1SMALL FLOWS -Winter 1996; Vol.10, No. 1

PEAT BIOFILTER For Wastewater Treatment

INDOOR AUDIO and VISUAL ALARM

SEPTIC TANK

SEWERLINE

SEWERLINE

PUMP LINE

BROKEN STONE

Pump/Sump

RAMP UP WITH SOIL TOUNDER EDGE OF COVER

TREATED EFFLUENTPERCOLATES UNDER

SYSTEM INTO SOIL

PERFORATIONS IN BASEFOR PERCOLATION

PEAT MEDIA ACTS LIKE ACONDENSED DRAINFIELD

BIOLOGICAL PURIFICATIONOCCURS IN THE MEDIA

4 POLYETHYLENE MODULESCONTAINING BIOFIBROUS PEAT

1/2"

SINGLE HOUSE INSTALLATION

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Small Flows

Volume 10Number 1Winter 1996S

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NSFC Collects Informationfor Technology Initiative

by Jeremy CanodyNSFC Staff Writer

The National Small Flows Clear-inghouse (NSFC) is currently busycollecting and housing wastewaterinformation for the U.S. Environ-mental Protection Agency’s (EPA)new Environmental TechnologyInitiative (ETI).

During this two-year project,which began in October, the NSFCwill use its expertise to collect anddisseminate information onmunicipal wastewater treatmentfacilities that use innovative tech-nologies.

The NSFC’s program includes aconcentrated, dedicated effort togather and share assessments ofprojects funded under the Innova-tive and Alternative (I/A) tech-nologies set-aside of the now

discontinued Construction GrantsProgram.

Of the 2,700 projects originallyfunded under the I/A provision,more than 600 projects, utilizingapproximately 120 different tech-nologies, were identified as “inno-vative” technologies.Theseprojects represent a federal invest-ment of about $1.1 billion.

BackgroundThrough the Clean Water Act,Congress created the I/A technol-ogy program as an incentive forpublicly owned treatment works touse innovative and alternativewastewater treatment technologies.EPA defined these technologies asprocesses that were not fullyproven for their intended use but,based on research and success indemonstration projects, appeared

Peat Biofilter Project Provides Learning Experienceby Jeremy CanodyNSFC Staff Writer

In an effort to restore shellfish-producing areas in the Gulf ofMexico polluted by failing septicsystems, the Alabama Departmentof Public Health (ADPH), alongwith the Baldwin County HealthDepartment, recently completeda research project using peat mediabiofilters to decrease fecal coliformbacteria entering coastal waters.

The project was sponsored by theU.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) through the Gulf of

Mexico Program. Established in1992, this program promotes effortsto protect and enhance a vital waterresource along the U.S. GulfCoast. The major issues addressedin the program are marine debris,toxic substances and pesticides,fresh water inflow, coastal andshoreline erosion, public health,nutrient enrichment, habitat degra-dation, and living aquatic resources.

In October 1992, the EPA ap-proved funding totaling $295,616for a project that replaced 20 exist-ing soil absorption systems withinnovative onsite, peat-based sep-

tic systems. The biofilters, whichuse a peat fiber as their primarycomponent, were placed in differ-ent locations of Baldwin Countyin southern Alabama.

In January 1993, property ownerswho lived near the Weeks BayEstuary, located on the easternshore of Mobile Bay, were invitedto participate in the project byhaving their existing septic tanksystems evaluated and possiblyreplaced, free of charge.

Site evaluations were performed inFebruary and March 1993 (typi-

cally high rainfall months).Twenty out of 33 homes wereselected for the project using ascoring procedure that favoredseptic tanks with the most severeoperating problems. The ages ofthe existing systems, home occu-pancy, and proximity to the watertable and surface waters were otherdetermining factors used in theselection process.

Chiristie White, P.S.C., ADPH soiland site evaluator, who performeddetailed soil evaluations for eachsite, reported that the soils werecoarse-to-fine textured loamy

sands. He noted that the wetseason high water table oc-curred at an average depth of21.9 inches and was as shal-low as eight inches fromground elevation. High wetseason water tables are themost common cause of fail-ing onsite sewage systems inthe area.

Project SystemProject Manager SamuelRobertson said ADPH chosea modular PurafloTM systemmanufactured by the IrishPeat Corporation, Bord naMona, after ADPH Project

Continued on page 2

Continued on page 3

Small Flows CelebratesTenth Anniversary

The first issue of Small Flows waspublished in 1986. In honor of ourtenth anniversary, we are reprintingsome of your favorite articles frompast issues (pages 4 through 7) andpopular selections from ourquestion-and-answer and legalcolumns (pages 16 and 17).

We based our reprint selections onthe number of reader responses thearticles evoked—through our toll-free hotline or during conferences andother outreach activities.

NA

TIONAL SMALL FLO

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CL EA R INGHOUSE

West Virginia University - Morgantown, WV - January 1986

Water Pollution Control Federation Meeting

Small Flows

Intermittent Sand Filter

1991. It is a coordinated, practicalinitiative intended to help farmers andrural residents identify pollution risks,mainly agricultural, on their propertiesand develop a plan of action to reducet h o s e r i s k s . s l k f w o h w escrygvyrvcfhvbv The newer homeassessment program also evaluatesseptic systems and the potential forgroundwater contamination due topoorly designed or mismanagedwastewater systems.The combined program, calledFa rm*A*Sys t /Home*A*Sys t(FAS/HAS), is cooperat ivelysupported by the U.S. Department ofAgriculture Cooperative State

A new pollution prevention programfor homeowners was added to thenational Farmstead AssesmentSystem (Farm*A*Syst) program thisyear, extending beyond agriculturalconcerns to provide a comprehensiveenvironmental risk assessment forall landowners. bc zhvczj bvfgerfgdvCalled the Home*A*Syst(Home Assesment Program), thenew program will evaluate activitiesin the home and around the yard thatcan increase pollution risks togroundwater, surface water, and airquality.bnfkjgdbfbnjnfgjdfkjnHome*A*Syst 's forerunner,Farm*A*Syst, was developed in

pollution risks to groundwater,surface water, and air quality.Home*A*Syst 's forerunner,Farm*A*Syst, was developed in1991. It is a coordinated, practicalinitiative intended to help farmersand rural residents identify pollutionrisks, mainly agricultural, on theirproperties and develop a plan ofaction to reduce those risks.The newer home assessmentprogram also evaluates septicsystems and the potential forgroundwater contamination due topoorly designed or misewer homeassessment program also evaluatesseptic systems and the potential for

pollution risks to groundwater,surface water, and air quality.Home*A*Syst 's forerunner,Farm*A*Syst, was developed in1991. It is a coordinated, practicalinitiative intended to help farmersand rural residents identify pollutionrisks, mainly agricultural, on theirproperties and develop a plan ofaction to reduce those risks.The newer home assessmentprogram also evaluates septicsystems and the potential forgroundwater contamination due topoorly designed or mismanagedwastewater systems.he combinecalled Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst

A new pollution prevention program forhomeowners was added to the nationalFarmstead Assesment System (hujfhhgfj)program this year, extending beyondagricultural concerns to provide acomprehensive environmental riskassessment for all landowners. bc zhvczjbvfger fgdvCalled the Home*hgfjt(HomeAssesment Program), the new program

can increase pollution risks togroundwater, surface water, and airqual i ty.bnfkjgdbfbnjnfgjdfk jnHghjt's forerunner, Fghjst, wasdeveloped in 1991. It is a coordinated,practical initiative intended to helpfarmers and rural residents identifypollution risks, mainly agricultural,on their properties and develop a plan

pollution risks to groundwater, surfacewater, and air quality.ome*hst'sforerunner, Fcjhhjjgjjgh hg, wasdeveloped in 1991. It is a coordinated,practical initiative intended to helpfarmers and rural residents identifypollution risks, mainly agricultural,on their properties and develop a planof action to reduce those risks.

First issue of Small Flows

Your response was also the basis for selection of the NationalSmall Flows Clearinghouse’s (NSFC) products displayed onpages 14 and 15.

If you have never ordered NSFC products, this might be a great wayto get acquainted with what we have to offer. If you have orderedfrom us, you may enjoy learning more about our “bestsellers.” Whoknows, you may even see a booklet, brochure, manual, video, orother product that you have previously overlooked!

HelpingAmerica's smallcommunities meettheir wastewaterneeds

Drawing courtesy of Bord na MonaIllustration courtesy: Bord na Mona

2 SMALL FLOWS -Winter 1996; Vol.10, No. 1

Peat Biofilter Project Provides Learning ExperienceContinued from page 1

Coordinator John Paul O’Driscollreturned from Ireland with litera-ture about the biofilter. Robertsonsaid ADPH was impressed withthe efficient renovation of septictank effluent achieved in Ireland.In addition, ADPH felt confidentin using a patented and standard-ized system that has been commer-cially manufactured in Irelandsince 1988.

Greg O’Donnell, a civil engineer atBord na Mona’s U.S. headquartersin Greensboro, North Carolina,said the company has installedmore than 500 systems for onsitewastewater treatment in Ireland.He said the PurafloTM system,which has achieved up to 99 pluspercent removal of biologicaloxygen demand (BOD) and fecalcoliform bacteria in Ireland, hasprovided an effective method foronsite sewage disposal whereconventional soil absorption sys-tems fail or cannot be installed.The latter can be true for variouspeat-based systems in general.

After investigating Bord naMona’s system and seeing theresults it had achieved in Ireland,ADPH wanted to see if it couldachieve similar results in a hotterclimate typical of Alabama’s GulfCoast. Installation of the 20 sys-tems took 12 to 14 working daysand was completed by September1993.

Robertson explained that eachsystem included a conventionalseptic tank, a pumping chamber, ora sump pump with a one-horse-power submersible pump thatpumps to four modular peat unitsvia a rising main (force main).

Pre-cast polyethylene modulesreceive the partially treated efflu-ent that is pressure-dosed to a

central manifold that equally dis-tributes the effluent to all fourmodules by spraying it over a twoand one-half foot depth of peatfiber. The peat bed acts as asponge and retains the effluent forapproximately 48 hours.

As more untreated effluent isadded, the treated effluent exits themodules through holes along thebottom into an eight-inch deepstone bed that supports the mod-ules and extends beyond them foradditional percolation. The effluentthen enters the soil’s unsaturatedzone (six-inch deep minimum)where any further removal takesplace before entering groundwatersources.

Robertson said the compact sys-tem, with the soil berm in place,occupies an average of 300 squarefeet of yard space for a typicalthree-or four-bedroom household.

Early Peat-Based SystemsThe forerunner to Bord na Mona’sbiofilter was first installed andtested in 1978 in the U.S. by JoanLake Brooks, Ph.D., a researchassociate with the Department ofCivil Engineering at the Universityof Maine. She developed the firstpeat system at her home as a re-placement for a failed conventionalsystem. Her peat system usesmilled, air-dried Sphagnum peat totreat the septic tank effluent.

Brooks said she prefers Sphagnumpeat with a low to moderate degreeof decomposition because it isacidic and porous, has a largesurface area, and provides a favor-able environment for fungi.

The Sphagnum peat system is aphysical filter that has some ab-sorption capabilities and dependson an active microbial populationfor treatment. The fungi species inthe peat system are known to

thrive in the cool, acidic environ-ment, and are able to use all formsof nitrogen present in wastewater.

Even in extremely cold conditions,the presence of antibactericidalfungi in the highly acidic peatmedium will continue treatmentwhere other systems will fail, saidBrooks.

Peat Filter CharacteristicsAlthough the fibrous peat mediumused in Bord na Mona’s systemdiffers physically from the Sphag-num peat media, they share similarbiochemical characteristics.

It should be noted that neither ofthe processes being described use anatural peat from a bog. Bord naMona’s peat is a fibrous by-prod-uct of briquettes used in fuel pro-duction. Brooks uses selectedhorticultural dried and milled Sph-agnum moss peat. Natural peat thatcomes straight from the bog (com-monly used by homeowners forinsulating and gardening purposes)typically has too low a permeabil-ity to be effective.

O’Donnell said that Bord naMona’s peat filter treats the waste-water through a combination ofphysical, chemical, and biologicalinteractions within the peat media.The physical aspect of treatmentconsists of filtration and absorp-tion, while chemical interactiontakes place through adsorption andion exchange. Biological interac-tions within the peat media consistof microbial assimilation.

The majority of treatment by thePurafloTM filter is achieved by adiverse microflora, composed ofmany different kinds of aerobicbacteria, which adhere to the sur-face of the peat media, O’Donnellexplained. In addition, high num-bers of fungal organisms andhigher life forms (protozoan,rotifers, insects, annelid worms)

have been found within the media.He said that these additional or-ganisms help maintain a balance inthe bacterial population and ulti-mately create a stable ecosystem.

O’Donnell explained that largernumbers of beneficial bacteria arefound in the upper portions of thefilter media and nitrifiers are moreprevalent at depths of 30 centime-ters or greater. The location ofthese organisms suggests that thebreakdown and assimilation ofwaste elements takes place withinthe upper portion of the peat bed,with nitrification occurring deeperwithin the bed, given that suffi-cient oxygen is available.

MonitoringThe actual monitoring of the newpeat systems began in November1993 and samples were takeneach month for 12 months at 10pre-selected sites around WeeksBay. Robertson noted that suchmonitoring could not have beenaccomplished without the coopera-tive effort between his staff andthe Baldwin County HealthDepartment.

Samples of the treated effluentwere taken from a sampling port,groundwater, and canal water fromtwo stations (upstream and down-stream) on three canals in Week’sBay. In addition, samples of septictank effluent were collected everymonth from the pumping chamberat each of the 10 sites during thefinal six months of the evaluation.

Samples were delivered to theBiomedical Laboratory at theUniversity of South Alabama inMobile, where Michael Spector,Ph.D. and lab personnel performedtests for fecal coliform levels.

tech

nolo

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In This Issue . . .

