“ADVANCED SEPTIC SYSTEM
TECHNOLOGY”
March 6, 2012
Presented by
Doug Fine, P.E.
2012 NJEHA Annual
Educational Conference
and Exhibition
March 4-6, 2012 - Tropicana
Resort and Casino
Atlantic City NJ
Ok, let’s get the jokes
out of the way…
About Me…
– 1996 Rutgers Grad. With B.S. in BioEnvironmental Engineering
– Licensed NJ PE since 2001
– I’ve been working with the NJDEP and
approved manufacturer’s of technology
since early 2005.
– I have currently designed well over 200
alternative technology systems, all in NJ
– In the past I have lectured on the use of
technology and the importance of site
evaluation in the design of septic
systems.
– No septic system, conventional or
advanced, can be designed properly if
the site and soils have not been
properly evaluated.
And yes, my kids’ favorite book is…
I’ve been invited back for the 6th year (out of the last 7) to
speak at the Rutgers/NJDEP course on septic systems…
What Are Advanced Technologies?
Those of us with septic tanks,
Would like to give a word of thanks,
For putting nothing in the pot,
That isn't guaranteed to rot.
Kleenex is bad, cigarettes too,
Feminine products are taboo,
No hair combings please - use the basket.
There's a very good reason why we ask it.
With your kind cooperation
We'll keep our tank in operation!
--Author Unknown
Guidance Documents
(Soon to be incorporated into the revision of NJAC 7:9A)
How on Earth Do We Handle the
“New” (to NJ) Advanced Technologies?
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dwq/owm_ia.htm
Common Key Points
• Use of advanced “alternative” technology is
allowed for new construction, expansion, and
to alter an existing malfunctioning system
• Local approvals allowed? YES, but when?
– Alterations
– New construction or Expansion provided that the
technology is applied in addition to a system
design to the requirements of NJAC 7:9A… if
application of technology differs from NJAC 7:9A a
Treatment Works Approval is required.
Administrative Authority
Responsibilities
• It is recommended (NOT REQUIRED) that you consider
adopting an ordinance (too late now, the regulations
are coming)
• Maintain a simple database of all approvals issued
under the guidance documents
• Contact the NJDEP directly for assistance with review
and approvals
• Any approval must include a minimum of One Week
notice to NJDEP prior to installation
• Approval language warning about failure to operate
and maintain properly is a violation of NJAC 7:9A-3.2
and/or 3.3(e)
Subchapter 4. Site Evaluation and System
Location
• Selection of Site based
upon specific site
characteristics
– Separation distances per
Table 4.3
– 4.4 Slope
– 4.5 Surface drainage
– 4.6 Surface Flooding
– 4.7 Freshwater Wetlands
Requirements for Maintenance
For the Life of the System
• An Authorized Service Provider must be
contracted for preventative maintenance and
monitoring.
– Inspect at 30 days
– Inspect every 6 months thereafter
• Failure of the owner to renew a contract shall be
reported in writing to the local administrative
authority by the service provider.
Manufacturer Requirements
• Annual Service Reports to NJDEP by 3/1
• Annual training and education for Designers, Service
Providers, and Installers (as well as refresher training)
• Authorized list of Designers, Service Providers, and
Installer shall be kept up to date
• FREE training for NJ Regulators
• All components must have 5 yr. warranty
• Maintain an up to date website with documentation
for design, installation, maintenance
– Self-policing
Remember
for all Advanced Septic System Technology
(Peat Biofilters, Aerobic Treatment Systems and Drip Dispersal)
• All designers must be a P.E. and certified by
the manufacturer to design their system
• All installers must be certified by the
manufacturer to install their system
• All service providers must be certified by the
manufacturer to provide maintenance
4.4 Slope
• Greater than 25 % is not permitted
• If greater than 10%, placement of field or pit shall be
greater than 50 ft. from outcrop of rock where
groundwater seepage is identified.
• Slope modification by re-grading in accordance with
10.3(b)
– Prior to testing = disturbed ground
– Post testing done in accordance with engineer’s plans
Key to success
No septic system, conventional or advanced, can be
designed properly if the site and soils have not been
properly evaluated.
4.5 Surface Drainage
4.6 Surface Flooding
• No part of a system shall be constructed in ground
subject to surface flooding
• Don’t put a system where surface water
accumulates (i.e. a depression)
Unless adequate measures are designed and
implemented to address
• Swales can be incorporated into the approved
design
– Flooding Determination:
• Flooding observed now or historical
• Presence of specific soil types
• Flood Plain Area subject to Flood Hazard Area Rules
at NJAC 7:13
• A site that does not meet the flooding
determination, may still be regulated under NJAC
7:13
4.7 Freshwater Wetlands
• Always check available
mappings – (NJ Geoweb)
• Look at vegetation,
topographical features
• Seasonal high water table
shallower than 18” may be
an indication
• Presence of specific soil
types
• CALL A WETLAND
SCIENTIST!
