Community Land-Based Wastewater Disposal in Pennsylvania

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Community Land-Based Wastewater Disposal in
Pennsylvania

• Prepared by
• Mr. Brian Oram, PGWilkes Universityhttp//www.wa
  ter-research.net

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Center for Environmental Quality

• Non-profit/ equal opportunity employer, is
  operated
• and managed, within the Environmental
• Engineering and Earth Sciences Department.
• Outreach Programs
• Environmental and Professional Education and
  Training
• Applied Research
• Community and Business Outreach Programs
• Homeowner Outreach Program
• Website http//www.water-research.net

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Without Act 537It Would be Worse !
Wildcat Discharges
Surface Malfunctions
OR Contaminated Groundwater !
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What is a Community System?

• Community Sewerage System (Ch 71.1
  Definitions)
• Community Sewage System a sewage facility,
  whether publicly or privately owned, for the
  collection of sewage from two or more lots or two
  or more equivalent dwelling units and the
  treatment or disposal or both of the sewage on
  one or more of the lots or at another site.
• Options
• Community On-lot Sewage System (soil-based
  renovation approach or retention tank)
• Community Sewerage System (non-soil based
• renovation approach)

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Community On-Lot System

• Conventional Systems
• Seasonal Spray Irrigation
• Drip Irrigation

Site Evaluations Conducted with Local Agency
and PADEP
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Conventional Systems

• In-ground Seepage Beds and Trenches
• Elevated Sand Mounds
• Elevated Sand Trenches
• Retaining Tanks Holding Tanks, Privies,
  Chemical Toilet, Recycling Toilets, Incinerating
  and Composting Toilets. (temporary) May be
  integrated into design of community systems, but
  typically are used on individual systems.

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Conventional

• Sand Mound System
• Design using peak daily flow or design may be
  based on effluent quality, whichever more
  limiting.
• Additional site characterization is required.
• System may require 100 reserve or backup.
• May require additional pretreatment to remove
  nitrogen compounds or treat strong or complex
  organic wastes.

Pretreatment Septic Tanks, Grease Tanks, and
Effluent Filters
Side View of Mound
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Spray Irrigation

• For much of Northeastern Pennsylvania, a SLOW
  Rate spray irrigation
• approach 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.

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Spray Irrigation
Lined Storage Lagoon
Spray Nozzle- Area in Foregroundis also forested
spray irrigation area.
NO- We do not cut down all the Trees !
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Spray Irrigation
Spray Nozzles
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A Little Diversion- My Trip to NC
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After a Storm
Yes This is the Septic Tank
Where is the drain field?
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Where Was I Swimming I Thought I Was Getting
Away It ALL !
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Drip IrrigationPotential Year-Round Disposal
Option

• Hydraulic Loading Based on Soil Morphological
  Evaluation and Water Budget Analysis.
• Depth to Limiting Zone SHWT 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.

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Drip Irrigation Components(lt 10,000 gpd)
Septic Tank
Aerobic Unit Must Be Kept in the ON position
to Work !
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Secondary Treatment Options(lt 10,000 gpd)
Peat Filter
Aeration or Aerobic Tank
Other OptionsIntermittent Sand Filter (Free
Access / Buried)
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Drip Area
Drip Field Uncovered
Drip Emitter
Drip Field Covered
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Water Reuse (Draft)PA Document - Number
362-0300-009

• Water Reuse Options
• Public Access Systems (Golf, SnowLandscape
  Areas, Parks,
• Highway Shoulders)
• Industrial Systems (dust control,
• aggregate washing, boiler cool down)
• Restricted Areas and Non-Edible Crops (sod farms
  / pasturelands)
• Groundwater Recharge

Industrial Water
Landscape Irrigation
Snow Making
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Alternative Collection Systems

• Small Diameter Pressurized Collection System
  Using Grinder Pumps
• STEP Septic Tank Effluent Pump
• Vacuum Collection System

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Management / Maintenance Options

• Municipality or Local Agency is Required to
  Assure Proper Operation and Maintenance.
• Addressed in Official Act 537 Plans and
  Revisions.
• Program provide for Long-Term Operations and
  Maintenance/ Education/ Inspection.

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PADEP PermittedCommunity Onlot System

• During Planning the Official Plan or Plan
  Revision Needs A Long-Term Operation and
  Maintenance Program Approved by Municipality.
• Options (one or more)
• Bond or Escrow
• Agreement Property Owner and Firm
• Agreement Property Owner and Local Agency
• Municipal Ordinance that Establishes and
  Operation and Maintenance Program
• Establishment of an Association, trust or other
  private legal entity to assure long-term OM
• Municipal Ownership of Facilities
• Establishment of Management Agency Under
  Municipal Codes

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Community Land-Based Wastewater Disposal in
Pennsylvania

• Prepared by
• Mr. Brian Oram, PGWilkes Universityhttp//www.wa
  ter-research.net

Landscape Irrigation Treated Effluent