Continued on next page

16 Does a Consultant Need aWritten Contract?

16 1995—What a Year!

17 WATS Line Q&A

18 Calendar of Events

19 Small Flows 1995Article Index

12 Home*A*Syst Goal isPollution Prevention

13 Workshops Slated for Wastewater

Operator Trainers

13 On Tap Addresses OperatorIssues

14 Celebrating NSFC’s “TopTen” Best Selling Products

8 EPA Manual TroubleshootsConstructed Wetlands

9 NSFC Database Provide More,Better Information

10 Readership Survey ResultsCompiled, Changes Planned

11 Letters to the Editor

11 Second Issue of Small FlowsJournal Available

1 Peat Biofilter Project Provides Learning Experience

1 NSFC Collects Information forTechnology Initiative

4 Census Figures Show thatOnsite Systems Are HereTo Stay

5 Thurston County SurveysFailing Septic Systems

6 Alternative Toilets: To Flush,or Not to Flush

3SMALL FLOWS -Winter 1996; Vol.10, No. 1

Continued from previous page

During the final two months of theproject, samples were tested forconcentrations of organic nitrogen,ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitro-gen, and five-day BOD.

Robertson said ADPH and Bord naMona were pleased with the over-all performance of the biofiltersbut added that they did experiencesome problems during the monitor-ing stage that caused setbacks. Hesaid sludge carryover onto the peatmedia, which resulted from mal-functions of the electrical controls,caused problems at three sites. Thesludge carryover was most likelyrelated to the half-baffle septictank design. O’Donnell said withcorrection and modification of thesystems, which included the instal-lation of effluent filters, alarms,and additional peat fiber, the sys-tems recovered and efficiencyimproved.

ResultsThe performance of the systemswas evaluated by collecting efflu-ent samples from November 1993to October 1994. Influent samplesfrom the pumping chamber werecollected from April to October1994.

Groundwater samples were takeneach month from wells located 25feet down-gradient from the peatsystems toward nearby canals.Water samples were taken monthlyfrom two points at each of threecanals that connect to Weeks Bay.All samples were tested for fecalcoliform concentrations (colonies/100ml).

The project staff and Kevin White,Ph.D., P.E., assistant professor ofcivil engineering at the Universityof South Alabama, jointly evalu-ated the test data and performanceof the PurafloTM system. A finalproject report from ADPH to theEPA showed that fecal coliformconcentrations in the biofiltereffluent averaged 57,665 coloniesper 100ml, with seven of the 10systems performing better than thenumbers suggest. Three of thesystems experienced substantialoperational problems that werecorrected midway through themonitoring period.

O’Donnell said the relatively highfecal coliform counts overall mayaccount for the fact that thesamples were taken directly fromthe bottom of the biofilter before

Peat Biofilter Project Provides Learning Experiencethe effluent could enter the soil forfurther treatment and removal.

The report also stated that fecalcoliform levels improved over timeand averaged a removal rate of 93percent. After the 12-month sam-pling period, each of the tenbiofilters achieved a 99 percentreduction in fecal coliformconcentrations.

Samples collected during the finaltwo months (September and Octo-ber) showed an average five-dayBOD reduction of 85 percent,while organic nitrogen removalaveraged 73 percent, and meanammonia nitrogen removal was96 percent.

Septic tank effluent contained anaverage of 6.1 x 105 fecalcoliforms colonies per 100ml.BOD levels averaged less than 40mg/l, while most systems gener-ated less than 30 mg/l. Nitratenitrogen levels ranged from 10 to40 mg/l.

O’Donnell said the peat mediumused in the biofilters providedgood nitrification because of itshigh surface area and aerobic envi-ronment.

Prior to the Weeks Bay project,different variations of peatbiofilters had achieved successfulremoval efficiencies in the north-ern U.S. and throughout Canada,as well as Ireland. This marked thefirst time a peat biofilter had beeninstalled and monitored in hot andhumid conditions like those incoastal Alabama. Robertson saidthe ADPH and the biofilter manu-facturer were pleased with theresults the biofilter achieved afterenduring summertime tempera-tures that often exceeded 90degrees.

In his final report to the EPA,O’Driscoll stated that the fecalcoliform levels decreased signifi-cantly during the last three monthsof the project, suggesting that asthe system matured, the efficiencyof the peat medium increased. Headded that high removal efficien-cies are due to bacteria, fungi,protozoa, and higher organismsbecoming more established andacclimated.

Robertson said by the end of themonitoring period they could notdetermine whether the period ofacclimation had fully completed itscourse. In other words, it could not

be determined if the microorgan-isms within the peat medium hadbecome fully adapted to the soiland septic tank effluent to achievethe highest levels of treatment.Robertson said to determine thetotal time of acclimation withinthe peat medium, a longer studywould be necessary.

A Learning ExperienceSamples taken from the shorelinesof Weeks Bay Estuary during pre-and post-installation of the 20peat-based systems were inconclu-sive in determining the overalleffects thesystems had inthe bay becauseof its dynamics.The project’swater monitor-ing coordinator,Lewis Byrd,Ph.D., Directorof SeafoodQuality Assur-ance forADPH, saidmajor influ-ences such asdischargesfrom severalcontributingrivers andother unidenti-fied factorsmay havehidden anyeffects the peat systems had inreducing the fecal coliforms enter-ing the Gulf waters.

Those involved said what could bedetermined from the Gulf ofMexico Program at Weeks Baywas that the peat medium pro-duced good removal rates of fecalcoliform bacteria, BOD, and nitro-gen in the treated effluent.Robertson said the project waseffective at demonstrating analternative on-site wastewatertreatment system for the purposesof protecting sensitive coastalenvironments, or where space andother site limitations prevail.

Most recently, Bord na Monaapplied what they had learned atWeeks Bay to another demonstra-tion in Tuscaloosa, Alabama,where three Puraflo™ systemsinstalled there achieved consis-tently higher reduction numbersthan those in Weeks Bay afteronly four months. Reductions forBOD and total suspended solidsaveraged 98.8 and 89.2 percent,respectively, in Tuscaloosa.

The Puraflo™ peat filter will beevaluated as part of the NationalOnsite Demonstration Project(NODP), coordinated by theNSFC.

For more information concerningthe project at Weeks Bay, contactRobertson at (334) 365-8939. Forfurther information about thePurafloTM peat biofilter contact JoeWalsh or O’Donnell at (800) 787-2356.

Plastic modules containing processed peat areinstalled on a bed of crushed rock. (One of the fourmodules in the configuration have been removed toshow distributor connections.)Photo courtesy Alabama Department of Public Health

Virginia is also beginning a projectthat will evaluate Puraflo peatbiofilters. For more informationabout that project, contact DonAlexander at the Virginia Depart-ment of Health’s Division ofOnsite Sewage and Water Ser-vices, at (804) 786-1750.

The preceding article is based oninformation reported in the finalproject report submitted by theAlabama Department of PublicHealth to the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency, titled Gulf ofMexico Program DemonstrationProject in Sewage Management.

To obtain a copy of the report,contact the Gulf of Mexico Pro-gram Office, Public InformationCenter, Building 1200, StennisSpace Center, MS 39529-6000.You can also phone them at (601)688-7940,or fax (601) 688-7869.

4 SMALL FLOWS -Winter 1996; Vol.10, No. 1

Typical Water Reclamation Plant Process for Nonpotable Urban Reuse

Census Shows Onsite SystemsAre Here To StayEditor’s Note: This article isreprinted from the April 1994issue of Small Flows.

The latest U.S. census figuresshow that onsite systems are hereto stay, says Anish Jantrania,Ph.D., P.E., research assistantprofessor and technical servicescoordinator for the National SmallFlows Clearinghouse (NSFC).

According to the 1990 census,there are more than 25 milliononsite systems in the United States.This is an increase of more thanthree million since 1980.

Approximately 25 percent of thepopulation has been using onsite

“Onsite systems are a viable wayto treat and dispose of wastewa-ter,” says Jantrania. “They are nolonger considered temporary solu-tions until a community can besewered.

“Centralized wastewater manage-ment is very expensive, both eco-nomically and environmentally,”says Jantrania. “From an economic

standpoint, common sensetells you that it is very ex-pensive to collect wastewa-ter from a thinly populatedarea and take it to anotherplace to treat and disposeof it.

“From an environmentalperspective, it makes sensethat if you are getting yourwater from the ground, youshould treat it and return it tothe ground rather than dis-charging it off the site tosurface waters. It is important

to keep our groundwater and sur-face water supplies in balance.”

According to Jantrania, there is awhole series of technologies andconcepts available that allow sys-tems to be developed for any site.“The availability of wastewater

treatment should not be a fac-tor that determines where wecan live,” he says.

“You have to look at your siteconditions and see what theconstraints are and then findalternatives. There are alterna-tives available for every site,and there are no excuses forhaving a failing onsite system.”

systems since 1970, according toJantrania. “The number of onsitesystems increases with gains in thepopulation, but generally the per-centage stays the same,” he says.

Jantrania expects that the percent-age may increase in the future asmore and more people move awayfrom cities to more rural areas.

APRIL 1994REPRINT

Figure 2: 1990 Census Data for Onsite Systems*

* Onsite systems includeconventional septic tanksystems, alternative onsitesystems, or no system.

less than 25% onsite systems

25–40% onsite systems

more than 40% onsite systems

Onsite Systems at a Glance

Figure 1: 1980 – 1990 Onsite Systems

Numberof OnsiteSystems

(in millions)

Region1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

2

4

6

8

1

3

5

71980

1990The cost for an onsite treatmentand disposal system can rangefrom $2,000 to $20,000, dependingon the site conditions and the tech-nology selected. According toJantrania, the small flows industryis developing very rapidly. Asmore technologies are proven, thecost will come down, making themmore accessible.

Because approximately 60 to 75percent of the cost for a conven-tional gravity system is for thepipes, onsite systems are usuallymore affordable for small commu-nities. “Sewers just transportwastewater—they don’t treatwastewater,” he says.

Jantrania says that small communi-ties may be able to cut their costsin half by using onsite systemsrather than conventional sewers.

“Furthermore, the federal govern-ment is no longer providing moneyfor sewer systems,” says Jantrania.“It is now up to the folks at thelocal level to find the most eco-nomically feasible solution fortheir wastewater treatment anddisposal. Onsite systems, clustersystems, and alternative collectionsystems are good options to con-sider,” says Jantrania.

For more information about onsitetreatment and disposal alterna-tives, order Small WastewaterSystems: Alternative Systems forSmall Communities and RuralAreas from the NSFC. Pleaseindicate Item #WWBLPEO2 whenordering. Cost is $1.00. Shippingand handling charges will apply.

Figure 3: 1980 Census Data for Onsite Systems*

less than 25% onsite systems

25–40% onsite systems

more than 40% onsite systems

* Onsite systems includeconventional septic tanksystems, alternative onsitesystems, or no system.

• According to the 1990 census, there were more than 25.9 milliononsite systems in the United States.This is an increase of more thanthree million since 1980.

• More than 1.5 million onsite systems are operating in Florida.

• Approximately 57 percent of the housing units (447,492) in Vermontuse onsite systems to treat domestic wastewater.

• Only 10 percent of the housing units (19,240,159) in California useonsite systems.

• U.S. EPA Region 1 (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, NewHampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) had the highest increase inthe number of new housing units using onsite systems between 1980and 1990––approximately 40 percent.

• Arkansas issues between 7,000 and 7,500 permits for new onsitesystems per year, says Carl Graves with the Arkansas Departmentof Health.

• The cost of a new individual onsite system in Arkansas is roughly$2,000 to $2,500.

To obtain information on the number of housing units using onsitesystems by state, call the NSFC at (800) 624-8301 and request theCensus Data Reports, Item # WWPCGN78. The cost is $1.05 plusshipping and handling charges.

EPA

5SMALL FLOWS -Winter 1996; Vol.10, No. 1

Thurston County Surveys Failing Septic Systemsby Nancy Gover

NSFC Staff Writer

Editor’s Note: This article isreprinted from the October 1993issue of Small Flows.

Based on the complaints of neigh-bors about failing residential septicsystems, Thurston County,Washington, estimated that aboutthree to five percent of its septicsystems were failing.

But the real figures may be inexcess of 30 percent, says GreggGrunenfelder, director of the Envi-ronmental Health Division ofThurston County’s Public Healthand Social Services.

The reason for the discrepancy?Grunenfelder says it was the waythe problem was approached. Oncethe county began implementing thewatershed plans and took aproactive approach to solving itsproblem rather than waiting forcomplaints, the real extent of theproblem became apparent.

Septic System SurveyTo quantify its failing septic sys-tems, Thurston County is conduct-ing a door-to-door survey in areaswhere water quality is poor.Grunenfelder points out that thesurvey is often funded with theassistance of Washington’s Cen-tennial Clean Water Fund, which isappropriated through a state tax oncigarettes.

In addition to checking individualsystems, field staff also administera dye test that traces septic tankseepage to its source.

This test uses a dye that is placedin toilets and laundry sinks. Thisdye is later collected in charcoalpackets placed in streams, onbeaches, in bulkhead drains, and inother areas where contamination isa problem.

The amount of dye collected andhow long it takes to reach thepacket helps locate the problem,explains Grunenfelder.

Failing SystemsGrunenfelder explains that failingseptic systems are a big problemall over the Puget Sound area,where many of the septic systemsare old and in need of repair. Inaddition, poor, shallow, steep, oreasily eroded soils also contributeto the problem.

Kathy Minsch, coordinator ofNonpoint Water Quality for thePuget Sound Water Quality Au-thority (PSWQA) concurs, point-ing out that septic waste, togetherwith other nonpoint sources, ac-counts for nearly 50 percent of allpollution entering Puget Sound.

She says it is bacterial contamina-tion, rather than nutrients, fromthese systems that pose the greatestthreat to the aquatic ecosystem.

