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Septic Systems Design Guide: US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual - online copy
- EPA Wastewater treatment manual with annotations & expanded information from additional sources
- Septic and onsite waste water treatment design manual with supplemental illustrations & text
- Questions & Answers about best design practices for septic tanks, septic systems and soakaway beds: onsite wastewater treatment
- References
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EPA/625/R-00/008
Onsite Wastewater Treatment
Systems Manual
EPA/625/R-00/008
February 2002
Office of Water
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Notice
This document has been reviewed in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy and approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
Foreword
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is pleased to publish the "Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual". This manual provides up-to-date information on onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) siting, design, installation, maintenance, and replacement. It reflects significant advances that the expert community has identified to help OWTSs become more cost-effective and environmentally protective, particularly in small suburban and rural areas.
In addition to providing a wealth of technical information on a variety of traditional and new system designs, the manual promotes a performance-based approach to selecting and designing OWTSs. This approach will enable States and local communities to design onsite wastewater programs that fit local environmental conditions and communities' capabilities. Further details on the proper management of OWTSs to prevent system failures that could threaten ground and surface water quality will be provided in EPA's forthcoming "Guidelines for Management of Onsite/Decentralized Wastewater Systems". EPA anticipates that the performance-based approach to selecting and managing appropriate OWTSs at both the watershed and site levels will evolve as States and communities develop programs based on
resources that need protection and improvement.
Robert H. Wayland III, Director
Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds
E. Timothy Oppelt, Director
National Risk Management Research Laboratory
Figures |
Figure 1-1. Conventional onsite wastewater treatment system
Figure 1-2. Typical single-compartment septic tank
Figure 1-3. Onsite treatment system distribution in the United States
Figure 1-4. Fate of water discharged to onsite wastewater treatment systems
Figure 1-5. The watershed approach planning and management cycle
Figure 1-6. Large-capacity septic tanks and other subsurface discharges
Figure 2-1. Onsite wastewater management overlay zones example
Figure 2-2. Process for developing onsite wastewater management
Figure 3-1. Distribution of mean household daily per capita indoor water use
Figure 3-2. Indoor water use percentage, including leakage, for 1,188 data logged homes
Figure 3-3. Daily indoor water use pattern for single-family residence
Figure 3-4. Peak wastewater flows for single-family home
Figure 3-5. Average hourly distribution of total unfiltered BOD5
Figure 3-6. Typical graywater reuse approach
Figure 3-7. Strategy for estimating wastewater flow and composition
Figure 3-8. Plume movement through the soil to the saturated zone
Figure 3-9. An example of effluent plume movement
Figure 3-10. Soil treatment zones
Figure 3-11. Zinc sorption by clay as a function of pH
Figure 3-12. Example of compliance boundaries for onsite wastewater treatment systems
Figure 3-13. Input and output components of the MANAGE assessment method
Figure 3-14. Probability of environmental impact decision tree
Figure 4-1. Conventional subsurface wastewater infiltration system
Figure 4-2. Lateral view of conventional SWIS-based system
Figure 4-3. Subsurface infiltration system design versus depth to a limiting condition
Figure 4-4. Raising the infiltration surface with a typical mound system
Figure 4-5. Schematic of curtain drain construction
Figure 4-6. Capacity chart for subsurface drains
Figure 4-7. Pathway of subsoil reaeration
Figure 4-8. Distribution box with adjustable weir outlets
Figure 4-9. Serial relief line distribution network and installation detail
Figure 4-10. Drop box distribution network
Figure 4-11. Various gravelless systems
Figure 4-12. Placement of leaching chambers in typical application
Figure 4-13. Typical pressurized distribution system layout
Figure 4-14. Pressure manifold detail
Figure 4-15. Horizontal design for pressure distribution
Figure 4-16. Rigid pipe pressure distribution networks with flushing cleanouts
Figure 4-17. Pressure manifold and flexible drip lines prior to trench filling
Figure 4-18. Emitter discharge rates versus in-line pressure
Figure 4-19. Dripline layout on a site with trees
Figure 4-20. Pumping tank (generic)
Figure 4-21. Profile of a single-compartment septic tank with outlet screen
Figure 4-22. Two-compartment tank with effluent screen and surface risers
Figure 4-23. Examples of septic tank effluent screens/filters
Figure 4-24. Tongue and groove joint and sealer
Figure 4-25. Underdrain system detail for sand filters
Figure 4-26. Schematics of the two most common types of sand media filters
Figure 5-1. Preliminary design steps and considerations
Figure 5-2. Performance (design) boundaries associated with onsite treatment systems
Figure 5-3. Subsurface wastewater infiltration system design/performance boundaries
Figure 5-4. Effluent mounding effect above the saturated zone
Figure 5-5. General considerations for locating a SWIS on a sloping site
Figure 5-6. Landscape position features (see table 5-6 for siting potential)
Figure 5-7. Conventional system layout with SWIS replacement area
Figure 5-8. Site evaluation/site plan checklist
Figure 5-9. Soil textural triangle
Figure 5-10. Types of soil structure
Figure 5-11. Potential evaporation versus mean annual precipitation
Figure 5-12. Development of the onsite wastewater system design concept
Figure 5-13. Onsite wastewater failure diagnosis and correction procedure |
Tables |
Table 1-1. Typical pollutants of concern from onsite wastewater treatment systems
Table 1-2. Census of housing tables: sewage disposal, 1990
Table 1-3. Estimated onsite treatment system failure rates in surveyed states
Table 2-1. Organizational approaches for managing onsite systems
Table 2-2. Survey of state certification and licensing programs
Table 2-3. Components of an onsite system regulatory program
Table 2-4. Compliance assurance approaches
Table 2-5. Example of functional responsibilities matrix
Table 2-6. Funding options
Table 2-7. Advantages and disadvantages of various funding sources
Table 3-1. Summary of average daily residential wastewater flows
Table 3-2. Comparison of daily per capita indoor water use for 12 study sites
Table 3-3. Residential water use by fixture or appliance
Table 3-4. Typical wastewater flow rates from commercial sources
Table 3-5. Typical wastewater flow rates from institutional sources
Table 3-6. Typical wastewater flow rates from recreational facilities
Table 3-7. Constituent mass loadings and concentrations
Table 3-8. Residential wastewater pollutant contributions by source
Table 3-9. Wastewater flow reduction methods
