September 2017

The SSTS "experience" at the Minnesota State Fair

The EcoExperience at the Minnesota State Fair is always a big attraction for fairgoers, such as this couple that stopped at the MPCA SSTS display and chatted with Kristi Kalk, MPCA inspector. 

"It's always fun to meet and talk to people about their septic systems," Kalk says. "One man told me he's had a septic system for many years and it works great. I asked him if he ever had it pumped. He said, no. I encouraged him to hire someone to check out his tank and have it pumped. I'm sure it's probably full."

Certification and Training Unit wants you! (to volunteer)

By Nick Haig The MPCA is seeking volunteers for “need-to-know” job analysis efforts this winter: Installer Exam Question Piloting – you must have taken the Installer exam in the past. We are especially interested in balancing practicing Installers with QE inspectors that have installation experience. This will begin in early, 2018. Introduction to Onsite Systems and Soils Task Analysis Development – We would really like to form two solid groups of professionals with a variety of backgrounds. Each of these groups will meet in St. Paul two or three times this fall and winter. We will plan on beginning in October for Soils and November or December for the Introduction effort. These opportunities do not require a long-term commitment – feel free to participate in any or all sessions as your schedule allows. Call 651-757-2536 if you are interested. Feel free to share this information with others who may be interested in helping out.

Contact MPCA before measuring campground flows

In 2015, a legislative initiative was proposed by the Minnesota Resort and Campground Association regarding when a State Disposal System (SDS) permit is necessary for seasonal resorts and campgrounds. In the past, this determination was required to be the higher of estimated flow or measured flow of the SSTS serving the location. Legislation was passed that created a means for using measured flows to determine if the 10,000 gallon per day (gpd) threshold for an SDS permit has been exceeded, even if the calculated values are below estimated flows.

The MPCA has had a number of campground owners successfully use the new legislation to determine their measured permit flow. Unfortunately, there have also been a few instances where campground owners have attempted to measure their own flows, or hired SSTS professionals to measure flows, without contacting the agency first. In these instances, it has generated frustration and even extended the measurement period into the next year in cases where the information was collected incorrectly.

Due to the complexity involved with accurately measuring wastewater flows at campgrounds and resorts, and rule language requiring owners to get a measurement plan approved by the agency prior to measuring, all campgrounds wishing to measure flows to determine SDS permit requirements should contact the agency first. Additionally, anyone hired to assist with this process should contact the MPCA as well. This will ensure compliance with all rule requirements and will help reduce costs from purchasing incorrect flow monitoring devices or incorrectly setting up the measurement plan.

Campgrounds, resorts, and SSTS professionals in the southern half of the state should contact Corey Hower at 507-206-2603 or Corey.Hower@state.mn.us. Those in the northern half of the state should contact Brian Fitzpatrick at 218-316-3859 or Brian.Fitzpatrick@state.mn.us. 

U of M looking to partner with local orgs to host homeowner classes

The University of Minnesota Onsite Sewage Treatment Program received a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health to offer a total of eight educational homeowner classes in 2018 and 2019 across Minnesota. These classes will cover how SSTS function and  maintenance issues, and provide SSTS owners information on chemicals of emerging concern (CEC), including pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCP) and the potential impact on groundwater. The known Public Water Suppliers within the area will also be invited to attend. Customized factsheets will be provided. The U of M is hoping to partner with local programs including counties, wastewater management districts, homeowner associations, or other similar organization who would be interested in hosting and marketing the homeowner classes.  Please contact Sara Heger  or 612-625-7243 if you are interested.

SepticSmart Week is Sept. 18-22; winter is coming, shield your (drain) field

SepticSmart week is Sept. 18-22.  The EPA provides a wealth of information counties, cities and other local septic programs can use to promote awareness of septic system issues and steps residents can take to protect their investment and the environment. This includes suggested social media posts, press releases and supporting graphic images such as the one at right. For example, with colder temps ahead, it's important for homeowners, especially those with new septic systems, to protect their systems from any type of traffic, including foot traffic, to prevent compaction and freezing. New systems that don't establish a good cover of grass before freezing temps should be covered with leaves or other insulating material to prevent problems this winter.