For example, according to Minsch,bacterial contamination from fail-ing septic systems and animalwaste are the largest causes ofshellfish restrictions imposed onPuget Sound since 1980. (See charton page 10.)

Comprehensive ApproachOnce the survey has identifiedwhich of Thurston County’s septicsystems are failing, the county setsup a meeting with the home-owners, a process that initiates aseries of events aimed at correctingthe problem by attacking itat many levels simulta-neously. ThurstonCounty’s efforts to solveits water quality problemsare part of a larger, com-prehensive watershedmanagement plan coordi-nated by the PSWQA.

Under this plan, individualcounties were directed toprioritize their own water-shed problems, and comeup with a plan tailored tomeet the needs of theirown area.

“Of the 14 plans producedby nine counties so far,”says Minsch, “nearly allhave ranked septic tankwastes among their toppriorities.” Onsite sewagewas Thurston County’snumber one nonpoint con-cern. She calls the county’sapproach to correcting itsseptic system problems“one of the best.”

It involves, among otherthings, public education,operational permits forseptic tank owners, andloans to help owners payfor repairs.

Public EducationThe homeowners are in-volved at each part of theprocess, points out

Grunenfelder. Health Departmentrepresentatives meet withhomeowners before the survey isconducted to educate them aboutits purpose, and again once theproblem systems have been identi-fied, to come up with solutions.

Sometimes, says Grunenfelder,these are collective meetings,which often result in shared solu-tions, such as putting a group ofhomes on a single drainfield (clus-ter system). He points out that suchsolutions can significantly reducethe costs involved in replacing andrepairing systems.

LoansDespite the use of some sharedsolutions, finding the money tohelp homeowners make systemrepairs remains one of ThurstonCounty’s greatest challenges, ac-cording to Grunenfelder.

He explains that this challenge isbeing met, in part, through use ofan innovative low-interest loan

program that uses money loaned tothe county through the staterevolving fund (SRF).

Administered by ThurstonCounty’s Public Health and SocialServices and funded by a loanfrom the Washington Departmentof Ecology, the loans are made tolow- and middle-income individu-als for making repairs to septicsystems.

Grunenfelder says initially therewere some problems with salarycaps that put too much restrictionon who was eligible to obtain theloans. “The program appears to beworking well now that the loanqualification criteria have beenamended,” says Grunenfelder.

PermitsAnother innovative aspect ofThurston County’s comprehensiveapproach to failing septic systemsis the use of operational permits

OCTOBER1993

REPRINT

10th anniversary

Thurston County was pleased with the results of its initial dye-tracesurvey of 1,600 homes, completed in 1993.

According to Linda Hofstead, R.S., environmental health specialist, thedye-trace method found an overall failure rate of about 12 percent—more than twice the 4–7 percent failure rate the county had uncoveredwith other methods. (The failure rate for the specific sample of 140homes highlighted in the 1994 Small Flows article was much higher, 30percent, because the initial surveys were conducted in problem areas.

The method apppeared to be sensitive and accurate—a good weapon inthe war against nonpoint pollution. But how accurate was it from ascientific standpoint? Thurston county embarked on a special fieldstudy in 1994–95 in order to find out.

Hofstead says the study showed that the dye-trace method is a validmethod of determining failure or near failure of Thurston County’snear-shoreline systems. It did, however suggest one refinement: a smallchange in the coliform sampling procedure that makes the survey 95%accurate in determining whether a system is failing or not.

Results of Thurston County’s study of the dye-trace method were pre-sented by Hofstead and Susan Davis, R.S,. at the “Eighth NorthwestOn-Site Wastewater Treatment Short Course & Equipment Exhibition”in Seattle, Washington, in September 1996. Their paper was titled“Thurston County Intensive Dye-Tracing Method for On-Site SewageSystem Evaluations.”

Thurston County has turned over the results of one of the six surveyareas to the Department of Public Works, which is waiting for comple-tion of the current round of wet-season surveys in June 1996 beforebeginning to draft a comprehensive wastewater management plan forthe suburban peninsula.

Update: Thurston CountyEvaluates Survey Method

Continued on page 10

6 SMALL FLOWS -Winter 1996; Vol.10, No. 1

10th

ann

iver

sary

San Diego County Facility Locationsin the front. I said, hey, I’m gladwe could be of help.

“That’s probably the strangest oneI’ve heard,” she said. “But, everytime I think I’ve heard the strang-est thing, something new comesalong.”

Composting ToiletsAnother alternative is a

composting toilet, which collectswastewater in a tank. There it iscombined with sawdust, and mi-croorganisms break down themixture into compost. Mostcomposting toilets have a mecha-nism in the tank to turn the com-post, speeding aerobic activity.These mechanisms vary fromsimple hand cranks to motorizedunits. The toilets use no water andare often found in parks and re-mote outdoor locations around thecountry. Early designs date as farback as the 1930s, but it has onlybeen in the last 20 years thatcomposting toilets have started togain popularity.

Composting toilets vary in sizefrom units that include a largestorage tank mounted in the base-ment of a home, to smaller, self-contained units that occupy aboutthe same space as a conventionaltoilet. Some of these smaller unitshave passed tests by the NSF Inter-national, formerly the NationalSanitation Foundation. This hasgiven a boost to composting toiletsin the home.

“That opened up the market con-siderably,” according to David DelPorto, president of Water Conser-vation Systems (WCS) of Con-cord, Massachusetts. WCS sellsseveral types of biological toilets.

“These biological toilets are

bought by people who are lookingfor something that’s cost effec-tive,” Del Porto explained. “Theycost about $1,200, and can beinstalled to replace a conventionaltoilet.”

Raymond Libby installed a smallcomposting toilet while doingsome renovations to his countryhome in LaGrange, Maine. Using

the composting toilet let him avoidthe expense of routing the plumb-ing for a conventional toilet to anew upstairs bathroom.

“The plumbing would have been areal problem,” Libby said. “Thecomposting toilet worked like acharm. All you need is a vent andan electric outlet.”

Libby said the composting toilet isvery compatible with life in thecountry, where power outagesleave residents without water fromtheir private wells. The com-posting toilet also came in handyduring another inconvenience.

“Our new septic system backedup on us one winter, and the com-posting toilet saved us,” Libbysaid. “We didn’t have to pay tohave someone come here in thedead of winter to dig up the sys-tem. We were able to wait untilspring, when we didn’t need asmuch help to make the repairs.”

Libby said that he would recom-mend that other homeowners con-sider a composting toilet.

“It works great,” he said.

Del Porto said that manyhomeowners with failing septicsystems use composting toilets toreplace their conventional toilets.

Alternative Toilets: To Flush, or Not to Flush“I wasn’t skeptical at all,” he said.“I figured that the incineratingtoilet would work, and it has.”

McFarland said that more peopleare buying incinerating toilets touse in their homes in conjunctionwith graywater systems.

“People who have failing septicsystems are coming to us,” shesaid. “What they are doing is tak-ing their blackwater out of thesystem with the incinerating toilet,and then the septic system has alighter load and is fine to handlethe graywater.”

The complete cycle of an inciner-ating toilet takes more than anhour. A plastic liner is placed inthe Incinolet by each user. Theliner and the waste drops into achamber with the push of a lever.A button is then pushed, beginningthe incineration.

During incineration, the tempera-ture inside the chamber reaches766 degrees Celsius (1,400 degreesFahrenheit). After incineration, afan inside the unit runs for anadditional 20–45 minutes to coolthe toilet. Exhaust, which is 40degrees above room temperature,is routed outside through PVCpipe.

The ash produced during incinera-tion has no organic value and canbe thrown away in a garbage can,McFarland said.

Approval of incinerating toiletscomes down to a case-by-casebasis, McFarland said.

“You’re dealing with an alterna-tive,” she explained. “What agen-cies are mostly interested in,though, is what you’re going to dowith your graywater.”

Dealing, as she must, with installa-tions on a case-by-case basis,McFarland has seen her share ofmemorable cases.

“One gentleman bought one for hiskennels. He puts in a liner, fills itwith dog poop, incinerates it,checks back in an hour or so, thenfills it again,” she said.

“We’ve got them in caves,”McFarland said. “We’ve hadpeople who are making homes outof caves. And you’d think, ‘who’dwant to live in a cave?’ But Italked with one man who has a1,500 square-foot cave. All youneed to do is put in a vent pipe andput up a door and some windows

by Kevin WilcoxNSFC Staff Writer

Editor’s Note: This article andthe one on the facing page firstappeared in the April 1993 issueof Small Flows.

To flush, or not to flush. That isthe question confronting manyhomeowners with overloaded andfailing septic systems. Makers ofalternative toilets find more ofthese homeowners giving seriousconsideration to their products.

Alternative toilets, such as thecomposting toilet and the inciner-ating toilet, were once foundmainly in cabins and parks, wherethe lack of water or a septic systemmade a conventional toilet impos-sible. Today, alternative toilets,coupled with graywater systems,are slowly finding their way intomore homes.

Incinerating ToiletsThe incinerating toilet burns wastewith high-temperature electric heatuntil the waste is reduced to asmall pile of ash. A fixture in boatsand cabins for more than 30 years,incinerating toilets are beginningto enter homes around the world,according to Carol McFarland,sales manager at ResearchProducts.

Research Products makes morethan 3,000 Incinolet toilets a year,McFarland said. The incineratingtoilets are sold everywhere fromTexas to Canada to Norway toJapan.

“It’s grown fantastically,”McFarland said. “Especially in thepast few years. Six years ago, weentered the home market, andwe’ve been flooded with requests.”

Paul Westmeyer of Pipe Creek,Texas, has had an incineratingtoilet for five years in a cabin hisfamily owns. The incineratingtoilet was originally intended forperiodic use, but the cabin waspressed into duty as a full-timeresidence a year after the Incinoletwas installed.

“We haven’t had any problems,”Westmeyer said. “I’d definitelyrecommend it to otherhomeowners.”

Westmeyer said that he consideredother options for the cabin, butchose the incinerating toilet overinstalling a new septic tank or acomposting toilet because it wassimpler.

APRIL 1993REPRINT

lidseat

flushingbowl

lidmovable

heater

ashpan

blower

interiorvent line

catalystodor

reducing

Diagram courtesy of Research Products/Blankenship, U.S.A.

Incinolet Electric Incinerating Toilet

Continued on page 7

7SMALL FLOWS -Winter 1996; Vol.10, No. 1

NASA’s Toilet: To Boldly Go Where No One Has Gone Before

Extended DurationOrbiter (EDO) W asteCollection System

(WCS)

Del Porto predicts that the popular-ity of composting toilets in thehome will increase as more sys-tems to treat graywater becomeavailable.

Solar EnergyCombining solar energy with acomposting toilet can greatly re-duce the amount of compost pro-duced, according to Bob Bland,president of Arkansas Power and

Sunlight Company, which makescomposting toilets.

Solar energy improves evaporationof the waste, increases digestion,and reduces the need to removecompost, Bland said.

Bland’s composting toilet uses aspecial concrete tank that he de-signed to be a load-bearing part ofthe structure’s foundation. Beside

the tank is a concrete chamber,filled with saw dust, rice hulls, etc.,and covered by four large metaldoors, arranged at a 45-degree angle.

The air inside this chamber, whichreaches 105 degrees, is drawnthrough the compost tank by a fanand exits through a vent.

“We’re getting past the point ofhaving to pump out the tanks,”Bland said. “The main reason thesolid material goes is that we giveit everything it needs for digestion.We have units that have been inoperation for three years, and wehaven’t had to take anything outof them. The pile just shrinks.”

Although Bland has yet to install asolar powered composting toilet ina home, he can foresee that day.

“Florida might be the place tomake a breakthrough into thehome market. Between the soilconditions and the water, there’snothing else they can do. They’restuck,” he said.

For more information about manu-facturers of alternative toilets,order Alternative Toilet Systems(Item # WWBKGN09). Cost is$12.95, plus shipping and han-dling. To have your company in-cluded in our Manufacturers andConsultants Database, call NSFCat (800) 624- 8301

Alternative Toilets: To Flush, or Not To Flush

Compostremoved here

Toilet

Sun

Water-proof

concretetank

Fan

Concretebaffle

Black metal doorsabsorb heat

Vent stack

Air vents

Diagram courtesy of Arkansas Democrat–Gazette.

With blackwater removed, thefailing system can handle thehome’s graywater.

WCS sales of composting toiletspeaked in the late 1970s and early1980s, when the company wasselling 1,000 units a year.

“There was a downturn, but I thinkwe’re on an upswing again,” DelPorto said.

After about a year of operation, ahomeowner must remove finishedcompost from the toilet. After that,the compost is removed on a bi-monthly basis, for a family of four.The compost can be used as ahigh-quality soil conditioner forplants and flowers, although DelPorto doesn’t advise his customersto use it in their gardens.

Getting approval for a compostingtoilet in the home varies from stateto state, Del Porto said. NSF ap-proval helps smooth the way withlocal regulators, but there is stillconcern because of graywater.

“Many local regulators see a bio-logical toilet as only a partial solu-tion to the problem,” Del Portosaid. “The homeowner has to comeup with a suitable solution for thegraywater.”

Solar-Operated Composting Toilet

“Many localregulators see abiological toiletas only a partialsolution to theproblem. Thehomeownerhas to come upwith a suitablesolution for thegraywater.”David Del PortoWater ConservationSystems

Continued from page 6

by Kevin WilcoxNSFC Staff Writer

The 20th century has been a timeof unparalleled advances and inno-vation. The century that has seenthe rise of telephones, televisions,microwave ovens, and air travel,has also seen the toilet go from theouthouse into outer space.

The most technologically ad-vanced toilet available today is onethat separates liquid and solidwastes, combining the liquids intoa graywater system that instantlybreaks down the water into its baseelements of hydrogen and oxygen.

