Community Land-Based Community Land-Based Wastewater Disposal in Wastewater Disposal in

PennsylvaniaPennsylvania

Prepared by:Prepared by:Mr. Brian Oram, PGMr. Brian Oram, PGWilkes UniversityWilkes University

http://www.water-research.nethttp://www.water-research.net

Center for Environmental QualityCenter for Environmental Quality

Non-profit/ equal opportunity employer, is operatedNon-profit/ equal opportunity employer, is operated

and managed, within the Environmentaland managed, within the Environmental

Engineering and Earth Sciences Department.Engineering and Earth Sciences Department.

Outreach Programs Outreach Programs Environmental and Professional Education and Environmental and Professional Education and

TrainingTraining Applied ResearchApplied Research Community and Business Outreach ProgramsCommunity and Business Outreach Programs Homeowner Outreach ProgramHomeowner Outreach Program

Website: http://www.water-research.netWebsite: http://www.water-research.net

Without Act 537Without Act 537It Would be Worse !It Would be Worse !

Wildcat DischargesSurface Malfunctions

OR Contaminated Groundwater !

What is a Community System?What is a Community System? Community Sewerage System Community Sewerage System

(Ch 71.1 – Definitions)(Ch 71.1 – Definitions)

– Community Sewage System – “ a sewage facility, whether Community Sewage System – “ a sewage facility, whether publicly or privately owned, for the collection of sewage publicly or privately owned, for the collection of sewage from two or more lots or two or more equivalent dwelling from two or more lots or two or more equivalent dwelling units and the treatment or disposal or both of the sewage units and the treatment or disposal or both of the sewage on one or more of the lots or at another site.on one or more of the lots or at another site.

– Options:Options:

Community On-lot Sewage System (soil-based Community On-lot Sewage System (soil-based renovation approach or retention tank) renovation approach or retention tank)

Community Sewerage System (non-soil basedCommunity Sewerage System (non-soil basedrenovation approach)renovation approach)

Community On-Lot SystemCommunity On-Lot System

Conventional Systems Conventional Systems Seasonal Spray IrrigationSeasonal Spray Irrigation Drip IrrigationDrip Irrigation

Site Evaluations – Conductedwith Local Agency and PADEP

Conventional SystemsConventional Systems

In-ground Seepage Beds and TrenchesIn-ground Seepage Beds and Trenches

Elevated Sand MoundsElevated Sand Mounds

Elevated Sand Trenches Elevated Sand Trenches

Retaining Tanks – Retaining Tanks – Holding TanksHolding Tanks, , Privies, Privies, Chemical ToiletChemical Toilet, Recycling Toilets, Incinerating , Recycling Toilets, Incinerating and Composting Toilets. and Composting Toilets. (temporary) – (temporary) – May be May be integrated into design of community systems, but integrated into design of community systems, but typically are used on individual systems.typically are used on individual systems.

ConventionalConventional Sand Mound SystemSand Mound System

– Design using peak daily flow or design may be based on Design using peak daily flow or design may be based on effluent quality, whichever more limiting.effluent quality, whichever more limiting.

– Additional site characterization is required.Additional site characterization is required.– System may require 100 % reserve or backup. System may require 100 % reserve or backup. – May require additional pretreatment to remove nitrogen May require additional pretreatment to remove nitrogen

compounds or treat strong or complex organic wastes.compounds or treat strong or complex organic wastes.

Side View of Mound

PretreatmentSeptic Tanks,Grease Tanks, and Effluent Filters

Spray IrrigationSpray IrrigationFor much of Northeastern Pennsylvania, a “SLOW Rate” spray irrigationapproach has been employed.

• Seasonal Approach – Suitable Spray Season a function of the nature of the development and use, meteorological conditions, soil conditions, and local groundwater/geological conditions.

•Prior to Irrigation, the wastewater is treated to secondary treatment Standards. YES – THE WASTEWATER IS TREATED. Treatment – Package Treatment System or Aerated Lagoon.

•This is a Seasonal System – during the non-spray season the treated effluent is stored, stream discharged, or disposed of in another manner.

•In NEPA, the system has been used for seasonal developments (CAMPS), housing projects, schools (East Stroudsburg), and commercial developments.

Spray IrrigationSpray Irrigation

Lined Storage Lagoon Spray Nozzle- Area in Foregroundis also forested spray irrigation area.

NO- We do not cut down all the Trees !

Spray IrrigationSpray Irrigation

Spray Nozzles

A Little Diversion- My Trip to NCA Little Diversion- My Trip to NC

After a StormAfter a Storm

Yes – This is the Septic Tank

Where is the drain field?