Table 3-10. Flow rates and flush volumes before and after U.S. Energy Policy Act
Table 3-11. Wastewater flow reduction: water-carriage toilets and systems
Table 3-12. Wastewater flow reduction: non-water-carriage toilets
Table 3-13. Wastewater flow reduction: showering devices and systems
Table 3-14. Wastewater flow reduction: miscellaneous devices and systems
Table 3-15. Reduction in pollutant loading achieved by eliminating garbage disposals
Table 3-16. Typical wastewater pollutants of concern
Table 3-17. Examples of soil infiltration system performance
Table 3-18. Case study: septic tank effluent and soil water quality
Table 3-19. Wastewater constituents of concern and representative concentrations
Table 3-20. Waterborne pathogens found in human waste and associated diseases
Table 3-21. Typical pathogen survival times at 20 to 30 oC
Table 3-22. MCLs for selected organic chemicals in drinking water
Table 3-23. Case study: concentration of metals in septic tank effluent
Table 3-24. MCLs for selected inorganic chemicals in drinking water
Table 3-25. Treatment performance requirements for New Shoreham, Rhode Island
Table 3-26. Resource listing, value ranking, and wastewater management schematic
Table 3-27. Proposed onsite system performance standards in various control zonesr
Table 3-28. Treatment performance standards in various control zones
Table 3-29. Nitrogen loading values used in the Buttermilk Bay assessment
Table 3-30. Typical laboratory costs for water quality analysis
Table 4-1. Commonly used treatment processes and optional treatment methods
Table 4-2. Characteristics of typical SWIS applications
Table 4-3. Suggested hydraulic and organic loading rates for sizing infiltration surfaces
Table 4-4. Geometry, orientation, and configuration considerations for SWISs
Table 4-5. Distribution methods and applications
Table 4-6. Dosing methods and devices
Table 4-7. Pressure manifold sizing
Table 4-8. Contingency options for SWIS malfunctions
Table 4-9. Operation, maintenance, and monitoring activities
Table 4-10. Characteristics of domestic septic tank effluent
Table 4-11. Average septic tank effluent concentrations for selected parameters
Table 4-12. Average septic tank effluent concentrations from various commercial establishments
Table 4-13. Septic tank capacities for one- and two-family dwellings
Table 4-14. Watertightness testing procedure/criteria for precast concrete tanks
Table 4-15. Chemical and physical characteristics of domestic septage
Table 4-16. Single pass and recirculating filter performance
Table 5-1. Types of mass loadings to subsurface wastewater infiltration systems
Table 5-2. Potential impacts of mass loadings on soil design boundaries
Table 5-3. Types of mass loadings for point discharges to surface waters
Table 5-4. Types of mass loadings for evapotranspiration systems
Table 5-5. Site characterization and assessment activities for SWIS applications
Table 5-6. SWIS siting potential vs. landscape position features
Table 5-7. Practices to characterize subsurface conditions through test pit inspection
Table 5-8. Example of a total cost summary worksheet to compare alternatives
Table 5-9. Common onsite wastewater treatment system failures
Table 5-10. General OWTS inspection and failure detection process
Table 5-11. Response of corrective actions on SWIS boundary mass loadings |
Acknowledgments
This update of the 1980 Design Manual: Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems (see http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/pubs/625180012/625180012.htm) was developed to provide supplemental and new information for wastewater treatment professionals in both the public and private sectors. This manual is not intended to replace the previous manual, but rather to further explore and discuss recent developments in treatment technologies, system design, and long-term system management.
The information in the chapters that follow is provided in response to several calls for a more focused approach to onsite wastewater treatment and onsite system management. Congress has expressed interest in the status of site-level approaches for treating wastewater, and the Executive Branch has issued directives for moving forward with improving both the application of treatment technologies and management of the systems installed.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) responded to this interest by convening a team of subject matter experts from public agencies, private organizations, professional associations, and the academic community. Two representatives from the USEPA Office of Water and a representative from the Office of Research and Development coordinated the project team for this document. Close coordination with the USEPA Office of Wastewater Management and other partners at the federal, state, and local levels helped to ensure that the information in this manual supports and complements other efforts to improve onsite wastewater management across the nation.
The principal authors of the document are Richard Otis of Ayres Associates; Jim Kreissl, Rod Frederick,and Robert Goo of USEPA; Peter Casey of the National Small Flows Clearinghouse; and BarryTonning of Tetra Tech, Inc. Other persons who made significant contributions to the manual includeRobert Siegrist of the Colorado School of Mines; Mike Hoover of North Carolina State University;Jean Caudill of the Ohio Department of Health; Bob Minicucci of the New Hampshire Department ofEnvironmental Services; Tom Groves of the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission;Tom Yeager of Kennedy/Jenks Consultants; Robert Rubin of North Carolina State University;Pio Lombardo of Lombardo Associates; Dov Weitman and Joyce Hudson of USEPA; Lisa Brown,Seldon Hall, Richard Benson,
and Tom Long of the Washington Department of Health; David Paskand Tricia Angoli of the National Small Flows Clearinghouse; James Davenport of the NationalAssociation of Counties; Jim Watson of the Tennessee Valley Authority; John Austin of the U.S.Agency for International Development; Pat Fleming of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management; JamesJacobsen of the Maine Department of Human Services; Richard Barror of the Indian Health Service;Glendon Deal of the U.S. Department of Agriculture; Lisa Knerr, Jonathan Simpson, and Kay Rutledgeof Tetra Tech; Kenneth Pankow of Pankow Engineering; Linda Stein of Eastern Research Group;Robert Adler, Charles Pycha, Calvin Terada, and Jonathon Williams of USEPA Region 10; RichardCarr of the World Health Organization; Ralph Benson of the Clermont County, Ohio, G
eneral HealthDistrict; Rich Piluk of the Anne Arundel, Maryland, county government; Jerry Nonogawa of theHawaii Department of Health; Tony Smithson of the Lake County, Illinois, Health Department;Conrad G. Keyes, Jr., and Cecil Lue-Hing of the EWRI of ASCE; Robert E. Lee of the National OnsiteWastewater Recycling Association; Anish Jantrania, private consultant; Larry Stephens of StephensConsultants; Bruce Douglass and Bill Heigis of Stone Engineering; Alan Hassett of Oak Hill Co.;Steven Braband of Biosolutions, Inc.; Matt Byers of Zoeller Co.; Carl Thompson, Infiltrator Systems,Inc.; Alex Mauck of EZ Drain; Bob Mayer of American Manufacturing; Rodney Ruskin of Geoflow;Fred Harned of Netafim; Don Canada of the American Decentralized Wastewater Association, andMichael
Price, Norweco, Inc.