Other advantages of this new toiletare that it has an unlimited capacity,and operates in zero gravity. Thedrawbacks are that it cost $23million to design and build, and youhave to be an astronaut to use it.

NASA’s new Extended DurationOrbiter Waste Collection System(EDO–WCS) got its first test on

January’s shuttle Endeavour mis-sion, and passed with flying colors,according to NASA Public AffairsSpecialist James Hartsfield.

“It’s nothing like any toilet you’veseen on Earth,” Hartsfield said.“The situation is so different inspace. It’s comparable to takingyour toilet at home and bolting itto the ceiling.

“Another problem in space is thatwe have a limited amount of air, asmall passenger compartment, andseven people. A prime consider-ation is that you avoid contaminat-ing the cabin. Any waste particlesthat escape would hang in the airlike dust,” Hartsfield explained.

To manage these problems, theEDO–WCS uses an air suctionsystem that is activated when anastronaut makes contact with theseat. Waste goes into a plastic bagthat is sealed and compacted intothe bottom of a cylinder. When the

cylinder is full, it can be replaced.

Urine goes through a separatefunnel system, is mixed withshuttle graywater from sinks anddehumidifiers, and is then dis-charged into space.

“Water can’t exist in a vacuum, soit breaks down into its elements,”Hartsfield said.

“We’re trying to extend shuttlemissions to 16 days. The old toilethad a capacity of 13 days. Whenthe missions were over, the toiletwas full,” Hartsfield said.

“If the toilet doesn’t operate prop-erly, we’ll have to terminate themission. It’s that important,” hesaid.

Although the first EDO–WCS cost$23 million, Hartsfield said anyadditional units NASA buys willcost $4 million, because they canuse the existing design and blue-prints.

“It worked fine,” Hartsfield said. “Theastronauts were happy with it.”

8 SMALL FLOWS -Winter 1996; Vol.10, No. 1

Wetland

By Natalie EddyNSFC Staff Writer

A 1993 U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EP) reporttroubleshoots problems encoun-tered in subsurface flow con-structed wetlands (SFCW) tech-nology and makes recommenda-tions for avoiding problem areas.

Titled Guidance forDesign and Construc-tion of a SubsurfaceFlow ConstructedWetland, the reportprovides guidance inthe selection, de-sign, construction,and operation ofSFCW systems,considered bymany to be anattractive alter-native forwastewatertreatment in

unsewered areas.

Constructed wetlands are man-made marshlike areas that treatwastewater using natural pro-cesses.

The manual is the result of EPARegion 6’s operating experience,observation of existing SFCWsand work performed by SherwoodC. “Woody” Reed, P.E., whileunder contract to EPA. Themanual was commissioned by theMunicipal Facilities Branch, Wa-ter Management Division of EPARegion 6.

Bill Black, environmental engineerwith Region 6, said the reportincorporates the design conceptspresented in another 1993 EPAmanual written and edited byReed, titled Subsurface FlowConstructed Wetlands for Waste-water Treatment: A TechnologyAssessment. A review of thisdocument appeared in the Summer1994 Small Flows. Order a copyby calling NSFC at (800) 624-8301 and ordering itemWWPCDM74. The price is $12.25.Shipping and handling chargesapply.

Black said recommendations inthe manual are based on fieldobservations from 10 to 15 facili-ties using the SFCW technologyin Louisiana.

Black said Guidance for Designand Construction of a SubsurfaceFlow Constructed Wetland is a

EPA Manual Troubleshoots Constructed Wetlandscontinuation of Reed’s earlierconstructed wetlands manual.

“We were in complete agreementwith what Woody had written,”said Black. “What we tried todo was take it a step further intopractical use and do a couple ofexamples of how to design atreatment system based on theequations recommended inWoody’s document.”

Manual ContentsThe 22-page manual contains fourchapters about SFCW and includesseveral diagrams, configurations,and charts.

Chapter 1 provides an overview ofwhat a SFCW is and outlines pastdata findings and what guidelinesshould be practiced today.

“We came up with some basicparameters. We have had a lot ofexperience with systems that havefailed. We felt like we had someunderstanding of why they failed,”Black said.

The overview makes some recom-mendations on things like rock sizeand length-to-width ratios based onour experience. “It contains someconstruction techniques based on

the problems we saw in what wasconstructed originally,” Black said.

Chapter 2 discusses factors capableof influencing performance expec-tations of SFCW, mostly opera-tional considerations. The manualstates, “With proper attention tothe hydraulic design features andthe organic removal capabilities,the systems should be able to pro-vide biochemical oxygen demandremovals in the range of 85 to 90percent.”

Chapter 3 outlines design andconstruction considerations for aSFCW. It contains suggestedcalculations for design and con-struction requirements, includingcontrolling the gradation of thestone media, avoiding improperconstruction techniques, andmaking proper use of plants.

It also contains two sample SFCWdesigns. The first is a design in-tended to work with a lagoon treat-ment system for a small,unsewered community. The secondexample outlines parameters for aSFCW to receive septic tank efflu-ent from a single-dwelling familyof four. Appropriate equations andsome helpful tips are included.

The final chapter deals with opera-tional and maintenance consider-ations. The manual states thatwhile the system design is “sim-plistic,” it is not maintenance-free.Specific attention is given to thecorrect operation of the recircula-tion pump and maintenance ofplants.

Who Should Use ItBlack said the manual would beuseful to anyone considering thistype of technology. “Whetheryou’re a consulting engineer or alay person, we tried to make theinformation basic. Anyone with alittle knowledge of math could useit.”

“Just follow the examples we havein there. It’s pretty self-explana-tory as to how to design the sys-tems based on the equations.

“A lot of times it’s a trial and errorthing. You design a system, checkthe hydraulics. If the effluentwon’t pass through the media, youchange the design,” said Black.

Although there are many variablesinvolved in constructing a SFCW,Black said generally they are lessexpensive than some traditionalwastewater treatment methods andmay be an affordable alternativefor many wastewater treatmentneeds.

“It’s not the type of technologythat should be used in all situa-tions,” he said. “It depends onwhat the effluent limits might be.Anything with ammonia removal,we don’t recommend using it.

Spanish VersionGuidance for Design and Con-struction of a SFCW also is avail-able in Spanish.

Free copies of either the Englishor Spanish versions of the bookletare available by writing to the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency,Water Quality Protection Division,Assistance and Outreach Branch(6WQ-AO), 1445 Ross Avenue,Dallas, Texas, 75202-2733 or bycalling (214) 665-7120.

For more information about theRegion 6 manual, contact Black at(214)-665-7168.

reso

urce

s

GUIDANCE

FOR

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

OF A

SUBSURFACE FLOW

CONSTRUCTED WETLAND

UNITED STATES

EN

VIR

OM

E

NTAL P RO TECTION

AG

EN

CY

U.S. EPA - REGION 6

WATER MANAGEMENT DIVISION

MUNICIPAL FACILITIES BRANCH

TECHNICAL SECTION

9SMALL FLOWS -Winter 1996; Vol.10, No. 1

NSFC Databases Provide More, Better Informationby Jeremy CanodyNSFC Staff Writer

The National Small Flows Clear-inghouse (NSFC) is continuouslyupdating its Facilities, Manufactur-ers and Consultants, and Contactsand Referrals databases to bring itscustomers the most up-to-date andcomplete information available.

Customers can access this informa-tion by simply calling NSFC’s toll-free number, (800) 624-8301, andasking a technical assistant toconduct a search.

FacilitiesThe Facilities Database was cre-ated to help government officials,operators, homeowners, engineers,and wastewater managers obtainthe names and addresses of facili-ties using conventional and alter-native wastewater technologies.

The updated Facilities Databasewill now be capable of supportingmultiple staff users, allowing staffto search the database and getinformation to our customersfaster.

For example a wastewater managerconsidering installation of an aer-ated lagoon wants to talk to some-one in another municipality withone already installed. By contact-ing the NSFC’s technical assis-tance team, the wastewater man-ager can obtain the names andaddresses of all municipalitieslisted in the database that use aer-ated lagoons.

Enhancements being made to thisdatabase include:

• A more complete list oftechnologies that will includeonsite and small communitytechnologies, including surfaceand subsurface disposal systems.

• An updated list of “small flows”facilities throughout the country,as well as the addition of namesand addresses of the operators,names of owners, and informa-tion about the consultants affili-ated with each facility. (“Smallflows” facilities are those han-dling less than one million gal-lons per day.)

Tricia Angoli, a technical assis-tance specialist who helps with thecoordination of the NSFC Facili-ties Database, said the goal of thelatest enhancements is to makemore complete and detailed infor-

will help solve environmentalproblems.

Information is currently beinggathered, processed, and housedelectronically, and the databasewill soon contain an up-to-date listof agencies, organizations, andprograms involved in small com-munity wastewater infrastructureat the national, state, and locallevels.

Organizations that appear on thelist offer assistance through facili-ties, finance, research, regulations,technical and outreach assistance,and training. There are currentlymore than 70 such organizations inthe database, including federal andstate agencies and associations,national associations, tradeassociations, and colleges anduniversities.

resourcesmation available to all NSFC’scallers.

Manufacturers/ConsultantsThe Manufacturers and Consult-ants Database currently providescallers with a list of industry con-tacts for wastewater products andprofessional consulting. The data-base serves as a contact referencesource for engineers, private citi-zens, and small town and cityofficials, as well as a referral data-base for wastewater products andtrade items.

For example, if a restaurant man-ager were interested in finding agrease and oil removal option for abusiness, that person could contactthe NSFC and ask a technicalassistant to search the Manufactur-ers and Consultants Database toget a complete list of the manufac-turers of grease and oil removalproducts.

Efforts are currently underway tocompletely update the database’slist of contacts and referrals. Morethan 1,600 updated forms weremailed in June 1995 to manufac-turers and industry contacts listedin the database. More than a thirdof those contacted have responded.

Todd Olson, technical assistancespecialist who coordinates thedatabase, said the update formsrequested additional informationabout new services, new products,and an updated list of products.

Olson says a “second chance”letter will be mailed to companiesthat didn’t respond to the originalrequest. He emphasizes that com-panies that do not respond to thesecond mailing by February 9,1996 will be eliminated from thedatabase.

A streamlined list of manufacturersand consultants should be availableto callers in the spring. If yourcompany has received an updateform and has not sent it in, pleasedo so. If you did not receive a formand would like to be noted in thedatabase, please call the toll-freenumber listed above and ask for aManufacturers and ConsultantsDatabase information pack.

Contacts/ReferralsThe Contacts and Referrals Data-base will soon provide informationon organizations that assist smallcommunities by linking them withorganizations and expertise that

Continued on page 10

Facilities DatabaseHelps government officials, operators, homeowners, engineers, andwastewater managers obtain the names and addresses of facilities usingalternative and conventional wastewater technologies.

Technical Assistance Contacts: Tricia AngoliTamara VandivortBrock McCracken

Manufacturers and Consultants DatabaseProvides industry contacts for wastewater products and professionalconsulting. It can serve as a contact reference source, as well as areferral database for wastewater products and trade items.

Technical Assistance Contacts: Todd OlsonEd Winant

Contacts and Referrals DatabaseProvides a list of organizations that assist small communitiesby linking them to organizations and expertise that will help themsolve their wastewater problems.

Technical Assistance Contact: Crystal Stevens

To contact any of these technical assistance specialists, call the NSFCat (800) 624-8301 during business hours, Monday through Friday,8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

NSFC’s Newly Updated Databases

cal and finance solutions and puttown officials in contact with theappropriate organizations that canhelp them maintain compliancewith state codes.

If your organization is interested inappearing in the contacts and Re-ferrals Database, contact CrystalStevens, contacts and referralscoordinator, at (800) 624-8301,ext. 550.

Customers will be able to benefitfrom these in-house changes bycontacting the NSFC technicalassistance team at (800) 624-8301and discussing their request. Atechnical assistant will then searchthe appropriate database andcompile a list of relevant informa-tion or contacts and referrals fromvarious sources across the coun-try.

For example, a small town may berequired codes to upgrade its cur-rent wastewater treatment, but lackof funding may limit the town’sability to pay for the upgrade.

The Contacts and Referrals Data-base can help by listing all of theorganizations that have assistedother communities in similar situa-tions. By searching this database,the NSFC technical assistance teamcan recommend alternative techni-

10 SMALL FLOWS -Winter 1996; Vol.10, No. 1

Thurston County Surveys Failing Septic Systemsated with new construction, when aproperty is sold, or when a systemis repaired, must be renewed everyfour years.

The purpose of the permit is to

assure continuous and proper op-eration of onsite sewage disposalsystems, says Grunenfelder.

“To get a permit renewed, theowner must show documentation

that the septic systemhas been properly main-tained as specified forthat particular system,”Grunenfelder explains.

He says the permit pro-gram, which has been inplace since 1990, is aneffective means of pre-venting the neglect thatcan cause later prob-lems. He says eventuallythe plans are for everyseptic system in thecounty to have a permit.

Although ThurstonCounty has alreadyimplemented somecorrective measures,such as repairs or re-placements for problemsystems, the survey ofonsite septic systems isnot complete.Grunenfelder says this

will be an ongoing process thatwill be conducted during saturatedsoil conditions that occur duringWashington’s rainy season, typi-cally from mid November to earlyApril each year.

For some of the areas being sur-veyed, the Health Department willturn its results over to the Depart-ment of Public Works, which willthen proceed to draft a comprehen-sive wastewater management planfor that area.

For more information on ThurstonCounty’s efforts to remedy itsfailing septic systems, contactGrunenfelder, Thurston CountyPublic Health and Social Services,Environmental Health Division,2000 Lakeridge Drive, S.W., Olym-pia, WA 98502. Phone: (206) 786-5455.

Reader Survey Results Compiled, Changes PlannedAfter several months of compilingmore than 2,000 responses to theSmall Flows readership survey thatappeared in the Spring 1995 issue,the results are in.

