Iowa Department of Natural Iowa Department of Natural ResourcesResources

Private Sewage Disposal Private Sewage Disposal ProgramProgram

Iowa Environmental Health Iowa Environmental Health AssociationAssociation

Fall Conference 2012Fall Conference 2012

In RemembranceIn Remembrance

CommunicationCommunication

Your Contribution to Water Your Contribution to Water QualityQuality

Approx. 300,000 Approx. 300,000 septic systems in septic systems in IowaIowa

52.5 million gallons 52.5 million gallons of wastewater of wastewater generated every daygenerated every day

Approx. 7500 Approx. 7500 systems permitted systems permitted each year (1.3mgpd)each year (1.3mgpd)

Thank you!!Thank you!!

Approximately 15,000 inspectionsApproximately 15,000 inspections Repairs without ToT inspections not Repairs without ToT inspections not

countedcounted About 1/3 require repair or replacementAbout 1/3 require repair or replacement 302 inspectors renewed302 inspectors renewed

5000 new systems = 875,000gpd of 5000 new systems = 875,000gpd of previously untreated wastewater now previously untreated wastewater now being treated (or 300 million gallons being treated (or 300 million gallons annually) annually)

Rule changes – Ch 68Rule changes – Ch 68

On farm food processing lawOn farm food processing law Wineries, cheese making etc.Wineries, cheese making etc. Produces less than 1500gpdProduces less than 1500gpd Meets definition of “on-farm food Meets definition of “on-farm food

processing facility”processing facility” Provides options for disposalProvides options for disposal

New option – land applicationNew option – land application Old options; Class V well, POTW, Old options; Class V well, POTW,

holding tankholding tank

Rules Changes – Ch 69Rules Changes – Ch 69

Standardize definition of PSDSStandardize definition of PSDS

Renew GP4Renew GP4 New language for state owned lakes, OIW’s, New language for state owned lakes, OIW’s,

anti-deganti-deg

Site evaluation done by administrative Site evaluation done by administrative authorityauthority

Public well separation distancesPublic well separation distances

Ch69 changes continuedCh69 changes continued

Added 150gpd/bedroom languageAdded 150gpd/bedroom language

Standardize certified technician Standardize certified technician languagelanguage Removed “person demonstrating Removed “person demonstrating

knowledge”knowledge” Effluent screens can replace baffleEffluent screens can replace baffle

Risers must also be 18” in diameter Risers must also be 18” in diameter

Ch 69 changes continuedCh 69 changes continued

Added IAPMO language for plastic Added IAPMO language for plastic tankstanks

Remove maximum width for mounds, Remove maximum width for mounds, at-gradesat-grades

Added “or an intermittent sand filter” Added “or an intermittent sand filter” language to emphasize this option language to emphasize this option before other media filtersbefore other media filters

Ch 69 changes continuedCh 69 changes continued

Maintenance contracts provided to Maintenance contracts provided to county BEFORE installationcounty BEFORE installation Homeowner knows what will be Homeowner knows what will be

requiredrequired

Removed requirement to record Removed requirement to record maintenance contract in abstractmaintenance contract in abstract

Ch 69 changes - ToTCh 69 changes - ToT

10 working days to submit report10 working days to submit report

Added existing exemptions to ruleAdded existing exemptions to rule

Added existing real estate contract Added existing real estate contract languagelanguage

Removed “provide copy to Recorder”Removed “provide copy to Recorder”

Ch 69 changes - ToTCh 69 changes - ToT

Removed E. coli testing for ToT onlyRemoved E. coli testing for ToT only

Removed recording in abstractRemoved recording in abstract

Added binding agreement for future installAdded binding agreement for future install

Changed NPDES requirements for inspectorChanged NPDES requirements for inspector Report location of discharge not whether Report location of discharge not whether

permittedpermitted

Inspection ExampleInspection Example

Ask about the septic system when Ask about the septic system when they call for an inspection.they call for an inspection. How old is the system?How old is the system? Do you know where the septic tank is?Do you know where the septic tank is? Where does it go after that?Where does it go after that? Where is the secondary treatment?Where is the secondary treatment? Is the house occupied?Is the house occupied? Do you have a mean dog?Do you have a mean dog?

