October 2015

MPCA staffer bites bullet, pulls "trigger" on new septic system

This past summer, the MPCA's Barb McCarthy, like many people who were planning to sell their home or lake place, needed to have her septic system inspected and given a clean bill of health before her house could change hands. This requirement is one of several "triggers" many Minnesota counties have adopted in order to identify and upgrade or replace septic systems that do not meet current standards.

But knowing what she does about the soils where she lives, "I didn't even bother with an inspection," says McCarthy who works in the MPCA Subsurface Sewage Treatment System (SSTS) program.  "I knew my existing system wasn't going to meet standards because of where I live in St. Louis County (near Duluth). The soils here are not suitable for the type of system I had in place."

By "not suitable" she meant there are only a few inches of permeable soil above several feet of mostly impermeable clay, a fact that was reinforced earlier this summer when soil scientists from around the country met in Duluth for a national conference hosted by the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

They visited McCarthy's property and a few other sites near Duluth to dig pits and analyze the resulting soil profiles. The soil pit on McCarthy's property revealed about six to eight inches of soil suitable for a septic system drainfield and several feet of basically impervious red clay (see photo below).

Getting the right "profile"

For adequate treatment, wastewater needs to travel through at least 36 inches of suitable existing soil or other filter medium, such as sand, at just the right speed, not too fast or too slow. There also needs to be at least three feet of separation between where wastewater enters the treatment field and the seasonal high water table (the depth where the soil is saturated during the wettest part of the year) in order to avoid contaminating ground water.  In McCarthy’s case, the depth to groundwater was not an issue, but the composition of the soil certainly was.

Before designing a septic system for a homeowner, a septic professional must first dig a hole to analyze the soil conditions (soil profile and distance to seasonally saturated soils) and provide the homeowner with design options that would work at that particular site.

In some cases, the soil profile is such that a drainfield can be built rather simply by digging shallow trenches and applying a layer of clean gravel in which is embedded perforated piping through which effluent is distributed. This is known as an in-ground trench system. Oftentimes, however, existing conditions require building a sand mound to provide the proper soil profile and separation from groundwater needed to adequately treat septic waste and meet current standards. A mound system was definitely required at McCarthy's residence.

Building the mound

McCarthy worked with her septic system designer and installer to pick a suitable location for the mound system that would service the 2,100 square foot, three-bedroom home. Many trees had to be removed to make room for the mound. And because the existing suitable soil layer in her yard is only six inches deep at its thinnest, the mound needed 30 to 32 inches of washed sand. Sand containing silt and clay and other "fines" can clog the spaces between sand grains.

Placed on top of the sand is a rock bed that is 5 feet by 85 feet (see photo above). The rocks help to disperse effluent into the underlying sand bed. The rocks too must be cleaned of fine materials to prevent them from being washed down into the sand where they can clog the system. Drainfield rock is larger than an inch and half across.

Perforated effluent distribution pipes are installed on top of the rock. The pipes are then then covered with additional rock to protect the pipes.  

The rock bed is covered by a special fabric material that allows air and water to pass through but prevents topsoil and sand from entering the rock bed. The filter fabric is then covered with loam and sandy loam and then topsoil so grass will grow on the mound.

Liquid and solid waste generated by sinks, bathtubs, showers and toilets runs from the house via a pipe known as a “building sewer” to a combination septic tank/pump tank (above). McCarthy’s septic tank is 1,000 gallons which then flows into a 500 gallon pump tank or dose tank.

McCarthy’s system is designed to treat  300 gallons of wastewater each day to the mound via a supply pipe (pictured above). Wastewater is pumped to the mound throughout the day through a series of four “doses” of about 70 gallons each when the float is activated and the pump turns on. This allows time between doses for the wastewater to effectively move through the mound sand and into the underlying soil.

“It works like the sump pump in your house,” McCarthy says. “It will draw down to a certain level in the tank and then shut off until the pump tank fills back to that level and another dose is sent to the mound.”