Graphics in the manual were provided by John Mori of the National Small Flows Clearinghouse,Ayres Associates, and other sources. Regina Scheibner, Emily Faalasli, Krista Carlson, Monica Morrison,Liz Hiett, and Kathryn Phillips of Tetra Tech handled layout and production; Martha Martin of TetraTech edited the manual. The cover was produced by the National Small Flows Clearinghouse.
Review Team Members for the Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual
Robert Goo, USEPA, Office of Wetlands (OW), Oceans and Watersheds
Rod Frederick, USEPA, OW, Oceans and Watersheds
Eric Slaughter, USEPA, OW, Oceans and Watersheds
Jim Kreissl, USEPA, Office of Research and Development (ORD)
Don Brown, USEPA, ORD
Robert Bastian, USEPA, Office of Wastewater Management (OWM)
Charlie Vanderlyn, USEPA, OWM
Steve Hogye, USEPA, OWM
Joyce Hudson, USEPA, OWM
Joel Salter, USEPA, Office of Science and Technology
Philip Berger, USEPA, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW)
Howard Beard, USEPA, OGWDW
Robert Adler, USEPA Region 1
Charles Pycha, USEPA Region 5
Ernesto Perez, USEPA Region 6
Calvin Terada, USEPA Region 10
Danny Averett, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Ed Smith, USACE Research Laboratory
Rick Scholz, USACE Research Laboratory
John Austin, U.S. Agency for International Development
Patrick Fleming, National Park Service
Rick Barror, U.S. Public Health Service
Gary Morgan, USDA Rural Development Administration
Andree Duvarney, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Phil Mummert, Tennessee Valley Authority
Raymond Reid, Pan American Health Organization
Homero Silva, Organización Mundial de la Salud, Costa Rica
Dennis Warner, World Health Organization
Tom Groves, New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission
Paul Chase, DuPage County (Illinois) Health Department
Douglas Ebelherr, Illinois Department of Public Health
Randy Clarkson, Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Anish Jantrania, Virginia Department of Health
Steve Steinbeck, North Carolina Department of Health and Natural Resources
Ron Frey, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Mark Soltman, Washington State Department of Health
Alex Campbell, Ontario Ministry of Environment and Approvals
Jerry Tyler, University of Wisconsin
Mike Hoover, North Carolina State University
Ruth Alfasso, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
Jerry Nunogawa, Hawaii Department of Health
Robert Siegrist, Colorado School of Mines
Rick Piluk, Anne Arundel County (Maryland) Health Department
Gary Eckler, Erie County (Ohio) Sanitary Engineering Department
Janet Rickabaugh, Clermont County (Ohio) Health District
Jay Harrell, Mohave County (Arizona) Environmental Health Division
Dan Smith, Coconino County (Arizona) Environmental Health Services
Tom Yeager, Kennedy/Jenks Consultants
Richard Otis, Ayres Associates
Robert Mayer, American Manufacturing Co.
Hamilton Brown, National Association of Towns and Townships
Larry Markham, National Environmental Health Association
Robert Rubin, Water Environment Federation
Thomas McLane, American Society of Civil Engineers
Dan MacRitchie, American Society of Civil Engineers
Don Canada, American Decentralized Wastewater Association
Naomi Friedman, National Association of Counties
Peter Casey, National Small Flows Clearinghouse
Tricia Angoli, national Small Flows Clearinghouse
Thomas Bruursema, National Sanitation Foundation
SEPTIC SYSTEMS - INTRODUCTION
Background and Purpose
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) first issued detailed guidance on the design, construction, and operation of onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTSs) in 1980. Design Manual: Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems (USEPA, 1980) was the most comprehensive summary of onsite wastewater management since the U.S. Public Health Service had published a guidance on septic tank practice in 1967 (USPHS, 1967). The 1980 manual focused on both treatment and "disposal" of wastewater in general accordance with the approach and terminology in use at the time.
The 1980 design manual stressed the importance of site-specific soil, landscape, ground water, and e
ffluent characterization and included soil percolation tests as one of several site evaluation tools to be used in system design and placement. The manual's discussion of water conservation to reduce hydraulic flows, pollutant reduction to minimize contaminant loading, and management programs to oversee the full range of treatment activities was especially important to the developing field of onsite wastewater treatment in the United States and other countries.
Technologies explored in the 1980 manual include the conventional system (a septic tank with a subsurface wastewater infiltration system), alternating leach fields, uniform distribution systems, intermittent sand filters, aerobic units, disinfection technologies, and evapotranspiration systems.
The original manual also contains guidance on dosing chambers, flow diversion methods for alternating beds, nutrient removal, and disposal of residuals. Although much of that information is still useful, advances in regional planning, improvements in ground water and surface water protection, and new technologies and management concepts necessitate further guidance for public health
districts, water quality agencies, planning boards, and other audiences. In addition, the growing national emphasis on management programs that establish performance requirements rather than prescriptive codes for the design, siting, installation, operation, and maintenance of onsite systems underscores the importance of revising the manual to address these emerging issues in public health and water resource protection.
USEPA is committed to elevating the standards for onsite wastewater management practice and removing barriers that preclude widespread acceptance of onsite treatment technologies. The purpose of this update of the 1980 manual is to provide more comprehensive information on management approaches, update information on treatment technologies, and describe the benefits of performance-based approaches to system design.