What installers and manufacturers need to know about tanks

Since 2013, Minnesota Rule 7080 has required the use of septic tanks registered with the MPCA. The agency frequently receives questions about which tanks to use, and what to do if there isn’t a tank on the registered tank list that meets the needs of a job. Well, we would like to answer those questions for you now. All subsurface sewage treatment systems (SSTS) in the state must use registered tanks, or tanks approved by a Minnesota licensed professional engineer. The registered tank list on the MPCA website is updated as new tanks are registered and contains all tanks registered for use in Minnesota. The list is broken down by tank manufacturer, and contains all of the tanks registered by that manufacturer, as well as their contact information in case additional information is needed. The registration list also identifies tank sizes, number of compartments, type of tank, maximum burial depth, and any other necessary information.  Designers, installers and inspectors should use this information to choose the correct tank for each job, or verify that the tanks specified are registered for the designed/installed use. One thing that should be monitored closely is the type of tank. There are multiple tank types: septic, pump, holding, privy, etc.  If a pump tank is needed, ensure the tank you select is registered as a pump tank. If a septic/septic/pump tank is required then verify the tank installed is listed as a septic/septic/pump tank on the registered tank list.  What to do if your tank is not on the list  In this situation, there are two options. Either a Minnesota Licensed Engineer must design and sign-off on your tank, or you will need to contact the tank manufacturer and request that they register that specific tank model. If a professional engineer is selected, the tank will need to meet the structural requirements identified in Minn. Ch. 7080. In addition, there are factsheets on the MPCA webpage all other requirements for use in Minnesota. Engineers would be able to move the inlet or outlet locations or change the configuration further to meet your specific needs. Installers and inspectors need to ensure that the tank that is specified on a design is the same tank that is delivered and installed. As in installer, if the wrong tank is delivered, the tank should be returned and the correct tank requested. As the inspector of a new system, if the tank that is installed is not the same as the design, or is not registered as it is installed or intended to be used, you should withhold issuance of a Certificate of Compliance until everything is installed as designed/registered. Any questions on the tank registration process or questions on which tanks are registered should be directed to Corey Hower, or by phone 507-206-2603.

LGUs urged to check license status of installers

Just a reminder to county SSTS program staff and other LGUs, go to  the MPCA online search tool to check the license status of your local installers. Installers who have not submitted their 2016 tank fee form or have not paid their tank fee invoice have had their licenses revoked. The search tool is located on the MPCA website.

Assess tank condition EACH time pumping, other maintenance performed

Most everyone knows that homeowners should have their septic system tank pumped at least once every three years, or even more frequently depending on the number of people in the household, etc. But regardless of how often a tank is maintained, Minnesota State Rule 7080.2450 and 7083.0770 subp. 2 items A and B are intended to ensure that a thorough tank inspection and assessment is done whenever a septic system maintainer performs maintenance on an SSTS, which would include pumping the tank.

“This assessment work must be done in order to collect the information that our rules require be shared with the homeowner within 30 days of any septic tank maintenance activity,” says Kristi Kalk, MPCA inspector. “Complying with the state rule will help ensure that systems function properly for as long as possible.”

A sample form that maintainers can use to report this information to homeowners, called “Sewage Tank Maintenance Reporting Form,” can be found on this MPCA webpage under “Operation and Maintainance.”

Second quarter SSTS enforcement cases totalled $15,535

During the period of April - June, 2017, the MPCA completed 48 enforcement cases. Of those, seven (15%) were SSTS related. They were located in Hastings ($7,075), Rush City ($3,960), Minnesota Lake ($1,350), Cologne ($1,100), New London ($1,000), Manhattan Beach ($550), and Taopi ($500). The Quarterly Enforcement Report can be found on the MPCA website.

Getting the dirt on soil profiles

University of Minnesota and MPCA staff teach a class about soil profiles at a soils continuing education class in Lamberton Aug. 31. The instructors were Cody Robinson, MPCA, and Dan Wheeler and Stacey Feser from the U of M.

Baby Mutant Ninja Turtles?

Recently a contractor in the Mankato area was excavating dirt in the course of building a mound system when he noticed baby snapping turtles crawling around in the dirt he had moved. Maybe not so surprising considering the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arose from the sewers of New York. Cowabunga!

SSTS staff changes around the state

Brooke Burmeister left Jackson County at the end of July. Roger Berggren and Emily Gable left McLeod County this year. We appreciate it when local program staff let us know about personnel changes, new hires, etc. Please send any updates you have to Kristi Kalk and we'll share the information in the Bulletin.

SSTS in the news

• Some members of Amish community in Fillmore County contesting SSTS requirements
• Lake County, homeowner work out septic settlement
• You probably don't want to know about the sewage problems in Haiti
• If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it, or, in India, maybe a toilet

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.