The wastewater is sent to the mound under pressure that has been calculated to ensure wastewater will fill the entire length of the perforated piping located within the mound and be dispersed along the entire length of the mound and not just one portion where it could pool up. When the pump shuts off, water remaining in the supply pipe drains back into the pump tank, preventing water in the pipe from freezing during the winter.

Insulation important for new septic systems

When completed, McCarthy’s mound measured 125 feet long and 40 feet wide at a total cost of more than $15,000. “When you average the cost of the system over its expected lifetime of 30 years or more you come up with a number that is not that different than what those who live in urban areas pay for their wastewater treatment,” McCarthy says. The big difference with the cost for a rural septic system is the investment is made up front, which can pose a challenge for some homeowners if they are not recouping some or all of that cost during a property transfer.

The mound’s large dimensions are needed on this site to ensure that the effluent is able to move through it at the proper rate and in a way that does not allow the effluent to surface at the ‘toe’ or downslope berm of the mound to keep the sewage below the surface.

McCarthy’s mound was completed in late summer, in time to get a good cover of grass started. Grass and other cover plants are important as they help provide insulation that will help prevent freezing problems, especially during the first winter following system construction. She plans to add straw this November to ensure there won’t be any problems. She also hopes there will be snow cover this year which provides additional insulation.

Protecting, maintaining a significant investment

It’s important year around to avoid any type of vehicle or even much foot traffic on whatever type of septic system is in place. Compacting the soil above the drainfield, tank and pipes leading to and from the various components of a septic system make it more likely that frost will reach these areas and cause freezing problems. Planting native grasses and flowers over the mound that don’t require as much maintenance as lawn grass is a good way to lessen mound traffic.

To keep a septic system working efficiently, and to avoid potentially costly repairs or premature replacement, homeowners should contact a septic system maintainer at least once every three years to have solids removed from the septic tank, more often if you have a large family or lots of visitors during the summer at your lake place. This prevents solids from getting to the mound or drainfield and plugging it up.

At least once a year homeowners should check the condition of inspection pipes and tank covers to make sure they are securely in place and not cracked, broken or missing. This prevents accidents and cold air from entering during the winter months.

Contact a septic professional any time you notice something may not be working correctly in your septic system. Catching and fixing problems early will likely save money in the long run.The MPCA keeps a list of licensed septic professionals.

For more information on how to keep your septic system working well for many years, check the MPCA's information for homeowners webpage.

Notify MPCA early when pursuing straight-pipe enforcement actions

Locating and correcting straight-pipe discharges of septic waste is a priority for local units of government (LGUs) as well as the MPCA. The straight pipe law (Minn. Stat. 115.55 Subd. 11) provides an additional tool for LGUs to use in correcting straight-pipe discharges within their jurisdictions by facilitating a cooperative local-state enforcement process. The law states that an inspector who discovers the existence of a straight-pipe system shall issue a noncompliance notice to the owner of the straight-pipe system and forward a copy of the notice to the Agency. The notice must state that the owner needs to replace or discontinue the use of the straight-pipe system within 10 months of receiving the notice. The notice should include a specific date by which compliance should occur.  If the owner does not replace or discontinue the use of the straight-pipe system within 10 months, the owner of the straight-pipe system shall be subject to an administrative penalty of $500 per month of noncompliance beyond the 10-month period.  If the system owner fails to replace or discontinue the straight-pipe discharge by the due date, the LGU may referrer the case to the MPCA. Referrals should be made to the MPCA by filling out the SSTS Enforcement Referrals from Local Programs form. At month 10 plus one day, the MPCA will initiate the Administrative Penalty Order (APO) process. The MPCA will issue subsequent combined APOs until the system owner has completely satisfied all the required items.  The MPCA encourages LGUs to contact their assigned SSTS field staff early in the process. MPCA staff can provide technical assistance regarding what documentation the MPCA needs from the LGU to be able to accept the referral after the initial 10-month period.