Inspection ExampleInspection Example

Contact the county environmental Contact the county environmental health/sanitarian officehealth/sanitarian office Is there a permit?Is there a permit? Get a copyGet a copy

Does the homeowner have a copy of Does the homeowner have a copy of the permit or a drawing ? the permit or a drawing ?

Other records? Other records? Pumping, maintenance, service Pumping, maintenance, service

contractscontracts

The Inspection SiteThe Inspection Site

Authorized entry?Authorized entry? From homeowner or From homeowner or

agentagent Lender or agent?Lender or agent? Authorized entry Authorized entry

formform Recommended Recommended

Is the water on?Is the water on? Hydraulic loading Hydraulic loading

testtest Haul water? Haul water?

The Inspection SiteThe Inspection Site

Indoor plumbingIndoor plumbing Does everything go Does everything go

to the septic tank?to the septic tank?

Older homes may Older homes may have sinks, washing have sinks, washing machines, machines, basement fixtures basement fixtures etc. that do not go etc. that do not go to the septic systemto the septic system

Basement PlumbingBasement Plumbing

Indoor PlumbingIndoor Plumbing

Finding the TankFinding the Tank

What direction does What direction does the sewer leave the the sewer leave the house?house?

Location of main Location of main vent on roof vent on roof frequently above the frequently above the main sewer pipemain sewer pipe

Depression or dry Depression or dry spot in yardspot in yard

Your best friend – the Your best friend – the tile probe! tile probe!

Location of Septic Tanks Location of Septic Tanks and Soil Absorption Field and Soil Absorption Field

LinesLines Could ask neighbor, previous owners, Could ask neighbor, previous owners,

current owners, or their representativecurrent owners, or their representative Ask original installerAsk original installer Ask regulatory agency for files/permitsAsk regulatory agency for files/permits Depressions in the soilDepressions in the soil ProbesProbes Trace sewer line from basementTrace sewer line from basement Use Locator TechnologyUse Locator Technology Must detect it to report it!!!!!Must detect it to report it!!!!!

Uncovering the tankUncovering the tank

Both lids to the tank Both lids to the tank must be uncoveredmust be uncovered

Inspecting the tank Inspecting the tank using small using small diameter risers is diameter risers is not sufficient not sufficient

Tank lids must be Tank lids must be accessible accessible

Uncovering the tankUncovering the tank

Uncovering the tankUncovering the tank

Inspecting tanksInspecting tanks

Inspecting tanksInspecting tanks

Pump/siphon tanksPump/siphon tanks

Locate Locate

Find the systemFind the system Gravity- DownhillGravity- Downhill Pump- AnywherePump- Anywhere

ToolsTools MapMap ProbeProbe LocatorLocator Witching Witching

Use of Probe to Locate Use of Probe to Locate Components for DiggingComponents for Digging

Uncovering the D-boxUncovering the D-box The distribution box The distribution box

mustmust be uncovered be uncovered

Many need Many need replacement (concrete) replacement (concrete) or adjustment or adjustment

Provides evidence of Provides evidence of secondary treatmentsecondary treatment Header pipesHeader pipes Exposed trenchesExposed trenches

Uncovering the D-boxUncovering the D-box

Inspecting D-boxesInspecting D-boxes

D-boxesD-boxes

Hydraulic LoadingHydraulic Loading Ideally we run water Ideally we run water

from the house to the from the house to the septic tank septic tank Watch level in tank/boxWatch level in tank/box Should stay constantShould stay constant

If tank has been If tank has been pumped, add water to pumped, add water to tank outlet or d-boxtank outlet or d-box Use your own hose!Use your own hose! Caution! High flow Caution! High flow

raterate Garden hose calculatorGarden hose calculator

Hydraulic LoadingHydraulic Loading

Dye TestingDye Testing

Dye TestingDye Testing

Probing the field or sand Probing the field or sand filterfilter

Tile probeTile probe Be careful! Be careful! Underground electricUnderground electric