The newsletter staff will be imple-menting format changes in futureissues of the newsletter as well asexploring many of the contentideas that were submitted, said JillRoss, Environmental Services andTraining Division publicationssupervisor.

Five percent of the readers whoreceived the survey responded(43,685 surveys were mailed;2,211 were tabulated; and moresurveys are still trickling in). Sincea two to three percent response isconsidered standard for a survey,this response is a strong indicationof reader interest, said Ross.

Forty-three percent of respondentsidentified themselves as govern-ment officials and 29 percent iden-tified themselves as engineers/consultants. Additional readercategories included other (11 per-cent), educator (8 percent),

homeowner (7 percent), operator(6 percent), manufacturer (3 per-cent), and assistance agency (2percent).

Small Flows is well read and val-ued by its readers. The resultsshow that most people read most(42 percent) or some (45 percent)of the stories. When they are fin-ished with the newsletter, 56 per-cent of readers said they save itwhile 43 percent pass it on.

Most readers (88 percent) feel thequarterly publication schedule isjust right, the number of pages isjust right (84 percent), and thelength of the articles is just right(88 percent).

Although 61 percent of readersliked the tabloid size, 34 percentthink it is too large. Readers wereevenly divided about their prefer-ence for the tabloid size (44 per-cent) versus an 8-1/2 by 11-inchformat (44 percent). Many readersemphasized their preference for thesmaller format in the open-endedpart of the survey, indicating thatthey wanted the smaller size be-cause it is more conducive to filing

and photocopying.

“We will be taking a further lookat the impact of changing the for-mat of the newsletter,” said Ross.“We want to respond to ourreader’s concerns, but we alsoneed to consider the impact of amajor format change on our bud-get.”

Favorite sections of Small Flowsincluded technology (79 percent),resources (49 percent), education(32 percent), Q&A (24 percent),U.S. Environmental ProjectionAgency news (23 percent), legisla-tion (19 percent), and legal advice(19 percent).

When asked what small commu-nity wastewater issue they mostneeded information about, theresponse was overwhelming, withmany readers listing several items.

“People are most interested inreceiving information on onsitesystems and small communitycollection and treatment systems,”said Ross. “They specifically re-

quested information on innovativeonsite technologies, onsite tech-nologies for difficult sites, anddealing with failed septic sys-tems.” She said readers requestedinformation on everything frompackage plants and sand filters tomound systems and lagoons.

Some of the many other ideassuggested included financial con-cerns (how to find funding, how todetermine user rates, etc.) andenvironmental concerns (water-shed protection, water conserva-tion, pollution prevention, etc.).

“We are very pleased with theexcellent response rate we receivedto the survey, not to mention thevery high marks we received,” saidRoss. “We look forward to work-ing with this information to makeSmall Flows even better.”

If you have misplaced your surveyor did not receive one, we wouldstill like to hear from you. Simplycall us at (800) 624-8301, andrequest a Small Flows readershipsurvey form.

for individual septic systems.

These permits, which are currentlygranted for septic systems associ-

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

FailingSeptic

Systems

AnimalWaste

Storm-waterRunoff

SewageTreatment

Outfall

MarineMammals

BoatWaste

Note: Percentages add upp tomore than 100% because

contamination of shellfish bedsis often the result of more than

one source of pollution.

(Commercial areas since 1980)

Source: Washington Department of Ecology Shellfish Unit, January 1992

Causes of Shellfish Restrictions in Puget Sound

continued from page 5

11SMALL FLOWS -Winter 1996; Vol.10, No. 1

viewpoint

AL SMALL FLOWS

FLOWS

SE

32 L E T T E R S T O T H E E D I T O R

Small Flows is printedon recycled paper.

The National Small Flows Clearinghouse,established by the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency under the federal CleanWater Act (CWA) in 1977 and located atWest Virginia University, gathers anddistributes information about smallcommunity wastewater systems. SmallFlows is published quarterly.

Small FlowsSponsored by:

U.S. Environmental Protection AgencySteve Hogye, Project OfficerMunicipal Support Division

Office of Wastewater ManagementWashington, D.C.

National Small Flows ClearinghouseWest Virginia University

John L. Mori, Ph.D., Manager,WVU Environmental Services

and Training DivisionPeter Casey, P. Eng.

NSFC Program CoordinatorJill Ross, Publications Supervisor

Nancy Gover, EditorJeremy Canody, Staff WriterNatalie Eddy, Staff Writer

Eric Merrill, Graphic Designer

International Standard Serial Number1060-0035

Article SubmissionsSmall Flows welcomes letters to the editor,articles, news items, photographs, or othermaterials for publication. Please addresscorrespondence to:

Editor, Small FlowsNational Small Flows Clearinghouse

West Virginia UniversityP.O. Box 6064

Morgantown, WV 26506-60641-800-624-8301

ReprintsFor permission to reprint informationappearing in Small Flows, please send aletter of request to the editor.

Small Flows is funded by the UnitedStates Environmental Protection Agency.The contents of this newsletter do notnecessarily reflect the views and policiesof the Environmental Protection Agency,nor does mention of trade names orcommercial products constitute endorse-ment or recommendation for use.

Engineer SaysSmall Flow’sArticles NeedNumeric

EmphasisDear Editor:

This letter is a direct result of theSmall Flows readership survey. Ibelieve that Small Flows has thepotential to be more than merely“good.” I believe that Small Flowshas the potential to have historicalsignificance.

Let me describe the problems that Ifeel currently exist. Then I willsketch a solution which you canimplement with only minor modi-fications to Small Flows.

Problem DefinitionEvery home generates sewage. Weunderstand the problems that maybe caused by that sewage. Theseproblems are: 1) disease caused bypathogens, 2) water pollutioncaused by nitrates and/or phos-phates and/or five day biochemicaloxygen demand (BOD5) and 3)soil contamination by heavy met-als. The technology has been de-veloped to remove these pollut-ants, quite independent of siteconditions, and quite independentof any proprietary gizmos.

Governments have the ability togrant themselves powers that theydo not have the widsom to exer-cise. The onsite industry is one ofthe victims of those powers. Inmany instances the industry isheavily regulated by people whoare not only ignorant of technol-ogy, they are profoundly ignorantof the technology available to theonsite field.

Often times these regulators arelied to nonstop by some of the bestcon artists in the western world—consequently they take everythingwith not just a grain, but with ablock, of salt. Thus the competentpractitioner finds it unnecessarilydifficult to pierce the mind of theregulator with the thorns of logic.

SolutionIf we are to do an effective job ofprotecting the environment andeach other, then we must distanceourselves from prescriptive stan-dards and embrace performancestandards! We must have a nu-meric gestalt by which we evaluateproducts and assemblies of prod-ucts used in onsite treatment. Youhave the potential to be a majorplayer in this move. I am askingthat you add a numeric spin to thearticles you publish and suggestthat your doing so will help thefield take a significant stride to-ward our ultimate goal of eliminat-ing pollution where it is created.

It is fine and dandy to do an articlethat pictures folks standing aroundcongratulating themselves becausethey have just invented the wheel.We all need that. I’m suggesting inthat article a paragraph that sayssomething like this, “By utilizingthe ‘wheel’ with our native Llama,which is otherwise limited to a 65-pound carrying capacity, scientistsat North American University havefound that loads of 200 pounds canbe transported up to 13 miles perday under normal conditions.”

Before Small Flows publishesarticles, it should make the writeraddress details, with numbers, ofhow the subject of the article per-forms with respect to above-men-tioned pollutants. For example,when Small Flows has an article onwetlands the writer might compareits fecal coliform removal to swim-ming beach standards (organisms/100 milliliters).

When an article in Small Flowstalks nitrate, it could speak (nu-merically) in terms of the drinkingwater standard (parts per million).In an article that discusses dis-charge into the environment, SmallFlows should prevail upon theauthor to mention (numerically)the solubility of oxygen in waterand mention BOD5 of the effluentthat the system(s) produces. It isnot environmentally friendly todischarge liquid with a BOD5 thatexceeds the oxygen carrying ca-pacity of (ppm) water.

By virtue of what you are, youhave the trust of the bureaucracy.You would be educating the regu-lators in terms of what to look for.The regulatory community willeventually realize that there areindeed hoops, and that we canindeed jump through them.

Thank you,Mike Mitchell, PrincipalNorthwest Septic Inc.Mount Vernon, WA

Thanks for your feedback. It ar-rived at a good time, as we arecurrently in the process of rethink-ing Small Flows and its role interms of the needs of our readers.

While many of our readers areengineers like yourself, there are

many more who are students,homeowners, or private citizens.Sometimes Small Flows’ approachmay seem simplistic, but the pointis that we are attempting to com-municate information about smallflows systems to a wide variety ofindividuals with different back-grounds and knowledge.

Not all of the individuals who readSmall Flows are interested inobtaining detailed numeric data.Recently we’ve developed anotherpublication,,The Small FlowsJournal, that is more technicallyoriented and therefore providesmore numeric data for engineersand other technical professionals.You should expect to receive oneby ...(If you have not received afree subscription, contact us at(800) 624-8301.)

If you see a Small Flows articlethat lacks in the numeric (or other)information you need, please don’thestitate to call our toll-freehotline and ask to speak to a mem-ber of our technical assistancestaff. He or she will either give youthe information directly or provideyou with information so you cancontact the engineer or design firmyourself. (We extend this invitationto all our readers.)

The National Small Flows Clearinghouse (NSFC) has just publishedthe second issue of its new publication, The Small Flows Journal. TheJournal is a juried technical journal devoted specifically to smallcommunity wastewater issues.

Articles in this issue include a study of the performance of shallowintermittent sand filtration and a proposal for a private marketapproach to onsite wastewater treatment system management.

Subscriptions to The Small Flows Journal are free and can be orderedby contacting the NSFC at (800) 624-8301 or (304) 293-4191. Youcan also write to National Small Flows Clearinghouse, West VirginaUniversity, P.O. Box 6064, Morgantown, WV 26506-6064.

Second Issue of The SmallFlows Journal Available

I think your idea of providing somebenchmarks or reference points fornumeric data we do print in SmallFlows is a good one. As you sug-gest, it would be a move in keepingwith the growing trend towardperformance-based systems. Itwould also help some of our lessknowledgeable readers by relatingthe numbers to something withinthe realm of their experience. Wewill take this point into consider-ation as we plot Small Flow’sfuture.

12 SMALL FLOWS -Winter 1996; Vol.10, No. 1

reso

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sHome*A*Syst Goal Is Pollution Prevention

by Natalie EddyNSFC Staff Writer

A new pollution prevention pro-gram for homeowners was addedto the national Farmstead Assess-ment System (Farm*A*Syst) pro-gram this year, extending beyondagricultural concerns to provide acomprehensive environmental riskassessment for all landowners.Called the Home*A*Syst (Home

Assessment Program), the newprogram will evaluate activities inthe home and around the yard thatcan increase pollution risks togroundwater, surface water, andair quality.

Home*A*Syst’s forerunner,Farm*A*Syst, was developed in1991. It is a coordinated, practicalinitiative intended to help farmersand rural residents identify pollu-tion risks, mainly agricultural, ontheir properties and develop a planof action to reduce those risks.

The newer Home AssessmentProgram also evaluates septicsystems and the potential forgroundwater contamination due topoorly designed or mismanagedwastewater systems.

The combined program, calledFarm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst(FAS/HAS), is cooperatively sup-ported by the U.S. Department ofAgriculture Cooperative StateResearch, Education and ExtensionService, Natural Resources Con-servation Service (NRCS), and theU.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA).

Douglas C. Knox, NRCS FAS/HAS coordinator, said, “The greatnews about this combined programis that it clearly demonstrates thatindividuals will voluntarily makechanges to protect their waterresources.

“This is based on the premise thatthe program creates an educationalawareness of potential pollutionrisks; identifies sources of techni-cal, educational, and financialassistance; aids in developing apersonal voluntary action plan toprevent pollution; and empowers

individuals and communities toprotect private and public drinkingwater resources.”

Home*A*Syst will cover suchtopics as septic systems, waterconservation, surface water con-tamination, well condition, leadand radon contamination, yard andgarden care, indoor air quality,hazardous materials, energy con-servation, and petroleum product

management.

“We’re reallyexcited about this.It’s a terrific op-portunity to reachnon-farm folks onprivate watersupplies, who may

be on wells or septic systems forthe first time in their lives,” saidKnox.

“The program has real merit. And,if we can get a group of home-owners looking at the watershedand thinking about how they fitinto the local landscape, we’ll bedoing a great service to the envi-ronment.”

He added, “It has just been a fan-tastic experience working with theFarm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst pro-gram. It’s fun to see the programcontinue to grow and expand. Pilotprojects around the country showthe program to be very accessible,easy to understand, and technicallysound.”

How the Program WorksThe FAS/HAS formula of educa-tion, self-assessment, and actionplans motivates rural landownersto act voluntarily. The programincludes fact sheets that help toassimilate legal and technical re-quirements into a format that non-experts can understand, accordingto Knox.

Landowners then use work sheetsto assess each pollution risk. Theultimate result is an individualaction plan. Program materialshelp participants locate the neces-sary resources and assistance toaddress their particular pollutionrisks.

For example, a homeowner mightbe asked to evaluate his or herseptic system and wastewatermanagement, according to LizNevers, outreach specialist for thenational program.

“We evaluate the quantity ofwastewater, as well as the quality.The assessment asks about garbagedisposal use, household chemicaluse, and makes recommendations,”said Nevers.

“This assessment also evaluatesthe physical system, includingpretreatment, treatment, disposal,and pumpage. It’s all self-con-tained with an accompanying factsheet. There’s also a contact andreference list to help participantsknow whom to call about localregulations, state regulations, oralternative technologies.”

