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Trenchless Pipe Repair of Septic Fields
Use trenchless sewer line repair technology to replace old damaged septic soak-bed (leacfield) piping?
POST a QUESTION or COMMENT & reader comment about septic tank aeration add-on products & about drainfield rejuvenation treatments
Guide to trenchless or no-digging septic system drainfield restoration:
Is it feasible to use trenchless sewer line repair methods to restore a failed septic soakbed or leaching field?
This article series discusses the use of various septic drainfield restoration methods including the use of drainfield restorer treatments, add-on aerobic systems, soil aeration, porox methods, jetting, chemical treatments and also septic tank or drainfield aeration or septic aerobic system add-on systems and special septic bacteria for failed septic system rejuvenation.
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Trenchless Pipe Technology Proposed for Septic Drainfield Soakaway Bed Leachfield Pipe Repair or Replacement
Reader Question: can I replace failed drainfield piping using trenchless technology for pipe replacement?
7/3/2014 Anonymous said:
I believe a section of ORANGEBURG PIPE in my septic leach field has been broken. Can I have Roro Rooter Co. replace all of the
Orangeburg pipe by pulling in a new perforated plastic pipe and still comply with Massachusetts Title 5 ?
They would dig two small (2x3 foot holes one at the beginning and one at the end of the leach field.
They would run a video camera into
the leach field to inspect the piping.
They would then shove a plastic rod into the pipe and then hook onto a 5 inch boring head and pul this head through to destroy the old Orangeburg pipe.
Once the boring head has created a new tunnel, they would pull a new 4 inch perforated pipe onto the existing leach field thus solving the broken pipe
problem.
Can this system be done and still comply with Massachusetts Title 5 laws ?
You will want to call your local building department about the Massachusetts Title 5 approval question (and please let me know what you're told).
The authorities may approve the solution you propose if the design is credible, since Title 5 does not explicitly require specific design materials so much as it requires proper drainfield capacity, layout, height above seasonal high water table, and evidence of working - or of failure.
Indeed there is a whole industry of trenchless pipe replacement, though I've not read any studies of applying that technology to perforated drainfield piping installation. We describe the trenchless pipe repair process
at TRENCHLESS PIPE REPAIRS.
Because using scholarly research tools we found it difficult to find independent research reporting on the long term success of the approach you describe, perhaps you can obtain (and refer to me) citations or documentation of the procedure for review.
Watch out: I would also make a careful cost comparison of this approach vs. a complete conventional drainfield replacement.
A drainfield that is so old that ORANGEBURG PIPE was still in use until now is likely to be at or past the end of its life for more reasons than collapsed pipe, such as salt, grease, or biofilm clogging of the soils surrounding the drainfield trench.
It would be unfortunate to pay for this procedure and then have to dig up and install the whole field anew anyway on discovery that it is in failure.
Research Citations for Trenchless Sewer Pipe Replacement Procedure & Applications
See these studies of trenchless sewer and other large pipe replacement & (which does NOT mean drainfield) rehabilitation
Beetschen, Lee J., and William C. Henry. Evaluation of trenchless sewer construction at South Bethany Beach, Delaware. Vol. 1. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory, 1978.
Curran, Sully. "Installation of Large Diameter Buried Pipes." Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation 2007, no. 19 (2007): 505-511.
Forbes, James H. "Wastewater collection." Water environment research (1993): 303-305.
Sen Gupta, B., S. Chandrasekaran, and S. Ibrahim. "A survey of sewer rehabilitation in Malaysia: application of trenchless technologies." Urban water 3, no. 4 (2001): 309-315.
Continuing citations, these authors do address, at least to a limited degre, sewer & private or decentralized wastewater drainfield rehabilitation using trenchless pipe technology
Haarhoff, Mr Thomas. "Paper Title Sustainability Assessment for First Time Wastewater Scheme."
Liden, Doug. "Wastewater System Improvements Project Environmental Assessment." (2003).
Nawrot, Tadeusz. "Economic analysis of small diameter gravity sewers compared to other sewerage systems." Teka Komisji Ochrony i Kształtowania Środowiska Przyrodniczego 7 (2010).
Wu, Shan, Shiwen Tang, Yueheng Hu, and Simon Thibault. "Research on the Septic Tank of Existing Building Drainage System Based on the Sustainable Development View." In Reston, VA: ASCE copyright Proceedings of the International Conference on Pipelines and Trenchless Technology 2011 October 26. 29, 2011, Beijing, china| d 20110000. American Society of Civil Engineers, 2011.
Article Series Contents
SEPTIC DRAINFIELD RESTORERS? - CONTENTS: Guide to septic tank or drainfield rejuvenation, treatments, chemicals & restorers: can chemicals or add-on aerobic systems fix a drainfield failure? Septic System Treatments, septic tank additives, septic drainfield restorer. Special bacteria for septic drainfield rejuvenation? Septic system chemicals, septic tank treatments, septic tank bacteria, yeast in septic tanks
DRAINFIELD RESTORATION APPROACHES - Do septic tank or septic system treatments work? Do some septic treatments harm the environment? Are they legal?
OTHER DRAINFIELD RESTORE APPROACHES - Septic field restoration projects and products: Porox™, BioCycle® , hydrogen peroxide, acids, enzymes, pressurized aeration, TerraLift®, resting the drainfield, as attempts to rejuvenate a drainfield: do they work? are they legal?
