solids pumped out of the septic tank periodically.
„„„„„Maintain adequate vegetative cover over the drainfield.
„„„„„Keep surface waters away from the tank and drainfield.
„„„„„Keep automobiles and heavy equipment off the system.
„„„„„Do not plan any building additions, pools, driveways, or other
construction work near the septic system or the repair area.
4
30 of 97
Septic Systems and Their Maintenance
nologies described earlier. These
newer technologies will be more
expensive to operate and maintain
than the traditional, conventional
septic system. Most advanced on-site
and cluster wastewater treatment
systems require regular inspections
and professional maintenance. Re-
search conducted in North Carolina
has shown that about 40 to 50 percent
of the advanced systems will fail
within 6 years if this maintenance is
not provided. Therefore, in North
Carolina, a professionally trained,
state-certified “subsurface system
operator” hired by the homeowner is
required by the O.P. to provide the
needed inspections and maintenance
for advanced technologies. For more
information about these requirements,
contact your local health department
or the state Water Pollution Control
Systems Operator Certification Com-
mission.
Note, however, that individual
homeowners are allowed to take the
same training programs and state
licensing exam as the professional
operators. If they pass the exam, they
can operate their own system by
themselves. Because this generally is
not done, most homeowners will have
to pay for this service if they have one
of these more advanced technologies.
Regardless of whether a professional
operator is hired, it is the home-
owner’s responsibility to assure
proper use, inspection, operation, and
maintenance of any type of on-site
wastewater system.
Will I Need to Pump the Tank?
Yes. After a few years, the solids that
accumulate in the septic tank should
be pumped out and disposed of at an
approved location. If not removed,
these solids will eventually overflow,
accumulate in the drainfield, and clog
the pores (openings) in the soil.
This blockage severely damages the
drainfield. Although some clogging of
soil pores slowly occurs even in a
properly functioning system (the
biomat described earlier), excess
solids from a poorly maintained tank
can completely close all soil pores so
that no wastewater can flow into the
soil. The sewage effluent will then
either back up into the house or flow
across the ground surface over the
drainfield. If this happens, you may
need to construct a new drainfield on
a different part of your lot. Pumping
the septic tank after the soil drainfield
has become completely clogged will
not rejuvenate the system. It will
provide only a few days of reprieve
until the tank fills up again. Once the
soil has become completely clogged,
it is usually necessary to install a new
drainfield or an advanced pretreat-
ment unit, or both. This can have a
significant negative effect on your
landscaping and yard, as well as being
expensive. An ounce of prevention is
worth a pound of cure with septic
systems.
How Will I Know When to
Pump the Tank?
The frequency with which you will
need to pump depends on three vari-
ables: the tank size, the amount of
water used by your family, and the
solids content of your wastewater. If
you are unsure about when to have the
tank pumped, have a professional
operator observe the rate of solids
accumulation in the tank each year.
He or she can clean and replace the
effluent filter cartridge in the tank at
the same time. The tank should be
pumped if the sludge layer at the
bottom of the septic tank has built up
to within 25 to 33 percent of the
tank’s liquid capacity or if the scum
layer in the tank is more than 4 to 6
inches thick. Therefore, a typical
1,000-gallon tank with a 4-foot liquid
capacity should be pumped when the
solids reach 1-foot thick in the tank
bottom. If the tank is not easily acces-
sible and the rate of solids accumula-
tion cannot be checked yearly, then
you may wish to inspect and pump it
according to the frequency guidelines
in Table 1. Your local health depart-
ment should be able to tell you the
size of your tank. When inspecting
the tank, check the effluent filter (or
for older systems check the sanitary
tee or the outlet baffle to be sure that
it has not broken off and dropped into
the tank). Also, be sure to have both
compartments of the tank pumped
(note the two compartments shown
earlier in Figure 2).
If the septic system is not used very
often (as in an infrequently used
vacation home with a correctly sized
tank), it will probably not need to be
pumped as frequently as indicated in
Table 1. If you use a garbage disposal,
the tank may need to be pumped more
frequently. After a few inspections,
you should be able to adjust the
schedule according to the rate at
which solids accumulate.
What Should Not Be Put into
the Septic System?
Make sure you are aware of the types
and amounts of extra waste materials
that are poured down the drain. Limit-
ing the use of your garbage disposal
will minimize the flow of excess
Table 1. Estimated Septic Tank Inspection and Pumping Frequency
(in Years)
Tank Size Number of People Using the System
(gallons) 1 2 4 6 8
900 11 5 2 1 <1
1,000 12 6 3 2 1
1,250 16 8 3 2 1
1,500 19 9 4 3 2
Source: Adapted from “Estimated Septic Tank Pumping Frequency,” by Karen Mancl,
1984, Journal of Environmental Engineering. Vol. 110(1):283-285.
5
31 of 97
Soil Facts
20,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $2,767 or $0.14 each.
© 2004 North Carolina State University
Published by
NORTH CAROLINA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
03/04–20M–BS (Revised March 2004) AG-439-13
E04-43962
solids to your tank. Garbage disposals
usually double the amount of solids
added to the tank.
Do not pour cooking greases, oils,
and fats down the drain. Grease hard-
ens in the septic tank and accumulates
until it clogs the inlet or outlet.
Grease poured down the drain with
hot water may flow through the septic
tank, but then it can clog soil pores
completely and ruin the drainfield.
Pesticides, paints, paint thinners,
solvents, disinfectants, poisons, and
other household chemicals should not
be dumped down the drain into a
septic system because they may kill
beneficial bacteria in the septic tank
and soil microorganisms that help
purify the sewage. Also, some organic
chemicals will flow untreated through
the septic tank and the soil, thus con-
taminating the underlying groundwa-
ter.
If your home has a water treatment
system, such as a water softener, the
discharge pipe from the backwash
should not be connected to the waste
plumbing system or septic tank.
Are Septic-Tank Additives
Necessary?
No. These products include biologi-
cally based materials (bacteria, en-
zymes, and yeast), inorganic
chemicals (acids and bases), or or-
ganic chemicals (including solvents).
Research conducted to date on three
of these types of bacterial additives
has not shown any reduction in the
rate of solids buildup nor increases in
bacterial activity in the septic tank.
Therefore, they do not seem to reduce
the need for regular pumping of the
septic tank. Some additive products
contain organic chemicals and may
even damage the drainfield or con-
taminate the groundwater and nearby
wells.
Is Special Care Needed for
the Drainfield?
Yes. The drainfield does not have an
unlimited capacity. The more water
your family uses, the greater the like-
lihood of problems with the septic
system.
Water conservation practices can help
reduce the amount of wastewater
generated in the home. Periodically
check your plumbing for leaky fau-
cets and toilets. Uncorrected leaks can
more than double the amount of water
you use. Many soils can absorb the
200 to 250 gallons of sewage usually
produced each day by a family of
four, but these soils would become
waterlogged if an extra 250 gallons
were added. For more information on
this subject, see North Carolina Coop-
erative Extension Service publications
WQWM-75/HE-250, Focus on Resi-
dential Water Conservation and
WQWM-76/HE-213, Water Manage-
ment Checklist for the Home. These
publications can be viewed and
printed online at www.bae.ncsu.edu/
programs/extension/publicat/wqwm/
usewtr.html.
Be sure that foundation drains, roof
waters, gutter waters, and surface
waters from driveways and other
paved areas do not flow over the
septic tank or the drainfield. Careful
landscaping can help direct excess
surface waters away from the system.
Summary
The septic system is an efficient,
inexpensive, and convenient method
for treating and disposing of house-
hold wastewater. Because not all soils
are suited for conventional systems,
comprehensive soil and site investiga-
tions must be performed before you
purchase any land.
Septic systems will adequately absorb
and purify wastewater if they are
properly maintained.
Contrary to popular belief, septic
systems are not maintenance free.
Money that is saved by not paying a
monthly sewer bill should be set aside
for regular inspections and mainte-
nance. A few precautions can save
you anguish and money. Reducing
water use, avoiding grease, cleaning
the effluent filter, pumping the tank
periodically, and properly landscaping
the yard to keep surface water away
from the tank and drainfield are inex-
pensive precautions that can help
assure your system a long life. The
North Carolina Cooperative Exten-
sion publication AG-439-22, Septic
System Owner’s Guide, summarizes
some important day-to-day manage-
ment and periodic maintenance activi-
ties to improve your system’s
longevity. When properly located and
maintained, your system should pro-
vide years of trouble-free, low-cost
service.
Reference
Mancl, K.M. 1984. Journal of
Environmental Engineering, Vol.
110(1):283-285.
Prepared by
Michael T. Hoover, Extension Soil
Science Specialist, Department of Soil
Science, North Carolina State University
Tom Konsler, Environmental Health Super-
visor, Orange County Health Department
Appreciation is extended to Mitch Woodward,
Grace Lawrence, and Deanna Osmond for their
assistance in review of this publication and to
Janet Young for graphic design, layout, and
editing.
32 of 97
If you use a septic system, or if you are buying a home with a septic system,
this owner’s guide can help you be sure that your septic system is used and
maintained properly. This folder also provides a place to record and keep
important information, such as a copy of your permit, a sketch of your
system, maintenance records, and other fact sheets.
Know the Ins and Outs of Your
System
What type of system do you have?
Many different kinds of septic systems are
used in North Carolina, but most of the
nearly 2 million systems in use throughout
the state are slight modifications of the
conventional septic system. This system has
a septic tank and a drainfield with gravel-
filled trenches (usually two to six trenches).
Since the mid to late 1990s, however, the
traditional gravel aggregate trenches used in
the past have given way to newer gravel-less
trench designs.
These gravel-less trench designs rely on
alternative materials in place of the gravel.
The most common gravel-less trenches now
used include either long, narrow, tunnel-
shaped chambers in the trenches or gravel
substitutes such as expanded polystyrene
aggregate.
Other alternative trench materials that are
also being used extensively in some parts of
the state include large diameter pipes and
permeable concrete panel block trench
materials. In addition, since about 2003,
some gravel-less septic system trenches use
bundles of plastic pipes or other materials
such as recycled rubber tires (chopped into
chips or pieces to meet specific size require-
ments) to replace the gravel aggregate.
Cooperative Extension Service publication
AG-439-13, Septic Systems and Their
Maintenance, describes the conventional
system, simple modifications of it, and
important maintenance needs.
Other more sophisticated types of on-site
systems used for the last 20 to 25 years
include systems with pumps, mechanical
pretreatment units, or biofilters. These
technologies are now being used in numerous
new housing developments or to replace or
repair failing septic systems at homes and
businesses. Systems using these new tech-
nologies require a higher level of maintenance
than the more traditional conventional septic
systems.
For this reason, state rules have specific
maintenance requirements for a number of
these more sophisticated technologies. Often,
homeowners will be required by state sewage
rules to hire a state-certified operator to
regularly inspect and maintain the system. In
addition, state rules also require the health
department to inspect these systems on a
periodic basis.
Your local health department can tell you
what type of system you have and what the
Soil Facts
Distributed in furtherance of the
Acts of Congress of May 8 and
June 30, 1914. North Carolina
State University and North
Carolina A&T State University
commit themselves to positive
action to secure equal
opportunity regardless of race,
color, creed, national origin,
religion, sex, age, or disability.
In addition, the two Universities
welcome all persons without
regard to sexual orientation.
North Carolina State University,
North Carolina A&T State
University, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, and local
governments cooperating.
Septic System Owner’s Guide
33 of 97
Soil Facts
legal requirements are for long-term
maintenance.
Do you know the location of your
septic system and repair area?
To properly maintain your septic
system, you should know the location
of both the septic tank (and any other
pretreatment units) and the drainfield.
Contact the local health department
for a copy of your septic system
permit and soil evaluation sheet.
These forms indicate the approximate
locations of each of the system’s
components and the size of the septic
tank. Keep these items in this Septic
System Owner’s Guide file folder.
The location of the septic tank and
drainfield can usually be determined
with a copy of the permit and with the
help of a septic contractor, consultant,
or the local health department.
Most housing sites permitted since the
early 1980s are legally required to
have a “repair area or replacement
area” in which a second drainfield
could be built if needed. This repair
area was identified by the health
department when the site was permit-
ted and should be shown on your
septic system permit. The law also
requires you to protect this area from
excavation; building a house addition,
garage or outbuilding over it; swim-
ming pool construction; and any soil
disturbance activities.
Sketch your home, septic system
(both the tank and drainfield), repair
area, and other important features
(such as your driveway) on the grid
labeled Septic System Layout. When
you have your septic tank pumped,
measure and record the distance from
the house to the access port on the
tank. This will help you find it again.
You might also wish to mark your
tank location and the drainfield
boundaries in your yard. If a riser is
not installed over the access port for
your septic tank, you may want to
have one installed. Be sure, though,
that the riser is secured with a lock or
a heavy lid to prevent children from
opening it and endangering them-
selves or others. Even properly
operating septic tanks contain poison-
ous gases and pollutants as well as
bacteria and other germs that can
cause serious diseases. NO ONE
SHOULD EVER ENTER A SEPTIC
TANK.
Things You Need to Know
About Your Septic System
„„„„„What type of septic system do
you have?
„„„„„Where is it located?
„„„„„Where is the repair area
located?
„„„„„Is the septic system working?
„„„„„Has it been maintained in the
past?
„„„„„What can you do on a day-to-
day basis to keep your system
working properly?
„„„„„What maintenance is needed
in the future?
Is your septic system working
properly?
Unfortunately, if house fixtures drain
well, few people investigate whether
their septic system works. Many
people don’t realize that untreated
sewage on top of the ground can be a
health hazard. If your system shows
signs of problems, contact your local
health department immediately.
State law requires that you get a
permit from the health department
before repairing a failing septic
system. Be wary of any contractor
who wants to attempt a repair without
a permit.
What maintenance has been
done?
Before planning a maintenance
program, find out what maintenance
has already been done. If you are
buying an existing home, ask the
seller a few important questions:
„„„„„How old is the system?
Septic System Layout

2
34 of 97
Septic System Owner’s Guide
„„„„„Where are the tank and drainfield
located (they may not be at the
same location or even on the same
lot)?
„„„„„When was the tank last pumped?
„„„„„How frequently has it been
pumped?
„„„„„How often has the “effluent filter”
in the septic tank been cleaned
(these effluent filters are required
on systems installed since 1999).
„„„„„Have there been signs of possible
failure?
„„„„„Where is a copy of the permit and
records showing how well (or
poorly) the system has been
maintained?
„„„„„Have there been additions made to
the house that would necessitate
increasing the size of the system?
„„„„„Has the system ever been repaired,
and if so, when, and by whom?
If the house has just been built, ask
the septic system contractor to
provide you an “as built” diagram that
may show details not on the permit. If
the house has a system with a pump,
ask the contractor and health depart-
ment to provide details concerning the
initial pump setup.
Proper care of your septic system
requires day-to-day management as
well as periodic maintenance and
repairs.
Day-to-Day Management
Don’t use too much water.
„„„„„The drainfield does not have
unlimited capacity.
„„„„„Typical daily water use is 50
gallons per person.
„„„„„The soil drainfield usually has a
maximum daily design capacity of
120 gallons per bedroom, even for
short periods of time.
„„„„„Overloads can occur seasonally,
daily, or on the weekend.
„„„„„Water conservation will extend the
life of your system.
„„„„„Repair dripping faucets and toilets.
Limit disposal to sewage.
„„„„„Don’t use your septic tank as a
trash can for cigarette butts,
tissues, sanitary napkins, cotton
swabs, cat box litter, coffee
grounds, or disposable diapers.
„„„„„Restrict the use of your garbage
disposal. These add quite a lot of
extra solids.
„„„„„Don’t pour grease or cooking oil
down the drain.
„„„„„Don’t poison your system with
harmful chemicals such as
solvents, oils, paints, thinners,
discarded medications,
disinfectants, pesticides, poisons,
and other substances.
„„„„„Save money. Commercial septic
tank additives are usually not
necessary.
Protect the system from physical
damage (site maintenance).
„„„„„Keep the soil over the drainfield
covered with vegetation to prevent
soil erosion.
„„„„„Don’t drive vehicles over the
system.
„„„„„Avoid construction over the
system and repair area.
„„„„„Maintain the natural shape of the
land immediately downslope of the
system, and protect this area from
excavation (cutting and filling).
„„„„„Don’t cover the tank or drainfield
with asphalt or concrete.
Dispose of all wastewater in an
approved system.
„„„„„Don’t put in a separate pipe to
carry wash waters to a side ditch
or the woods. This is illegal.
Periodic Maintenance and
Repair
Home and yard (site
maintenance):
„„„„„Protect and maintain the site of
your septic tank and drainfield.
„„„„„Cut down and remove trees that
like wet conditions. This includes
willows, elms, sweetgums, and
some maples.
„„„„„Landscape the yard to divert
surface waters away from the tank
and drainfield.
„„„„„Be sure that the water from the
roof, gutters, and foundation drains
does not flow over the system.
„„„„„If your system is at the base of a
slope, then consider installing a
french drain to divert underground
waters.
„„„„„Maintain drainage ditches,
subsurface tiles, and drainage
outlets so that water can flow freely
from them.
Septic tank:
„„„„„Install risers over the tank if it is
buried 6 inches or deeper. They
provide easy access for measuring
and pumping solids as well as
cleaning the effluent filter.
„„„„„Measure how quickly sludge and
scum accumulate in the tank. Have
your professional pumper record
this information.
„„„„„Have solids pumped out of the tank
as needed. Most septic tanks have
two compartments; get both
pumped.
„„„„„Cooperative Extension Service
publication AG-439-13, Septic
Systems and Their Maintenance,
contains more information on
pumping frequency.
„„„„„Don’t wait until your drainfield
fails to have your tank pumped. By
then, the drainfield may be ruined.
With septic systems, an ounce of
prevention is worth a ton of cure!
Regulations and precautions:
„„„„„Hire a state-certified subsurface
system operator for any system
with a pump. One will be required
by law for low pressure pipe (LPP)
systems installed or repaired after
July 1, 1992, any subsurface drip
irrigation systems, aerobic
treatment units (ATUs), peat
biofolters, sand biofilters, textile
3
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Soil Facts
biofilters, and other complex
systems.
„„„„„A list of state-certified subsurface
system operators can be obtained
from the N.C. Water Pollution
Control System Certification
Commission at [phone].
„„„„„Be sure the pump and electrical
components continue working
properly between scheduled
maintenance visits.
„„„„„Sewage contains germs that can
cause diseases. Never enter a
septic tank. Toxic and explosive
gases in the tank present a hazard.
Old tanks may collapse. Electrical
controls present a shock and spark
hazard. Secure the septic tank lid
so that children cannot open it.
„„„„„Don’t attempt to repair a failing
system yourself. Get a repair
permit and hire an experienced
contractor.
For more information about septic
systems, contact your county Exten-
sion agent or local health department.
Prepared by
Michael T. Hoover, Extension Soil
Science Specialist, Department of Soil
Science, North Carolina State University
Appreciation is extended to Tom
Konsler (Orange County Health
Department), Deanna Osmond, Mitch
Woodward, and Grace Lawrence (North
Carolina Cooperative Extension) for
peer review of the document and to
Janet Young for graphic design, layout,
and editing.
Signs of Possible Septic System Problems
„„„„„Sewage backing up into your toilets, tubs, or sinks.
„„„„„Slowly draining fixtures, particularly after it has rained.
„„„„„The smell of raw sewage accompanied by soggy soil or sewage
discharged over the ground or in nearby ditches or woods.
„„„„„Note: pump systems sewage may come to the ground surface
when the pump is turned on and then disappear after the pump
turns off. This is still a system failure and must be repaired.
„„„„„An alarm flashing (red light) or beeping in the house or in the yard
indicating a pump is not working properly or that the water level in
a pump tank is too high and close to failure.
„„„„„An increase in infections or illnesses associated with swimming in
lakes or rivers next to the system.
Preventative Maintenance Record
Date Work Done Firm Cost