Nevers added that many timesproblems are linked. For example,bacteria in the well water mayindicate a failing septic tank. “Wewould recommend that peoplework through, not just the septictank worksheet, but some of theothers as well. Most people don’tknow their septic tank has faileduntil it backs up into their base-ment. Technically, it may havefailed a long time ago,” Neversadded.

“There will be 11 of theseworksheets, which will providegood technical information on howto manage property,” Knox added.

Home*A*Syst’s worksheets andsupplemental information will bepilot tested for readability andunderstandability in five locationsaround the country. Knox addedthat the program will be lookingfor possible improvements to thematerial prior to distribution to allstates.

Private Industry Plays a RoleKnox explained that the privatesector also plays a key role in theoverall success of the program.“Many times, there can be anamazing difference of opinions onwater quality issues prior to assess-ment,” said Knox. “A unique thingabout this program is that it is apartnership between federal andstate agencies with the privatesector.

“A key to action is forhomeowners to haveready access to technicalassistance, plus locallyavailable products andservices. That’s wherethe partnerships need tobe built to bring thewhole thing into place.

According to Knox, septage haul-ers, certified well drillers, andmany facets of private industry areinvolved with Farm*A*Syst.

All 50 states have an identifiedFAS/HAS coordinator. “Each stateleader puts together a team withinthe state, then the team selects keymembers of the private sector. Ourjob is to coordinate, develop, andmodify the program and providetraining on how to implement theprogram,” said Knox.

On the local level, the programprovides a resource sheet to tellpeople where to go for help.“Since many of the necessaryservices or products people need toimprove or maintain their septicsystem are not provided through apublic agency, it is important toidentify the types of private ser-vices that are available,” Neversadded.

The ideal situation is for someonewith a new septic tank to startworking with the program immedi-ately. She added, however, thatthere are people out there whohave never pumped their tanks anddon’t know they have to.

“Ex-urbanites move to the countryand have no idea about the careand feeding of septics. Wastewatermanagement needs to be ad-dressed. You may not think twiceabout dumping a toxic chemicaldown your drain, but the samechemical can become a groundwa-ter pollutant if it ends up in a septicsystem,” she added.

Findings Are ConfidentialAny recommendations that aremade through the program areconfidential and strictly for theparticipant’s use, Nevers ex-plained.

“We try to give the homeownera tool that they can use. Ideally,once they have gone through the

F A SARM YSTFarmstead Assessment System

Continued on page 19

F A SARM YSTFarmstead Assessment System

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Reducing the Risk of Groundwater Contamination by

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For glossary,

see page 2 of

Worksheet #6.

13SMALL FLOWS -Winter 1996; Vol.10, No. 1

resources

to have promise where benefits faroutweigh potential risks.

In 1987, the statute was amendedby Congress and no funds were setaside for innovative and alternativetechnologies, resulting in littleeffort being made to evaluate theperformances of various technolo-gies until NSFC’s current efforts.

Through EPA’s and NSFC’s ef-forts, the project will support thenation’s environmental goals forpublic health risk reduction, eco-system protection, and pollutionprevention by disseminating avail-able information to local and stateofficials who provide basic waterand wastewater treatment servicesfor their communities.

Collecting and DisseminatingInformationIn the project’s current stage, theassessments are being systemati-cally located and NSFC staff arecollecting and housing the infor-mation on these 600 projects andapproximately 120 technologies.

Continued from page 1

NSFC Collects Information for ETI

The NSFC is gathering technologyinformation about:

• cost,• permit limitations,• basic design,• performance,• population served,• location,

ETIEnvironmental Technology Initiative

On Tap Addresses Operator Issues“If they turn on the faucet andwater comes out, they don’t evenknow I exist,” says David Griggs,drinking water treatment operatorat Matheny, West Virginia publicservice district. “But if that watergoes off for whatever reason, Lordhelp me, they won’t stop callinguntil I get it back on.”

Does this sound like your workday? Community residents all overthe country depend on operators tomake their water fit to drink. Inmost cases operators are requiredto have at least one year of in-plantexperience and to pass a writtenlicensing examination to even holdonto their jobs. Yet water operators

are often expected to hang Christ-mas lights, sweep city streets, and,in some cases, write parking tick-ets. Often, they operate the localsewage treatment plant as well.

On Tap, a newsletter published bythe National Drinking WaterClearinghouse (NDWC) that pro-vides small communities with

timely information about drinkingwater issues, offers a specialoperator issue. The Winter 1995issue of On Tap contains articles,resources, and training informationfor drinking water operators.

To order a free copy of On Tap’soperator issue, or if you havequestions about drinking water,call the NDWC at (800) 624-8301.

Workshops Slated for Wastewater Operator Trainers

• manufacturers andconsultants involved,

• flow size,• start-up date, and• who to contact for more information.

This information will be gatheredon a wide variety of technologies,

including aeration, clarifiers, disin-fection, energy conservation andrecovery, filtration, upgrades toponds and lagoons, land applica-tion, nutrient removal, oxidationditches, sludge treatment, anddisposal technologies.

located at the NSFC. This databasewill be updated continuously as theNSFC staff gather informationthrough routine contact with statesand various other efforts.

The NSFC plans to develop factsheets for groups including electedlocal officials, consulting engi-neers, regulators, manufacturers,and state representatives who needthis information to appropriatelyutilize and implement these tech-nologies.

The NSFC also plans to dissemi-nate the collected informationthrough its newsletters, productdistribution, telephone hotline, andconference presentations.

The fact sheets will be sent toorganizations that are involved infield service work, including theRural Community AssistanceProgram, state and environmentaltraining centers, and the NationalRural Water Association. Theywill also be available to anyonewho requests them.

The Water Environment ResearchFoundation, the research arm ofthe Water Environment Federation,is working to assess and report ontechnologies for which little or noinformation currently exists.

Resulting information will behoused in the Facilities Database

NA

TIONAL ENVIRONM

ENTA

L

TRA INING CENTER

The National EnvironmentalTraining Center for SmallCommunities (NETCSC) willsponsor two workshops in early1996 on onsite wastewatersystem operation and mainte-nance for trainers who work withoperators of various onsitesystems.

The course “Onsite WastewaterSystem Operation and Mainte-nance for Onsite System Opera-tors” will take place March 18–20in Morgantown, West Virginia.The cost is $275 a person or $225each if more than one person fromthe same organization attends.

To register for this course, or formore information about NETCSCtraining programs and services,contact Sandy Miller, conferenceservices representative, at (800)624-8301, ext. 536.

masters are included in thematerials, and slide sets will beavailable for purchase.

The fee includes course materialsand lunches. A resource packincluding slides and overheadswill be made available for pur-chase.

The second course, “Land Applica-tion of Wastewater: Operation andMaintenance of Overland Flowand Surface (Spray) IrrigationSystems for Wastewater Opera-tors,” takes place April 1–3 inKansas City, Missouri. The cost is$225 a person or $175 each ifmore than one attends from thesame organization. The fee coverscourse materials, lunches, andrefreshments. Transparency

14 SMALL FLOWS -Winter 1996; Vol.10, No. 1

Celebrating NSFC’s “Top Ten” Best Selling ProductsOver the years, the National SmallFlows Clearinghouse (NSFC) hasoffered its customers an increas-ingly wide array of informationpackaged in a variety of forms—books, manuals, slides and videotapes, posters, booklets, and factsheets. We call these informationalmaterials “products.”

In honor of our 10th anniversary,we thought we’d show you our

to write your selections before youorder by mail, fax, or phone.

NSFC has also recently publishedThe 1995-96 Guide to Productsand Services, a 40-page catalogthat provides a complete listing ofall our products along with a shortdescription of each.

To order your free Guide to Prod-ucts and Services, or to order anyof our products (including those on

most popular products. These arethe ones that people like you haveordered over and over again—making them the decade’sbestsellers.

Once you’ve looked over our “top10,” take a look at what otherproducts we have to offer. They’rein the list in the middle of everyissue of Small Flows. You’ll alsofind an order form there on which

these pages) simply call our toll-free number: (800) 624-8301. Besure to refer to the item number.Shipping charges apply to allorders.

So...Now You Own A SepticTank, the first brochure in theNSFC septic tank series, de-scribes how your septic tankworks and how you can keep itfunctioning properly. Now YouOwn a Septic Tank , item #WWBRPE20, is free. (More than10 copies are 20 cents each.Shipping charges apply.)

EPA Small Wastewater SystemsAlternative SystemsFor Small CommunitiesAnd Rural Areas

United StatesEnvironmental ProtectionAgency Office of Water(WH-595)

830/F-92/001May 1992

Small Wastewater Systems. Alternative Systems for SmallCommunities and Rural Areas, a foldout booklet, is NSFC’ssecond most popular product. Over 14,500 copies have beendistributed. Alternative Systems provides you with descriptionsof various alternative wastewater systems that are available tosmall and rural communities. This foldout booklet, item#WWBLPE02, is available free of charge. (Shipping chargesapply.)

1 YOURSEPTIC

SYSTEM

A Reference Guide

for Homeowners

Septic Systems: A Guide for Homeowners is ourmost popular product by far, with over 46,500copies distributed. This brochure describes aconventional septic system and how you shouldcare for it in order to achieve optimal results.Intended for the general public, this brochureoffers tips to help you maintain a trouble-freeoperation of your septic system. Guide forHomeowners, item #WWBRPE17, is free.(More than 11 copies are 20 cents each.Shipping charges apply)

2

4

3

The Care and Feeding of Your SepticTank is the second brochure in theNSFC septic tank series and the mostpopular. Nearly 9,000 copies havebeen distributed. This NSFC brochuredescribes septic tanks and absorptionfields to the general public. It alsoprovides guidelines that will help youprolong the life of your septic systems.Care and Feeding, item#WWBRPE18, is free. (More than 10copies are 20 cents each. Shippingcharges apply.)

The care andfeeding ofyour septictank system

Helping Americas’s smallcommunities meet their

wastewater needs

NA

TIO

NAL SMALL FLOW

S

CL EA R INGHOUS

E

So...now you owna septic tank

Helping Americas’s smallcommunities meet their

wastewater needs

NA

TIO

NAL SMALL FLOW

S

CL EA R INGHOUS

Ereso

urce

s

15SMALL FLOWS -Winter 1996; Vol.10, No. 1

6 It’s Your Choice

A Guidebook for LocalOfficials on SmallCommunity WastewaterManagement Options

EPAOffice of Water EPA 430/9-87-006

United StatesEnvironmental ProtectionAgency

Office of MunicipalPollution Control (WH-595)Municipal Facilities DivisionWashington, DC 20460

September 1987

Pipeline, Summer 1995, is a popular product, withalmost 3,000 requests being filled on top of its regulardistribution. This issue of the newsletter, which isdesigned for the general public, focuses on septicsystems. Pipeline included an explanation of how septicsystems work, septic system design, and alternativeseptic system designs among others topics. The Sum-mer 1995 issue of Pipeline, item # SFPLNL02, is20 cents. (Shipping charges apply.)

10Innovative and Alternative (I/A) Technol-ogy. Wastewater Treatment to ImproveWater Quality and Reduce Costs is ageneral information folder that has had4,000 copies distributed. This folder thatdescribes innovative and alternativesystems that your community can usefor wastewater treatment. The folderalso explains the benefits of using alter-native and innovative systems in yourcommunity. A complete list of EPA con-tacts is provided for you. This folder,item #WWBRGN03, is free. (Shippingcharges apply.)

8 InnovativeandAlternative(I/A)Technology

WastewaterTreatment toImprove W aterQuality andReduce Costs

United StatesEnvironmental ProtectionAgency

August1984

EPA

7

5

1PIPELINE - Fall 1995; Vol. 6, No. 4 National Small Flows Clearinghouse 1-800-624-8301

PipelineFall 1995

Vol. 6, No. 4

Small Community Wastewater Issues Explained to the Public

NA

TIO

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ut of sight and out of mind—does this describe yourrelationship with your septicsystem? If you are like most

homeowners, you probably never givemuch thought to what happens to whatgoes down your drain. But if you rely on aseptic system to treat and dispose of yourhousehold wastewater, what you don’tknow can hurt you. Proper operation andmaintenance of your septic system canhave a significant impact on how well itworks and how long it lasts, and in mostcommunities, septic system maintenanceis the responsibility of the homeowner.

Why Maintain Your System?There are three main reasons why

septic system maintenance is so important.The first reason is money. Failing septicsystems are expensive to repair or replace,and poor maintenance is a common causeof early system failures. The minimalamount of preventative maintenance thatseptic systems require costs very little in

Can you answer the following questions?

• Where is your septic tank located?(see page 6)

• How often should you have yourseptic system inspected? (see page 4)

• Does it help to add yeast to yoursystem? (see page 4)

• Do you know the last time your septictank was pumped? (see page 6)

• How do household cleaners affectyour system? (see page 6)

• How can you tell if your septic systemhas failed? (see page 2)

Even if you think you know the answersto all of these questions, you canprobably learn something new aboutseptic system maintenance in this issueof Pipeline. For a quick reference, seethe list of do’s and don’ts for septicsystem owners on page 5.

SEPTIC SYSTEM QUIZ

MAINTAINING YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM—A GUIDE FOR HOMEOWNERS

Continued on page 2

Why Many Systems FailImproper siting, construction, or design

often contribute to septic system failures.But if your septic system has beenproperly designed, constructed, andinstalled, then you are the most likelyremaining threat to the health andlongevity of your septic system. Fortu-nately, it is easy to learn how to properlyoperate and maintain a septic system.

This issue of Pipeline focuses oneducating homeowners about properseptic system operation and maintenance.Some of the topics include groundwaterpollution, system inspections, and the use

comparison. For example, it typicallycosts from $3,000 to $10,000 to replacea failing septic system with a new one,compared to approximately $50 to $150to have a septic system inspected, and$150 to $250 to have it pumped.