The management approaches suggested in this manual involve coordinating onsite system planning and management activities with land use planning and watershed protection efforts to ensure that the impacts of onsite wastewater systems are considered and controlle
d at the appropriate scale.
The management approaches described in this manual support and are consistent with USEPA's draft Guidelines for Management of Onsite/Decentralized Wastewater Systems (USEPA, 2000). The incorporation of performance standards for management programs and for system design and operation can help ensure that no onsite system alternative presents an unacceptable risk to public health or water resources.
This manual contains overview information on treatment technologies, installation practices, and past performance. It does not, however, provide detailed design information and is not intended as a substitute for region- and site-specific program criteria and standards that address conditions, technologies, and practices appropriate to each individual management jurisdiction. The information in the following chapters provides an operational framework for developing and improving OWTS program structure, criteria, alternative designs, and performance requirements.
The chapters describe the importance of planning to ensure that system densities are appropriate for prevailing hyd
rologic and geologic conditions, performance requirements to guide system design, wastewater characterization to accurately predict waste strength and flows, site evaluations that identify appropriate design and performance boundaries, technology selection to ensure that performance requirements are met, and management activities that govern installation, operation, maintenance, and remediation of failed systems.
This manual is intended to serve as a technical guidance for those involved in the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and regulation of onsite systems. It is also intended to provide information to policy makers and regulators at the state, tribal, and local levels who are charged with responsibility for developing, administering, and enforcing wastewater treatment and management program codes. The activities and functions described herein might also be useful to other public health and natural resource protection programs. For example, properly planned, designed, installed, operated, and maintained onsite systems protect wellhead recharge areas, drinking water
sources, watershed, estuaries, coastal zones, aquatic habitat, and wetlands.
Finally, this manual is intended to emphasize the need to improve cooperation and coordination among the various health, planning, zoning, development, utility, and resource protection programs operated by public and private organizations. A watershed approach to protecting public health and environmental courages independent partners to function cooperatively while each retains the ability to satisfy internal programmatic and management objectives. Integrating onsite wastewater management processes with other activities conducted by public and private entities can improve both the effectiveness and the efficiency of efforts to minimize the risk onsite systems might present to health and ecologica
l resources.
Overview
Onsite wastewater treatment systems collect, treat, and release about 4 billion gallons of treated effluent per day from an estimated 26 million homes, businesses, and recreational facilities nationwide (U.S. Census Bureau, 1997). These systems, defined in this manual as those serving fewer than 20 people, include treatment units for both individual buildings and small clusters of buildings connected to a common treatment system. Recognition of the impacts of onsite systems on ground water and surface water quality (e.g., nitrate and bacteria contamination, nutrient inputs to surface waters) has increased interest in optimizing the systems' performance.
Public health and envi
ronmental protection officials now acknowledge that onsite systems are not just temporary installations that will be replaced eventually by centralized sewage treatment services, but permanent approaches to treating wastewater for release and reuse in the environment.
Onsite systems are recognized as potentially viable, low-cost, long-term, decentralized approaches to wastewater treatment if they are planned, designed, installed, operated, and maintained properly (USEPA, 1997). NOTE: In addition to existing state and local oversight, decentralized wastewater treatment systems that serve more than 20 people might become subject to regulation under the USEPA's Underground Injection Control Program, although EPA has proposed not to include them (64FR22971:5/7/01).
Although some onsite wastewater management programs have functioned successfully in the past, problems persist. Most current onsite regulatory programs focus on permitting and installation.
Few programs address onsite system operation and maintenance, resulting in failures that lead to unnecessary costs and risks to public health and water resources. Moreover, the lack of coordination among agencies that oversee land use planning, zoning, development, water resource protection, public health initiatives, and onsite systems causes problems that could be prevented through a more cooperative approach. Effective management of onsite systems requires rigorous planning, design, installation, operation, maintenance, monitoring, and controls.
Public health and water resource impacts
State and tribal agencies report that onsite septic systems currently constitute the third most common source of ground water contamination and that these systems have failed because of inappropriate siting or design or inadequate long-term maintenance (USEPA, 1996a). In the 1996 Clean Water Needs Survey (USEPA, 1996b), states and tribes also identified more than 500 communities as having failed septic systems that have caused public health problems. The discharge of partially treated sewage from malfunctioning onsite systems was identified as a principal or contributing source of degradation in 32 percent of all harvest-limited shellfish growing areas.
Onsite wastewater
treatment systems have also contributed to an overabundance of nutrients in ponds, lakes, and coastal estuaries, leading to the excessive growth of algae and other nuisance aquatic plants (USEPA, 1996b). In addition, onsite systems contribute to contamination of drinking water sources. USEPA estimates that 168,000 viral illnesses and 34,000 bacterial illnesses occur each year as a result of consumption of drinking water from systems that rely on improperly treated ground water. Malfunctioning septic systems have been identified as one potential source of ground water contamination (USEPA, 2000).
Improving treatment through performance requirements
Most onsite wastewater treatment systems are of the conventional type, consisting of a septic tank and a subsurface wastewater infiltration system (SWIS). Site limitations and more stringent performance requirements have led to significant improvements in the design of wastewater treatment systems and how they are managed. Over the past 20 years the OWTS industry has developed many new treatment technologies that can achieve high performance levels on sites with size, soil, ground water, and landscape limitations that might preclude installing conventional systems. New technologies and improvements to existing technologies are based on defining the performance requirements of
the system, characterizing wastewater flow and pollutant loads, evaluating site conditions, defining performance and design boundaries, and selecting a system design that addresses these factors.
Performance requirements can be expressed as numeric criteria (e.g., pollutant concentration or mass loading limits) or narrative criteria (e.g., no odors or visible sheen) and are based on the assimilative capacity of regional ground water or surface waters, water quality objectives, and public health goals. Wastewater flow and pollutant content help define system design and size and can be estimated by comparing the size and type of facility with measured effluent outputs from similar, existing facilities. Site evaluations integrate detailed analyses of regional hydrology, geology, and water resources with sitespecific characterization of soils, slopes, structures, property
lines, and other site features to further define system design requirements and determine the physical placement of system components.