Your Septic System Pumper
Name
Address
Phone
Your Septic System Installer
Name
Address
Phone
Date System Installed
© 2004 North Carolina State University
Published by
NORTH CAROLINA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
03/04–20M–BS (Revised March 2004) AG-439-22
E04-43963
20,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $ or $ each.
36 of 97
Is your well protected from your septic system?
One of the easiest ways to protect well water from pollution is to check your septic system. Sep-
tic systems can pollute wells when they are placed too close to the well, are not properly main-
tained, or have not been properly installed. The major contaminants from septic systems that
enter wells are disease-causing germs. These invisible germs — such as bacteria and viruses —
can cause many human diseases. Another potential contaminant that can come from septic sys-
tems is nitrogen in the form of nitrate-nitrogen. If the nitrate level of your well water is too high,
the water can be hazardous to infants in their first six months of life.
How can we help?
We have prepared this publication to help you focus on potential problems with your drinking
water that may be caused by an improperly placed, constructed, or maintained septic system.
Read the publication before you begin answering the questions in this publication. Gather any
records you have about your septic system: the type of system you have, the location of the sep-
tic tank and the drainfield, and the location and type of well on your property. If you do not have
records, contact your local health department for a copy of your septic system permit and soil
evaluation sheet. Walk around the area near your septic system and look at it closely. Also look
at the area around your well.
Each of the following sections deals with different topics. Next to each topic is a question for
you to answer. Your answers will help you to see where you have potential problems.
If you answer a question either a or b, you have few problems with your septic
system.
If you answer a question either c or d, there may be potential problems with the
condition of your septic system.
If you answer a question either c or d, you will want to consider making changes to your sep-
tic system in order to protect your drinking water.
If you would like further help in assessing the condition of your septic system, please visit your
nearest Cooperative Extension Service Center and talk with your Extension agent.
Improving Septic Systems
Environmental Stewardship for Farmers — #4
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences . NC State University
School of Agriculture and Environmental and Allied Sciences .
NC A&T State University
Employment and program
opportunities are offered to all people
regardless of race, color, national
origin, gender, age, or disability. North
Carolina State University, North
Carolina A&T State University, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, and local
governments cooperating.
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2
How safe is your drinking water?
If you drink water from a well or spring, the water comes from the
ground. Most groundwater in North Carolina is safe to drink. If pollu-
tion gets into groundwater, your well or spring water may not be safe.
Many things we all do at our homes and farms can pollute the ground-
water.
If groundwater becomes polluted, it is nearly impossible to clean up.
Then, the only ways to get safe drinking water are to treat the existing
water, drill a new well, or get water from another source. All of these
options are expensive and inconvenient.
The North Carolina Farm*A*Syst program has a series of publica-
tions that can help you keep your drinking water safe. These publica-
tions will lead you through an evaluation of your farmstead to
determine if your water is in danger of becoming or is already pol-
luted with harmful substances from your farmstead area. If there is a
problem or a potential problem, the Farm*A*Syst publications have
information about how to solve the problems. The publications also
list the North Carolina state agencies that can help you solve your
drinking water problem.
The goal of the North Carolina Farm*A*Syst program is to
help you protect the groundwater that North Carolina residents
depend on for drinking water.
What is a septic system?
A septic system is an efficient, inexpensive, convenient, and safe
method for treating and disposing of household wastewater if the
system is properly installed and maintained. A septic system consists
of three main parts:
1. The septic tank collects and stores the solids that come from the
house.
2. The drainfield is made from pipe and gravel that are installed as
trenches in the soil. The drainfield delivers wastewater to the soil.
3. The soil beneath the drainfield purifies the wastewater before it
flows to the underlying groundwater.
Wastewater flows from the house into the septic tank. The solids sink
to the bottom of the tank, the grease floats to the top, and the liquid
portion of the wastewater flows out into the drainfield. The drainfield
distributes the wastewater and allows it to slowly move into the soil.
As it moves through the soil, the wastewater is purified by organisms
that live in the soil.
State law requires that soils be evaluated by the local health
department and that an improvement permit and an authorization to
construct an on-site wastewater system (construction authorization) be
issued before house construction begins or the septic system is in-
stalled. The purpose of this evaluation is to ensure that the soil can
both absorb and treat the wastewater from your home. Septic system
North Carolina Farm*A*Syst
Publications
Protecting Water Supply, #1
Improving Fuel Storage, #2
Improving Storage and
Handling of Hazardous Waste,
#3
Improving Septic Systems, #4
Improving Storage and
Handling of Pesticides, #5
Improving Storage and
Handling of Fertilizer, #6
Improving Storage, Handling,
and Disposal of Livestock
Waste, #7
Grazing Livestock and Water
Quality, #8
Stream Management in the
Piedmont and Mountains, #9
Agriculture and Natural
Resource Protection, #10
Protecting Your Wetlands, #11
Wildlife on Your Farm, #12
Christmas Tree Production
Best Management Practices to
Protect Water Quality and the
Environment, #13
Managing Pests, #14
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3
Septic system
1. Circle the answer that best
describes the age of your septic
system.
a.Your septic system was installed
after 1992.
b.Your septic system was installed
between 1982 and 1992.
c.Your septic system was installed
between 1977 and 1982.
d.Your septic system was installed
before 1977; OR do not know.
installation must be approved by the local health department before
electrical service can be permanently connected to the home, the
home occupied, and the septic system put into use.
1. How old is your septic system?
North Carolina rules regarding the placement and design of septic
systems are being improved over time. Major changes to the state
rules occurred in 1977, 1982, and 1992. Current rules require a
comprehensive evaluation of the soil before a septic system can be
approved for that location. State rules also require homeowners to
employ a trained and certified subsurface system operator for cer-
tain types of septic systems installed or repaired after 1992. These
operators ensure that the system is operating well. The changes in
the rules have improved the chances that your septic system will
work better.
If you do not know the age and type of your septic system, this in-
formation may be available from your local health department.
2. What is the depth between your drainfield and
the groundwater table?
Wastewater moves from the septic tank into the drainfield and then
slowly into the soil. The drainfield trenches are normally installed 2-
3 feet deep. The wastewater is purified as it moves down through
the soil and into the groundwater.
North Carolina septic rules require that the groundwater table or soil
wetness conditions be at least 12 to 18 inches deeper than the
drainfield trenches. Soil above the groundwater table is considered
to be aerobic. Aerobic means that the soil has some air in it and is
not totally saturated (or filled with water). This aerobic soil is where
most of the germs from the sewage are removed.
Call your local health department or United States Department of
Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service for information
about the soils on your lot.
Soil surface
Soil beneath
the drainfield
Septic tank Drainfield
General Conditions Of Your Septic System
2. Circle the answer that best
describes the relationship be-
tween the location of your septic
system and the groundwater.
a.The groundwater always remains at
least 4 feet below the surface.
b.The groundwater normally remains
more than 4 feet below the surface
except for very short periods of time
(less than a week) during wet times
of the year.
c.The groundwater normally remains
more than 2 feet below the surface
except for very short periods of time
(less than a week) during wet times
of the year.
d.The groundwater periodically rises
to within 2 feet of the surface; OR do
not know.
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4
3. Where are your septic system and well located?
Once the purified wastewater drains through the soil, it becomes
part of the groundwater. The best way to protect your drinking wa-
ter from your septic system is to separate the two. North Carolina
law requires that septic systems be placed at least 100 feet away
from a well or other water source.
4. What type of soil is your septic system installed
in?
The type of soil in which your septic system is located is important
for protecting the groundwater from pollution. Gently sloping, deep
soils that aren't too clayey or too sandy with a deep groundwater
table make the best sites. If the soil is too sandy, wastewater flows
through the soil into the groundwater too fast and is not purified.
On the other hand, if the soil is too clayey, wastewater flows too
slowly, causing untreated sewage to collect on top of the ground.
Avoid areas that have rock close to the surface, very sticky clays, or
3. Circle the answer that best
describes the relationship between
the location of your well and your
septic system.
a.Your septic system is downhill from
your well or other water source and is
more than 100 feet away from it.
b.Your septic system is uphill from your
well or other water source and is
more than 100 feet away from it.
c.Your septic system is 50 to 100 feet
away from your well or other water
source.
d.Your septic system is less than 50
feet away from the well or other water
source; OR do not know.
4. Circle the answer that best
describes the type of soil and
conditions in which your septic
system drainfield is buried.
a.Your septic system is installed in
deep, well-drained soil (not too
clayey, not too sandy) to allow full
absorption and treatment of waste-
water or you have a low-pressure
pipe system installed in sandy soil or
a pretreatment system installed in
any soil.
b.Your septic system drainfield is
installed in deep red, clayey soil that
drains reasonably well. If your soil is
clayey, a handful of it easily breaks
into small pieces when moist.
c.Your septic system drainfield is
installed in sandy soil with a shallow
groundwater and does not have a
low pressure or pretreatment sys-
tem.
d.Your septic system drainfield is
installed in thin soil with hard rock,
very sticky clay soils, or soil layers
that restrict downward flow of water
and the system does not include a
pretreatment system, such as a
sand filter; OR do not know.
For all
other
soils
For
sandy
soils
18 inches
minimum 12 inches
minimum
Drainfield Trenches
Required distance between bottom of drainfield
and groundwater table
Safe separation distance between
septic system and well
At least 100 feet
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5
soil layers that restrict the downward flow. Any of these conditions
can keep water from flowing through the soil and cause untreated
sewage to collect on the ground surface, where it can flow over to
your water source.
The soil should be uniform, yellow, yellowish-red, or bright red in
color, and it should not have spots of gray. Gray spots indicate that
the soil may be too wet to contain enough air (anaerobic conditions)
during the winter and spring.
5. Are trees and shrubs planted near your septic
system?
Trees or shrubs located closer than 100 feet to septic systems may
cause problems. Roots from plants sometimes enter the septic tank
drainfield, the tank, or the pipes, preventing the proper working of
the septic system. Failing septic systems increase the likelihood of
groundwater or surface water pollution.
6. Does runoff drain away from your septic
system?
To reduce water that flows through the soil where the drainfield is
buried, keep the water that runs off your foundation drains, gutters,
driveway, and other paved areas away from the drainfield of your
septic system. Careful landscaping can help direct excess surface
water away from your septic system.
Trees should not be located
too close to septic system
5. Circle the answer that best
describes the location between
your trees and your septic sys-
tem.
a.No trees are within 100 feet of your
septic drainfield. You’ve never had
a problem with roots in the drain-
field, pipes, or tank.
b.No trees are within 50 feet of your
drainfield.
c.The only trees within 50 feet of your
septic drainfield are trees that grow
poorly under wet conditions (most
oaks, dogwoods).
d.Trees or shrubs within 50 feet of
your drainfield that grow well under
wet conditions (willows, willow
oaks, some maples) or you’ve re-
moved roots from drainfield lines at
least once and make no effort to
prevent root regrowth; OR do not
know.
6. Circle the answer that best
describes how surface water flows
in your yard.
a.You have landscaped the yard to
divert rain water and water from your
roof, gutters, and foundation drains
away from the septic
system.
b.You have landscaped the yard to
divert rain water away from your sep-
tic system. You’re not sure where the
roof, gutters, and foundation waters
drain.
c.You have landscaped the yard to
divert rain water away from your sep-
tic system. Your roof, gutters, and
foundation drain across your septic
system.
d.Water from the roof, gutters, founda-
tion, driveway, and yard drains over
your septic system; OR do not know.
Runoff draining away from the septic system
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6
7. How much water do you use?
As with city sewers, there are limits to the amount of water
septic systems can treat. However, if you have a city sewer and use
too much water, a problem occurs far away at the city
sewage treatment plant. If you have a septic system and use too
much water, your wastewater may backup into your yard or house,
since your septic system serves as your sewage treatment plant.
The soil drainfield can support no more than 120 gallons per bed-
room per day. Most people use about 50 gallons per day of water.
When the amount of water entering the septic system nears design
capacity, your septic system may fail.
Problems caused by using too much water can occur throughout the
year, seasonally, or from time to time. For example, the soil beneath
your drainfield cannot absorb as much water in the spring, when the
soil is naturally more moist, as it can absorb in the summer when the
soil is drier. If you wash all your laundry in one day, you may have a
temporary problem caused by overloading the soil.
Reduce your water use by doing the following:
Use 1.6 gallon (or less) per flush toilets.
Periodically check the toilets and faucets to make sure that they
are not leaking; fix immediately if they are leaking.
Use faucet aerators at sinks and flow reducer nozzles at showers.
Limit the length of your shower to 10 minutes or less.
Do not fill the bathtub with more than 6 inches of water.
Do not wash more than 1 - 2 loads of laundry per day.
Do not use the dishwasher until it is full.
8. Do you use a garbage disposal?
To reduce the possibility of septic system failure, restrict the use of
the garbage disposal unit. Garbage disposals usually double the
amount of solids added to your septic tank.
7. Circle the answer that best
describes the total amount of
water you use in your house per
day.
*Note: even if you have a well, you can
have a water meter installed to mea-
sure your family’s water use, or you
may contact your local Cooperative
Extension Service Center to get help
estimating your family’s water use.
a.You use less than 35 gallons per
person per day.
b.You use between 35 and 50 gallons
per person per day.
c.You use between 50 and 60 gallons
per person per day.
d.You use more than 60 gallons per
person per day, you have an in-home
day care center or you take in wash
for others, or your toilets or faucets
have water leaks; OR do not know.
Maintenance of Your Septic System
Home water use
Excessive
Water Use
8. Circle the answer that best
describes your garbage disposal.
a.No garbage disposal.
b.Have a garbage disposal but also
have a separate tank that treats
garbage disposal waste before it
goes to the septic tank.
c.Limited use of garbage disposal
(3 times per week) but no separate
tank.
d.Daily use of garbage disposal and
no separate tank; OR do not know.
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9. Do you pour grease or oil down your sink?
Do not pour grease or cooking oils down the sink drain. Grease
can harden in the drainfield and clog the soil so that no water can
flow through the soil. If this happens you will need to install a new
drainfield.
10. Do you use cleaning products?
Use moderate amounts of cleaning products and do not pour sol-
vents or other poisons. Don't dispose of extra cleaning products by
pouring them down the drain. Do not use toilet cleaners that are
placed in the toilet tank. Such chemicals can kill the good bacteria
in your septic tank and in the soil beneath your drainfield.
11. Do you dispose of solid waste materials?
Do not put items down the drain that may clog the septic tank or
other parts of the system. These items include cigarette butts, sani-
tary napkins, tampons, condoms, disposable diapers, paper towels,
egg shells, and coffee grounds. Do not use your toilet for disposal
of facial tissues. This adds extra solids and water to the septic sys-
tem.
9. Circle the answer that best
describes how you dispose of your
grease and oil.
a.No disposal of grease and oil down
the drain, and oil and grease wiped
from cooking items with a paper towel
before washing.
b.Limited rinsing of grease and oil while
cleaning cooking items
during special occasions (holidays, or
when entertaining).
c.Routine rinsing of grease and oil
down the drain when cleaning cook-
ing items.
d.Routine disposal of grease and oil
down the drain from cooking pans,
fryers, etc.; OR do not know.
DO NOT FLUSH
hazardous chemicals, such as:
paints
varnishes
thinners
waste oils
photographic solutions
pesticides
10. Circle the answer that best
describes your use of household
cleaning products and how you
dispose of solvents and poisons.
a.Minimal use of household chemicals
(only 2 cups per week). No disposal of
harmful chemicals such as solvents,
paints, thinners, disinfectants, pesti-
cides, poisons, and other substances
that can kill the bacteria in the tank
and soil.
b.Careful use of household chemicals
only when needed to unclog pipes,
clean fixtures, etc.
c.Daily use of household chemicals,
such as degreasers, pipe decloggers
or toilet bowl sanitizers.
d.Excessive amounts of cleaning agents
poured down the drain or periodic
disposal of solvents and other sub-
stances such as paints, paint thinners,
poisons that can kill the bacteria in the
tank and soil or pollute the groundwa-
ter; OR do not know.
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8
11. Circle the answer that best describes
how you dispose of solid products.
a.You never use your septic system as a
trash can for any solid products such as
cigarette butts, tissues, sanitary napkins,
tampons, condoms, cotton swabs, cat litter,
coffee grounds, or disposable diapers.
b.You occasionally (once or twice yearly) use
your septic system as a trash can for ciga-
rette butts, tissues, sanitary napkins, tam-
pons, condoms, cotton swabs, cat litter,
coffee grounds, or disposable diapers.
c.You use your septic system every month as
a trash can for cigarette butts, tissues,
sanitary napkins, tampons, condoms, cot-
ton swabs, cat litter, coffee grounds, or
disposable diapers.
d.You use your septic system every week as
a trash can for cigarette butts, tissues,
sanitary napkins, tampons, condoms, cot-
ton swabs, cat litter, coffee grounds, or
disposable diapers; OR do not know.12. Does all your wastewater drain
into your septic system?
Make sure that all wastewater produced in the house is
directed into the septic system. This includes not only the
wastewater from the kitchen sink and the toilets, but also
wastewater from tubs, showers, and laundry facilities.
13. Have you protected your septic system
from physical damage?
To protect your septic system from physical damage:
Keep the soil over the drainfield covered with grass to pre-
vent soil erosion.
Be careful not to mow the lateral turn-ups if you have a
special type of septic system called a “low-pressure pipe
system.”
Don’t drive over the system.
Maintain the natural shape of the land immediately
downslope of the system. Protect this area from cutting and
filling.
Do not build over the drainfield area.
14. Have you built over your drainfield?
Do not cover the tank or drainfield with asphalt or concrete.
Do not build any additions to your house over the drainfield
without first checking with your local health department. For
proper function and maintenance, your entire septic system
must be accessible. Use a property layout sketch to help you
place new facilities on your property away from the septic
system.
12. Circle the answer that best describes
how you dispose of wastewater.
a.All of your wastewater is disposed of in
an approved septic system.
b.All of your wastewater is disposed of in
a septic system that was installed before
state regulations went into effect but
seems to be working okay.
c.Some of your wastewater, such as wash
water or kitchen wastewater, goes to a
separate pipe that discharges into a ditch
or dry well or in the woods.
d.All of your wastewater goes to a pipe that
discharges into a ditch or dry well or in the
woods; OR do not know.
13. Circle the answer that best describes
vehicular traffic over the septic system.
a.No vehicles or farm equipment are ever
driven over your septic tank or drainfield,
except lawnmowers.
b.You have carefully (once or twice) driven a
car over your drainfield, but don’t cross it
with heavy farm equipment and have never
driven over the tank or pipe network.
c.You have periodically driven vehicles over
your drainfield, but don’t ever cross it with
heavy farm equipment.
d.You have driven over your septic tank or
pipe network with vehicles or over any part
of the system with heavy farm equipment,
trucks, etc.; OR do not know.
DO NOT FLUSH
coffee grounds
dental floss
disposable diapers
kitty litter
sanitary napkins
tampons
cigarette butts
condoms
paper towels
facial tissues
44 of 97
9
15. What safety precautions do you take
around your septic system?
Some simple precautions should be taken to ensure the
safety of you and your family around the septic system.
Sewage in septic systems may contain germs that can
cause disease. To prevent the spread of diseases, you
should wash up after checking your septic system. If
untreated sewage comes to the ground surface, you
should contact your local health department to get a per-
mit to repair your system.
Be sure to avoid spark and shock hazards on systems
with pumps or electrical controls, because sometimes
there are toxic or explosive gases in septic systems that
can be ignited.
The septic tank lid should be tight at all times to pre-
vent children from opening the lid.
16. Has your septic tank been cleaned
recently?
After a few years, the solids that collect in your septic tank
should be pumped out and disposed of at an approved loca-
tion. If not removed, these solids will eventually block the
soil in your system. The sewage will either back up into
your house or flow across the ground surface over the
drainfield. If this happens, it is too late to pump your tank
and you will have to build a new drainfield on a different
part of your lot.
How often your septic tank needs to be pumped depends on
three things:
The size of your tank
The amount of wastewater you use
The solids content of your wastewater
Property layout sketch of the septic system
14. Circle the answer that best describes
the placement of additions onto your
house.
a.No additions to your home or construction
of outbuildings, swimming pools, or drive-
ways have been made since your septic
system was installed.
b.Additions to your home or construction of
outbuildings, swimming pools, or driveways
have been preceded by contacting your
local health department.
c.You have not contacted your local health
department, but have a copy of your septic
system permit and are sure that additions
to your home or construction of outbuild-
ings, swimming pools, or driveways have
been located away from the septic system
and repair area.
d.An addition to your home, a swimming
pool, or driveway have been built over the
septic system or repair area; OR do not
know.
15. Circle the answer that best describes
your work habits around the septic
system.
a.You wash up after checking your system.
You never enter your septic tank. You
secure the septic tank lid so that children
can not open it. You use caution to avoid
shock and spark hazards on systems with
pumps or electrical controls.
b.Not applicable
c.Not applicable
d.You don’t wash up after checking your
system. You enter your septic tank. You
don’t secure the septic tank lid so that
children can not open it. You are not cau-
tious with the electrical parts of your septic