Where Was I Swimming Where Was I Swimming I Thought I Was Getting Away It ALL !I Thought I Was Getting Away It ALL !

Drip IrrigationDrip IrrigationPotential Year-Round Disposal OptionPotential Year-Round Disposal Option

•Hydraulic Loading Based on Soil Morphological Evaluation and Water Budget Analysis.

•Depth to Limiting ZoneSHWT – 20 inches (6 inch installation depth)Bedrock – 26 inches (6 inch installation depth)

•Common Installation Depth – 6 to 12 inches.

•Slope up to 25 %.

•Primary Treatment – Septic Tanks or Aerobic System.

•Secondary Treatment for Septic Tank Effluent -Sand filtration system, Aerobic Tank, or Peat filters for anaerobic pretreatment.

•Pump Tank to Manufacturers Manifold Filter Disc Filtration and Distribution System.

•For large volume systems – Pretreatment would likely be a package treatment system with a sand filter.

•Multiple Drip Zones – Dosed to maintain unsaturated flow.

Drip Irrigation ComponentsDrip Irrigation Components(< 10,000 gpd)(< 10,000 gpd)

Septic Tank

Aerobic Unit – Must Be Kept in the ON position to Work !

Secondary Treatment OptionsSecondary Treatment Options(< 10,000 gpd)(< 10,000 gpd)

Peat FilterAeration or Aerobic Tank

Other Options:Intermittent Sand Filter (Free Access / Buried)

Drip AreaDrip Area

Drip Emitter

Drip Field – Uncovered

Drip Field Covered

Water Reuse (Draft)Water Reuse (Draft)PA Document - Number 362-0300-009PA Document - Number 362-0300-009

Water Reuse OptionsWater Reuse Options– Public Access Systems (Golf, SnowPublic Access Systems (Golf, Snow

Landscape Areas, Parks, Landscape Areas, Parks,

Highway Shoulders)Highway Shoulders)– Industrial Systems (dust control,Industrial Systems (dust control,

aggregate washing, boiler cool down)aggregate washing, boiler cool down)– Restricted Areas and Restricted Areas and

Non-Edible Crops (sod farms / pasturelands)Non-Edible Crops (sod farms / pasturelands)– Groundwater RechargeGroundwater Recharge

Landscape Irrigation Snow Making

Industrial Water

Alternative Collection SystemsAlternative Collection Systems

Small Diameter Pressurized Small Diameter Pressurized Collection System Using Grinder Collection System Using Grinder Pumps **Pumps **

STEP – Septic Tank Effluent Pump*STEP – Septic Tank Effluent Pump* Vacuum Collection SystemVacuum Collection System

Management / Management / Maintenance OptionsMaintenance Options

Municipality or Local Agency is Municipality or Local Agency is Required to Assure Proper Operation Required to Assure Proper Operation and Maintenance.and Maintenance.

Addressed in Official Act 537 Plans Addressed in Official Act 537 Plans and Revisions.and Revisions.

Program provide for Long-Term Program provide for Long-Term Operations and Maintenance/ Operations and Maintenance/ Education/ Inspection.Education/ Inspection.

PADEP PermittedPADEP PermittedCommunity Onlot SystemCommunity Onlot System

During Planning the Official Plan or Plan Revision During Planning the Official Plan or Plan Revision Needs A Long-Term Operation and Maintenance Needs A Long-Term Operation and Maintenance Program Approved by Municipality.Program Approved by Municipality.

Options (one or more)Options (one or more)– Bond or EscrowBond or Escrow– Agreement: Property Owner and FirmAgreement: Property Owner and Firm– Agreement: Property Owner and Local AgencyAgreement: Property Owner and Local Agency– Municipal Ordinance that Establishes and Operation and Municipal Ordinance that Establishes and Operation and

Maintenance ProgramMaintenance Program– Establishment of an Association, trust or other private Establishment of an Association, trust or other private

legal entity to assure long-term O&Mlegal entity to assure long-term O&M– Municipal Ownership of FacilitiesMunicipal Ownership of Facilities– Establishment of Management Agency Under Municipal Establishment of Management Agency Under Municipal

CodesCodes

Community Land-Based Community Land-Based Wastewater Disposal in Wastewater Disposal in

PennsylvaniaPennsylvania

Prepared by:Prepared by:Mr. Brian Oram, PGMr. Brian Oram, PGWilkes UniversityWilkes University

http://www.water-research.nethttp://www.water-research.net

Landscape Irrigation Treated Effluent