Most of the alternative treatment technologies applied today treat wastes after they exit the septic tank; the tank retains settleable solids, grease, and oils and provides an environment for partial digestion of settled organic wastes. Post-tank treatment can include aerobic (with oxygen) or anaerobic (with no or low oxygen) biological treatment in suspended or fixed-film reactors, physical/chemical treatment, soil infiltration, fixed-media filtration, and/or disinfection. The application and sizing of treatment units based on these technologies are defined by performance requirements, wastewater characteristics, and site conditions.
Toward a more comprehensive approach
The principles of the 1980 onsite system design manual have withstood the test of time, but much has changed over the past 20 years. This manual incorporates much of the earlier guide but includes new information on treatment technologies, site evaluation, design boundary characterization, and especially management program functions. The manual is organized by functional topics and is intended to be a comprehensive reference. Users can proceed directly to relevant sections or review background or other information (see Contents).
Although this manual focuses on individual and small, clustered onsite systems, state and tribal governments and other management entities can use the information in it to construct a framework for managing new and existing large-capacity decentralized systems (those serving more than 20 people), subject to regulation under state or local Underground Injection Control (UIC) programs. The UIC program was established by the Safe Drinking Water Act to protect underground sources of drinking water from contamination caused by the underground injection of wastes. In most parts of the nation, the UIC program, which also deals with motor vehicle waste disposal wells, large-capac
ity cesspools, and storm water drainage wells, is managed by state or tribal water or waste agencies with authority delegated by USEPA.
The Class V UIC program and the Source Water Protection Program established by the 1996 amendments to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act are bringing federal and state drinking water agencies into the field of onsite wastewater treatment and management. Both programs will likely require more interagency involvement and cooperation to characterize wastewater impacts on ground water resources and to develop approaches to deal with real or potential problems. States currently have permit-byrule provisions for large-capacity septic systems.
Overview of the revised manual
The first two chapters of this manual present overview and management information of special interest to program administrators. Chapters 3, 4, and 5 contain technical information on wastewater characterization, site evaluation and selection, and treatment technologies and how to use them in developing a system design. Those three chapters are intended primarily for engineers, soil scientists, permit writers, environmental health specialists, site evaluators, and field staff. Summaries of all the chapters appear below. The level of detail provided in this manual is adequate for preliminary system design and development of a management program. References are provided for additional research and information on how
to incorporate local characteristics into an optimal onsite management program.
Overview of the Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual |
| Chapter 1, Background and use of onsite wastewater treatment systems |
Review of the history and current use of onsite treatment systems, introduction of management concepts, and brief discussion of alternative technologies. |
| Chapter 2, Management and regulation of onsite wastewater treatment systems |
Discussion of methods to plan, institutionalize, and manage OWTS programs, including both prescriptive and performance-based approaches. If prescriptive-based management programs are used, parts of this chapter will not apply because the basic functions of prescriptive-based management are more simplified. |
| Chapter 3, Establishing treatment system performance requirements |
Discussion of methods for estimating wastewater flow and composition, identifying pollutants of concern and their transport and fate in the environment, establishing performance requirements, and estimating watershed-scale impacts. |
| Chapter 4, Treatment processes and systems |
Identification of conventional and alternative OWTS technologies, pollutant removal effectiveness, design parameters, operation and maintenance requirements, costs, and special issues. |
| Chapter 5, Treatment system selection |
Discussion of strategies for establishing site-specific performance requirements and performance boundaries based on wastewater flow and composition and site characteristics, selection of treatment alternatives, and analysis of system failure and repair or replacement alternatives. |
| Glossary |
Definitions of terms used in the manual. |
| Resources |
Selected reference documents and internet resources. |
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- Septic Site Inspection Procedure - Simple Outside Visual Site Inspection Gives Key Information About Septic System Condition
- Septic Sludge & Scum Levels in Septic Tanks - Measuring the Level of Accumulated Solids, Sludge and Floating Scum in Treatment Tanks
- Septic Tank Inspection Procedure - How to Inspect Septic Tanks and evaluate the septic tank condition, baffles, sludge levels, damage, evidence of septic failure, etc.
- Septic Tank Location - How to Find the Septic Tank, how deep will the cover be, how to document its location
- Soil Percolation Tests Perc Tests or Deep Hole Test for Soil Absorption Rate Testing
- SPOTTING SEPTIC BREAKOUTS - Spotting Dyed Septic Effluent Breakout Outside - Where Septic Dye is Likely to Show Up During a Septic Dye
Septic System References & Books
- "International Private Sewage Disposal Code," 1995, BOCA-708-799-2300, ICBO-310-699-0541, SBCCI 205-591-1853, available from those code associations.
- "Manual of Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines for Onsite Sewage Systems," Ontario Reg. 374/81, Part VII of the Environmental
Protection Act (Canada), ISBN 0-7743-7303-2, Ministry of the Environment,135 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto Ontario M4V 1P5 Canada $24. CDN.
- Manual of Septic Tank Practice, US Public Health Service's 1959
- The Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems
- Home & Outdoor Living Water Requirements
- Septic Tank Capacity vs Usage in Daily Gallons of Wastewater Flow, calculating required septic tank size, calculating septic tank volume from size measurements
- Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf.
- How Big Should the Leach Field Be? - table of soil percolation rate vs. field size
- Septic System Drainfield Absorption System Biomat Formation - what leads to drain field clogging and expensive drainfield repairs
- Septic Tank Pumping Guide: When, Why, How to pump the septic tank
- Table of Required Septic & Well Clearances: Distances Between Septic System & Wells, Streams, Trees, etc.
- Ten Steps to Keeping a Septic System Working, suggestions from the U.S. EPA, edits and additions by DJF
- What is a Septic System An Engineer's View & Septic System FAQ's
- Pennsylvania State Fact Sheets relating to domestic wastewater treatment systems include:
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-161, Septic System Failure: Diagnosis and Treatment
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-162, The Soil Media and the Percolation Test
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-l64, Mound Systems for Wastewater Treatment
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-165, Septic Tank-Soil Absorption Systems
- Document Sources used for this web page include but are not limited to: Agricultural Fact Sheet #SW-161 "Septic Tank Pumping," by Paul D. Robillard and
Kelli S. Martin. Penn State College of Agriculture - Cooperative Extension, edited and annotated by
Dan Friedman (Thanks: to Bob Mackey for proofreading the original source material.)