system; OR do not know.
WARNING
Use great caution when
inspecting or even looking into a
septic tank. Toxic gases that can
kill in minutes are produced in
septic tanks. Septic tanks should
never be inspected alone.
45 of 97
10
Your local health department should be able to tell you the size of
your tank. Then, using the table below, determine how often your
tank should be pumped. For example, if there are 4 people living in
your house and your septic tank can hold 1,000 gallons, the tank
should be inspected and pumped at least every three years.
17. Do you have easy access to your septic
system?
It is important to know the loca-
tion of your septic system. It
is also important to be able to
check your septic system. Easy
access to your septic system
through an access riser allows it
to be inspected and cleaned.
The following diagram illus-
trates an access riser.
18. Have you hired a certified septic system
operator?
Hire a certified operator when you have a system that uses a pump
including the following:
Low-pressure pipe system
Pump-to-conventional system
Pressure manifold system
Mechanical aerobic treatment unit (ATU)
Drip irrigation system
This operator will check the overall performance of your system
and the operation of the pump, electrical controls, and alarm on a
regular basis. Hiring a certified operator will cost some money, but
can provide you with professional care for your septic system.
You are required by state law to hire a certified subsurface
system operator if you have a low-pressure pipe system that
was installed or repaired after July 1, 1992, or if you have an
aerobic treatment unit (ATU).
17. Circle the answer that best describes
your access to your septic tank.
a.You have a concrete riser or manhole
over your septic tank that provides easy
access to the tank.
b.You do not have a concrete riser, but
the location of your tank is marked and
the tank is less than six inches deep.
c.You do not have a concrete riser, but
the location of your tank is marked. The
top of your tank is more than six inches
deep.
d.You do not know where your tank is
located; OR do not know.
16. Circle the answer that best describes
how often your septic tank is cleaned.
a.You have your septic tank inspected and
pumped as scheduled in the table at left.
b.You have septic tank scum and sludge
levels checked each year and your septic
tank pumped out as needed.
c.You have scum and sludge levels
checked and your tank pumped out
about once every 5-10 years.
d.It has been more than 5-10 years since
you’ve had your septic tank checked and
pumped out or you’ve never pumped out
your septic tank, or you don’t know if it
has ever been pumped out; OR do not
know.
Access riser installed
on septic tank
Access
Time Table for Inspecting and Pumping Your Septic Tank
(in years)
Number of People Using the System
Tank Size
(gallons)12468
Number of Years
900 11 5 2 1 <1
1,000 12 6 3 2 1
1,250 16 8 3 2 1
1,500 19 9 4 3 2
Source: Adapted from “Estimated Septic Tank Pumping Frequency,” by Karen
Mancl. 1984. Journal of Environmental Engineering. Volume 110.
18. Circle the answer that best describes
how you use a certified subsurface
system operator if you have one of
these four special types of septic sys-
tems: a pump-to-conventional, pres-
sure manifold, low-pressure pipe
system, or ATU system.
a.You have hired a certified subsurface
system operator if you have a pump-to-
conventional, pressure manifold, or low-
pressure pipe system.
b.Not Applicable
c.Not Applicable
d.You have not hired a certified subsurface
system operator to help operate and
maintain your pump-to-conventional,
pressure manifold, low-pressure pipe
system, or ATU system; OR do not know.
46 of 97
11
19. Have you talked to a certified septic system
operator?
Hiring a certified operator to inspect your pump system is im-
portant. It is also important to talk to your certified operator to
find out what you should do to maintain your septic system
between visits.
20. Are your drainage ditches maintained?
For septic systems that use ditches or subsurface drain tiles to
drain excess water from the soil, it is important that the outlets
from these ditches be cleaned. If the outlet becomes plugged
up, water can no longer drain from the soil into the ditch. The
soil will stay too wet for the drainfield to work properly and
your septic system may fail.
For more information:
You must receive a permit from your local health
department before installing or repairing any septic sys-
tem.
Your county health department can be a valuable source of
information on the following topics:
Site selection and construction of septic systems
Septic system inspection and maintenance
List of registered septic system installers
Construction records for existing septic systems
Information on systems that legally require a certified
subsurface system operator
Related publications available from the
Cooperative Extension Service:
About Septic Systems: What You Need to Know
Septic System Owner’s Guide, AG-439-22
Soil Facts: Septic Systems and Their Maintenance,
AG-439-13
Soil Facts: Investigate Before You Invest, AG-439-12
Soil Facts: Management of Single Family and Small Com-
munity Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems, AG-
439-11
The publications listed above are available at your county Cooperative
Extension Service Center. You may also order these publications from
Communication Services, Campus Box 7603, North Carolina State Uni-
versity, Raleigh, NC 27695-7603.
19. Circle the answer that best describes
how you obtain information from your
certified operator about your septic
system if you have a pump system.
a.You find out from your operator what you
should be doing between visits to help the
system work properly.
b.You do not discuss your system with your
certified operator but do let him/her know
immediately if the alarm is activated.
c.You turn off the alarm when it is activated,
hope the problem goes away until the
next scheduled visit by your certified op-
erator.
d.You have a pump system, but have not
hired a certified operator to help you man-
age the system; OR do not know.
20. If you use drainage ditches, circle the
answer that best describes how you
maintain your drainage ditches.
a.Your drainage ditches and outlets are
maintained on your property and on sur-
rounding properties.
b.Your drainage ditches are well maintained
on your property but not on surrounding
properties.
c.Your drainage ditch still exists but is be-
ginning to become filled with soil or with
trees, or brush growing in it or your drain-
age outlet is partially covered by water,
soil, or debris.
d.The outlet of your drainage ditch is
blocked or your drainage ditches have
filled in and water is not flowing freely
through them; OR do not know.
WARNING
NEVER enter a septic tank.
The following publication is available from the
North Carolina Department of Environment, Health
and Natural Resources, Department of Environ-
mental Health (919/733-5083):
On-Site Wastewater Management Guidance
Manual, 1996.
47 of 97
Published by
NORTH CAROLINA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
7/00—AG-566-4
WQWM-168
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences . NC State University
School of Agriculture and Environmental and Allied Sciences .
NC A&T State University
Prepared by
Deanna L. Osmond
Water Quality Extension Specialist
Michael T. Hoover
Extension Soil Science Specialist
Wilma S. Hammet
Extension Home Furnishing Specialist
Janet Young
Layout and Design Specialist
The concept for these materials was adapted from materials produced by the
National Farm*A*Syst Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI.
North Carolina’s Farm*A*Syst and Home*A*Syst Program is coordinated by Deanna L.
Osmond, North Carolina State University. Technical editing was provided by Judith A.
Gale, and copy editing by Cathy Akroyd. Michael J. Vepraskas, Aziz Amoozegar, and Stanley
W. Buol were the technical reviewers at North Carolina State University. Technical review
was also provided by the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural
Resources. Technical review was also provided by the following people within the North
Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources: Debra Owen, Envi-
ronmental Services Branch, Environmental Biologist; Dennis Ramsey, Assistant Chief of
Operations Branch; and Steven J. Steinbeck, Head, On-Site Wastewater Services Branch,
On-Site Wastewater Section, Division of Environmental Health.
This project has been funded with Section 319 grant monies from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency through the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources,
Division of Water Quality.
48 of 97
Is My Septic System Failing?
How do you know if your septic system is failing? First, answer the following questions:
1. Do your drains empty slowly for reasons other than old, clogged pipes?
2. Does sewage back up into your house?
3. Have you noticed a wet, smelly spot in your yard?
4. Is your septic tank piped to a ditch or stream?
5. Is your washing machine or sink piped to a road or stream?
6. When it rains or the ground is wet, do you experience problems with your drains?
7. When you do laundry, does a wet spot appear in your yard?
8. Do you frequently have to pump your septic tank (more than once a year)?
9. Is the grass over or around your septic tank greener than the rest of your lawn?
10. Is the area around your septic tank or drainfi eld wet or spongy even when it has not rained for
a week or more?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, your septic system has failed or is near fail-
ing. This means that it is not treating and disposing of sewage in a safe, environmentally sound
fashion. You may also be able to tell your system is in trouble if noxious bacteria (fecal coliform)
or large amounts of nutrients (particularly ammonia) are found in both nearby wells and surface
water.
SoilFacts
Distributed in furtherance of the
Acts of Congress of May 8 and
June 30, 1914. North Carolina
State University and North
Carolina A&T State University
commit themselves to positive
action to secure equal
opportunity regardless of race,
color, creed, national origin,
religion, sex, age, or disability.
In addition, the two Universities
welcome all persons without
regard to sexual orientation.
North Carolina State University,
North Carolina A&T State
University, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, and local
governments cooperating.
Why Do Septic Systems Fail?
A properly designed, constructed, and maintained septic system should treat
and disperse wastewater effectively for many years. Unfortunately, septic
systems sometimes fail.
Figure 1. Wastewater treatment and dispersal in the environment (not to scale).
Source
Well Tank Drainfield
Treatment and
dispersal in soil
Groundwater
100 feet 12 to 18 inches
of vertical separation
49 of 97
SoilFacts
2
What Is a Septic System?
A septic system consists of four basic
components: the source (home), the
septic tank, the drainfi eld or leach
fi eld, and the soil beneath the drain-
fi eld (Hoover, 2004; Figure 1). Sev-
eral different septic system designs
are used in North Carolina. The type
of system used is based on the lot’s
soil and site conditions; however, the
conventional system (as illustrated in
Figure 1) is the most commonly used
in the state.
Excessive Water Use
A common reason for septic system
failure is overloading the system with
more water than it can absorb. A sep-
tic system is designed for a specifi c
wastewater fl ow rate based on the
number of bedrooms (120 gallons per
bedroom per day) in the house served
by the system. When this fl ow rate
is exceeded, the excess water backs
up into the house or surfaces in the
yard. This problem is often the result
of a leaky fi xture: either a toilet that
has a slow leak or a dripping faucet.
A change in water use, such as more
people in the house or the addition
of a water-using appliance, such as a
dishwasher or washing machine, may
add additional water to your septic
system. Further problems can arise if
a sump pump, icemaker, or dehumidi-
fi er drains into the septic tank. Each
of these devices can add excess water
and should not be connected into your
septic system.
Along with excess water from inside
the house, drainage or runoff water
outside also may overload the sep-
tic system. In particular, water from
roofs, roads, or paved areas may be
diverted onto the system drainfi eld.
This surface water will saturate the
soil to the point that it can no longer
absorb additional water. The result
is sewage backing up into the house
or on top of the ground. Finally, if
the groundwater or surface water is
allowed to enter the septic tank, it,
too, can overload the system. For this
reason, septic tanks are designed to be
watertight, and surface water should
be diverted from the access covers of
the septic tank.
Poor Maintenance or
None at All
As with all major appliances, septic
systems require routine maintenance.
The N.C. Cooperative Extension
publications Septic Systems and Their
Maintenance, AG-439-13, and Septic
System Owner’s Guide, AG-439-22,
describe the proper maintenance of a
septic system. The main purpose of
the septic tank is to stop solids from
entering into the drainfi eld. If solids
do reach the drainfi eld, they will clog
the small spaces or pores in the gravel
and soil below, resulting in sewage
backing up into the house or surfacing
in the yard. The lack of septic tank
maintenance is a key cause of prema-
ture septic system failure. You should
have your tank pumped every 3 to
5 years depending on use (see Sep-
tic Systems and Their Maintenance
(AG-439-13) for specifi c guidance on
pumping frequency). Also, you should
have the septic tank pumper inspect
the sanitary tee outlet or effl uent fi lter
to ensure proper function. Houses
with septic systems should not have
a garbage disposal. But if your home
has a garbage disposal or grinder
pump, the tank should be pumped
more frequently. Additives, whether
biological or chemical, have not been
shown to have any benefi cial effect
on the solids in the tanks or system in
general. For this reason, they are not
recommended.
If your system received its permit
from your county health department
after January 1, 1999, it must have
an effl uent fi lter. These fi lters are
designed to prevent fi ner solids from
reaching the drainfi eld. The fi lters
require some additional maintenance.
As the fi lters clog with solids, your
drains may work more slowly. When
this occurs, a septic tank pumper or
the homeowner can clean the fi lter
with a garden hose, making sure the
waste on the fi lter is washed off into
the inlet side of the tank, and replace
the fi lter in the tank. If the fi lter is
clogged, it is often a sign that the tank
needs to be pumped.
Poor Design and Installation
An improperly designed septic system
is a failure waiting to happen. It is
critical that the system be designed
with adequate space and has suitable
soil. The space requirements are
determined by the amount of sewage
fl owing into the system and by the
soil and site conditions of the drain-
fi eld. In designing a septic system, it
is assumed that there are two people
per bedroom in a house and that each
resident produces about 60 gallons of
wastewater a day. Therefore, a septic
system is designed to handle a fl ow
rate of 120 gallons per day per bed-
room (two people per bedroom x 60
gallons per person per day). For non-
residential property, the fl ow rate is
determined by the proposed use. Soil
and site conditions dictate the amount
of sewage that can be safely applied
to the soil. In general, sandy soils can
accept more wastewater than clayey
soils, which results in smaller drain-
fi elds for sandier soils. Finally, the
location of a seasonal high water table
or a restrictive layer (such as hard pan
or rock) determines the depth below
the soil surface that the bottom of the
drainfi eld trenches can be placed.
The soil is the most important part of
the septic system in treating and ulti-
mately dispersing the treated sewage.
If the soil beneath the drainfi eld is too
wet, the sewage may not be adequate-
ly treated before it reaches ground-
water. Furthermore, if a restrictive
layer is too close to the trench bottom,
the soil may not be able to absorb all
of the sewage, thus forcing it to the
surface or back up into the house. In
North Carolina, there must be 12 to 18
inches of unsaturated soil beneath the
drainfi eld trench bottom. This distance
is referred to as the vertical separa-
tion distance. Environmental health
specialists employed by the county or
district health departments are trained
to evaluate the soil and site to ensure
that it is suitable for sewage treatment
50 of 97
Why do Septic Systems Fail?
and dispersal. Additional information
can be obtained in the N.C. Coopera-
tive Extension publication Investigate
before You Invest (AG-439-12).
Even when a system is designed prop-
erly given the fl ow rate and soil and
site conditions, problems can result
from the construction and installa-
tion of the system. When systems are
installed in soil that is too wet, the
soil is signifi cantly compacted and
the soil pore space is smeared in ex-
cavated areas. In extreme cases this
can seal the soil in the trenches, not
allowing any wastewater to fl ow into
the underlying soil for treatment and
dispersal. With the reduced capacity
for wastewater to fl ow into the soil, it
is likely that the wastewater will back
up into the house or emerge on top of
the ground.
Septic systems must be installed ac-
cording to the design. This includes
checking the elevation of each com-
ponent. If the trench bottoms, drain
lines, or distribution box are not level,
wastewater may not fl ow properly or
be distributed evenly across the drain-
fi eld. Step-downs or other devices
used on sloping sites must be properly
installed, or one trench may be over-
loaded with wastewater. Interceptor
drains or other drainage systems must
have an outlet that allows groundwa-
ter to drain away from the drainfi eld.
Finally, the soil cover over the drain-
Dos and Don’ts for Septic System Repairs
1. Do report problems to your local environmental health department and ask for an evaluation.
2. Do conserve water until a repair is made.
3. Do rope or fence off the area where sewage is on the ground surface to keep people and animals away from
untreated sewage.
4. Don’t place more soil over a wet smelly spot, which is probably where raw sewage has leaked. This will not
solve the problem and may cause sewage to back up into your house. Raw sewage contains harmful bacteria
that may cause sickness or death.
5. Don’t pipe or ditch the sewage to a ditch, storm sewer, stream, sinkhole, or drain tile. This will pollute surface
water, groundwater, or both, and cause a health hazard. It is illegal.
6. Don’t pipe, ditch, or run the sewage into an abandoned well or other hole in the ground. This will pollute
groundwater and cause a health hazard. It is illegal.
7. Don’t ignore the problem. It will not go away. The longer you wait to fi x the problem, the worse the situation
may become, possibly making a simple repair into a very costly one.
fi eld should be uniform and crowned
to prevent surface water from pond-
ing on or fl owing into the trenches.
If the area is landscaped, use small,
lightweight equipment because heavy
machinery may compact the soil and
even crush the pipes or septic tank.
Physical Damage
Driving, paving, or building on top of
a septic system can damage or destroy
it. The pipes and septic tank can shift
position or be crushed from repeated
or even occasional abuse. Further-
more, the soil can be compacted,
or ruts may form, exposing system
components and possibly untreated
sewage to the ground surface. Paving
over all or a portion of the drainfi eld
may prevent air from getting into the
soil, as well as limit access for repairs
or maintenance. Building over the
drainfi eld may cause compaction or
even damage a line due to the weight
of the structure or the location of
building footings. Paving or building
over the septic tank also will prevent
required tank maintenance.
Tree roots may clog the drain lines
and gravel in the trenches. The best
way to prevent this from occurring is
to remove or simply not plant trees
or shrubs within 25 feet of the drain-
fi eld. Roots may also get into the
septic tank or distribution box, so do
not plant trees and shrubs over these
devices. You should plant grass over
the drainfi eld and all other outdoor
system components. The grass aids in
removal of water and helps to prevent
soil from eroding over the compo-
nents.
Most septic systems require that an
area be set aside for possible repairs.
This area should be treated and pro-
tected just as if it were currently in
use.
Repairing a Failing Septic
System
Septic systems may fail despite proper
maintenance, design, and construc-
tion. If properly maintained, the life
span of a septic system is similar to
that of an asphalt shingled roof. If a
failure does occur, the problem needs
to be corrected swiftly and properly.
Any failure, despite its cause, poses
a nuisance, presents a public health
hazard, and can degrade the environ-
ment.
If your system is failing or you sus-
pect a failure, contact your local en-
vironmental health department. The
department will send an environmen-
tal health specialist trained in assess-
ing failing septic systems to determine
the cause or causes of the failure and
suggest how to repair the problem. Do
not attempt to fi x the failure without
the approval of the local environmen-
3
51 of 97
SoilFacts
tal health department. In some cases,
the corrective measures could be as
simple as installing water conserva-
tion devices. In the case of a complete
system failure, construction of a new
septic system may be the only solu-
tion.
Preventing Failures
Regular maintenance of your septic
system is the best way to prevent a
failure. As stated, the N.C. Coopera-
tive Extension publications Septic
Systems and Their Maintenance (AG-
439-13) and Septic System Owner’s
Guide (AG-439-22) describe the
proper maintenance of a septic sys-
tem. Listed are some of the things you
can do.
1. Conserve water. Use water-saving
fi xtures and conserve water in
the kitchen, bath, and laundry to
reduce the amount of wastewater
the soil has to absorb. This is
especially benefi cial immediately
after a heavy rain as well as during
the winter and early spring.
2. Repair or replace leaky fi xtures.
Leaky fi xtures add excess water
to the drainfi eld, so fi xing them
promptly will reduce the amount
of water the soil has to absorb.
3. Maintain proper cover and
landscape over the drainfi eld.
Make sure the drainfi eld is covered
well with grass to prevent soil
erosion. A crowned drainfi eld
and surface swales will prevent
excess surface water from entering
the trench. Also, make certain
that gutters, downspouts, patios,
walkways, and driveways do not
divert water over the drainfi eld or
septic tank.
4. Pump your tank regularly.
Regular pumping prevents solids
from reaching the drainfi eld and
causing it to clog. The tank should
be pumped every 3 to 5 years
depending on use. Additives have
not been shown to signifi cantly
reduce the amount of solids in the
tank. Do not use them in place of
regular septic tank pumping.
5. Limit what goes into the septic
tank. Do not dispose of chemicals,
solvents, cleaning fl uids, paint,
motor oil, gasoline, and other such
substances in the septic tank. They
may kill all the benefi cial bacteria
in the tank and soil as well as
pollute the environment. Dispose
of these materials properly at your
local recycling center or transfer
station. Kitty litter, hygiene
products, cooking oil, grease, and
waste food may clog the system
and should be disposed of in
the trash. Waste from fruits and
vegetables can be composted.
6. Do not drive or build over any
part of your septic system.
7. Inspect the system components
routinely. Check for signs of
problems that can be corrected
before a failure occurs.
Prepared by
David L. Lindbo, Associate Professor and Soil Extension Specialist, Department of Soil Science
Diana Rashash, Area Environmental Education Specialist. NC Cooperative Extension
Michael T. Hoover, Professor and Soil Extension Specialist, Department of Soil Science
Adapted from Ohio, Michigan, and Kansas Cooperative Extension Service publications
For more information, contact your local health department or county Cooperative Extension Service Center.
6,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $780.81 or $0.13 each.
© 2005 North Carolina State University
Published by
NORTH CAROLINA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
4/05-BS-6M. AG-439-44
E02-38996.
References
U. S. EPA. 1997, April. Response to Congress on Use of Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems, EPA 832-R-97-001b.
Washington, DC: U.S. EPA, Offi ce of Water.
Hoover, M. T. 1990. Soil Facts: Investigate Before You Invest. North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, No. AG-439-12.
Raleigh: NC State University. Online: http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/publications/Soilfacts/AG-439-13.pdf/
Hoover, M. T. and T. Konsler. 2004. Soil Facts: Septic Systems and Their Maintenance. North Carolina Cooperative Extension
Service, No. AG-439-13. Raleigh: NC State University. Online: http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/publications/Soilfacts/AG-439-13/
Hoover, M. T. and W. S. Hammet. 2004. Soil Facts: Septic System Owner’s Guide. North Carolina Cooperative Extension Ser-
vice, No. AG-439-22. Raleigh: NC State University. Online: http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/publications/Soilfacts/AG-439-22.pdf/
Hoover, M. T., R. Rubin, and F. Humenik. 1998. Choices for Communities: Wastewater Management Options for Rural Areas.
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. No. AG-585. Raleigh: NC State University.
Tyler, E. J., R. Laak, E. McCoy, and S. S. Sandhu. 1977. The Soil as A Treatment System. In Home Sewage Treatment, ASAE no.
5-77. St. Joseph, MI: American Society of Agricultural Engineers
52 of 97

