Transcript Community Land-Based Wastewater Disposal in Pennsylvania

Community Land-Based
Wastewater Disposal in
Pennsylvania
Prepared by:
Mr. Brian Oram, PG
Wilkes University
http://www.water-research.net
Center for Environmental Quality
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and managed, within the Environmental
Engineering and Earth Sciences Department.
Outreach Programs
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Training
 Applied Research
 Community and Business Outreach Programs
 Homeowner Outreach Program
Website: http://www.water-research.net
Without Act 537
It Would be Worse !
Wildcat Discharges
Surface Malfunctions
OR Contaminated Groundwater !
What is a Community System?

Community Sewerage System
(Ch 71.1 – Definitions)
– Community Sewage System – “ a sewage facility, whether
publicly or privately owned, for the collection of sewage
from two or more lots or two or more equivalent dwelling
units and the treatment or disposal or both of the sewage
on one or more of the lots or at another site.
– Options:
 Community
On-lot Sewage System (soil-based
renovation approach or retention tank)

Community Sewerage System (non-soil based
renovation approach)
Community On-Lot System
 Conventional
Systems
 Seasonal Spray Irrigation
 Drip Irrigation
Site Evaluations – Conducted
with Local Agency and PADEP
Conventional Systems

In-ground Seepage Beds and Trenches

Elevated Sand Mounds

Elevated Sand Trenches

Retaining Tanks – Holding Tanks, Privies,
Chemical Toilet, Recycling Toilets, Incinerating
and Composting Toilets. (temporary) – May be
integrated into design of community systems, but
typically are used on individual systems.
Conventional

Sand Mound System
– Design using peak daily flow or design may be based on
effluent quality, whichever more limiting.
– Additional site characterization is required.
– System may require 100 % reserve or backup.
– May require additional pretreatment to remove nitrogen
compounds or treat strong or complex organic wastes.
Pretreatment
Septic Tanks,
Grease Tanks,
and
Effluent Filters
Side View of Mound
Spray Irrigation
For much of Northeastern Pennsylvania, a “SLOW Rate” spray irrigation
approach has been employed.
• Seasonal Approach – Suitable Spray Season a function of the nature of
the development and use, meteorological conditions, soil conditions, and
local groundwater/geological conditions.
•Prior to Irrigation, the wastewater is treated to secondary treatment
Standards. YES – THE WASTEWATER IS TREATED. Treatment – Package
Treatment System or Aerated Lagoon.
•This is a Seasonal System – during the non-spray season the treated
effluent is stored, stream discharged, or disposed of in another manner.
•In NEPA, the system has been used for seasonal developments (CAMPS),
housing projects, schools (East Stroudsburg), and commercial
developments.
Spray Irrigation
Lined Storage Lagoon
Spray Nozzle- Area in Foreground
is also forested spray irrigation area.
NO- We do not cut down all the Trees !
Spray Irrigation
Spray Nozzles
A Little Diversion- My Trip to NC
After a Storm
Yes – This is the Septic Tank
Where is the drain field?
Where Was I Swimming
I Thought I Was Getting Away It ALL !
Drip Irrigation
Potential Year-Round Disposal Option
•Hydraulic Loading Based on Soil Morphological Evaluation and
Water Budget Analysis.
•Depth to Limiting Zone
SHWT – 20 inches (6 inch installation depth)
Bedrock – 26 inches (6 inch installation depth)
•Common Installation Depth – 6 to 12 inches.
•Slope up to 25 %.
•Primary Treatment – Septic Tanks or Aerobic System.
•Secondary Treatment for Septic Tank Effluent -Sand filtration system, Aerobic
Tank, or Peat filters for anaerobic pretreatment.
•Pump Tank to Manufacturers Manifold Filter Disc Filtration and
Distribution System.
•For large volume systems – Pretreatment would likely be a package treatment
system with a sand filter.
•Multiple Drip Zones – Dosed to maintain unsaturated flow.
Drip Irrigation Components
(< 10,000 gpd)
Septic Tank
Aerobic Unit – Must Be
Kept in the ON position to
Work !
Secondary Treatment Options
(< 10,000 gpd)
Aeration or Aerobic Tank
Peat Filter
Other Options:
Intermittent Sand Filter (Free Access / Buried)
Drip Area
Drip Field – Uncovered
Drip Emitter
Drip Field Covered
Water Reuse (Draft)
PA Document - Number 362-0300-009

Water Reuse Options
– Public Access Systems (Golf, Snow
Landscape Areas, Parks,
Highway Shoulders)
– Industrial Systems (dust control,
aggregate washing, boiler cool down)
Industrial Water
– Restricted Areas and
Non-Edible Crops (sod farms / pasturelands)
– Groundwater Recharge
Landscape Irrigation
Snow Making
Alternative Collection Systems
 Small
Diameter Pressurized
Collection System Using Grinder
Pumps **
 STEP – Septic Tank Effluent Pump*
 Vacuum Collection System
Management /
Maintenance Options
 Municipality
or Local Agency is
Required to Assure Proper Operation
and Maintenance.
 Addressed in Official Act 537 Plans
and Revisions.
 Program provide for Long-Term
Operations and Maintenance/
Education/ Inspection.
PADEP Permitted
Community Onlot System


During Planning the Official Plan or Plan Revision
Needs A Long-Term Operation and Maintenance
Program Approved by Municipality.
Options (one or more)
–
–
–
–
Bond or Escrow
Agreement: Property Owner and Firm
Agreement: Property Owner and Local Agency
Municipal Ordinance that Establishes and Operation and
Maintenance Program
– Establishment of an Association, trust or other private
legal entity to assure long-term O&M
– Municipal Ownership of Facilities
– Establishment of Management Agency Under Municipal
Codes
Community Land-Based
Wastewater Disposal in
Pennsylvania
Prepared by:
Mr. Brian Oram, PG
Wilkes University
http://www.water-research.net
Landscape Irrigation
Treated Effluent