Sludge on probe Sludge on probe indicates poor indicates poor conditioncondition

Overloaded field may Overloaded field may flow out of probe flow out of probe holehole

Probing fieldsProbing fields

Location of Septic Tanks Location of Septic Tanks and Soil Absorption Field and Soil Absorption Field

LinesLines Must have some evidence of Must have some evidence of

absorption fieldabsorption field Noticeable odors from the field?Noticeable odors from the field? Excessive areas of vegetative growth Excessive areas of vegetative growth

due to water and nutrientsdue to water and nutrients Obvious signs of past discharges of Obvious signs of past discharges of

sewage (black areas, lack of sewage (black areas, lack of vegetation, etc)?vegetation, etc)?

Was sewage or dye evident after Was sewage or dye evident after dosing cycle or hydraulic loading? dosing cycle or hydraulic loading?

Discharging SystemsDischarging Systems

Sand filtersSand filters Locate vent pipes and discharge pipeLocate vent pipes and discharge pipe Note if there are no vents Note if there are no vents Take a effluent sample, BOD, TSS, E. coliTake a effluent sample, BOD, TSS, E. coli If no discharge and no evidence that it has If no discharge and no evidence that it has

discharged report thatdischarged report that Packaged systemsPackaged systems

Ensure parts are there/working as outlined Ensure parts are there/working as outlined earlierearlier

Take sampleTake sample

ReportingReporting

Fill out appropriate sections of the Fill out appropriate sections of the inspection forminspection form

Write a narrative report fully Write a narrative report fully describing what was founddescribing what was found MORE information is better! It will MORE information is better! It will

protect you.protect you. Take pictures if something is questionableTake pictures if something is questionable

Provide report to county, DNR and Provide report to county, DNR and person who ordered the inspectionperson who ordered the inspection

Report ExamplesReport Examples

Report everything that you saw!Report everything that you saw! Go with too much information as Go with too much information as

opposed to too little. It will protect opposed to too little. It will protect you!you!

The narrative report is required and is The narrative report is required and is your opportunity to expand on what your opportunity to expand on what you put on the inspection sheet.you put on the inspection sheet.

Provide inspection sheet (filled out), a Provide inspection sheet (filled out), a narrative and the drawing.narrative and the drawing.

March 17, 2011

Re: Septic System at 3434 Any Rd. Some City, IA Seller: John Doe Buyer: Bob Smith

On March 16, 2011, we pumped and inspected the septic tank at the above four bedroom residence. The house is currently occupied by two people. The 1,250 gallon, two compartment, concrete tank is in good condition, with baffles intact. When the tank was pumped there was 15 inches of crust on the top of the tank and 4 inches of sludge on the bottom. Risers exist to the surface for maintenance purposes. The homeowner states that a lift station exists in the basement of the house. When the washing machine was discharged and the toilet was flushed, water adequately flowed into the tank. There is a garbage disposal and a whirlpool bath tub hooked up to this system. The system was installed on September 16, 2004 by McBurney. Iowa Code would require a four bedroom residence to have at least a 1,500 gallon tank installed if this system fails in the future.

We dug up the three drop boxes and found that they were all in good condition. One line leads out of each box for a total of 300 feet of crushed washed gravel field lines. They appear to be accepting effluent evenly and adequately. There was no indication of previous failure or ponding of water when we probed the field lines. The system is more than 100 feet from the well as required by Iowa Code, chapter 69. At the time of inspection, this system appeared to be functioning properly.

Health Departments recommend septic tanks be pumped every three or four years, depending on the number of people living in the house and the amount of water usage. Wet wipes, tampons, disposable diapers, paint, cigarette butts, cat litter, facial tissues and paper towels should not be flushed into the system, even if the box claims to be “septic safe.” In addition, it is preferable to use liquid laundry detergent rather than a powder. Fabric softener sheets should be used in the dryer rather than a liquid in the washing machine. Please keep all vehicles off the system. This inspection is an assessment of the current functioning of the system, not a guarantee of its future performance. If you have any questions, please call.