Attachment B
Updated Engineering Plans

53 of 97
WW-1
Agri-Waste Technology, Inc.
501 N. Salem Street, Suite 203
Apex, North Carolina 27502
919-859-0669
www.agriwaste.com
Engineers and Soil Scientists
54 of 97
10171
374.72
SEPTIC
IRF
IPF 1"
4" WIRE FENCE
4" WIRE FENCE
IPF 3/4"
IPF 3/4"
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
6' WOODEN FENCE
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12" RCP
G
A
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EXISTING 12.5'
DRIVEWAY EASEMENT
DB 740 PG 379
PB 18 PG 57
EXISTING 60' EASEMENT
DB 1331 PG 537
PB 39 PG 172
10' x 70'
SIGHT TRIANGLES
DB 1331 PG 537
PB 39 PG 172
DB 256 PG 291
PB 10 PG 10
GRACYE C. MOORE
PIN: 089501357695
POND
B
R
A
N
C
H
CP
1 STORY
HOUSE
BARN
BARN
GRAV
E
L

D
R
I
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CONC. DRIVE
G
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A
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L

D
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GRAVEL DRIVE
N: 855543.23
E: 2093376.69
FENCE
69.61'90.57'71.28'
E
X
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5-
B
D
R

S
F
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DE
C
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EX
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PO
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EXISTING
SHED
EXISTING

S
E
P
T
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A
R
E
A
SOILS
LINE
Install Fe
n
c
e
Around
Dripfield
UV
RSV
BV Inside
of Pod
AX
CO
BV Insideof Pod
AX
CO
BV
BV
EF
P
PHWHW
Conduit Run (typ.)From House
SB SB SB
SB
Whispering Pines Farm
,

L
L
C
20.95 AC.
PIN: 0895-01-25-627
0
Whispering Pines Farm
,

L
L
C
5.54 AC.
PIN: 0895-01-24-6618
Whispering Pines Farm
,

L
L
C
3.79 AC.
PIN: 0895-03-24-1613
Whispering Pines Farm
,

L
L
C
14.96 AC.
PIN: 0895-03-24-6322
Whispering Pines Farm
,

L
L
C
3.62 AC.
PIN: 0895-01-15-8039
100'
O
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SETB
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Zon
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'