The second and most important reasonto maintain your system is to protect thehealth of your family, your community,and the environment. When septic systemsfail, inadequately treated householdwastewater is released into the environ-ment. Any contact with untreated humanwaste can pose significant health risks,and untreated wastewater from failingseptic systems can contaminate nearbywells, groundwater, and drinkingwater sources.

Chemicals improperly releasedthrough a septic system also can pollutelocal water sources and can contributeto system failures. For this reason it isimportant for homeowners to educatethemselves about what should andshould not be disposed of through aseptic system. Finally, the third reason to maintainyour septic system is to protect the

economic health of your community.Failed septic systems can

cause property values todecline. Sometimesbuilding permits cannotbe issued or real estatesales can be delayed forthese properties until

systems are repaired orreplaced. Also, failed septic

systems can contribute to the pollutionof local rivers, lakes, and shorelines thatyour community uses for commercial orrecreational activities.

Pipeline, Fall 1995, is another popular issue of thenewsletter geared for the general public. This issuefocuses on how you can maintain your septic sys-tem. In the short period of time since its publication,more than 6,000 issues were requested after stan-dard distribution. Pipeline answers some basicquestions about septic tank maintenance, includingwhy you should maintain the system, how to main-tain your system, pumping your septic tank and alist of septic tank do’s and don’ts. (The Fall 1995issue of Pipeline, item # SFPLNL03, is 20 cents.Shipping charges apply.)

1PIPELINE - Summer 1995; Vol. 6, No. 3 National Small Flows Clearinghouse 1-800-624-8301

PERFORATEDPIPE

SOILABSORPTIONDRAINFIELD

GRAVEL ORCRUSHED

STONE

NONPERFORATED

PIPE

HOUSE SEWERPIPE

SEPTIC TANK

ROOFPLUMBING VENT

STACK

PipelineSummer 1995

Vol. 6, No. 3

Small Community Wastewater Issues Explained to the Public

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re you the proud owner of aseptic system? If so, you’re ingood company. Nearly one outof every four homes in the U.S.relies on some form of septic

system to treat and dispose of householdwastewater. When properly designed,installed, and maintained, septic systemscan be the most cost-effective and efficientmethod of wastewater treatment ahomeowner can choose.

A septic system is an especially goodalternative for homeowners in many smalland rural communities. In these communi-ties, the cost per household of installing,maintaining, and operating a conventionalsewer system is usually higher because thepopulation is smaller. (A conventionalsewer system is the type of centralizedwastewater collection and treatment systemused by most U.S. communities. Wastewa-ter is collected from individual householdsand transported through a network ofsewers to a wastewater treatment plant.)

Because septic systems treat anddispose of household wastewater onsite,they are often more economical thancentralized sewer systems in rural areaswhere lot sizes are larger and houses are

spaced widely apart.Septic systems are also simple in

design, which make them generallyless expensive to install and maintain.

And by using natural processes to treatthe wastewater onsite, usually in a home-owner’s backyard, septic systems don’trequire the installation of miles of sewerlines, making them less disruptive tothe environment.

In addition, there are many innovativedesigns for septic systems that allow themto be placed in areas with shallow soils orother site-related conditions previouslyconsidered to be unsuitable.

Too good to be true?In spite of these facts, septic

systems suffer from an imageproblem. Many people who

would be better served by aseptic system than a centralized

treatment system still think of septictanks as being undependable, old-

A

fashioned, or as a temporary solution untila conventional sewer system can be built.

Part of the blame for the poor reputa-tion of septic systems can be traced to thepopularity of conventional sewer systemsin the 1960s and early 1970s, when moregovernment funding was available toinstall and maintain large, complexsystems. Many communities weren’tinformed about possible alternatives and,therefore, didn’t consider more cost-effective or appropriate technologies likeseptic systems. And engineers, localofficials, and community residentssometimes may be easily impressed bymore high-tech solutions to problems.Septic systems may be overlooked as asolution in some cases because they aresuch a simple technology.

Pollution of local groundwater, lakes,and streams due to septic system failures isalso responsible for their unpopularity insome communities. The U.S. Environmen-tal Protection Agency (EPA) has identifiedfailing septic systems as a major source ofgroundwater pollution in some areas.However, most of these failures can beattributed to old systems with poor design,

Septic Systems—a practical alternative for small communities

ADVANTAGESOF SEPTIC SYSTEMS

• Simple and effective wastewater treatment• Less disruptive to the environment

to install and maintain• Less expensive to operate than

centralized treatment facilities• Provide wastewater treatment in areas

where it would not be available otherwise• When functioning properly, can help

replenish groundwater

Continued on page 2

EPA Is Your ProposedWastewater ProjectToo Costly?Options forSmall Communities

United StatesEnvironmental ProtectionAgency

Office of WaterProgramm OperationsWashington DC 20460

May 19849

Is your Proposed Wastewater ProjectToo Costly? Options for Small Com-munities, a public education booklet,has been requested more than 4,000times. This booklet discusses the needfor alternative sewer systems. It alsoprovides you with a listing of variouswastewater options for yourcommunity. The item #WWBLPE01, isavailable free of charge. (Shippingcharges apply)

It’s Your Choice: A Guidebook forLocal Officials on Small CommunityWastewater Management Options, afinance and management book fromthe Environmental Protection Agency ,examines the choices that small com-munities have when solving their cur-rent wastewater problems or in ad-dressing their future wastewaterneeds. The guide examines the stepsneeded to define the problem, selectand engineer, and finance the system.A popular item, this book has soldmore than 7,000 copies. Guidebook,Item #FMBKGN01, is available for$7.50. ( Shippping charges apply.)

Groundwater Protection, the thirdbrochure in the NSFC septic tankseries, discusses groundwatercontamination from septic sys-tems and how you can prevent it.Designed for the general public,more than 7,000 copies of thisbrochure have been distributed.Groundwater Protection, item#WWBRPE21, is free (More than10 copies are 20 cents each.Shipping and handling chargesapply.)

Groundwater

Protection

Helping Americas’s small

communities meet their

wastewater needs

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16 SMALL FLOWS -Winter 1996; Vol.10, No. 1

Does a consultant need a written contract?by Kent Seitzinger

NSFC Legal Advice Columnist

Editor’s Note: This article is re-printed from the Fall 1994 issueof Small Flows.

I recently received a telephone callfrom an engineer who had ques-tions about consultant contractsthat I’m sure many other readersshare. Although this discussion ofcontracts is directed at consultantswho specialize in onsite and smallflows technology, it can be adaptedby others in the field.

What is a contract? A contract isan agreement between two or moreparties based on mutual consent asto the terms supported by consider-ation. Consideration is generallythe promise of the consultant to doservices and the promise of theperson retaining the consultant topay for the services. This discus-sion about contracts is greatlyover-simplified but should beadequate to illustrate several im-portant issues.

First of all it is important to realizethat there is no “law of contracts.”Each state has its own definitions,requirements, and limitations. Anydiscussion of contract law musttherefore be very general in nature.Prior to acting upon any of therecommendations set forth in thisarticle, you should contact a quali-fied lawyer in your state to discussthe matter.

Generally, contracts fall into twobroad categories: implied andexpressed. An implied contract isone that arises as a result of the

conduct between the parties. Anexample is when a person buysproperty with the prospect of plac-ing a home on it. The landownercalls a consultant and requests aseptic system, and the consultantagrees to install one for $500.That’s arguably not an enforceableoral contract because the terms areso vague. Many elements, such asrequired site evaluations and per-colation tests, have not been ex-pressed, only implied.

An expressed contract may beeither oral or written. An expressedcontract is when there is an ex-pressed understanding between theparties that certain things willoccur, such as a percolation test.The parties have expressed, eitherorally or in writing, the conductthat is expected. Most states havelaws commonly referred to asstatutes of fraud. These laws re-quire certain types of contracts tobe in writing or they are unen-forceable.

Assuming your state does not havean applicable statute of frauds,either an express or implied con-tract could arguably be used by aconsultant. However, it is stronglyrecommended that only writtencontracts be used.

It is not legally necessary to havean attorney assist in preparing sucha contract, but the use of an attor-ney is essential to ensure the con-tract is correctly drafted. However,it is not necessary to have an attor-ney draft a contract for each job.The attorney may develop a formcontract that the consultant canthen modify for each job.

Although most attorneys in generalpractice should be able to draft acontract, drafting one to fit a con-sultant in the small flows businessis unique. Here are a few sugges-tions your attorney should considerin preparing a contract for you.

1) The document should thor- oughly describe the scope of work, the time frame in which it is to be done, and the fees

involved.

2) If the job includes soil (site) evaluations, the contract should clearly state that the consultant is being paid to conduct the test and not to guarantee a

good result.

3) If the job includes a system design, the contract should describe whether or not the particular design is merely following regulatory

requirements, or whether it is indeed a work of independentengineering.

4) The contract should expressly disclaim any guarantee that the system will function.

5) The contract should explain that the design follows current state- of-the-art understanding relative to the scope of

the work.

6) The contract should describe what documentation will be produced by the consultant,

if any.

7) The contract should indicate

FALL 1994REPRINT

whether or not the proposedsystem will fit within theregulatory scheme of the agencyinvolved.

8)The contract should provide that the prevailing party in any sub sequent dispute over the consult ing contract will be entitled to attorney’s fees and costs.

9)You may want to include a pro-vision requiring any dispute tobe submitted to binding arbitra-tion. In a binding arbitrationprovision, the parties agree inadvance that any dispute will besettled by an arbitrator, who willsit down with the knowledge oflaw, listen to the parties’ presen-tation of the facts, and then ren-der a ruling. That ruling thenbecomes the judgment in thecase. Binding arbitration is usu-ally much faster and incrediblyless expensive than a trial.

It may seem an annoyance to com-plete even a form written contractfor each job undertaken, but myexperience indicates that such acontract may save you tens ofthousands of dollars in legal fees.Although there is no guarantee thatsuch a contract will prevent youfrom being sued, it will certainlyminimize the chances, create thepossibility of an early end to thelitigation, and significantly assistin your defense should you have togo through litigation and trial.

10th

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sary

• identified more than 80 new sources of articles• added nearly 3,700 entries to the Bibliographic Database

• compiled and published two new reports:Inspection from the

State Regulations, and A Guide to Onsite State Regulations

• collected approximately 450 responses to a mailed request for

updated information for the Manufacturers and Consultants

Database• increased readership of Small Flows and Pipeline

• successfully changed Pipeline ’s format in response to the 1994

readership survey

*As referred to here, “last year” is the period from

October 1, 1994 to September 30, 1995.

A brief look at the NSFC’s accomplishments over the last year:*• answered more than 23,00 hotline calls

• processed more than 6,000 orders

• distributed approximately 59,000 informational products• counted more than 19,000 WTIE–BBS users, including 4,000

first-time users

• attended or was represented at more than 20 national, state,and regional conferences

• involved in cooperative efforts and activities with more than25

other organizations• contacted officials and organizations to determine their needs

for NSFC technical advice

• accepted nearly 400 articles

1995—What a Year for the NSFC

17SMALL FLOWS -Winter 1996; Vol.10, No. 1

TUNISIA

WATS LINE Q & AWINTER

1991 & 1993REPRINTS

Editor’s Note: The following ques-tions t first appeared in the Winter1991 and Winter 1993 issues ofSmall Flows. If you have a ques-tion, please call (800) 624-8301.

Do “fines,” particles of dirtand rock that come withgravel, have adverse effectson wastewater infiltration in asoil absorption system? If so,how can such effects beminimized? Are there otherfactors that affect infiltration?

Gravel is an important part of theonsite wastewater system. Onsitesystems use gravel, also known asaggregate, to allow use of trenchvoids for storage for peak waste-water flows; to dissipate energyfrom incoming wastewater thatmight erode the infiltrative surface;to support the distribution pipe;and to support the sidewalls of thesoil excavation, preventing itscollapse. However, gravel mayhave some adverse effects in a soilabsorption system.

The presence of excessive “fines”may deter wastewater infiltration.Compaction of the soil infiltrativesurface by falling gravel duringconstruction can impair perfor-mance of the system bottom. If thesystem depends on lateral move-ment of the effluent in the upperhorizons of the soil, then soilcompaction by heavy equipmentdelivering gravel can also be aconcern. To prevent this problemyou should buy relatively cleangravel and/or wash the gravel justbefore placing it in the trench.

The collection system must be keptclean or flushed before it dis-charges to an absorption system.Soil particles can be washed intothe system during construction andcan clog a sand filter or soil ab-sorption system. Strict construc-tion guidelines and inspection mayeliminate this problem.

Systems that do not use gravel, oruse a plastic media, may avoidmany of the concerns associatedwith “fines” in gravel. Maine haspermitted chamber systems with a40 to 50 percent reduction in bot-tom area compared to beds. Light-

weight plastic media and plasticchamber systems also offer theadvantage of hand installation thatcan reduce the impact by heavyequipment. Other “gravelless”systems using a fabric membraneare also available. However, thereare still questions about the long-term infiltration rates for the fab-rics.

For more information on regula-tion, research, and manufacturersof alternatives to gravel, call theNSFC and request Item#WWPCGN74, The GravellessTechnology Package. (costs$24.70 plus shipping and handlingcharges)

I work in a state departmentof environmental protection.We are considering develop-ing regulations for the designof soil absorption systemsserving homes with hot tubsand/or whirlpools. Are thereany specific environmentalimpacts or design concernswe need to address?

No studies have documented anegative environmental impactfrom hot tubs and whirlpools. Themajor concern is the possibility ofan increased hydraulic load andwashout of solids into the absorp-tion field.

Connecticut has a provision thatrequires any home with a hot tubor whirlpool to assume an extrabedroom (two more people) whendetermining projected flow insizing soil absorption systems. Byincreasing the projected flow, thesystem will be slightly “over de-signed” to receive increased hy-draulic load caused by hot tubs andwhirlpools.