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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- Inspecting Septic Systems: Online Book, Inspection, Test, Diagnosis, Repair, & Maintenance: our Online Septic Book: Septic Testing, Loading & Dye Tests, Septic Tank Pumping, Clearances, details of onsite waste disposal system inspection, testing, repair procedures.
- Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies, Anish R. Jantrania, Mark A. Gross. Anish Jantrania, Ph.D., P.E., M.B.A., is a Consulting Engineer, in Mechanicsville VA, 804-550-0389 (2006). Outstanding technical reference especially on alternative septic system design alternatives. Written for designers and engineers, this book is not at all easy going for homeowners but is a text I recommend for professionals--DF.
- Builder's Guide to Wells and Septic Systems, Woodson, R. Dodge: $ 24.95; MCGRAW HILL B; TP;
Quoting from Amazon's description: For the homebuilder, one mistake in estimating or installing wells and septic systems can cost thousands of dollars. This comprehensive guide filled with case studies can prevent that. Master plumber R. Dodge Woodson packs this reader-friendly guide with guidance and information, including details on new techniques and materials that can economize and expedite jobs and advice on how to avoid mistakes in both estimating and construction. Chapters cover virtually every aspect of wells and septic systems, including on-site evaluations; site limitations; bidding; soil studies, septic designs, and code-related issues; drilled and dug wells, gravel and pipe, chamber-type, and gravity septic systems; pump stations; common problems with well installation; and remedies for poor septic situations. Woodson also discusses ways to increase profits by avoiding cost overruns.
- Country Plumbing: Living with a Septic System, Hartigan, Gerry: $ 9.95; ALAN C HOOD & TP;
Quoting an Amazon reviewer's comment, with which we agree--DF:This book is informative as far as it goes and might be most useful for someone with an older system. But it was written in the early 1980s. A lot has changed since then. In particular, the book doesn't cover any of the newer systems that are used more and more nowadays in some parts of the country -- sand mounds, aeration systems, lagoons, etc.
Composting Toilets - Books & References
- Composting Toilet System Book: A Practical Guide to Choosing, Planning and Maintaining Composting Toilet Systems, David Del Porto, Carol Steinfeld. Quoting an Amazon review: Del Porto's book is the definitive composting toilet book at this time. There is nothing even close. His book covers all aspects of composting toilet systems and touches on graywater issues as well. He treats the composting toilet as part of the home system. If a person is seriously interested in installing/having a composting toilet, this book can save him/her all of the mistakes people usually make. He even (carefully) explodes some of the advertising myths that the purveyors of composting toilets would have us believe. The book covers ready-made systems as well as home built systems. As trite as this sounds, the book truly is a must for someone considering installing composting toilet.
- The Humanure Handbook: A Guide to Composting Human Manure, 3rd Ed.,
Joseph C. Jenkins. Quoting part of an Amazon review: The Humanure Handbook provides a wealth of thoroughly researched, hands-on experience and scientific data that demonstrates that after a natural process called "thermophilic" bacterial digestion, which occurs in a compost bin and where all pathogens are killed, excreta is then converted to a valuable nutrient for agriculture and thereby completing a full-circle life cycle. Most importantly, effluent can then be kept out of our drinking water and not treated or referred to as an undesirable "waste product".
The information is conveyed in a humorous, folksy, down-to-earth easy to understand style along with drawings, charts, tables, photos and a wealth of resource info for further research. Jenkins' website has a forum for sharing more info, experiences and to answer any and all questions in the process of humanuring and constructed wetland gray water treatment.
- Thermal composting of fecal matter as treatment and possible disinfection method--laboratory-scale and pilot-scale studies,
B. Vinneras, A. Bjorklund, H. Jonsson. Quoting Amazon review: When using toilets where the urine and faeces are collected separately for reuse as nutrients in agriculture, the collected matter should be disinfected. One way to do this is by thermal composting. Composting of different material mixes was investigated in a laboratory-scale experiment. This showed that the best mixture for dry thermal composting was a mix of faeces, food waste and amendment. The urine was collected separately by use of urine-diverting toilets. A new method was developed to mathematically evaluate and estimate the safety margins of pathogen inactivation during thermal composting. The method is based upon a mathematical calculation of the number of times total inactivation (at least 12log"1"0 reduction) of the organisms is achieved. In a pilot-scale experiment, the disinfection of a faeces/food waste mix was performed with a calculated safety margin of more than 37 times the total die-off of Enteroviruses and some 550 times that of Ascaris. Thus, well functioning composting seems to be
effective for disinfection of faecal matter. To get a high temperature in all of the material, the reactor has to have sufficient insulation. A major disadvantage is the initial need for handling the raw un-disinfected material. The degradation of the organic matter in the compost was almost 75%, resulting in a small final volume that could safely be recycled.
- Experiences with a composting toilet article from: Countryside & Small Stock Journal, available as HTML download.
Quoting Amazon review: This digital document is an article from Countryside & Small Stock Journal, published by Countryside Publications Ltd. on May 1, 1994. The length of the article is 1516 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
From the supplier: A composting toilet is a good alternative to propane burning toilets, but it also has many problems. The worst part is emptying the waste and compost every 4-6 weeks. Other problems are the fan that must be kept running constantly and bug infestation.
- Decentralized Systems Technology Fact Sheet: Septic Tank - Soil Absorption Systems, U.S. EPA, PDF Document provides basic information about septic tanks and drainfields.
Design Manuals for Septic Systems
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US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual [online copy, free] Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm Onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems,
Richard J Otis, published by the US EPA. Although it's more than 20 years old, this book remains a useful reference for septic system designers.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Program Operations; Office of Research and Development, Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory; (1980)
- Eco John® Innovative Toilet Solutions, Global Inventive Industries, Fountain Valley CA, PDF, product brochure
- "International Private Sewage Disposal Code," 1995, BOCA-708-799-2300, ICBO-310-699-0541, SBCCI 205-591-1853, available from those code associations.