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e
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k
ExistingTanks
Install Fe
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c
e
Around
Dripfield
WW-2
Engineers and Soil Scientists
Agri-Waste Technology, Inc.
501 N. Salem Street, Suite 203
Apex, North Carolina 27502
919-859-0669
www.agriwaste.com
Engineers and Soil Scientists
1 PROPERTY LAYOUT
WW-2
Feet
0 60 120
55 of 97
Line Legend
Label Name Size Type
AFDL AdvanTex Filter Drain Line 2.0"SCH 40 PVC
AFSL AdvanTex Filter Supply Line 2.0"SCH 40 PVC
DL Drain Line 4.0"SCH 40 PVC
ERL Effluent Return Line 1.0"SCH 40 PVC
FRL Field Return Line 1.0"SCH 40 PVC
FSL Field Supply Line 1.0"SCH 40 PVC
HSL Headworks Supply Line 1.25"SCH 40 PVC
STRL Septic Tank Return Line 1.0"SCH 40 PVC
UVL UV Supply Line 3.0"SCH 40 PVC
Component Legend
Label Name Label Name
ARV Air/Vacuum Relief Valve P Pump
AX AdvanTex Unit PT Pump Tank
BV Ball Valve RSV Recirculating Splitter Valve
CO Cleanout RT Recirculation Tank
CP Control Panel SB Splice Box
CV Check Valve ST Septic Tank
EF Effluent Filter UV UV Disinfection
HW Headworks V Vent
EX
I
S
T
I
N
G
UV
RSV
BV Inside
of Pod
AX
CO
BV Inside
of Pod
AX
CO
BV
BV
EF
P
PHWHW
Conduit Run (typ.)
From House
SB SB SB
SB
CP
1
0
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Existing
Tanks
WW-3
Engineers and Soil Scientists
Agri-Waste Technology, Inc.
501 N. Salem Street, Suite 203
Apex, North Carolina 27502
919-859-0669
www.agriwaste.com
SOURCE: AWT, Inc.
1 TREATMENT DETAILS
WW-3
Feet
0 3 6
56 of 97
Dripfield Sizing
Daily Design Flow 600gpd
Loading Rate (LTAR)23.40in/yr From SFR Loading Rate Workbook
Dripfield Area Required 0.34ac
15,012sqft From SFR Loading Rate Workbook
Dripline Spacing 3ft
Required Dripline 5,004ft
Surface Dripfield Layout
Run Lateral
Line Use Length Length
Zone #Lateral #(ft)(ft)
Line 1 Primary Dripfield Line 1 1 20
Line 2 Primary Dripfield Line 25
Line 3 Primary Dripfield Line 35
Line 4 Primary Dripfield Line 45
Line 5 Primary Dripfield Line 50
Line 6 Primary Dripfield Line 55 230
Line 7 Primary Dripfield Line 2 50
Line 8 Primary Dripfield Line 50
Line 9 Primary Dripfield Line 50
Line 10 Primary Dripfield Line 50
Line 11 Primary Dripfield Line 50
Line 12 Primary Dripfield Line 50 300
Line 13 Primary Dripfield Line 3 70
Line 14 Primary Dripfield Line 75
Line 15 Primary Dripfield Line 75
Line 16 Primary Dripfield Line 75 295
Line 17 Primary Dripfield Line 4 75
Line 18 Primary Dripfield Line 75
Line 19 Primary Dripfield Line 75
Line 20 Primary Dripfield Line 75 300
Line 21 Primary Dripfield Line 5 75
Line 22 Primary Dripfield Line 75
Line 23 Primary Dripfield Line 75
Line 24 Primary Dripfield Line 75 300
Line 25 Primary Dripfield Line 2 1 135
Line 26 Primary Dripfield Line 145 280
Line 27 Primary Dripfield Line 2 150
Line 28 Primary Dripfield Line 150 300
Line 29 Primary Dripfield Line 3 150
Line 30 Primary Dripfield Line 150 300
Line 31 Primary Dripfield Line 4 150
Line 32 Primary Dripfield Line 150 300
Line 33 Primary Dripfield Line 5 150
Line 34 Primary Dripfield Line 150 300
Line 35 Primary Dripfield Line 3 1 150
Line 36 Primary Dripfield Line 150 300
Line 37 Primary Dripfield Line 2 150
Line 38 Primary Dripfield Line 150 300
Line 39 Primary Dripfield Line 3 150
Line 40 Primary Dripfield Line 150 300
Line 41 Primary Dripfield Line 4 150
Line 42 Primary Dripfield Line 150 300
Line 43 Primary Dripfield Line 5 150
Line 44 Primary Dripfield Line 150 300
Line 45 Primary Dripfield Line 4 1 150
Line 46 Primary Dripfield Line 150 300
Line 47 Primary Dripfield Line 2 150
Line 48 Primary Dripfield Line 150 300
Line 49 Primary Dripfield Line 3 150
Line 50 Primary Dripfield Line 150 300
Line 51 Primary Dripfield Line 4 150
Line 52 Primary Dripfield Line 150 300
Line 53 Primary Dripfield Line 5 150
Line 54 Primary Dripfield Line 130 280
TOTAL 5885 5885
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WW-4
Engineers and Soil Scientists
Agri-Waste Technology, Inc.
501 N. Salem Street, Suite 203
Apex, North Carolina 27502
919-859-0669
www.agriwaste.com
1 DRIPFIELD SUMMARY
WW-4
Feet
0 12 24
2 DRIPFIELD DETAILS
WW-4
57 of 97
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WW-5
Engineers and Soil Scientists
Agri-Waste Technology, Inc.
501 N. Salem Street, Suite 203
Apex, North Carolina 27502
919-859-0669
www.agriwaste.com
Engineers and Soil Scientists
SOURCE: AWT, Inc.
1 MANIFOLD DETAIL
WW-5
Feet
0 10 20
Feet
0 2 4
58 of 97
MODEL: TS 1500 PT
NON TRAFFIC
1500 Gallon Pump Tank
End ViewSide View
R
Top View
AdvanTex Treatment System
AX 20
DESIGN FLOW 500-1000 GPD
CONFIGURATION
Side View
of RSV in Recirc
Tank InletRiser
Top View
of Recirculating
Splitter Valve in
Recirculation Tank
Inlet Riser
WW-6
Engineers and Soil ScientistsEngineers and Soil Scientists
Agri-Waste Technology, Inc.
501 N. Salem Street, Suite 203
Apex, North Carolina 27502
919-859-0669
www.agriwaste.com
Engineers and Soil Scientists
1 RECIRCULATION TANK DETAIL
WW-6
2 PUMP (FIELD DOSING) TANK DETAIL
WW-6
5 RISER SAFETY NET DETAIL
WW-6
4 RECIRCULATING SPLITTER VALVE DETAIL
WW-6
3 ADVANTEX AX20 TREATMENT SYSTEM INSTALLATION
WW-6
NTS NTS
NTSNTSNTS
59 of 97
PVC ELBOW
SUPPLY FEEDER LINE
FLEXIBLE
PIPE
GLUE INTO 1/2
INCH PVC
ADAPTER
DRIPLINE
1/2 INCH PVC PIPE
DRIPLINE
ADAPTER
FLEXIBLE PIPE
PVC ELBOWS ON SUPPLY
& RETURN FEEDER LINES
(ROTATED AT ~45°)
18"
12"
USE TRENCH SIDES TO
SUPPORT FLEXIBLE PIPE
TRENCH
BOTTOM
BACKFILL
SEPARATION
OR RETURN FEEDER LINE
1/2 INCH PVC PIPE
DRIPLINE
DRIPLINE
*NO BLANK DRIPLINE REQUIRED ON 3' SPACING
WW-7
Engineers and Soil Scientists
Agri-Waste Technology, Inc.
501 N. Salem Street, Suite 203
Apex, North Carolina 27502
919-859-0669
www.agriwaste.com
6 TYPICAL DRAINFIELD CONFIGURATION (for illustration only)
WW-7
1 HEADWORKS BOX #1 - TOP VIEW
WW-7
2 HEADWORKS BOX #2 - TOP VIEW
WW-7
7 DRIP LINE LOOP DETAIL
WW-7
5 SUPPLY AND RETURN MANIFOLD DETAIL
WW-7
3 AIR RELEASE VALVE DETAIL
WW-7
8 SUPPLY AND RETURN FEEDER LINE CONNECTION DETAIL
WW-7
4 FENCE DETAIL (or equivalent)
WW-7
NTS NTS NTS
NTSNTS
NTS NTS NTS
60 of 97
CONTROL
PANEL
3' BURIAL DEPTH
MINIMUM
2X4 TREATED - SECURE
WITH 4 - 3" DECK SCREWS
PER POST
4X6 TREATED POST
TO PUMP TANK
TO POWER SOURCE
MOUNT PANEL DIRECTLY
TO POSTS OR TO ALUMINUM
PLATE (GRIND OFF
PROTRUDING SCREWS)
COVER CONDUIT
MINIMUM 18"
ALL CONDUIT
TO BE 3/4 " (min)
GRAVEL
RISER OR
CORRUGATED
PIPE
2'
INSTALL
MULTIPLE
CONDUITS AS
NEEDED
CONDUIT
SUPPORT
SINGLE
CONDUIT
(no splices)
TO HEADWORKS
(min.)
RAIN SENSOR
AUDIBLE AND
VISUAL ALARM
Side View
of UV Unit in Pump
Tank Inlet Riser
WW-8
Engineers and Soil Scientists
Agri-Waste Technology, Inc.
501 N. Salem Street, Suite 203
Apex, North Carolina 27502
919-859-0669
www.agriwaste.com
Engineers and Soil Scientists
1 SYSTEM PROFILE VIEW (for illustration only)
WW-8
CONTROL PANEL DETAIL FRESHWATER SPIGOT DETAILDISCHARGE ASSEMBLY UV DISINFECTION DETAIL
NTS NTSNTSNTS
NTS**FOR ILLUSTRATION ONLY
61 of 97
·
·
·
WW-9
Engineers and Soil ScientistsEngineers and Soil Scientists
Agri-Waste Technology, Inc.
501 N. Salem Street, Suite 203
Apex, North Carolina 27502
919-859-0669
www.agriwaste.com
Engineers and Soil Scientists
62 of 97
WW-10
Engineers and Soil ScientistsEngineers and Soil Scientists
Agri-Waste Technology, Inc.
501 N. Salem Street, Suite 203
Apex, North Carolina 27502
919-859-0669
www.agriwaste.com
Engineers and Soil Scientists
"Soil classification system" means, for the purpose of this subpart, a method of categorizing soil and rock
deposits in a hierarchy of Stable Rock, Type A, Type B, and Type C, in decreasing order of stability. The
categories are determined based on an analysis of the properties and performance characteristics of the
deposits and the characteristics of the deposits and the environmental conditions of exposure.
"Stable rock" means natural solid mineral matter that can be excavated with vertical sides and remain intact
while exposed.
"Submerged soil" means soil which is underwater or is free seeping.
"Type A" means cohesive soils with an unconfined, compressive strength of 1.5 ton per square foot (tsf) (144
kPa) or greater. Examples of cohesive soils are: clay, silty clay, sandy clay, clay loam and, in some cases,
silty clay loam and sandy clay loam. Cemented soils such as caliche and hardpan are also considered Type
A.
However, no soil is Type A if:
(i) The soil is fissured; or
(ii) The soil is subject to vibration from heavy traffic, pile driving, or similar effects; or
(iii) The soil has been previously disturbed; or
(iv) The soil is part of a sloped, layered system where the layers dip into the excavation on a slope of four
horizontal to one vertical (4H:1V) or greater; or
(v) The material is subject to other factors that would require it to be classified as a less stable material.
"Type B" means:
(i) Cohesive soil with an unconfined compressive strength greater than 0.5 tsf (48 kPa) but less than 1.5
tsf (144 kPa); or
(ii) Granular cohesionless soils including: angular gravel (similar to crushed rock), silt, silt loam, sandy
loam and, in some cases, silty clay loam and sandy clay loam.
(iii) Previously disturbed soils except those which would otherwise be classed as Type C soil.
(iv) Soil that meets the unconfined compressive strength or cementation requirements for Type A, but is
fissured or subject to vibration; or
(v) Dry rock that is not stable; or
(vi) Material that is part of a sloped, layered system where the layers dip into the excavation on a slope less
steep than four horizontal to one vertical (4H:1V), but only if the material would otherwise be classified
as Type B.
"Type C" means:
(i) Cohesive soil with an unconfined compressive strength of 0.5 tsf (48 kPa) or less; or
(ii) Granular soils including gravel, sand, and loamy sand; or
(iii) Submerged soil or soil from which water is freely seeping; or
(iv) Submerged rock that is not stable, or
(v) Material in a sloped, layered system where the layers dip into the excavation or a slope of four
horizontal to one vertical (4H:1V) or steeper.
"Unconfined compressive strength" means the load per unit area at which a soil will fail in compression. It
can be determined by laboratory testing, or estimated in the field using a pocket penetrometer, by thumb
penetration tests, and other methods.
"Wet soil" means soil that contains significantly more moisture than moist soil, but in such a range of values
that cohesive material will slump or begin to flow when vibrated. Granular material that would exhibit cohesive
properties when moist will lose those cohesive properties when wet.
(d) Acceptable visual and manual tests
(1) Visual tests. Visual analysis is conducted to determine qualitative information regarding the excavation site
in general, the soil adjacent to the excavation, the soil forming the sides of the open excavation, and the soil
taken as samples from excavated material.
(i) Observe samples of soil that are excavated and soil in the sides of the excavation. Estimate the range
of particle sizes and the relative amounts of the particle sizes. Soil that is primarily composed of
fine-grained material material is cohesive material. Soil composed primarily of coarse-grained sand or
gravel is granular material.
(ii) Observe soil as it is excavated. Soil that remains in clumps when excavated is cohesive. Soil that
breaks up easily and does not stay in clumps is granular.
(iii) Observe the side of the opened excavation and the surface area adjacent to the excavation. Crack-like
openings such as tension cracks could indicate fissured material. If chunks of soil spall off a vertical
side, the soil could be fissured. Small spalls are evidence of moving ground and are indications of
potentially hazardous situations.
(iv) Observe the area adjacent to the excavation and the excavation itself for evidence of existing utility and
other underground structures, and to identify previously disturbed soil.
(v) Observe the opened side of the excavation to identify layered systems. Examine layered systems to
identify if the layers slope toward the excavation. Estimate the degree of slope of the layers.
(vi) Observe the area adjacent to the excavation and the sides of the opened excavation for evidence of
surface water, water seeping from the sides of the excavation, or the location of the level of the water
table.
(vii) Observe the area adjacent to the excavation and the area within the excavation for sources of vibration
that may affect the stability of the excavation face.
12' Max.
4' Max.
5' Max.
4' Max.
All simple slope excavations 20 feet or less in depth shall have a maximum allowable slope of 3 4:1.
20' Max.
20' Max.20' Max.
All benched excavations 20 feet or less in depth shall have a maximum allowable slope of 3 4:1
and maxium bench dimensions as follows:
Exception: Simple slope excavations which are
open 24 hours or less (short term) and which
are 12 feet or less in depth shall have a
maximum allowable slope of 12:1
SIMPLE BENCH MULTIPLE BENCH
3.5' Max.
3.5' Max.
All excavations more than 8 feet but not more
than 12 feet in depth with unsupported vertically
sided lower portions shall have a maximum
allowable slope of 1:1 and a maximum vertical
side of 312 feet.
All excavations 8 feet or less in depth
which have unsupported vertically sided
lower portions shall have a maximum
vertical side of 312 feet.
20' Max.
18" Min.
All excavations 20 feet or less in depth which have vertically sided lower portions that are supported or
shielded shall have a maximum allowable slope of 3 4:1. The support or shield system must extend at
least 18 inches above the top of the vertical side.
EXCAVATIONS IN TYPE A SOILS
4' Max.
All simple slope excavations 20 feet or less in depth shall have a maximum allowable slope of 1:1.
20' Max.
20' Max.
All benched excavations 20 feet or less in depth shall have a maximum
allowable slope of 1:1 and maxium bench dimensions as follows:
SINGLE BENCH
MULTIPLE BENCH
18" Min.
All excavations 20 feet or less in depth which have vertically sided lower portions that are
supported or shielded shall have a maximum allowable slope of 1:1. The support or shield system
must extend at least 18 inches above the top of the vertical side.
EXCAVATIONS IN TYPE B SOILS
4' Max.
4' Max.
All other sloped excavations shall be in accordance with the other options permitted in § 1926.652(b).All other simple slope, compound slope, and vertically sided lower portion excavations shall be in
accordance with the other options permitted under § 1926.652(b).
All simple slope excavations 20 feet or less in depth shall have a maximum allowable slope of 112:1.
20' Max.
18" Min.
All excavations 20 feet or less in depth which have vertically sided lower portions that are
supported or shielded shall have a maximum allowable slope of 112:1. The support or shield
system must extend at least 18 inches above the top of the vertical side.
EXCAVATIONS IN TYPE C SOILS
All other sloped excavations shall be in accordance with the other options permitted in § 1926.652(b).
VERTICALLY SIDED LOWER PORTION
SIMPLE SLOPE SIMPLE SLOPE
This bench allowed in
cohesive soil only.
This bench allowed in
cohesive soil only.
VERTICALLY SIDED LOWER PORTION
All excavations 20 feet or less in depth made in layered soils shall have a maximum allowable
slope for each layer as set forth below.
EXCAVATIONS IN LAYERED SOILS
B OVER A
C OVER A
C OVER B
A OVER B
A OVER C
B OVER C
3/4
1
3/4
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
112
1
112
1
112
1
112
1
1
1
112
1
112
1
A
A
A
A
B
B
B
B
C
C
C
C
All other sloped excavations shall be in accordance with the other options permitted in § 1926.652(b).
(b) Definitions
"Cemented soil" means a soil in which the particles are held together by a chemical agent, such as calcium
carbonate, such that a hand-size sample cannot be crushed into powder or individual soil particles by finger
pressure.
"Cohesive soil" means clay (fine grained soil), or soil with a high clay content, which has cohesive strength.
Cohesive soil does not crumble, can be excavated with vertical sideslopes, and is plastic when moist. Cohesive
soil is hard to break up when dry, and exhibits significant cohesion when submerged. Cohesive soils include
clayey silt, sandy clay, silty clay, clay and organic clay.
"Dry soil" means soil that does not exhibit visible signs of moisture content.
"Fissured" means a soil material that has a tendency to break along definite planes of fracture with little
resistance, or a material that exhibits open cracks, such as tension cracks, in an exposed surface.
"Granular soil" means gravel, sand, or silt (coarse grained soil) with little or no clay content. Granular soil has
no cohesive strength. Some moist granular soils exhibit apparent cohesion. Granular soil cannot be molded
when moist and crumbles easily when dry.
"Layered system" means two or more distinctly different soil or rock types arranged in layers. Micaceous
seams or weakened planes in rock or shale are considered layered.
"Moist soil" means a condition in which a soil looks and feels damp. Moist cohesive soil can easily be shaped
into a ball and rolled into small diameter threads before crumbling. Moist granular soil that contains some
cohesive material will exhibit signs of cohesion between particles.
"Plastic" means a property of a soil which allows the soil to be deformed or molded without cracking, or
appreciable volume change.
"Saturated soil" means a soil in which the voids are filled with water. Saturation does not require flow.
Saturation, or near saturation, is necessary for the proper use of instruments such as a pocket penetrometer or
sheer vane.
(c) Requirements
(1) Classification of soil and rock deposits. Each soil and rock deposit shall be classified by a competent person
as Stable Rock, Type A, Type B, or Type C in accordance with the definitions set forth in paragraph (b) of
this appendix.
(2) Basis of classification. The classification of the deposits shall be made based on the results of at least one
visual and at least one manual analysis. Such analyses shall be conducted by a competent person using
tests described in paragraph (d) below, or in other recognized methods of soil classification and testing such
as those adopted by the American Society for Testing Materials, or the U.S. Department of Agriculture
textural classification system.
(3) Visual and manual analyses. The visual and manual analyses, such as those noted as being acceptable in
paragraph (d) of this appendix, shall be designed and conducted to provide sufficient quantitative and
qualitative information as may be necessary to identify properly the properties, factors, and conditions
affecting the classification of the deposits.
(4) Layered systems. In a layered system, the system shall be classified in accordance with its weakest layer.
However, each layer may be classified individually where a more stable layer lies under a less stable layer.
(5) Reclassification. If, after classifying a deposit, the properties, factors, or conditions affecting its classification
change in any way, the changes shall be evaluated by a competent person. The deposit shall be
reclassified as necessary to reflect the changed circumstances.
(2) Manual tests. Manual analysis of soil samples is conducted to determine quantitative as well as qualitative
properties of soil and to provide more information in order to classify soil properly.
(i) Plasticity. Mold a moist or wet sample of soil into a ball and attempt to roll it into threads as thin as
1/8-inch in diameter. Cohesive material can be successfully rolled into threads without crumbling. For
example, if at least a two inch (50 mm) length of 1/8-inch thread can be held on one end without
tearing, the soil is cohesive.
(ii) Dry strength. If the soil is dry and crumbles on its own or with moderate pressure into individual grains
or fine powder, it is granular (any combination of gravel, sand, or silt). If the soil is dry and falls into
clumps which break up into smaller clumps, but the smaller clumps can only be broken up with
difficulty, it may be clay in any combination with gravel, sand or silt. If the dry soil breaks into clumps
which do not break up into small clumps and which can only be broken with difficulty, and there is no
visual indication the soil is fissured, the soil may be considered unfissured.
(iii) Thumb penetration. The thumb penetration test can be used to estimate the unconfined compressive
strength of cohesive soils. (This test is based on the thumb penetration test described in American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard designation D2488 - "Standard Recommended
Practice for Description of Soils (Visual - Manual Procedure).") Type A soils with an unconfined
compressive strength of 1.5 tsf can be readily indented by the thumb; however, they can be penetrated
by the thumb only with very great effort. Type C soils with an unconfined compressive strength of 0.5
tsf can be easily penetrated several inches by the thumb, and can be molded by light finger pressure.
This test should be conducted on an undisturbed soil sample, such as a large clump of spoil, as soon
as practicable after excavation to keep to a minimum the effects of exposure to drying influences.If the
excavation is later exposed to wetting influences (rain, flooding), the classification of the soil must be
changed accordingly.
(iv) Other strength tests. Estimates of unconfined compressive strength of soils can also be obtained by
use of a pocket penetrometer or by using a hand-operated shearvane.
(v) Drying test. The basic purpose of the drying test is to differentiate between cohesive material with
fissures, unfissured cohesive material, and granular material. The procedure for the drying test involves
drying a sample of soil that is approximately one inch thick (2.54 cm) and six inches (15.24 cm) in
diameter until it is thoroughly dry:
(A) If the sample develops cracks as it dries, significant fissures are indicated.
(B) Samples that dry without cracking are to be broken by hand. If considerable force is necessary to
break a sample, the soil has significant cohesive material content. The soil can be classified as an
unfissured cohesive material and the unconfined compressive strength should be determined.
(C) If a sample breaks easily by hand, it is either a fissured cohesive material or a granular material.
To distinguish between the two, pulverize the dried clumps of the sample by hand or by stepping
on them. If the clumps do not pulverize easily, the material is cohesive with fissures.If they
pulverize easily into very small fragments, the material is granular.
112
1
112
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3/4
1
3/4
1
3/4
1
3/4
1
3/4
1
1
1
1/2
1
Trenching and Excavation Safety
The employer must comply with the trenching and excavation requirements of 29 CFR 1926.651 and 1926.652
or comparable OSHA-approved state plan requirements.
Inspection of Excavations
OSHA standards require that a competent person inspect trenches daily and as conditions change before
worker entry to ensure elimination of excavation hazards. A competent person is an individual who is capable of
identifying existing and predictable hazards or working conditions that are hazardous, unsanitary, or dangerous
to workers, soil types and protective systems required, and who is authorized to take prompt corrective
measures to eliminate these hazards and conditions.
Access and Egress
OSHA standards require safe access and egress to all excavations, including ladders, steps, ramps, or
other safe means of exit for employees working in trench excavations 4 feet (1.22 meters) or deeper.
These devices must be located within 25 feet (7.6 meters) of all workers.
Recommendations
Heavy equipment and trucks should stay as far as possible from the edge of any trench.
Always use pads under stabilizers to minimize ground pressures that could lead to failures.
20' Max.
20' Max.
20' Max.
8' Max.
12' Max.
63 of 97

Attachment C
Easement

64 of 97
10171
374.72
SEPTIC
IRF
IPF 1"
IRF 1/2"
IPF 1 1/2"
4" WIRE FENCE
4" WIRE FENCE
IPF 3/4"
IPF 3/4"
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
6' WOODEN FENCE
3'

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4' VINYL & WOOD FENCE
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12" RCP
G
A
T
E
EXISTING 12.5'
DRIVEWAY EASEMENT
DB 740 PG 379
PB 18 PG 57
EXISTING 60' EASEMENT
DB 1331 PG 537
PB 39 PG 172
10' x 70'
SIGHT TRIANGLES
DB 1331 PG 537
PB 39 PG 172
N/F
B. G. CROSS, Jr.,
DEBORAH S. ROBERTS and
NELLIE C. BRAME
PIN: 089501265035
DB 256 PG 291
PB 10 PG 10
N/F
JAMES Y. MOORE
and wife
GRACYE C. MOORE
PIN: 089501357695
DB 241 PG 414
POND
B
R
A
N
C
H
CP
1 STORY
HOUSE
BARN
BARN
GRAV
E
L

D
R
I
V
E
CONC. DRIVE
G
R
A
V
E
L

D
R
I
V
E
GRAVEL DRIVE
N: 855543.23
E: 2093376.69
FENCE
69.61'90.57'71.28'
EX
I
S
T
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N
G
5-
B
D
R

S
F
R
DE
C
K
EX
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PO
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EXISTING
SHED
EXISTING

S
E
P
T
I
C

A
R
E
A
Whispering Pines Farm
,

L
L
C
20.95 AC.
PIN: 0895-01-25-627
0
Whispering Pines Farm
,

L
L
C
5.54 AC.
PIN: 0895-01-24-6618
Whispering Pines Farm
,

L
L
C
3.79 AC.
PIN: 0895-03-24-1613
Whispering Pines Farm
,

L
L
C
14.96 AC.
PIN: 0895-03-24-6322
Whispering Pines Farm
,

L
L
C
3.62 AC.
PIN: 0895-01-15-8039
Proposed
Easement
Line
PROPOSED
DRAINFIELD
TREATMENT
AREA
Easement
Engineers and Soil Scientists
Agri-Waste Technology, Inc.
501 N. Salem Street, Suite 203
Apex, North Carolina 27502
919-859-0669
www.agriwaste.com
Engineers and Soil Scientists
Feet
0 60 120
65 of 97
10171
374.72
SEPTIC
IRF
IPF 1"
IRF 1/2"
IPF 1 1/2"
4" WIRE FENCE
4" WIRE FENCE
IPF 3/4"
IPF 3/4"
N12°09'34"E
32.26' (TIE)
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
6' WOODEN FENCE
3'

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12" RCP
G
A
T
E
EXISTING 12.5'
DRIVEWAY EASEMENT
DB 740 PG 379
PB 18 PG 57
EXISTING 60' EASEMENT
DB 1331 PG 537
PB 39 PG 172
10' x 70'
SIGHT TRIANGLES
DB 1331 PG 537
PB 39 PG 172
N.C. HIGHWAY 50
(S. MAIN St.)
ASPHALT SURFACE
60' PUBLIC R/W
B. G. CROSS, Jr.,
DEBORAH S. ROBERTS and
NELLIE C. BRAME
PIN: 089501265035
DB 256 PG 291
PB 10 PG 10
N/F
JAMES Y. MOORE
and wife
GRACYE C. MOORE
PIN: 089501357695
DB 241 PG 414
POND
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9
Proposed
EasementPROPOSED
DRAINFIELD
TREATMENT
AREA
SM-1
Engineers and Soil Scientists
Agri-Waste Technology, Inc.
501 N. Salem Street, Suite 203
Apex, North Carolina 27502
919-859-0669
www.agriwaste.com
Engineers and Soil Scientists
Feet
0 70 140
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Attachment D
Orenco O&M Manual