Sincerely, Joe Inspector Certified Inspector #

Transfers ExemptedTransfers Exempted

Transfer pursuant to a court orderTransfer pursuant to a court order Foreclosure or forfeitureForeclosure or forfeiture

Includes the lenders resaleIncludes the lenders resale Transfer by trustee in bankruptcyTransfer by trustee in bankruptcy Transfer by eminent domainTransfer by eminent domain

Transfer by a fiduciary in the Transfer by a fiduciary in the execution of a trust, estate or execution of a trust, estate or guardianship of a guardianship of a decedentdecedent Transfer from the estate to anyone Transfer from the estate to anyone

Transfers ExemptedTransfers Exempted

Transfers made to a spouse or a person in Transfers made to a spouse or a person in the lineal line of consanguinitythe lineal line of consanguinity Consanguinity = blood relativeConsanguinity = blood relative Lineal line = grandparents – parents – children Lineal line = grandparents – parents – children

etc.etc. Not brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts etc.Not brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts etc.

Transfer between spouses resulting from Transfer between spouses resulting from divorce, legal separation or property divorce, legal separation or property settlementsettlement

Transfers ExemptedTransfers Exempted

Transfer between joint tenants Transfer between joint tenants

Transfer of a property that will be Transfer of a property that will be razed or demolished (requires DNR razed or demolished (requires DNR form 542-0063) form 542-0063)

Transfers of five hundred dollars or Transfers of five hundred dollars or less.less.

Transfers ExemptedTransfers Exempted

Transfers between family corporations, Transfers between family corporations, partnerships, LLP’s, LLC’s, as defined in partnerships, LLP’s, LLC’s, as defined in section 428A.2, subsection 15, and its section 428A.2, subsection 15, and its stockholders partners, or members for the stockholders partners, or members for the purpose of transferring real property in an purpose of transferring real property in an incorporation or corporate dissolution or in the incorporation or corporate dissolution or in the organization or dissolution of a partnership, organization or dissolution of a partnership, LP’s, LLP’s, LLC’s under the laws of this state, LP’s, LLP’s, LLC’s under the laws of this state, where the deed is given for no actual where the deed is given for no actual consideration other than for shares or for debt consideration other than for shares or for debt securities of the family corporation, securities of the family corporation, partnership, LP, LLP or LLC.partnership, LP, LLP or LLC.

Transfers Exempted Transfers Exempted

Transfers of a property with a septic Transfers of a property with a septic system installed within the last two system installed within the last two yearsyears

Transfers arising from a partitioning Transfers arising from a partitioning processprocess

Transfers from a tax sale deed by the Transfers from a tax sale deed by the county treasurercounty treasurer

Binding AgreementsBinding Agreements

Binding Agreement for a Future Binding Agreement for a Future Inspection (DNR form 542-0062)Inspection (DNR form 542-0062) Weather related onlyWeather related only

Binding Agreement for Demolition Binding Agreement for Demolition (DNR form 542-0063) (DNR form 542-0063) Now an exemption but form still Now an exemption but form still

requiredrequired Binding Agreement for a Future Binding Agreement for a Future

Installation (DNR form 542-0064) Installation (DNR form 542-0064)

Pumper InspectionsPumper Inspections

Contracts – please send them in!Contracts – please send them in!

Payment Payment $150 for 1$150 for 1stst vehicle, $50 for each additional vehicle, $50 for each additional $7 per 1000 gallons land applied$7 per 1000 gallons land applied Invoice using these amountsInvoice using these amounts

Enforcement by county – licensing by Enforcement by county – licensing by DNRDNR

Equipment InspectionsEquipment Inspections

LetteringLettering License on board?License on board? Good repairGood repair

Does it leak?Does it leak? Clean and rust freeClean and rust free

Can it do the job?Can it do the job? Agitation capabilityAgitation capability Vacuum tankVacuum tank

No toxic wasteNo toxic waste

Land Application Land Application InspectionsInspections

Separation distancesSeparation distances Vertical too!Vertical too! SlopeSlope

Ability to add lime or Ability to add lime or incorporateincorporate PH test strips

Storage? No portable/holding

tank waste Crop rotation

RecordkeepingRecordkeeping

Are they recording each load?Are they recording each load? Do they have treatment plant Do they have treatment plant

permission?permission? Does the treatment plant ever see them?Does the treatment plant ever see them?