Remember these changes when submitting 2015 tank installation fees

As reported previously, beginning in 2016 there will be a new method used for installers to submit their tank fees for tanks installed during the 2015 calendar year. This process change is a result of the update to Minn. Stat. 115.551 that was made during the 2014 legislative session.

This new process includes the following steps:

1. Prior to the end of the 2015 calendar year in November, a reminder letter will be sent to all installers to work with their local governmental units (LGUs) to verify the number of tanks installed during the calendar year. This reminder letter will also contain the SSTS Tank Fee Record/Submission Form that is required to be filled out and submitted to the MPCA.

2. All installers (even those who did not install any tanks during the year) will need to complete the SSTS Tank Fee Record/Submission Form and send it to the MPCA no later than Jan. 31, 2015. If you did not install any tanks in the calendar year you would report zero on the SSTS Tank Fee Record/Submission Form.

3. Installers will then receive an invoice in April. This invoice will need to be paid within 30 days of receipt to avoid enforcement. Payments for SSTS tank fees should always accompany an invoice.

The LGUs will still submit tank installation counts in their annual reports to the MPCA. The MPCA will use these reports to audit the number of tanks installed reported by installers. If discrepancies are found, the MPCA will contact the installer to follow up. Discrepancies could result in an enforcement action.

If you have questions about the new method for submitting tank fees, contact Carol Decker.

Comment period begins soon for Chapter 7081 rule change on calculating campground septic flow rates

Legislation was passed this past session that affects how campgrounds and resorts calculate septic flow rates for determining whether or not they need a State Disposal System (SDS) permit.  

Currently, the higher of estimated or measured flow must be used. The new law requires the MPCA to adopt rules, using the expedited rulemaking process, to eliminate the need for existing campgrounds and resorts that are open for 180 days or less per year to estimate wastewater flow rates. Instead, they will use monitored flow rates. The law contains specifics on the acceptable means of flow measurement and the frequency, time period and duration of measurements.

The change is contained in Chapter 4, Article 4, Section 144 of the first special session of the 2015 Legislative session. To more easily find Section 144 in this lengthy law, once you have navigated to the "2015 Minnesota Session Laws, Chapter 4" document on the Web, search for the word "campground" using the "Find" function under the "Edit" menu in top left hand corner of your browser.

The notice of intent to adopt this rule change will be published in early November in the State Register. A 30-day comment period will begin on the date of publication in the State Register.

Comments received during the public comment period will be provided to an administrative law judge who determines the legality of the proposed rule amendments. The MPCA's authority to make changes in response to comments must be consistent with the provisions set forth in the law.

Installers, check your mail for surety bond requirement information

The MPCA is sending customized packets to every Minnesota licensed SSTS Installer to help them comply with the 2015 Legislative changes to surety bond requirements. Packets were sent this week. Please respond by Nov. 20, 2015, to avoid a lapse in your SSTS Installer License on Jan. 1, 2016.

The good news is that unless you are a plumbing contractor, you don’t need to register with the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). You do, however, need to update your surety bond and demonstrate your pipe laying credentials to the MPCA. You only need to do this once, where you had to do it every two years with DLI.

Non-Installer SSTS License holders will need to update their surety bond at their next renewal.

Contact Jane Seaver at the MPCA at 651-757-2711 or ssts-info.pca@state.mn.us  with questions about these legislative changes.

Learn all about these changes on our website.

SSTS Calendar

Friday, Nov. 30, MPCA St. Paul office - The "Need-to-Know" team is meeting to discuss the Maintainer and Service Provider task analysis documents. Contact Nick Haig, 651-757-2536, if you would like to participate.

MPCA SSTS staff - who to call

Detailed contact information for MPCA SSTS staff is available on the MPCA website. All MPCA staff can be reached at 651-296-6300 or toll-free at 1-800-657-3864. Past editions of the SSTS Bulletin are available on the MPCA website.