TRENCHLESS SEWER REPLACEMENT - can we use trenchless sewer line repair technology to replace old damaged septic soak-bed (leacfield) piping?
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David A. Potts, Josef H. Görres, Erika L. Nicosia, and José A. Amador,
"Effects of Aeration on Water Quality from Septic System Leachfields", JEQ: Journal of Environmental Quality 2004 33: 1828-1838. [September issue]
Copy also provided in HTML at the Journal's website http://jeq.scijournals.org/cgi/content/full/33/5/1828
[http://jeq.scijournals.org/] [or see the Journal's archives at http://jeq.scijournals.org/contents-by-date.0.shtml]
ASA-CSSA-SSSA Headquarters at (608)273-8080. (JEQ http://jeq.scijournals.org/ ) is published by ASA [American Society of Agronomy https://www.agronomy.org/ ], CSSA [possibly the Crop Science Society of American https://www.crops.org/] , and SSSA [The Soil Science Society of America https://www.soils.org/] . Since 1994 it has been published bimonthly; before that (1972-1993) it was published quarterly. The JEQ editorial board consists of the editor; associate editors; the managing editor; the Headquarters associate or assistant editor or editors working on the journal; the editors-in-chief of ASA, CSSA, and SSSA; the executive vice president; and the director of publications.
XYZ septic drainfield restoration system specific product information is not printed here.
Kazunori, Hanyu, Hirohisa Kishino, Hidetoshi Yamashita and Chikio Hayashi. "Linkage between recycling and consumption: a case of toilet paper in Japan." Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Volume 30, Issue 3 (1 September, 2000): 177-199.
Recycled Content in toilet paper (US EPA definition): When reporting recycled content, some toilet paper (and other product) manufacturers report total recycled content (combining pre- and
post-consumer waste re-use) while others report post-consumer only. Both pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled materials
provide the environmental benefits of displacing virgin feedstocks such as toilet paper using a high percentage of paper made from trees. Using post-consumer content has the added benefit of
providing markets for materials separated for recycling by consumers, such as newspapers and magazines.
Postconsumer Materials (US EPA definition): A material or finished product that has served its intended use and has been diverted or recovered from waste destined for disposal, having completed its life as a consumer item. Postconsumer materials are part of the broader category of recovered materials.
Recovered materials: Waste materials and byproducts that have been recovered or diverted from solid waste, but does not include materials and byproducts generated from, and commonly reused within, an original manufacturing process.
Thanks to reader Ernie Zinter for requesting clarification on the value of adding yeast to a septic tank. 02/17/2010. Don't do it - yeast in the septic is a suburban legend or an old wives tale that is not helpful and may be harmful to the septic system.
Original citation for EPA article: http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/pubs/625r00008/html/fs1.htm
Andress, S.; Jordan, C. 1998. Onsite Sewage Systems. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Civil Engineering Department, Blacksburg, VA.
Angoli, T. 2000. Hydrogen peroxide not recommended to unclog failed drainfields. Small Flows Quarterly Vol. 1 No. 2, p. 42-44.
Clark, G.H. 1999. The Effect of Bacterial Additives on Septic Tank Performance. Master's thesis, North Carolina State University, Department of Soil Science, Raleigh, NC.
Dow, D., and G. Loomis. 1999. Septic Tank Additives. University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension Service Onsite Wastewater Training Center, Kingston, RI.
Hairston, J.E., G. Speakman, and L. Stribling. 1995. Protecting Water Quality: Understanding Your Septic System and Water Quality. Alabama Cooperative Extension Publication wq-125.al, June 1995. Developed with support from Auburn University, Auburn, AL.
Olson, K., D. Gustafson; B. Liukkonen; and V. Cook. 1977. SEPTIC SYSTEM OWNERS GUIDE [PDF]. University of Minnesota Extension Services Publication PC-6583-GO. University of Minnesota, College of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences, St.Paul, MN.
Rupp, G. 1996. Questions and Answers About Septic System Additives. Montana State University Extension Service, Bozeman, MT.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). 1996. Septic System Maintenance. VTU publication no. 440-400, October 1996. Water Quality Program Committee, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA.
Percolation Testing Manual, CNMI Division of Environmental Quality, Gualo Rai, Saipan provides an excellent English Language manual guide for soil percolation testing. Original source: www.deq.gov.mp/artdoc/Sec6art108ID255.pdf
Soil Test Pit Preparation, fact sheet, Oregon DEQ Department of Environmental Quality, original source www.deq.state.or.us/wq/pubs/factsheets/onsite/testpitprep.pdf The Oregon DEQ onsite water quality program can be contacted at 811 South Ave, Portland OR 97204, 800-452-4011 or see http://www.oregon.gov/DEQ/
Thanks to reader Michael Roth for technical link editing 6/29/09.
Pennsylvania State Fact Sheets relating to domestic wastewater treatment systems include
Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
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.
Design Manuals for Septic Systems
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)
"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.
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. 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.
Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain, 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
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.
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.
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.
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 System, 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.
In addition to citations & references found in this article, see the research citations given at the end of the related articles found at our suggested
Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. Tel: (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 Email: info@carsondunlop.com. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Carson Dunlop Associates provides extensive home inspection education and report writing material. In gratitude we provide links to tsome Carson Dunlop Associates products and services.