Do the volumes they are reporting Do the volumes they are reporting seem reasonable?seem reasonable?

Are they reporting all of their Are they reporting all of their vehicles?vehicles?

Pumper InspectionsPumper Inspections

DiscussionDiscussion

Questions or Questions or comments?comments?

How can we improve How can we improve this process?this process?

Sharpen your pencil Sharpen your pencil Tim!Tim!

OSWAP Approval Form

Requires County Signatures for (1) Onsite System Plan and (2) Final Inspection AND Applicant’s Signature

County County Permit #

Owner’s Name:

Address:

Phone: (Home) (Work) (Cell)

Property Address:

Problem with Existing System:

Type of Building (check one box below):

Home: # Bedrooms (BRs) Other: (e.g. Shop, Office, etc)

System Design Flow in Gallons/Day: (150 x # BRs, if a home)

Soil Evaluation: Is Site Suitable for Soil Absorption System? Yes No

Soil Test Method (check one or both boxes): Percolation Test Soil Evaluation Other:

Soil Absorption Rate: (Minutes/Inch) Other Factors:

Limiting Layer Depth: Limitation Type (Rock, Impervious Clay, Groundwater):

Onsite Wastewater System Plan:

1. Septic Tank: # Tanks Total Capacity (Gallons) Material (Concrete, Plastic)

2. Secondary Treatment System:

a. Soil Absorption: Type (e.g. Chamber, Gravel, etc) Length Width Depth

b. Other: (e.g. Sand filter or media filter, etc) Type Size

Brand (if applicable) Additional Treatment (if applicable)

3. Is This a Surface Discharging System? Yes No Is NPDES Permit Applied For? Yes No 4. System Management Plan (required)

Signature of Applicant Date

(1) Plan Approved Date County Representative

Final Inspection:

(2) Completed System Approved Date County Representative

New products and New products and approvalsapprovals

DNR does not approve productsDNR does not approve products Industry must get your approval for useIndustry must get your approval for use

Experimental sectionExperimental section ““Other wastewater treatment systems may Other wastewater treatment systems may

be approved by administrative authority” be approved by administrative authority” NSF Std 40 or other equivalent testingNSF Std 40 or other equivalent testing

What’s equivalent?What’s equivalent?

New productsNew products

Soil basedSoil based Geo-Flow (ADS)Geo-Flow (ADS) Presby AESPresby AES Corrugated pipes Corrugated pipes

with various with various coveringscoverings

Laid on 6” sandLaid on 6” sand Discharging – EZ Discharging – EZ

Treat, media filterTreat, media filter

New products – NSF Std New products – NSF Std 4040

States with no approval processes often States with no approval processes often rely on NSF testingrely on NSF testing Std 40 originally for ATU’s, also applied to Std 40 originally for ATU’s, also applied to

media filters and Presby product (below media filters and Presby product (below sand)sand)

Premier Tech Eco Flo peat filter and Orenco Premier Tech Eco Flo peat filter and Orenco Textile filter have NSF Std 40 Textile filter have NSF Std 40

Eco Pure peat filter and EZ Treat do notEco Pure peat filter and EZ Treat do not Orenco and Premier Tech challenging Orenco and Premier Tech challenging

“equivalent testing” for Eco Pure “equivalent testing” for Eco Pure

Onsite Training CenterOnsite Training Center

2013 Schedule out 2013 Schedule out

High Strength Wastewater class next High Strength Wastewater class next month in Cedar Rapidsmonth in Cedar Rapids Focus on restaurant wastewaterFocus on restaurant wastewater Randy Miles presentingRandy Miles presenting

Let us know what you want to see and Let us know what you want to see and where!where!

Questions?Questions?

Daniel OlsonDaniel Olson 515-281-8263515-281-8263 Daniel.olson@dnr.iowa.gov

Tim GrotheerTim Grotheer 515-281-7838515-281-7838 Tim.grotheer@dnr.iowa.gov