- "Manual of Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines for Onsite Sewage Systems," Ontario Reg. 374/81, Part VII of the Environmental
Protection Act (Canada), ISBN 0-7743-7303-2, Ministry of the Environment,135 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto Ontario M4V 1P5 Canada $24. CDN.
- Manual of Septic Tank Practice, US Public Health Service's 1959.
Greywater System Books
- The New Create an Oasis With Greywater, Art Ludwig; Buy New: $14.25. Ludwig is one of the most thoughtful, prolific, and sometimes controversial writers on gray water systems and alternative designs. We recommend his book as clear, easy-to-understand writing aimed at property owners who want or need to consider a graywater installation to conserve water, recycle water, reduce water use, or to reduce the load on their septic system. This is the latest edition of this Art Ludwig's greywater design book classic.
- Builder's Greywater Guide, Art Ludwig; Buy New: $10.17. Installation of Greywater Systems in New Construction & Remodeling; A Supplement to the Book "Create an Oasis With Greywater" (Paperback).
Quoting a review from Amazon: I recommend that you get the 3 companion books on greywater treatment "Create an Oasis", "Branched Drain Greywater Systems" and "Builder's Greywater Guide". The information in these volumes will keep most of us far more informed than most of the regulators, the system builders, and the experts-in-theory. These volumes are real-world gems.
Art Ludwig has cut to the core of wastewater issues. He's obviously done all of his homework, mulled-over the variables, and come up with a common sense, economically reasonable, environmentally responsible approach to wastewater. I expect to save money that I would have spent on a post-septic tank, aerobic unit that would seemingly have been ecologically responsible; but because of the technological overkill, ultimately that system would have defeated my altruistic environmental concerns.
... These books talk the talk and walk the walk better than anything else that I've seen. Buy a set for yourself, a set for your neighbors, and a set for the regulators.
- Branched Drain Greywater Systems [superseded by "The New Create an Oasis with Greywater"], Art Ludwig. If you already have this book but are in the process of installing new gray water systems you should take a look at the newer
edition listed first above in this section of our Greywater book recommendations.
You may prefer the newest edition, but there is great information in this older version, perhaps all you need, and these copies are
sold at very low prices - an aid to people of limited means.
- Create an Oasis With Greywater: Your Complete Guide to Choosing, Building and Using Greywater Systems, Art Ludwig, [superseded by new edition] (Paperback) You may prefer the newest edition, but as I said above, there is great information in this older version, perhaps all you need, and these copies are
sold at very low prices - an aid to people of limited means.
- Rainwater Catchment Systems for Domestic Supply: Design, Construction and Implementation,
Erik Nissen-Petersen, John Gould. (Mr. Ludwig, while much appreciated, is not the only author providing really useful design guides for graywater systems--DF)
Quoting from an Amazon review: This book reviews the art of roof and ground catchment systems for rainwater. The water collected can be used for household or other purposes. The designs are aimed for individuals with limited access to electricity and/or civic water utilities. The text includes drawings, photographs and step-by-step instructions.
One might say the book is really written for the 'aid worker' since it also considers ethnic and gender issues that would be 'obvious' to the future owners of the the systems.
- Guidelines on rainwater catchment systems for Hawaii, (CTAHR resource management publication)
Patricia S. H Macomber. This more technical document may be especially helpful for rainwater collection and recycling systems for climates
where there is heavy rainfall such as demonstrated for Hawaii.
- Design for Water: Rainwater Harvesting, Stormwater Catchment, and Alternate Water Reuse, Heather Kinkade-Levario. Quoting from Amazon's review: Design for Water is an accessible and clearly written guide to alternate water collection, with a focus on rainwater harvesting in the urban environment. The book:
Outlines the process of water collection from multiple sources-landscape, residential, commercial, industrial, school, park, and municipal systems
Provides numerous case studies, Details the assembly and actual application of equipment, Includes specific details, schematics, and references.
All aspects of rainwater harvesting are outlined, including passive and active system setup, storage, storm water reuse, distribution, purification, analysis, and filtration. There is even a section on rainwater harvesting for wildlife.
In addition to rainwater, there are several affordable and accessible alternate sources, including cooling tower bleed-off water, air conditioning condensate, gray water, and fog collection. Design for Water is geared to providing those making development decisions and guidelines with the information they need to set up passive harvesting techniques. The book will especially appeal to engineers, landscape architects, municipal decision-makers, developers, and landowners.
Heather Kinkade-Levario is a land-use planner in Arizona and the author of the award-winning Forgotten Rain. She is president of Forgotten Rain L.L.C., a rainwater harvesting and stormwater reuse company.
- The Toilet Papers: Designs to Recycle Human Waste and Water : Dry Toilets, Greywater Systems and Urban Sewage (Paperback) Sim Van Der Ryn, Wendell Berry; Quoting from an Amazon review: With a title like "Toilet Papers" and from a distinguished eco-architect like Sim Van der Ryn, I needed no intro or review to buy a copy of this little, but well researched historical over-view of effluent mitigation and current eco-friendly toilet design.
This book is filled with good line drawings and photographs to depict everything from the historical perspective to the current dry toilets and their construction..
- Rainwater Reservoirs Above Ground Structures for Roof Catchment: Most Common Rainwater Tanks in Comparison and Construction Manual, (Paperback) Rolf Hasse. [I have not reviewed this book --DF, but it may be helpful to people constructing rainwater collection and reservoir systems for use in arid climates such as Mexico and the U.S. Southwest.
