IndividualResidentialWastewaterTreatmentSystems

Design Handbook

1996New York State Department of Health

On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems Design Handbook Revisions

OWTS Advisory Committee

� Formed to provide guidance to DOH on Appendix 75-A and now the Design Handbook

� Committee members :− DOH: LHDs & DOs− Conf. of Environmental Health Directors− NYSDEC− NYCDEP− NYSSPE (professional engineers)− NYLICA (contractors)− Delaware County SWCD− Catskill Watershed Corporation− NY Onsite Training Network

� Initial Draft has been sent to Committee

Summary of 75-A Changes

Daily Flows: 110 gpd per bedroom

Enhanced Treatment Units (ETUs): allow for reduction in trench length or raised system basal area

Responsible Management Entity (RME):recognize need for management and maintenance of ETUs (or other)

Gravelless systems: allow for reduction trench length for “qualifying” products

Alternate Aggregate: Tire Chips, polystyrene, others to come?

Remove: Evapo-transpiration and “Engineered” Systems, Interim Approval

Add: Specific Waivers

� Incorporate Appendix 75-A changes� Recognize advancements in products;

� Wastewater treatment and Water conservation

� Recognize changes in engineering Practice� Recognize changes in construction Practice� Provide guidance on system management

� ETUs, RMEs, Local Sanitary Codes

� Provide guidance on Specific Waivers� Figures & Tables: update, add, remove� Provide technical information and basis for

design and construction options to aid decision making

Goals of Design Handbook Changes

Advancements in products…Gravelless Absorption Systems

Advancements in products…Enhanced Treatment Units (ETUs)

Aerobic Treatment Unit

PEAT FILTER

TEXTILE FILTER

Aerobic and Media Unit

Standard 40 (BOD/TSS) and Standard 245 (nitrates)

• Infiltration and exfiltration resistance• Stress tests: wash, vacation, working parent, power loss

• Noise level• Mechanical components: no periodic maintenance or

adjustment during testing• Access ports for maintenance & sampling• Failure sensing and signaling (audible and visual)

• Two-year initial service policy with purchase• Two-year limited warranty• Manuals: owner's, installation, O&M, repair

Responsible Management Entity (RME)� A legal entity with the requisite managerial, financial and technical

capacity to ensure long-term management of residential wastewater treatment systems. RMEs may include: sewer districts, utilities, municipal authorities or other entities with the authority to enforce and the capacity to finance the long-term operation and maintenance requirements necessary to ensure residential wastewater treatment systems are functioning properly.

“Management” in NY: � Keuka Lake � Skaneateles Lake� Canandaigua Lake� Otsego Lake� Schuyler County� Putnam County Septic Repair Program� Catskill Watershed Corporation Repair Program� LHDs that “permit” wastewater treatment systems (?)

*DOH will Not “Approve” RMEs. The RME is responsible for having the Technical & Legal capacity for Implementation

Local Sanitary Code?OWTS Application: Make homeowner and engineer are aware of their responsibilities before construction

Maintenance Contracts: Keep current and submit reports or proof of system inspection/maintenance

Tracking: System location, type and maintenance status. Online tracking programs and software are available.

Enforcement: NOVs, fines, penalties... local court can readily enforce sanitary code

Advancements in products…Water conservation

Low Flow(1994): faucets/showerheads = 2.5gpm toilets = 1.6 gpf

EPA Water Sense: faucets = 1.5 gpmshowerheads = 2.0 gpmtoilets = 1.28gpf dual flush toilets

EPA Energy Star: washers use > 50% less water

Changes in engineering practice…

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DUPLEX PUMPS

PUMP INSERT

TIMED DOSING

CONTROL PANEL

Flout

FLOUT

Changes in construction practice…

Soil Stabilization� May be stabilized by mechanical compaction in

shallow lifts if a sand or sandy loam fill materialwith a preferred percolation rate of 5-10min/in.

� Use appropriate soil to avoid freeze-thaw cycle

Alternate Aggregate

� Materials may be used as substitute for conventional gravel or stone aggregate when it is demonstrated that the material provides the equivalent soil infiltration area and storage volume. Materials shall also maintain structural integrity and be non-degradable by wastewater effluent.

TIRE CHIPS

POLYSTYRENE

Specific Waivers

“Deviations from these standards may only be allowed at the discretion of the Department or local health Department in accordance with a specific waiver issued pursuant to Part 75 of this title or a written approval granted by a local health department pursuant to a local sanitary code.”

SPECIFIC WAIVER APPLICATION FORMS:DOH-4345, Residential On-Site Water Supply Systems - New or Replacement

DOH-4346, Residential On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems

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Coming Technologies & products?

- Drip dispersal - constructed wetlands- Graywater reuse- Bottomless sand filter - “Modified” mounds treatment & dispersion- Shallow/narrow trenches w/pressure distribution- Septic Tanks: PCANY certification- Recycled Glass as a substitute for sand- Effluent filters with alarms- System tracking & location software - Repair options: microbial inoculators, Soil-Air,

retrofit aerators & pump, wireless pump controls- Others?

DEC Wastewater Standards?

Being drafted internally by DEC, however, DOH hasprovided comments.

First Draft is expected to be published in theEnvironmental Notice Bulletin (ENB) in November. Wewill inform the CEHD when it is actually noticed.

DOH-DEC MOU is not being re-visited at this timebecause the principal of the MOU is not changing.i.e.; OWTS review and approval responsibilities

Attempt to mimic DOH and DEC standards wherepossible: separation distances, flows, etc.

Design Handbook “Supplement”DOH Permitted Facilities

Intended to provide “condensed” design guidance fromDEC’s standards specifically intended for use for DOHpermitted facilities.

Typical DOH Facilities Typical Design Needs:Hotels and Motels Daily Flow Campgrounds Grease TrapsRestaurants Absorption Area optionsMobile Home Parks Separation Distances

ETUs?Gravelless Systems?

Jim Meacham Bureau of Water Supply Protection547 River StreetTroy, NY 12180-2216(518)402-7650 jrm16@health.state.ny.us