Other approaches include requiringseptic tanks with multiple compart-ments and the use of restricteddrain pipe sizes to minimize theinstantaneous peak flows fromthese units.

What factors determine whenalternative sewer systemswould be more cost effectivethan conventional gravitysewers?

In small unsewered communities,conventional sewerage is not alwayseconomically feasible because of thehigh cost of installing the collectionsewers. Approximately 60 to 80percent of the total cost of wastewa-ter treatment is for collection. Thehigh cost of conventional gravitysewers is due to: 1) the necessity oflaying the pipe on a uniform nega-tive slope sufficient to create “scour-ing” velocities within the sewer; 2)the need to accommodate largervariations in flow and; 3) the needfor regularly spaced manholes toprovide access to the sewers forcleaning.

Alternative sewer systems are appro-priate in areas of low populationdensity; low growth rate; flat orgently rolling topography; and wherethe elevation of the system terminusis lower than all, or nearly all, of theservice area.

I have a client who wishes toput a septic system (septictank and soil absorption sys-tem) under a paved parkingarea. Is it feasible to operatethe soil absorption systemunder a paved surface?

Although it is rare to have a septicsystem under a paved area, it can bedone if the system is properly de-signed. Because the objective of asoil absorption system is to treat anddispose of pretreated wastewater, thesoil must be well aerated and haveadequate permeability for the waterto move through the system.

When planning to put a septic tankand soil absorption system under apaved area, the designer must con-sider potential negative impacts.Paving can cause physical damage tothe system during the actual pavingoperation as well as from subsequentuse of the paved surface for parkingvehicles. However, these impactscan be overcome by implementingreasonable specifications and con-struction control measures. The fillmaterial above the leachfield mustbe capable of supporting the maxi-mum expected vehicle loads. TheAmerican Association of SafetyHighway and Traffic Officials pub-lishes specifications that would beapplicable to this type of design.

Another disadvantage of paving isthat it may interfere with oxygentransfer into the soil. Alternativedesigns for the base and sub-base ofthe pavement can eliminate thisproblem. One approach might be touse a clean gravel sub-base with apiping ventilation network to insure

adequate oxygen transfer into thesoil. It might also be possible to useleaching chamber units with anadequate ventilation system. Use ofsoil absorption trenches rather thanbeds is recommended to reduceclogging and provide increasedsurface area for absorption.

A positive impact of paving over aseptic tank and soil absorption sys-tem is that the pavement will divertrainfall runoff away from the soilabsorption area, which will enhancethe soil absorption capacity of thesystem.

Note: In colder climates, frostpenetration is much greater underpaved areas. This may adverselyeffect the successful operation ofthe system during the wintermonths.

I am a land developer/archi-tect interested in exploringthe alternatives available foronsite wastewater treatment.Where should I start?

There are a number of alternativesavailable for onsite treatment ofdomestic wastewater. Site specificconditions such as soil, topogra-phy, and available area, as well asstate regulations, will determinethe technology that will be mostsuitable for your needs.

The NFSC offers numerous prod-ucts that describe alternative onsitesystems. First, we recommend thatyou read the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency publication, It’sYour Choice: A Guidebook forLocal Officials on Small Commu-nity Wastewater ManagementOptions, which describes all of thealternatives available for onsitewastewater treatment and disposal.To order, call the NFSC at (800)624-8301 and order ItemFMBKGNO1. Shipping chargeswill apply. After you are familiarwith the various alternatives, youwill want to read other more spe-cific publications (e.g., designmodules, case studies, researchpublications) for the alternativesyou believe are most suitable. TheNSFC can also provide you withinformation about state regulationsor guidelines for specific technolo-gies, existing facilities in yourarea, and manufacturers and con-sultants who specialize in particu-lar technologies.

18 SMALL FLOWS -Winter 1996; Vol.10, No. 1

If your organization is sponsoring an event that you would like to have promoted in thiscalendar, please send information to the Small Flows Editor.

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Calendar of Events

MARCHEvent: Eighth Annual

Children’s GroundwaterFestival“Groundwater: Connect-ing the Circle of Life”

By: The Groundwater Foun-dation

Place: Grand Island, NebraskaDate: March 5Phone: (800) 858-4844

Amy Killham

Event: Texas Onsite WastewaterTreatment ResearchCouncil’s 1996Annual Onsite Confer-ence

Date: March 10-12Place: College Station, TexasPhone: (512) 888-5400

Mary Garrett

Event: Ninth Annual VirginiaWater Conference

By: Virginia Lakes and Wa-tershed Association,Virginia Water ResourcesResearch Center

Date: March 10-12, 1996Place: Staunton, VAPhone: (804) 794-7490

Event: Twenty-fifth AnnualNebraska Water Confer-ence

By: University of Nebraska-LincolnDepartment of WaterResources,Institute of Agriculturaland Natural Resources

Date: March 11-13Place: Omaha, NBPhone: (402) 472-3305

Event: “DisinfectingWastewater for Dischargeand Reuse”

By: Water EnvironmentFederation

Date: March 17–20Place: Portland, ORPhone: (800) 666-0206

Event: Granite State DesignersandInstallers AssociationNinthAnnual Conference

Date: March 19Place: Portsmouth, NHPhone: (603) 228-1231

Event: Water Quality Associa-tion AnnualConvention

Date: March 19–24Place: Indianapolis, INPhone: (708) 505-0160

Event: “Onsite WastewaterSystems Operation andMaintenance” Train-the-Trainer Session

By: National EnvironmentalTrainingCenter forSmall Communities,West Virginia Depart-mentof Health, andNational SmallFlows Clearinghouse

Date: March 18–20Place: Morgantown, WVPhone: (800) 624-8301, ext. 536

Event: Onsite Sewage TreatmentInstallers’Training

By: Oregon Onsite Wastewa-terAssociation, SouthwestWashingtonHealth District

Date: March 19-21Place: Oregon City, ORPhone: (541) 459-4449,

Harold Ball, or(360) 696-8428,Bob Sweeney

Event: International LiquidWaste HaulersEquipment and TradeShow

By: Cole PublishingDate: March 21–23Place: Nashville, TNPhone: (800) 257-7222

Place: Oakland, CAPhone: (408) 684-2795

MAYEvent: 45th Annual Educational

SymposiumBy: California Environmental

Health AssociationDate: May 1–3Place: Oakland, CAPhone: (408) 684-2795

Event: “ Conference on AquiferandSource Protection: LocalPlanning andZoning”

By: Utah Department ofEnvironmental Quality

Date: May 8–9Place: Midway, UTPhone: (801) 538-6032,

Bill Damery

JUNEEvent: “13th Annual National

Operator TrainersConference”

By: llinois EnvironmentalProtectionAgency

Date: June 9–12Place: Chicago, ILPhone: (815) 987-7760,

Chuck Corley

Event: “Assessing WastewaterOptions for Small Com-munities”Train-the-Trainer Session

By: National EnvironmentalTrainingCenter for Small Commu-nities

Date: June 25–26Place: Austin, TXPhone: (800) 624-8301, ext. 536

APRILEvent: “Land Application of

Wastewater:Operation and Mainte-nance of OverlandFlow and Surface Irriga-tion Systems”Train-the-Trainer Session

By: National EnvironmentalTrainingCenter for Small Commu-nities,American Society ofAgriculturalEngineers, Water Envi-ronmentFederation Small SystemsCommittee,Crowder College, NorthCarolinaState University, andEnvironmentalProtection Agency Re-gion 7

Date: April 1–3Place: Kansas City, MOPhone: (800) 624-8301, ext. 536

Event: Oregon Onsite Wastewa-terSecond Annual Confer-ence

By: Oregon Onsite Wastewa-terAssociation

Date: April 19–20Place: Roseburg, ORPhone: (541) 459-4449

Harold Ball

Event: “Industrial Pretreatmentand HazardousMaterials” Train-the-Trainer Session

By: National EnvironmentalTraining Centerfor Small Communitiesand NationalEnvironmental TrainingAssociation

Place: Cincinnati, OHDate: April 21Phone: (800) 624-8301, ext. 536

Event: Preconference TechnicalSession onLiquid Waste

By: California Environmental Health Association andCalifornia Onsite Waste-water Association

Date: April 29-30

19SMALL FLOWS -Winter 1996; Vol.10, No. 1

Small Flows 1995 Article IndexBelow is a list of all articles published in Small Flows during 1995. Ifyou would like to receive back issues of the newsletter or photocopiesof individual articles, just check the appropriate boxes, fill in the orderinformation below, and return this form to us. Back issues of SmallFlows and photocopies of individual articles are free. Please include $2(check or money) order for shipping and handling.

The National Small Flows Clearinghouse Publications Index, which listsall articles published in Small Flows and PIPELINE, is also available atno charge.

❑ WINTER 1995❑ Gloucester First To Construct Onsite Project Alternatives❑ ETI Promotes Use, Development of Innovative Technologies❑ NODP Communities Demonstrate Aternatives❑ Ten Steps Assist in Selecting, Working with Engineer❑ West Virginia Voters Clear Way for Bond Sewage Fund❑ EFIN-BBS Offers On line Finance Help❑ Fund Provides Low-Interest Loans for Wastewater/Water❑ GAO Report Explains Benefits, Barriers of Alternative systems❑ Are Legal Remedies Available for Malfunctioning Systems?❑ Health Departments Provide Data on Onsite Systems

❑SPRING 1995—Pollution Prevention❑ Georgia High School Students Initiate Creek Cleanup❑ Small Flows Special Issue Looks at Pollution Prevention❑ Earth Day 1995: A Silver Anniversary Celebration❑ Stencils Prevent Pollution While Involving Community❑ Marine Center Is Nationwide Hub for Stencilling❑ Keeping Wastes out of Drains, Toilets Prevents Pollution❑ Lakeside Home Has WV’s First Contour Disposal Field❑ Design Process Outlined for Contour Disposal Fields❑ Report Compiles State Septic System Inspection Regulations❑ Researcher Explains Design, Treatment Aspects

of Contour Systems❑ Preventing Pollution. . . Through Efficient Water Use❑ BBSes Provide Access to Environmental Information❑ Law Is Potential Fix for Faulty Septic System

❑SUMMER 1995—InnovativeTechnologies

❑ Constructed Wetland Project Is Nature’s Classroom❑ Connecticut Adopts Minimum Leaching System Spread❑ Biofilter Offers High Performance with Low Maintenance❑ Tennessee Tech Evaluates Septic Tank Filters❑ Idaho Regulations Program Responsive To Change

❑ A Prescription for Performance-Based Codes❑ EPA Offers Booklets on Recycling and Surface Disposal

of Sewage Sludge❑ Program Helps Homeowners Repair Onsite Systems❑ Delaware Offers Homeowner Onsite Funding Plan❑ NSFC Updates Manufacturers/Consultants Database❑ Politics, Other Pressures, Can Cause Legal Dilemmas for

Onsite Consultants

❑FALL 1995—Environmental Justice❑ Park Showcases NODP Treatment, Disposal Alternatives❑ Environmental Justice Focuses on Poor, Minorities❑ Wastewater Reclamation: A Growing Urban Trend❑ Proposed California Project Explores Potable Reuse❑ Snowmaking with Recycled Wastewater❑ College Examines Pennsylvania’s Onsite Options❑ Ecological Technology Demonstrates Advanced Treatment❑ Primer Outlines Role of EPA’s OWM❑ Texas A&M University Studies Constructed Wetlands❑ Project Looks at Onsite Alternatives that Protect Gulf❑ Alaskan Small Systems Course Is Available❑ EPA Offers Environmental Problem-Solving Guide❑ A Prescription for Performance-Based Codes: A Second Opinion❑ A Prescription for Performance-Based Codes: Another Perspective❑ Septic Systems Are Legal Issue in Home Sales❑ Booklet Guides Native Americans Implementing NPDES

❑National Small FlowsClearinghouse’s Publications Index

Name____________________________________________________

Title_____________________________________________________

Affliation ________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________

City _______________________________ State ____ Zip _________

Telephone ________________________________________________

FAX ____________________________________________________

Home*A*Syst Goal is Pollution PreventionContinued from page 12 ture agents, deliver the program;

but with Home*A*Syst, Neverssaid they anticipate bankers andreal estate agents will be moreactive.

Training DevelopmentVarious training materials, whichcan be used by the private or pub-lic sectors, are now available. The“Household Wastewater Manage-ment Training Manual” will bereleased later this fall.

Nevers said that this 22-minute

slide narrative comes with a com-plete script, 60 slides, a hypotheti-cal case study, and handouts. Thecost will be $30.

In addition, a Farm*A*Syst soft-ware program that will guide farmowners through the self-evalua-tions and assist in locating highrisk factors has been developedand is currently being tested. Asimilar software program forHome*A*Syst is under design.The cost of the traditional FAS/

program, they can pull out wherethe high risk areas are and changethem. Basically, our program is agroundwater and surface waterprotection program.”

She added that no enforcement isneeded because the program has itsown built-in incentives, such as thehealth of the family and protectingproperty values.

With Farm*A*Syst, local exten-sion staff, such as county agricul-

HAS package ranges from $8 to$12.

For more information, contact:Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst Na-tional Program, B142 SteenbockLibrary, 550 Babcock Drive,Madison, WI, 53706-1293. Youmay also call (608) 262-0024, fax(608) 265-2775, or e-mailfarmasyst@macc.wisc. edu.

20 SMALL FLOWS -Winter 1996; Vol.10, No. 1

NONPROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 34

MORGANTOWN, WV

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National Small Flows ClearinghouseWest Virginia UniversityP.O. Box 6064Morgantown, WV 26506-6064

NATIONALSMALLFLOW

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Out of the bogs—Irish peatfilter tested in Alabama

Environmental TechnologyInitiative: NSFC helps out

To flush or not—alternativetoilets revisited

Small Flows Readers talk back: readership survey results

Vol. 10, No. 1, Winter 1996