67 of 97
AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Part 1: Start-Up and Routine Maintenance
of AdvanTex® Residential
Wastewater Treatment Systems
RESIDENTIAL RESIDENTIAL
MANUAL
800-348-9843 • 541-459-4449
www.orenco.com
www.vericomm.net
Orenco®
O&M
68 of 97
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2
AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
As a trained AdvanTex Service Provider, you play a crucial role in Orenco’s AdvanTex Program.
Orenco has always advocated regular, professional servicing of all onsite systems ... not just during the
warranty period but for the life of the system. Regular servicing optimizes the treatment process and
protects the property owner’s investment. It also ensures that onsite systems protect public health, protect
the environment, and are viewed as a reliable, sustainable technology.
Orenco relies on you to perform the AdvanTex system start-up, do
routine (scheduled) maintenance, and respond to calls for unscheduled
maintenance (alarm calls). We also rely on you to keep in contact with
the homeowners or property owners, review the Homeowner’s Manual
with them, advise them on preventive maintenance, and work to keep the
system under a continuous service contract. Equally important, we rely on
you to keep good service records on the system, creating a “history” of its
performance.
To make your job easier, Orenco has created one of the most service-friendly and trouble-free onsite
systems on the market. Then we paired that system with a remote telemetry control panel, to allow you
to “view” the system right from your computer.* And we’ve provided a Web-based business tool —
advantexservice.com — to help you file and retrieve system data automatically, schedule service events,
and manage service technicians.
Finally, we’ve provided classroom and field training, as well as support materials, like this O&M Manual.
Please read this manual thoroughly, for up-to-date information on the best practices for system start-up
and routine maintenance. You can find information about troubleshooting in Part 2 of our O&M Manual:
Advanced Service Tips and Troubleshooting Guide.
We’re very proud of our AdvanTex Treatment System. Like all our products, it has gone through extensive
research, development, and field-testing. Then each component is built to written specifications and
subjected to quality review, before shipping. In addition, our AXN models meet the requirements of
NSF-ANSI Standard 40 for Class I Systems. If any component of this system does not meet your
expectations, please call your authorized AdvanTex Dealer. Thank you, in advance, for your knowledge, your
conscientiousness, and your good work.
* Orenco® MVP control panels are available in some markets. For more information, contact your Dealer or OrencoHow the AdvanTex Treatment System Works
Introduction
All product and performance assertions are based on proper design, installation, operation, and maintenance according to Orenco’s current published documentation.
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3
AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Table of Contents
L Introduction....................................................................................2
L Typical Site Plan for an AdvanTex Treatment System ...................4
L How the AdvanTex Treatment System Works ...............................5
L Equipment List ...............................................................................6
L Start-Up Checklist .........................................................................7
L Completing the Start-Up Checklist................................................8
• System Start-Up Procedure ..........................................................8
• Planning the Start-Up ...................................................................8
• Before Leaving the Office .............................................................8
• At the Site ....................................................................................8
• Primary Treatment .......................................................................9
• Secondary Treatment .................................................................10
• Other System Components .........................................................12
• Control Panel .............................................................................12
• Final/Safety Inspection ...............................................................13
• Homeowner’s Package ...............................................................13
• Back at the Office ......................................................................13
L Scheduled Field Maintenance Report .........................................14
L Performing Scheduled Field Maintenance .................................15
• Homeowner Communication ......................................................15
• Retrieve O&M Info ......................................................................15
• Perform Field Sampling/Observations .........................................15
• Check Control Panel ...................................................................16
• Inspect/Clean Recirc Pump System ............................................16
• Measure Sludge/Scum ...............................................................17
• Inspect/Clean AdvanTex Filter .....................................................17
• Inspect/Clean Discharge Pump System .......................................18
• Inspect/Service Other System Components .................................18
• Additional Services Rendered .....................................................18
• Final/Safety Inspection ...............................................................18
• Summary/Recommendations .....................................................19
• Comments .................................................................................19
L Unscheduled Field Maintenance Report .....................................20
L Performing Unscheduled Field Maintenance .............................21
• Unscheduled Maintenance Procedures .......................................21
• Notification of Site Condition .......................................................21
• Site Condition at Time of Call ......................................................21
• Field Sampling/Observations ......................................................21
• Conditions at Site .......................................................................21
• VCOM ATRTU Board (if applicable) ..............................................21
• Cause of Malfunction .................................................................22
• Services Rendered .....................................................................22
• Parts Used .................................................................................22
• Notes/Final Recommendations ...................................................22
• Final/Safety Inspection ...............................................................22
• Time/Date/Signature ..................................................................22
L Change of Service Provider Authorization ..................................23
L Changing Service Providers ........................................................24
L Appendix 1: AX20 Timer Settings Worksheet ..............................25
L Appendix 2: Float and RSV Settings ............................................26
• Typical RSV Levels .....................................................................27
• Typical Float Levels ....................................................................27
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4
AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
+RXVH
Typical Site Plan for an AdvanTex Treatment System
Building sewer
line conveys
wastewater from
house
Watertight processing tank
provides primary treatment
AdvanTex® AX20 Filter Pod
provides advanced secondary
treatment
Final dispersal (shallow gravelless drainfield,
drip system, shrub irrigation, water reuse,
lagoon, wetland, etc.) or STEP collection
(not shown)
Pump basin
(on some systems)
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5
AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
The AdvanTex Treatment System consists of a watertight processing tank and the AX20 textile filter pod. Wastewater from the home flows to the
tank, where natural biological and physical processes provide primary treatment. In the primary chamber of the tank, the wastewater separates
into three layers: a floating scum layer, a bottom sludge layer, and a
relatively clear layer of liquid effluent in the middle.
From the secondary chamber, a pump draws liquid effluent through
the Biotube® filter and sends it to the AX20 pod. There, the effluent
is sprayed over hanging sheets of porous synthetic textile media.
Microorganisms live in this moist, oxygen-rich (aerobic) environment.
As effluent trickles over and through the sheets, the microorganisms
remove impurities from it.
Effluent recirculates between the tank and the AX20 pod. In Mode 1,
the most common configuration, the effluent recirculates to the
second compartment of the tank. In Mode 3, effluent recirculates to
the first compartment. This mode is used where maximum removal of
nitrogen from the effluent is required.
After recirculating several times, the effluent is discharged, either
directly from the processing tank or after first being collected in a
pump basin. Depending on the design for a particular site, the treated
effluent may be discharged to a drainfield, an underground drip
irrigation system, a constructed wetland, an effluent sewer (STEP)
system, or a reuse system. The system may include equipment for
ultraviolet (UV) disinfection before ultimate dispersal of the effluent.
Properly sited, installed, and operated, a Residential AdvanTex
Treatment System can treat wastewater to 10 mg/L BOD and 10
mg/L TSS. This level of treatment is better than what municipal
wastewater plants provide. The system can also be configured to
reduce nitrogen levels as required locally. When effluent treated in this
way is dispersed to the soil, natural processes purify it further, and it
eventually returns to the underlying water table, where it can be used
again.
Routine maintenance and troubleshooting requires a variety of tools,
equipment, and spare parts. We recommend that all trained AdvanTex
Service Providers have the following items at hand:
Components of a Residential
AdvanTex® Tr eatment System
(Mode 1) Listed by Flow Path
1 Tw o Chamber
Processing Tank
2 Biotube® Pump Vault
3 Biotube Filter
4 Effluent Pump
5 Discharge Assembly
6 AdvanTex® AX20 Filter Pod
7 Recirculating
Splitter Valve (RSV)
8 Float Switches
9 External Splice Box
bu VeriComm® Control Panel
1
2
bu
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
LidLid
AccessAccess
RiserRiser
BaffleBaffle
Lid
Access
Riser
Baffle
RecirculationRecirculation
ChamberChamber
Primary ChamberPrimary Chamber
Recirculation
Chamber
Primary Chamber
Discharge toDischarge to
Dispersal SystemDispersal System
Discharge to
Dispersal System
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6
AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
For Routine Inspection and Maintenance
• Cordless drill with 3⁄16-inch Allen wrench for lid bolts on risers
and pod
• Extra lid bolts
• Sludge and scum measuring device (e.g., Nasco Sludge
Judge® for sludge and Orenco SMUG for scum)
• Hook for raising floats to test them
• Biotube® filter cradle (OM-BIOTUBECRADLE)
• Bronze threaded check valve, for measuring pump flow rate
in systems with drainbacks
• Backpack pressure washer
• Trash pump (and generator, if pump is electric) for removing
solids from discharge basin
• AX20 manifold brush (AX-LATERALBRUSH)
• AX20 sheet cleaning wand (AX-CLEANINGWAND)
• Handheld computer (PDA) or laptop computer with
Bluetooth® Kit and BT-VCOM software (optional, to turn
pump on and off at a distance from the panel)
• Electrical tester (voltage and amperage)
• Phone line tester (available from RadioShack®)
• Dissolved oxygen (DO) meter or colorimetric ampoules
• Sample bottles
• Turbidity meter
• pH meter or pH test strips
• Test strips for nitrate, ammonia, alkalinity
• Tape measure
• Calculator
• A copy of the AX20 Installation Instructions (NIM-ATX-AX-1),
for reference
For Repairs
• Structural adhesive and adhesive/sealant
• Control panel parts (circuit breakers, motor contactors,
relays)
• Effluent pump(s)
• Extension cord
• Flashlight
• Hand tools (pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers, drill bits, hammer,
shovel, hand saw, etc.)
• Heat gun or torch for bending conduit
• Inspection mirror (e.g., Prototek “Mirror on a Stick”)
• Plumber’s snake
• PVC cement and primer
• PVC fittings, ¾-inch to 2-inch (20-50 mm)
• PVC pipe, ¾-inch to 2-inch (20-50 mm)
• Spare parts for downstream components (e.g. drip
headworks, UV)
• Waterproof wire nuts
• Wire stripping/crimping tool
• Float switches
For Troubleshooting
• Digital camera
• Watch or timer
• A copy of Part 2 of the AdvanTex O&M Manual: Advanced
Service Tips and Troubleshooting Guide (AIM-OM-ATX-2)
For Personal Hygiene and Cleanup
• Bleach/water solution
• Eye protection
• Hand cleanser
• Paper towels
• Protective clothing
• Rags
• Rubber gloves
System Start-Up Procedure
Your System Start-Up visit provides final confirmation that the system has
been correctly installed and is ready to function properly. It also acquaints
Equipment List
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7
AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Start-Up Checklist
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8
AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
you, the service provider, with each individual system, so that you are
familiar with any special components or requirements.
The AX20 Start-Up Checklist (SCL-ATX-OM-1), shown on the preceding
page, will help you remember to complete all the steps needed to check
the system’s functions. While you don’t need to return the Start-Up
Checklist to Orenco, we recommend bringing a copy to the start-up and
checking off the steps to make sure that you perform all of them.
As part of the start-up, you’ll also download a computer-generated Start-Up
Summary Report from advantexservice.com and fax it to the fax number
on the bottom of the form. An automated system will add the report to the
data file for that system on advantexservice.com. This will confirm that the
system is ready for operation, so that Orenco and the AdvanTex Dealer can
confidently warranty it and your service contract can begin.
Planning the Start-Up
When the installer calls to tell you that the system is ready for start-up,
ask the following questions:
• Did the electrician connect the panel to the home’s electrical
service and turn the power on?
• Did the installer test the control panel to make sure it was
functional?
• Is there phone service, or, at
minimum, is the phone line
physically connected to the
panel?
If the installer answers “yes” to these
questions, then the system is ready
for start-up.
A typical start-up visit takes about
an hour. Arrange to meet the system
installer at the site so that he or
she can answer any questions you may have about the installation. The
installer should bring the site plan or as-built. If the system owners can be
present too, this is a good opportunity for them to learn how the system
functions. As part of the start-up, you will need to review the Homeowner
Package with the homeowners or, if the house has not yet been sold, with
a representative of the homebuilder. You can do this at the start-up visit, or
arrange a meeting prior to the start-up.
Before Leaving the Office
Download the Start-Up Summary Report from www.advantexservice.com.
The top of the form should be pre-filled with information about the site. If
any information is missing, fill it in. You will fill out the rest of the form at
the site as you go through the start-up procedure.
If the system does not have a
discharge tank or basin and
discharge pump, note that in
the Start-Up Summary Report.
At the Site
Ask the system installer
about the size, material,
and manufacturer of each
primary tank and discharge
tank or basin, and record it
on the Start-Up Summary
Report. Also record the serial
number(s) of the AX20 pods.
Primary Treatment
Open the risers of the tank and of any discharge or recirculation tanks or
Completing the Start-Up Checklist
126 472
©
i
-
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a
x
.
c
o
m
Fax completed form to 1-866-384-7404
Start-Up Summary Report
Property Owner/Tracking # Operator Installed Date
Site Address Start-Up Date
Phone Number Permit # Mode Bedrooms Occupants Occupancy Date
Designer/Engineer Phone Authorized Installer Phone
AdvanTex Dealer Phone Electrician Phone
Primary Treatment
If using a single Processing Tank, complete the following:
Processing Tank
Septic Volume ( __________ gal.) Recirc Volume ( __________ gal.)
Construction Concrete Fiberglass Other
Manufacturer: ____________________________________________________
If using a separate Septic Tank and Recirc Tank, complete the following:
Septic Tank ( __________ gal.)
Construction Concrete Fiberglass Other
Manufacturer: ____________________________________________________
Recirc Tank ( __________ gal.)
Construction Concrete Fiberglass Other
Manufacturer: ____________________________________________________
Pump Model: ____________________________________________________
Floats set properly at __________ -in. __________ -in. __________ -in.
Secondary Treatment
RSV setting: _________ -in.
Residual head measurement:
Pod #1 __________ -in. Pod #2 __________ -in. Pod #3 __________ -in.
Discharge Tank/Basin ( __________ gal.)
Construction Concrete Fiberglass PVC (Basin)
Manufacturer: ____________________________________________________
Pump Model: ____________________________________________________
Floats set properly at __________ -in. __________ -in. __________ -in.
Discharge pump fl ow rate (drawdown test): ( __________ gpm)
Discharge pump dose volume: ( __________ gal./dose)
Control Panel
Panel ID (RTU or UL #) “On” Timer Setting “Off” Timer Setting
Filter Pods
Pod #1 Serial No. Pod #2 Serial No. Pod #3 Serial No.
Other System Components
Disinfection equipment (manufacturer):
________________________________________________________________
Dispersal system (type of):
________________________________________________________________
Declarations (Initial)
_________ Orenco’s Start-Up Procedure was followed.
_________ All lids are secured.
_________ Circuit breakers are on and control panel is latched.
_________ “For Service Call” label with phone # was affi xed to panel.
_________ Homeowner Package was reviewed with:
Builder on (date) _______________________________________
Resident on (date) _____________________________________
The system is ready for use Yes No (explain)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Comments _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature ______________________________________________________________________ Date _________________________________________
Field Maintenance ReportAAddvvaannTTeexx®®AdvanTex ®
Treatment Systems
Greg Hart
19132 N Umpqua Highway - Glide, Oregon 97443
[phone] 4
08/08/2006
08/25/2006
08/25/2006
ET Engineering LLC [phone]
ABCOnsite,Inc.[phone]
Steve&#39;s Septic, Inc.[phone]
Mode 1B
ABC Septic Services
[phone]
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Copyright Orenco Systems®, Inc. Property of Orenco Systems®, Inc. Do not reproduce or distribute without written authorization from Orenco: 800-348-9843. • AIM-OM-ATX-1, Rev. 2, 10/22
9
AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
basins.
L Proper inlet tee installed.
In the inlet riser of the primary processing tank, make sure that the inlet
tee is present, firmly attached, and plumb.
L Discharge plumbing properly installed.
In the outlet riser, make sure that the discharge plumbing is properly
installed through a watertight grommet. The threaded connections should
be hand-tight, and the ball valve should be open. Look at the pump to
make sure that it is the model specified on the plans, and record the
model on the Start-Up Summary Report.
L Float assembly mounted in Biotube® vault.
L Floats operate properly.
Before you test the floats, open the control panel and place it in test mode
by pressing and holding the red button on the front for 15 seconds. Inside
the panel, the correct yellow digital input LED should light up. Release the
button when the audible alarm chirps.
If you can’t see the inside of the control panel while you raise and lower
the float switches, you may need a helper. Pull the float tree out of the
water. The floats will go down, the alarm will sound, and all the yellow
LEDs should be off.
Raise the bottom float to stop the alarm. A yellow LED should light up.
Next, raise the middle float, if it is present. No alarm should sound, but
another yellow LED should light up.
When you raise the top float, the alarm should sound again and the third
yellow LED should light up.
L Floats set properly.
Replace the float tree in its bracket, making sure it’s properly mounted.
Neatly coil the float cords, and secure them to the splice box. Measure the
float heights from the outside top of the tank and verify that the heights
are correct according to the AX20 Installation Guide. Record them on the
Start-Up Summary Report.
L Splice box mounted on access riser. Watertight connectors
used.
Inspect the splice box to make sure that it is securely mounted inside or
outside the riser; that connections have been made using watertight wire
nuts; and that there is no water in the splice box. We also recommend that
you seal the conduit using conduit seals or any electrically approved sealant.
NOTE: Orenco provides float and RSV settings for all tanks approved for
use with AdvanTex Treatment Systems in your area. At start-up and during
annual maintenance, you need only verify that the actual settings on the
equipment match Orenco’s recommendations. If you need to adjust the
settings to solve a problem, see Appendix 2.
Completing the Start-Up Checklist (continued)
WARNING: Do not enter the tank. Entering a tank without proper confined
space procedures and equipment can cause serious injury, asphyxiation,
or drowning.
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10
AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
L Pump operates in Manual.
L Pump operates in Automatic.
L Pump amps and volts checked.
At the control panel, with the panel still in test mode, check the run
amperage of the recirculation pump and discharge pump by placing the
clamp of an ammeter around the wire to each pump’s circuit breaker and
reading the amperage while each pump is running. You can run the pump
by holding the toggle switch on MAN. Amperage should be no more than
the pump’s maximum service factor amperage.
First for the recirculation pump and then for the discharge pump, measure
the voltage with the pump off, by putting the probes of a voltmeter on
each pump’s terminals. Then measure the voltage with the pump running.
The difference between running and rest voltage should be no more than
3 percent. That is 3.6 volts
for a 120-volt system, or 7.2
volts for a 240-volt system.
Release the switch back to
the AUTO position. Make sure
the pump comes on as the
timer cycles. Timer cycles
are shortened to about 30
seconds in test mode.
Secondary Treatment
L Verify proper RSV setting.
Measure the distance from the outside top
of the tank to the top of the Recirculating
Splitter Valve (RSV) ball cage, and record it
on the Start-Up Summary Report.
L All pods installed level.
L All piping properly covered and compacted.
Check that each AX20 pod is installed level and that all piping is covered
with compacted fill.
L Ventilation intake(s) properly located and installed.
L Squirt height verified.
Open each AX20 pod and make
sure that the ball valves at the
end of the laterals are closed.
Remove an orifice cover and
measure the squirt height.
Record the squirt height on the
Start-Up Summary Report as
“Residual Head Measurement.”
L Discharge basin/tank
inspected for infiltration.
L Discharge basin/tank set
level.
Inspect the discharge pump basin or tank to make sure that it is set level
and there is no sign of water infiltration.
L Pump and discharge plumbing are compatible.
L Discharge plumbing properly installed.
Look at the pump to make sure that it is the model specified on the plans,
and record the model on the Start-Up Summary Report. Verify that the
discharge plumbing is installed as specified on the plans; that it is properly
installed through a watertight grommet; and that the ball valve is open.
Completing the Start-Up Checklist (continued)
NOTE: Improper RSV settings are a common installation error, so please
check them carefully.
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11
AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
L Discharge floats operate properly.
L Discharge floats set properly.
Check the function and settings of the floats in the discharge basin/tank
as described under Primary Treatment Components, and record the float
heights on the Start-Up Summary Report, as before.
L Splice box mounted in discharge access riser. Watertight
connectors used.
Inspect the splice box in the discharge basin/tank to make sure that it is
securely mounted inside or outside the riser; that connections have been
made using watertight wire nuts; and that there is no water in the splice
box. Use conduit seals or electrically approved sealant.
L Discharge pump operates in Manual.
L Discharge pump operates in Automatic.
L Discharge pump amps and volts checked.
Test the discharge pump and check running amps, running volts, and
resting volts at the same time you check the recirc pump.
L Flow rate verified.
L Dose volume verified.
Determining the discharge pump’s actual flow rate enables you to
determine the dose volume (the volume of wastewater being treated in
each dose) and to calculate timer settings.
Knowing the dose volume also enables you to determine the volume of
wastewater being treated in a given period. To do this, multiply the dose
volume by the number of doses.
To verify the flow rate, follow Steps 1 through 7, then verify the dose
volume in Step 8.
Step 1. Determine the gallons per inch (gpi) or liters per centimeter (L/
cm) volume of the dosing tank or basin. A 24-inch (600-mm) diameter
basin holds 1.88 gpi (2.8 L/cm). A 30-inch (750-mm) diameter basin
holds 2.96 gpi (4.4 L/cm). For tanks, consult the manufacturer’s volume
chart. For Orenco fiberglass tanks, use Fiberglass Tank Volume Charts,
NCH-TNK-1.
Step 2. You’ll be running the pump for one minute during the flow rate
test, so check the liquid level inside the tank/basin to ensure that there’s
enough water above the pump’s minimum liquid level (MLL), or the
lowest float (whichever is higher), to complete the test. For example, in
one minute, a pump operating at 10 gpm (37.8 L/min) will draw down
approximately 5¼ inch (14 cm) of liquid in a 24-inch (600-mm) diameter
basin, or
10 gallons ÷ 1.88 gpi = 5¼ inch, or
37.8 liters ÷ 2.8 L/cm = 14 cm
So, to perform a flow rate test with the pump and basin in this example,
you’d need at least 5¼ inch (14 cm) of water above the MLL or the
bottom float (whichever is higher). If there is not enough liquid, add some.
Step 3. If your system isn’t configured to drain back to the basin after
each dose, skip to step 4. If your system is configured to drain back
to the basin, you’ll need to account for the drainback volume in your
calculations. Or you can stop drainback during the test by temporarily
installing a threaded check valve between the pump and the pump dis-
charge assembly. This eliminates the need to measure drainback volume.
Step 4. To measure the flow rate, first measure the distance from the top
of the tank or basin to the liquid level. Record this as H1.
Step 5. Using a stopwatch, hold the discharge pump’s toggle switch
on MAN for exactly one minute. Then switch off the pump. If the system
is configured to drain back into the tank or basin after a dose, wait until
drainback is complete.
Completing the Start-Up Checklist (continued)
NOTE: To ensure proper system operation, check to make sure that floats
are Orenco “A” or “V” floats.
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AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Step 6. Measure the new distance from the top of the tank or basin to
the liquid level. Record this as H2.
Step 7. To get the pump’s flow rate, find the difference between H2 and
H1. Multiply this number by the gpi (or L/cm) volume of the tank or basin.
Add the drainback volume (DB), if applicable. Then divide by the pump
run time in minutes (T). For this test, the pump run time in minutes should
equal one minute.
Step 8. To verify the pump’s dose volume, multiply the pump’s flow rate
(gpm or L/min) by the pump run time in minutes (T) — as determined
by float settings or timer operation, depending on panel model — and
subtract the drainback volume, if applicable.
Dose Volume (V) = (gpm × T) - DB
or
Dose Volume (V) = (L/min × T) - DB
Other System Components
L Disinfection equipment installed properly.
L Dispersal equipment operating properly.
Verify that any disinfection and dispersal equipment specified on the plans
is present, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to inspect it for
proper functioning. Record the disinfection equipment manufacturer and
the dispersal system type on the Start-Up Summary Report.
Control Panel
L Proper timer settings.
Open the control panel and, using a handheld or laptop computer, verify
that the timer settings are appropriate for the installation. Record the
Panel ID (RTU or UL number) and timer settings on the Start-Up Summary
Report. Default timer settings are set for an occupancy of 3 people.
This may also be adjusted at vericomm.net, for systems equipped with
VeriComm.
L Proper wire size used based on information provided by
manufacturer.
For Orenco components, the panel installation instructions provide correct
wire sizes.
L All electrical connections in panel secured.
L Panel wired per manufacturer’s wiring diagram.
Check the panel to make sure that it is wired according to the diagram
clipped inside the panel’s door. Gently tug on the wires to make sure they
are secured in the terminals.
L Service provider name/number written on “For Service
Call” label.
Write in your company’s name and phone number, if it hasn’t been
done already.
Completing the Start-Up Checklist (continued)
Important: For VeriComm® panels, enter the gpm value on the “Site Details”
page at vericomm.net as “Discharge Pump GPM.” The VeriComm panel will use it
to automatically calculate and record the system’s actual flow rates, which can be