- Quality issues in harvested rainwater in arid and semi-arid Loess Plateau of northern China,
K. Zhu, L. Zhang, W. Hart, M. Liu, H. Chen (out of print, find by search and deferred order).
Amazon's description may be helpful: Loess soils cover vast areas in the arid and semi-arid regions of northern China. Due to the lack of reliable surface water and ground-water, rainwater harvesting has played a prominent role in farmers' domestic usage and agricultural irrigation. An economical and valid type of water storage cistern with optimum design of components has been introduced to rural areas in the Loess Plateau. Different collection alternatives showed apparent variations in rainwater quality. By using different catchments, such as mortar roofs and cement-paved courtyards, compacted land or road surfaces, rainwater can be effectively collected for storage in cisterns. This study focused mainly on the quality of rainwater harvested from the different catchment systems and stored for different periods of time. By analysis of the water samples stored in these cisterns, it was evident that rainwater quality could be improved significantly by self-purification during the storage. With emphasis on rainwater quality affected by the
different catchment systems, it was found that the measured inorganic compounds in the rainwater harvested from roof-yard catchment systems generally matched the WHO standards for drinking water, while the concentrations of some inorganic compounds in the rainwater collected from land and road surfaces appeared to be higher than the guideline values for drinking water, but generally not beyond the maximum permissible concentrations. However, Fecal Coliform, which is an important bacteriological parameter for the three catchment systems, exceeded the limits of drinking water to a greater extend. Trace amounts of 55 organic pollutants were identified, including aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic compounds and phthalate esters, etc. The analytical results indicated that roof-yard catchments that included the ''first flush'' usually provided safe drinking water with low organic contents, even for rainwater collected immediately after rainfall. In contrast, rainwater harvested from road surfaces had poor quality
with respect to the organic constituents, regardless of stored time.
- City eying home water-recycling technology; uses bath and washer water for irrigation., (ReWater Systems' equipment for greywater irrigation):
This is an article from: San Diego Business Journal [HTML] (Digital) available online in digital format. I have not (yet) reviewed it -- DF
Onsite Wastewater Disposal Books
- Onsite Wastewater Disposal, R. J. Perkins;
Quoting from Amazon: This practical book, co-published with the National Environmental Health Association,
describes the step-by-step procedures needed to avoid common pitfalls in septic system technology.
Valuable in matching the septic system to the site-specific conditions, this useful book will help you install a reliable system in
both suitable and difficult environments. Septic tank installers, planners, state and local regulators, civil and sanitary engineers,
consulting engineers, architects, homeowners, academics, and land developers will find this publication valuable.
- Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Bennette D. Burks, Mary Margaret Minnis, Hogarth House 1994 - one of the best septic system books around, suffering a bit from small fonts and a weak index. (DF volunteers to serve as indexer if Burks/Minnis re-publish this very useful volume.) While it contains some material more technical than needed by homeowners, Burks/Minnis book on onsite wastewater treatment systems a very useful reference
for both property owners and septic system designers. We refer to it often.
While Minnis says the best place to buy this book is at Amazon (our link at left), you can also see this book at Minnis' website at http://web page .pace.edu/MMinnisbook
- Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf
- Soil Percolation Tests soil perc testing guide and instructions
- Percolation Testing Manual, CNMI Division of Environmental Quality, PO Box 501304, Saipan, MP 96950
- Planting Over Septic System Component", Daniel Friedman (author/editor, InspectAPedia.com), The Innovator, Winter/Spring 2008, BCOSSA, British Columbia OnSite Sewage Association, 201-3542 Blansard St., Victoria BC V8X 1W3 Canada
- Save the Septic System - Do Not Flush These Items Down the Toilet, Daniel Friedman, InspectAPedia.com - PDF document, printable
- SEPTIC STANDARDS
- SEPTIC MAGAZINES
- Septic System Owner's Manual, Lloyd Kahn, Blair Allen, Julie Jones, Shelter Publications, 2000 $14.95 U.S. - easy to understand, well illustrated, one of the best practical references around on septic design basics including some advanced systems; a little short on safety and maintenance. Both new and used (low priced copies are available, and we think the authors are working on an updated edition--DF.
Quoting from one of several Amazon reviews: The basics of septic systems, from underground systems and failures to what the owner can do to promote and maintain a healthy system, is revealed in an excellent guide essential for any who reside on a septic system. Rural residents receive a primer on not only the basics; but how to conduct period inspections and what to do when things go wrong. History also figures into the fine coverage.
- Test Pit Preparation for Onsite Sewage Evaluations, State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Portland OR, 800 452-4011. PDF document. We recommend this excellent document that offers detail about soil perc tests, deep hole tests, safety, and septic design. Readers should also see Soil Percolation Tests and for testing an existing septic system, also see Dye Tests
- Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank, Bombeck, Erma: $ 5.99; FAWCETT; MM;
This septic system classic whose title helps avoid intimidating readers new to septic systems, is available new or used at very low prices.
It's more entertainment than a serious "how to" book on septic systems design, maintenance, or repair. Not recommended -- DF.
- US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm
- Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook, R. Dodge Woodson. This book is in the upper price range, but is worth the cost for serious septic installers and designers.
Quoting Amazon: Each year, thousands upon thousands of Americans install water wells and septic systems on their properties. But with a maze of codes governing their use along with a host of design requirements that ensure their functionality where can someone turn for comprehensive, one-stop guidance? Enter the Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook from McGraw-Hill.
Written in language any property owner can understand yet detailed enough for professionals and technical students this easy-to-use volume delivers the latest techniques and code requirements for designing, building, rehabilitating, and maintaining private water wells and septic systems. Bolstered by a wealth of informative charts, tables, and illustrations, this book delivers:
* Current construction, maintenance, and repair methods
* New International Private Sewage Disposal Code
* Up-to-date standards from the American Water Works Association
- Wells and Septic Systems, Alth, Max and Charlet, Rev. by S. Blackwell Duncan, $ 18.95; Tab Books 1992. We have found this text very useful for conventional well and septic systems design and maintenance --DF.
Quoting an Amazon description:Here's all the information you need to build a well or septic system yourself - and save a lot of time, money, and frustration. S. Blackwell Duncan has thoroughly revised and updated this second edition of Wells and Septic Systems to conform to current codes and requirements. He also has expanded this national bestseller to include new material on well and septic installation, water storage and distribution, water treatment, ecological considerations, and septic systems for problem building sites.
- The NSFC Products List has an excellent list of design manuals/modules available from their website or by telephone 800-624-8301
- Submissions welcome. send us a suggested document link or request an exchange of website links
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