used for reports, troubleshooting, and determining timer settings.
Starting level
Ending level
H1
H2
Drainback Drainback
volume volume
(if applicable)(if applicable)
Dosing tank or basin
Pump flow rate (gpm) =
or
Pump flow rate (L/min) =
[(H2 - H1) × gpi] + DB
T
[(H2 - H1) × L/cm] + DB
T
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AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
L Control panel functional test, as detailed in the Residential
AdvanTex Installation Instructions, has been followed.
The installer should have performed this test during installation. If not,
perform it now.
Before performing the next step, return the panel from test mode to normal
mode by holding down the alarm button on the front of the panel until the
alarm chirps.
L Dial tone verified.
If phone service to the panel is not yet connected, you will be notified later
when the service is connected and the panel automatically starts calling in.
If phone service is available to the panel, quickly press the alarm button
on the front of the panel 15 times to force the panel to call in to the
VeriComm® Web site. The Modem Activity light on the VCOM board should
light up.
If the Modem Activity light does not light up, unplug the phone line from
the phone jack on the panel and plug the phone line into a phone line
tester, or a phone, to see if there is a dial tone. If there is no dial tone,
come back and repeat the forced call-in test when phone service is
activated to the panel. If there is a dial tone but the modem will not call in,
call your AdvanTex Dealer for troubleshooting assistance.
L Control panel diagrams left in panel for future review.
Remember to leave the diagrams in the panel.
Final/Safety Inspection
L All access riser
hardware is in place.
Lids are secured.
L All splice box lids are
secured.
Close and secure all pod,
riser, external splice box,
and basin lids.
L Panel circuit breakers are in the ON position, panel is set
for automatic operation, and panel is latched (or locked if
necessary).
Make sure all circuit breakers are ON. If the panel is in test mode, it will
automatically return to normal mode in 30 minutes. To manually return it
to normal mode, hold the alarm button on the front of the panel down until
the alarm chirps. Close and latch the panel, and lock it if necessary.
Make sure that the Start-Up Summary Report is completely filled out.
Homeowner’s Package
L Homeowner’s Package reviewed with homeowner.
Go through the Homeowner’s Package with the homeowner, or with the
builder’s representative if the home has not yet been sold.
Back at the Office
Fax the completed Start-Up Summary Report to the number on the
bottom of the report.
WARNING: If lid bolts are missing, replace them with spares. If you have
no spare lid bolts, fasten the lid with a self-tapping screw, and immediately
call your Dealer for replacement bolts. If the lid is unbolted or if the lid or
riser are damaged, be sure to securely block access to the tank opening
before leaving the site. Open tanks are hazardous, and children or adults
who try to enter them may be seriously injured, asphyxiated or drowned.
Completing the Start-Up Checklist (continued)
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AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Scheduled Field Maintenance Report
Fax completed form to 1-866-384-7404
Field Maintenance Report
Property Owner/Tracking # Operator
Site Address Contact Phone
AX Site ID # County ID # Pod # RTU #/UL # Date of Last Inspection
Retrieve O&M Info
Daily flow ________________________________________
Recirc ratio ______________________________________
Timer settings:
Perform Field Sampling/Observations
NTU (15 ± NTUs) pH (6-9) DO (2-6)
Odor of Sample
Typical l Musty l Earthy l Moldy
Non-typical l Sulfide l Cabbage l Decay
Oily film in PVU l Yes l No
Foam in tank l Yes l No
Check Control Panel
Recirc Amps Discharge Amps
Audible and visual alarms l OK
Dial tone (telemetry only) l Yes l No
Inspect/Clean Pump System
Inspect Clean
Riser/Lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l
Splice Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l
Float Cords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l
Floats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l l
Pump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l l
Biotube® Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l l
Biotube Pump Vault . . . . . . . . . . . . l l
Recirculating Splitter Valve . . . . . . . l l
Measure Sludge/Scum
Sludge Scum
1st Compartment Current Previous Current Previous
2nd Compartment Current Previous Current Previous
Inspect/Clean AdvanTex Filter Inspect Clean
Odor: l Normal l Pungent Laterals/Orifices l l
Biomat: l Normal l Excessive Pod Bottom l l
Bridging/Ponding: l None/Minor l Excessive Intake Vent l l
Inspect/Clean Discharge Pump System
Inspect Inspect Clean
Riser/Lid l Floats l l
Splice Box l Pump l l
Float cords l
Inspect/Service Other System Components
Inspect Clean Inspect Clean
Disinfection Equipment l l Dispersal Laterals/Orifices l l
Dispersal Type
Additional Services Renderedl Cleaned textile sheets? l Replaced UV items? l Replaced/Used other items?
Parts Used: W = Warranty, B = Billable (3 appropriate selection)
W B Item Number Description
Final/Safety Inspectionl RSV reinstalled l Lids bolted onl Manifold reconnected; flush valves closed l Control panel reactivated
Summary/Recommendationsl System performing; no further action needed l Tank needs pumpingl Call for service l Other? _______________________
Comments _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature ______________________________________________________________________ Date _________________________________________
AdvanTex®Ad va nTex ®
Treatment Systems
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AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Residential AdvanTex Treatment Systems require periodic servicing.
AX20 systems need a six-month visit, a one-year visit, and annual visits*
thereafter. AX20N systems require four visits during the first two years and
annual visits* thereafter. Failure to provide required maintenance will void
the AdvanTex Treatment System warranty and may place the system out
of compliance with local regulations.
Homeowner Communication
Whenever possible, contact the residents when it’s time for a service
visit, especially if the residents are new to the home. The service visit is
an opportunity to talk with them about proper use of the system, so try to
schedule the visit when someone will be there.
Retrieve O&M Info
Download the Field Maintenance Report form for your site from
www.advantexservice.com. The top of the form should be pre-filled with
information about the system.
Perform Field Sampling/Observations
When you arrive at the site, remove the lids from the risers and take
your sample before doing anything else, so that the sample won’t be
contaminated by material that you stir up while working. To sample effluent,
remove the Recirculating Splitter Valve (RSV) from its quick-release holster
and set it aside. There will be enough of a trickle through the RSV plumbing
to collect a sample without waiting for the pump to cycle.
Wash down, brush, or wipe the
RSV inlet before taking the sam-
ple so there will be no contam-
ination from dislodged solids.
Leave the RSV disconnected
for the rest of the service call
so that any debris you stir up does
not make its way to the drainfield.
L Clarity of sample
Assess the clarity of the sample by
using a portable turbidity meter.
*Servicing intervals may vary according to local regulations.
L Odor of sample
Sniff the sample and assess its odor. Record these observations about
clarity (NTUs) and odor on the Field Maintenance Report form.
L pH of sample
L Dissolved oxygen of sample
Using pH test strips or a pH meter, check the pH of the sample and record it
on the Field Maintenance Report form. Values from 6 to 9 are normal. Also
check the sample’s dissolved oxygen (DO) using a DO meter (or DO field
test ampoules), and record that on the form. Values from 2.5 to 6 mg/L are
normal.
L Oily film in PVU
L Foam in tank
Check the liquid in the pump vault (PVU) for an oily sheen, and the liquid in
the first compartment of the tank for foam or other unusual appearance.
Record your observations on the Field Maintenance Report form.
Performing Scheduled Field Maintenance
IMPORTANT: To avoid contamination, do not run the pump manually or in
test mode to obtain this sample.
WARNING: Follow the precautions below when performing field
maintenance on AdvanTex Systems.
• Do not enter the tank. Entering a tank without proper confined space
procedures and equipment can cause serious injury or death.
• Use proper personal protection equipment, such as rubber gloves and
eye protection, as well as protective clothing, to cover parts of the body
that will be exposed to wastewater or effluent.
• When working on components that contact sewage or effluent, lay them
on a plastic sheet or place them in a trash can, not on the lawn. Several
tools that reduce the mess of cleaning Biotube® filters and AdvanTex
textile sheets are available from Orenco.
• Turn off power to electrical components when working in splice boxes or
the control panel or when disconnecting pumps.
• When finished, use proper personal hygiene.
NOTE: If field sample levels are outside of the norm or if your observations
indicate the treatment system may not be functioning properly, further testing
in a laboratory environment may be needed.
Sampling equipment, minimum sample size, and storage procedures should
conform to the standard methods required by your federal, state, and local
authorities.
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AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Check Control Panel
Open the control panel and place it in test mode.
L Run amperage
Check and record the run amperage of the recirculation pump and
discharge pump. Place the clamp of an ammeter around the wire to
each pump’s circuit breaker and read the amperage while each pump
is running. You can run the pump by holding the toggle switch on MAN.
Amperage should be no more than the pump’s maximum service factor
amperage.
Release the switch to the AUTO position. Make sure the pump comes on
as the timer cycles. Timer cycles are shortened to about 30 seconds in
test mode.
L Audible and visual alarms
Check the operation of the floats and timers by lifting the float trees out of
the tank and discharge basin and following the instructions clipped inside
the panel door. Make sure that audible and visual alarms are activated
when the appropriate float is raised or lowered.
L Dial tone (telemetry only)
For systems equipped with VeriComm® panels, use a phone line tester or
a phone to verify the presence of a dial tone.
Inspect/Clean Recirc Pump System
L Riser/Lid
Make sure that the lid is intact, and replace it if necessary. Replace any
missing lid bolts. Check for marks of liquid infiltration or exfiltration.
L Splice box
Open the splice box and make sure there is no water in it. If there is,
remove the water with a sponge and repair the leak. If you disconnect any
connections, do not reuse the wire nuts when you reconnect them — use
new ones.
L Float cords
L Floats
Verify that the floats are in good condition and properly secured to the
float tree. Verify that float cords are neatly wrapped inside the riser so
that they cannot interfere with the operation of the floats. Clean floats by
hosing or brushing them so that debris falls back into the tank, not into
the pump vault.
L Pump
Turn circuit breaker off at service panel. Switch MOA and circuit breakers
in control panel to “Off.” Pull the pump and place it on a cleanable
surface, like the riser lid, or in a plastic trash can. Check the intake
screen; wash off particles as necessary. Record the kinds of particles
in the Comments section of the Field Maintenance Report form and
report findings to user (for preventive maintenance). Reinstall the pump,
checking to make sure the discharge valve on the hose and valve
assembly is open.
Performing Scheduled Field Maintenance (continued)
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AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
L Biotube® Filter
L Biotube Pump Vault
Clean the Biotube Filter at every visit. Make sure that the RSV is out. Slide
Biotube cartridge out of vault. Hold Biotube cartridge over open inlet of
tank or primary compartment. Carefully spray build-up into tank. (The
Biotube Cradle, available from Orenco, holds the Biotube Filter on the lip of
the riser and directs debris into the tank away from the pump vault.) Flush
vault bottom.
L Recirculating Splitter Valve
Move the RSV from side to side to check that the balls move freely. Then
verify that the liquid level in the tank is within the normal range. If it is low,
the ball mechanism could be jammed in the seated position. If it is high,
the RSV may not be making a tight seal when the balls are seated. Clean
the balls and replace the balls or the cage if necessary. Don’t replace the
RSV in the tank until you’re ready to leave the site.
Measure Sludge/Scum
Measure sludge and scum in both
compartments of the tank, and record
the measurements on the Field
Maintenance Report form. Schedule
pumping of the tank when the bottom
of the scum layer is within 3 inches
(75 mm) of the flow-through port of
the tank baffle or when the sludge
accumulates to within 6 inches
(150 mm) of the flow-through port.
Note any unusual appearance or smell of the tank’s contents, and consult
the Advanced Service Tips and Troubleshooting Guide, available from your
AdvanTex Dealer, if necessary. If you find kitty litter, sanitary products,
excessive grease, or other material that shouldn’t be in the tank, talk to
the residents of the home and remind them not to flush those things.
Inspect/Clean AdvanTex Filter
Open the AdvanTex Filter pod.
L Odor
L Biomat
L Bridging/Ponding
Check that the odor and appearance of the biomat are normal. Pungent
or unusual odor, ponding (excessive liquid), and bridging (excessive solids)
are problems that need immediate attention. The Advanced Service Tips
and Troubleshooting Guide can help you ascertain the cause. You may
need to change the timer settings or discuss household habits with the
system users. And you may need to clean the filter sheets. (See “Additional
Services Rendered.”)
L Laterals/Orifices
Inspect the orifice shields. A clean area around an orifice cover is a sign of
a plugged orifice; clean these orifices out before cleaning the laterals.
To clean and flush the manifold, open the flush valves at the ends of the
laterals and brush or jet the laterals.
L Pod bottom
Pull out a few sheets, inspect the pod bottom, and note any excessive
buildup of debris. When you’re done cleaning the manifold, remove the
RSV from the tank, and run the pump for two or three minutes with the
flush valves open and the RSV removed to flush debris from the pod’s
underdrain back into the tank. You can do this while you are performing
other tasks. After flushing, close the flush valves and make sure the orifice
covers are on more or less straight. Replace the RSV in the tank.
L Intake vent
Make sure that the ventilation intake is not damaged or blocked, and
clean or replace it if necessary.
Performing Scheduled Field Maintenance (continued)
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AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Inspect/Clean Discharge Pump System
L Riser/Lid
L Splice box
L Float cords
L Floats
L Pump
If there is a discharge pump basin, inspect it and its components. Clean
floats and pump by hosing them. If you pull the pump, check to make sure
the discharge valve is open after reinstalling.
Over time, solids may accumulate in the discharge basin. Use a trash
pump to pump these solids into the inlet end of the processing tank.
Inspect/Service Other System Components
L Disinfection equipment
L Dispersal laterals/orifices
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to inspect and service other
components of the system.
Additional Services Rendered
L Cleaned textile sheets?
You should not need to clean the textile sheets every year, but it may be
necessary now and then. Don’t clean them unless the buildup of biomat
is bridging across the sheets, because removing too much of the biomat
inhibits the system’s treatment performance.
If you need to clean the sheets, remove the RSV so that solids can
freely drain back to the tank. Then clean the sheets one by one with the
AdvanTex Cleaning Wand, a hose, or a backpack pressure washer (at low
pressure). Wash debris down into the pod, where it will drain back into the
processing tank.
L Replaced UV items?
L Replaced/used other items?
Document any equipment replaced and any additional observations.
Final/Safety Inspection
Review the Field Maintenance Report form to ensure all activities have
been performed.
L RSV reinstalled
If you haven’t done so already, reinstall the RSV.
L Manifold reconnected and valves closed
Make sure that the flush valves at the ends of the AX20 laterals are
closed.
L Lids bolted on
Replace all lids and tighten all lid bolts.
Performing Scheduled Field Maintenance (continued)
WARNING: If lid bolts are missing, replace them with spares. If you have
no spare lid bolts, fasten the lid with a self-tapping screw, and immediately
call your Dealer for replacement bolts. If the lid is unbolted or if the lid or
riser are damaged, be sure to securely block access to the tank opening
before leaving the site. Open tanks are hazardous, and children or adults
who try to enter them may be seriously injured, asphyxiated, or drowned.
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AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Performing Scheduled Field Maintenance (continued)
L Control panel reactivated
Make sure that all circuit breakers have been switched back on. The panel
will automatically return from test mode to normal mode in 30 minutes.
To manually return it to normal mode, hold down the alarm button on the
front of the panel until the alarm chirps. Close and latch the panel, and
lock it if necessary.
Summary/Recommendations
L Treatment system is performing; no further action necessary
L Call for service
L Tank needs pumping
L Other?
Check-off or document final recommendation(s). Back at the office,
schedule any necessary follow-up.
Comments
Record any additional observations from your visit on the Field
Maintenance Report form, along with information about equipment
repaired or replaced.
Fax the completed form to the number on the bottom. The automated
system will record the completion of the site’s visit and archive an image
of the form on advantexservice.com for future reference.
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AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Unscheduled Field Maintenance Report
Fax completed form to 1-866-384-7404
Unscheduled
Property Owner/Tracking # Operator
Site Address Contact Phone
AX Site ID # County ID # Pod # RTU #/UL # Date of Last Inspection
Dispatcher Comments
Date: ________________________ Time: ______________
Notifi cation of site condition
� Made by VeriComm® Monitoring System
� Made by Homeowner
� Other __________________________________________
Site condition at time of call
� Alarm � Tank Overfl ow
� Odor � Sewage Backup
� Other __________________________________________
Field Sampling/Observations
� Necessary � Not necessary
NTU (15 ± NTUs) pH (6-9) DO (2-6)
Odor of Sample.
Typical � Musty � Earthy � Moldy
Non-typical � Sulfi de � Cabbage � Decay
Conditions at site
Alarm On � Yes � No
(If yes, alarm type ______________________________ )
Tank Liquid Level � Normal � High � Low
Pump Operational? � Yes � No
Circuit Breakers
Recirc . . . . . . . . � Tripped � On � Off
Discharge . . . . . � Tripped � On � Off
Controls . . . . . . � Tripped � On � Off
VCOM® ATRTU Board: (if applicable)
Document the panel status by shading the appropriate
inputs and outputs as indicated by the yellow and red LEDs.
Inputs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Outputs 1 2 3 4
Power
(Green LED)� On � Off � Flashing
Cause of Malfunction: � Mechanical � Process-Related
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Services Rendered:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Parts Used: W = Warranty, B = Billable (✓ appropriate selection)
W B Item Number Description
Notes/Final Recommendations:� System performing; no further action needed � Additional service needed
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Final/Safety Inspection:
Lids bolted on? � Yes � No
(If damaged, comment _________________________________________________________)
Control Panel reactivated? � Yes � No
Circuit Breakers:
Recirc: � On � Off Discharge: � On � Off Controls: � On � Off
Time at Site Travel Time Total Time
Signature ________________________________________________________________________
Date ________________________________________Time _______________________________
Field Maintenance ReportAAddvvaannTTeexx®®AdvanTex ®
Treatment Systems
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AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Unscheduled Maintenance Procedures
If you receive an alarm call or phone call that requires a visit to an
AdvanTex site, download the Field Maintenance Report: Unscheduled from
www.advantexservice.com. The top of the form should be pre-filled with
information about the site. If any information is missing, fill it in.
Depending on the type of problem that caused the alarm, you may not
need to check all the boxes — they’re just there to reduce the amount of
writing you have to do. But do use the notes areas to record any repairs
or adjustments you make, and to document anything unusual. These
notes may help you on future service calls, and they help Orenco and your
Dealer identify patterns of problems.
We recommend that you send a copy of this form to the homeowners
after your visit. This reinforces any advice you may give them about proper
use of their system. It also reassures them that the VeriComm® monitoring
system is working and that you are diligently maintaining their system.
Notification of Site Condition
L Made by VeriComm Monitoring System
L Made by Homeowner
L Other _____________________________________
Indicate whether you learned about the problem from the VeriComm
system, from the homeowner, or some other way — perhaps from a
neighbor.
Site Condition at Time of Call
L Alarm
L Tank Overflow
L Odor
L Sewage Backup
L Other _____________________________________
Describe the condition that prompted the alarm.
Field Sampling/Observations
L Necessary
L Not necessary
If the cause of the problem is not immediately apparent, use proper
techniques (described in the “Performing Scheduled Field Maintenance”
section) to sample effluent from the RSV. Do this first so that subsequent
activity will not contaminate the sample. Test the sample’s clarity, pH, and
dissolved oxygen, and record the results on the form. Also check the box
that describes the odor of the sample.
Conditions at Site
Alarm On L Yes L No
(If yes, alarm type ____________________________________ )
Tank Liquid Level L Normal L High L Low
Pump Operational? L Yes L No
Circuit Breakers
Recirc L Tripped L On L Off
Discharge L Tripped L On L Off
Controls L Tripped L On L Off
Record the status of each part of the system on the form. Use the “Notes”
field to describe problems in more detail.
VCOM ATRTU Board (if applicable)
Shade the appropriate circles to indicate which inputs (yellow) and outputs
(red) are active on the ATRTU board inside the panel, and record the status
of the green power light.
Performing Unscheduled Field Maintenance
Yellow input LEDs
Red output
LEDs
Green power LED
WARNING: Do not enter the tank. Entering a tank without proper confined
space procedures and equipment can cause serious injury, asphyxiation,
or drowning.
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AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Cause of Malfunction
L Mechanical
L Process-Related
When you have found the cause of the malfunction, record whether
it is a mechanical problem (such as failure of a float or loosening of a
connection) or a problem with the biological processes in the system
(such as recirculation ratio, system abuse, or insufficient ventilation).
Describe the problem in as much detail as possible in the space provided.
Services Rendered
Describe what you did to correct the problem.
Parts Used
Record any new parts you installed. Check the appropriate box to show
whether they are covered under warranty or billable to the customer.
Notes/Final Recommendations
Write down any observations about this incident that will be useful to you,
the homeowner, your AdvanTex Dealer, or Orenco.
Final/Safety Inspection
Lids bolted on? L Yes L No
(If damaged, comment _________________________________)
Control panel reactivated? L Yes L No
Circuit Breakers:
Recirc: L On L Off
Discharge: L On L Off
Controls: L On L Off
Verify the condition of system components upon leaving the site.
Time/Date/Signature
Record time at site and travel time.
Sign and date the form. Then fax it to the number at the bottom. The
bar code at the top will ensure that a PDF of the form will go into the
Service Provider’s inbox on advantexservice.com, for assignment to the
appropriate site.
Make a copy of the form and send it to the homeowner, along with the
invoice.
Performing Unscheduled Field Maintenance (continued)
WARNING: If lid bolts are missing, replace them with spares. If you have no
spare lid bolts, fasten the lid with a self-tapping screw, and immediately call
your Dealer for replacement bolts. If the lid is unbolted or if the lid or riser are
damaged, be sure to securely block access to the tank opening before leaving
the site. Open tanks are hazardous, and children or adults who try to enter
them may be seriously injured, asphyxiated, or drowned.
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23
AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Change of Service Provider Authorization
Fax completed form to 1-541-459-2884
Change of Service Provider
Authorization Form
Property Owner
Site Address
Contact Phone Pod #RTU #/UL #
Fill this form out completely, have it signed by the Homeowner, and fax to
1-541-459-2884
Previous Service Provider: _________________________________________________________________________
New Contract Start Date:
Additional Comments: _________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
New Service Provider Company
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
New Service Provider Signature Date
As the homeowner, you acknowledge that you are not under contract with any other Authorized Service Provider as of
the “New Contract Start Date,” noted above.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Homeowner Signature Date
AdvanTexService.com
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AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Consistent maintenance is important to ensuring the excellent performance
of AdvanTex Treatment Systems. So, when a service contract expires, it
must be renewed, either with the existing service provider or with another
service provider. Our advantexservice.com Web site provides tools to help
with this effort.
When a service contract expires, contact the homeowners and offer a
renewal. If the homeowners renew the contract, update the information in
advantexservice.com.
If the homeowners do not renew the contract within 60 days, notify
the Dealer (if the system is still under warranty) and make a note in
advantexservice.com. If a service contract is required by law, notify the
county or other regulatory jurisdiction as well.
When homeowners do not renew their service contract with their current
service provider and select you to be their new service provider, you
will need to have access to the site information for that system. Before
meeting with the homeowners, you should log onto advantexservice.com
and do the following:
• Print the Change of Service Provider Authorization Form.
• Fill out the form, including the site information, previous
service provider’s name, start date of the new contract, and
any explanatory comments.
• Have the homeowners sign the form.
• Add your name, company name, and signature and fax the
form to Orenco at the number on the bottom.
Once the form is received, you will have access to the site inform-
ation for that system, so you can schedule the next service call. In
addition, the automated system will archive an image of the form on
advantexservice.com for future reference.
Changing Service Providers
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AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Appendix 1: AX20 Timer Settings Worksheet
The following chart shows recommended timer settings for a new system.
RESIDENTS TIME ON (SEC)TIME OFF (MIN)NOTES
2 0.2 min (12 sec)19.8 min • Assumes water usage of 50 gal. (190 L) per person per day and a return recirculation
ratio of 3 : 1 (Filter recirculation ratio of 4 : 1).
• Override OFF cycle time is set at one-half of the OFF cycle time.
Override ON cycle time is set the same as the ON cycle time.
3 or 4 0.3 min (20 sec) 19.7 min
5 0.4 min (24 sec)19.6 min
6 0.5 min (30 sec) 19.5 min
As you gain experience with a system, you may conclude that you need to make adjustments, sometimes significant ones. This worksheet is intended to help you deter-
mine appropriate start-up timer settings (Pump ON, Pump OFF) for a single-pod AX20 system. Typical values and ranges are provided for each parameter. If you have any
questions or if your values fall outside the desired ranges on this worksheet, contact your Dealer.
PARAMETER TYPICAL VALUES NOTES
Number of people 3 Range of 2 to 8 people.
Water usage per person 50 gpd (190 L/d)Typical daily average is 50 gal. (190 L) per person.
Qi Actual daily flow (total)150 gpd (570 L/d)(Number of people) × (water usage per person).
Rb
Rf
Return recirculation ratio
Filter recirculation ratio
3 : 1
4 : 1
You can adjust this ratio (return flow to forward flow) up or down depending on system per-
formance. (Range of 2 to 6.)
Total daily flow to AX20 600 gpd (2280 L/d)(Actual daily flow) × (return recirculation ratio + 1). Must be ≤ 3000 gpd (11,370 L/d).
Actual flow should not exceed 500 gpd (1895 L/d). (500 gpd × 6:1 Rb = 3000 gpd)
Qd Actual pump dose rate 33.3 gpm (126 L/min)Determine this value by field-testing or by using Orenco’s PumpSelect™. Start at the low
end.
Td Pump ON cycle time (dose)0.25 min Select a value between 0.17 minutes (10 seconds) and 0.75 minutes (45 seconds).
Tr Pump OFF cycle time (rest)19.70 min See Pump OFF equation below.
PUMP OFF EQUATION EXAMPLE
Plugging in the above values and rounding results in the following:

After you determine your Pump ON and Pump OFF times, double check to make sure your start-up settings fall within the cycle time (CT) range, below. If they
don’t, make adjustments per the “Note.”
ADDITIONAL PARAMETERS TYPICAL VALUES NOTES
CT Cycle time 20 min Low flow applications may result in cycle times of an hour or more, which can cause the
media to dry out or odors to develop in the recirc tank. If CT is much more than 30 minutes,
consult your Dealer or Orenco for suggested adjustments.
Pump cycles per day 72 cycles 1440 min/day ÷ (OFF cycle time + ON cycle time). Must not exceed the pump’s maximum
rated cycles of 300 cycles per day.
Gallons per cycle 8.3 gal. (31 L)With 68 orifices and using the Td range recommended above, you will maintain the recom-
mended 0.08 to 0.25 gal. (0.45 to 0.95 L) per orifice per dose.
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AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Flow-through port in baffle
approx. 6"
(150 mm)
2" (50 mm)2" (50 mm)
60% to 70%
of X
X
High water alarm
Override timer
Surge volume
(approximately 250 gallons) (950 L)
Normal low operating liquid level (100% recirc)
Low water alarm/redundant off
External Splice Box
min. 2"
(50 mm)
min. 4"
(100 mm)
approx. 2"(50 mm)Normal 100% discharge approx. 6"
(150 mm)
approx. 2"(50 mm)Normal 100% discharge
RSVRSV
cagecage
RSVRSV
cagecage RSV
cage
RSV
cage
Mode 1Mode 3
Standard internal splice box
NOTE: For Mode 1
installations, the Standard
RSV will be located in
the second compartment
of the tank.
NOTE: For Mode 3 installations,
the Duckbill RSV will be located in
the first compartment of the tank.
NOTE: Maintain a minimum ¼ in.
per foot (20 mm per meter, or 2%)
slope from the pod outlet to the
RSV inlet.
NOTE: Maintain a minimum ¼ in.
per foot (20 mm per meter, or 2%)
slope from the pod outlet to the
RSV inlet.
Appendix 2: Float and RSV Settings
Orenco will provide the float and RSV settings for tanks that are approved
for use with AdvanTex Treatment Systems in your area. Service Providers
are simply required to verify that the float and RSV settings are correct.
This diagram shows how these settings are established for AdvanTex
Treatment Systems that use a VeriComm® Control Panel. The diagram
shows both a Mode 1 and a Mode 3 setup. For Mode 1 setups, the
recirculating splitter valve (RSV) is installed in the second compartment,
with the Biotube pump vault. For Mode 3 setups, the RSV is installed in
the first compartment, under the inlet riser.
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AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Flow-through port in baffle
approx. 6"
(150 mm)
2" (50 mm)2" (50 mm)
60% to 70%
of X
X
High water alarm
Override timer
Surge volume
(approximately 250 gallons) (950 L)
Normal low operating liquid level (100% recirc)
Low water alarm/redundant off
External Splice Box
min. 2"
(50 mm)
min. 4"
(100 mm)
approx. 2"(50 mm)Normal 100% dischargeapprox. 6"
(150 mm)
approx. 2"(50 mm)Normal 100% discharge
RSVRSV
cagecage
RSVRSV
cagecage RSV
cage
RSV
cage
Mode 1Mode 3
Standard internal splice box
NOTE: For Mode 1
installations, the Standard
RSV will be located in
the second compartment
of the tank.
NOTE: For Mode 3 installations,
the Duckbill RSV will be located in
the first compartment of the tank.
NOTE: Maintain a minimum ¼ in.
per foot (20 mm per meter, or 2%)
slope from the pod outlet to the
RSV inlet.
NOTE: Maintain a minimum ¼ in.
per foot (20 mm per meter, or 2%)
slope from the pod outlet to the
RSV inlet.
Appendix 2: Float and RSV Settings (continued)
Typical RSV Levels
For stinger pipe lengths up to 24 inches (600 mm) long, the “normal low
operating liquid level” will be approximately 5-6 inches (125-150 mm)
below the top of the RSV cage. (The normal low operating liquid level is the
level at which 100% of the filtrate returns to the tank.) For most residential
applications, the recommended surge volume — the volume between the
low liquid level and the high water alarm float — is approximately 250
gallons (950 L). For Mode 3 installations, the duckbill model RSV, which has
a flexible PVC tube that vents the RSV cage to atmosphere, is required.
Typical Float Levels
Be sure to check the plans for any site-specific or tank-specific float
settings. The top float is normally set equal with the tank’s invert of inlet.
The bottom float should be approximately 4 inches (100 mm) below the
normal low operating level.
NOTE: Before leaving the site, verify that the “low water alarm/redundant
off” float is positioned at least 10 inches (250 mm) below the top of the
RSV cage.
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AdvanTex® O&M MANUAL
PART 1: START-UP AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Notes
RESIDENTIAL
AdvanTex Treatment
Systems are listed to
NSF/ANSI Standards
40 and 245 for Class I
Systems.
AdvanTex Treatment
System complies with AN/
NZS Standards 1546.1
and 1546.3, as well as the
regulatory codes of your state
RESIDENTIAL
MANUAL
800-348-9843 • 541-459-4449
www.orenco.com
www.vericomm.net
Orenco®
O&M
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Attachment E
Updated O&M Agreement

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44177
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