Subchapter 5. Determination of Soil
Suitability
• Soil Logs (profile pits)
• Soil Suitability
classification
– Refer to Table 5.4 –
criteria
– Rock substrata
– Excessively coarse
horizons and substrata
– Hydraulically restrictive
horizons and substrata
– Zones of Saturation
Soil Profile Pits
• Excavate to 10 ft or to solid bedrock (commonly
referred to as machine refusal)
• Don’t enter the excavated pit
• 5.3 Determine & Record:
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Depth and thickness of horizons
Soil color – using the Munsell system
Estimated soil texture using USDA system
Estimated % coarse fragments
Mottling – abundance size and contrast
Soil structure
Soil Consistence
Soil Profile Pits cont’d
• Soil horizons are layers of
soil or soil materials
approximately parallel to
the land surface and
differing from adjacent
layers in physical or
biological property or
characteristic such as color,
structure, texture,
consistency and amounts of
organic matter.
Soil Profile Pits cont’d
Soil Profile Pits cont’d
• Texture – soils are
comprised of particles
varying greatly in size and
shape
• Excluding coarse
fragments (gravel, cobble,
and stone) soil particles
are divided into sand, silt,
and clay according to
particle size.
• Munsell Color Charts
– Sand 2mm-0.05mm
– Silt 0.05-0.002mm
– Clay less than 0.002mm
MASSIVE ROCK
USDA Textural Triangle
Also in Figure 3 of Appendix A
Soil Profile Pits cont’d
• Record Estimated % coarse fragments
– Gravel – 0.1 inches to 3 inches
– Cobble – 3 inches to 10 inches
– Stone – greater than 10 inches
Soil Profile Pits cont’d
• If mottling is present record the depth top to bottom, color
and:
– Abundance
• Few <2%
• Common 2-20%
• Many >20%
– Size
• Fine <5mm
• Medium 5-15mm
• Coarse >15mm
– Contrast
• Faint – distinguished on close examination only
• Distinct – readily seen but not prominent
• Prominent – obvious and one of the outstanding soil features
Soil Profile Pits cont’d
Soil Profile Pits cont’d
• Soil Structure
– Spheroidal – equidimensional aggregates
lack sharp edges
– Subangular blocky – equidimensional
aggregates with well defined flat or
curved edges but lack sharp edges
– Angular blocky - equidimensional
aggregates with well defined flat or
curved faces, sharp corners and sharp
edges
– Prismatic – aggregates have vertical axis
distinctly longer
– Platy – aggregates have vertical axis
distinctly shorter
– Massive – dense compact showing no
aggregates or faces
– Single grain – loose individual grains
lacking cohesion
• Soil Consistence (the ease with which a soil clod or aggregate
may be crushed with the fingers in either the dry or moist condition)
– Dry
•
•
•
•
•
•
Loose
Soft
Slightly hard
Hard
Very hard
Cemented
 Moist
 Loose
 Friable
 Firm
 Very Firm
 Extremely Firm
 Cemented
Soil Profile Pits cont’d
• Great Reference for soil properties
– http://www.nj.nrcs.usda.gov/partnerships/enviro
thon/soils/soilproperties.html
Subchapter 6. Permeability Testing
My Soil Log
Field Form
6.3 Soil Permeability Class Rating Test
• Soil Sample
• Sieve Analysis
• Hydrometer Analysis
6.4 Percolation Test
• Pre-soak to
saturate soils
• After pre-soak,
measure rate of fall
• Percolation rate in
minutes per inch
• We’ve been using
perc tests now for
drip systems
• Design permeability is the basis for the sizing of the
disposal field – use the most restrictive conditions
found
• Tests
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Tube Permeameter
Soil Permeability Class Rating Test
Percolation Test
Basin Flooding Test
Pit Bailing Test
Piezometer Test
6.3 Soil Permeability Class Rating Test
• Results in % sand,
silt and clay
• Permeability derived
from textural
triangle
6.5 Pit Bailing Test
• In Place Test
• Used when groundwater
is seeping into test hole
• After seepage stabilizes,
bail/pump water
• Measure depth, length,
width of water surface
over incremental time
• Permeability calculated
in inches per hour
6.2 Tube Permeameter
• Core tube sample:
disturbed or undisturbed
• Pre-soak
• Hydraulic column of water
• Rate of fall measured and
permeability calculated in
inches per hour
6.4 Percolation Test
• In-place Test
• Excavate small
hole
Pit Bailing Test
6.6 Piezometer Test
• In-place test on
groundwater
• Installation of a
standpipe (well)
• Allow water level to
stabilize
• After seepage stabilizes,
bail/pump water
• Measure depth to water
surface over incremental
time
• Permeability calculated
in inches per hour
THE “PERCS” OF SOIL & SITE
EVALUATION
• Also You get to meet some interesting
characters…
6.7 Basin Flooding Test
In-place test performed in rock in the absence of groundwater
50 sq. ft. excavation to depth to be tested
Level bottom
Addition of 375 gallons of water (equivalent of 12 inches)
If does not drain completely in less than 24 hours, horizon
tested is considered a massive rock substratum
• If drains completely in less than 24 hours, immediately refill.
• If second filling drains in less than 24 hours, the horizon tested
shall be considered a fractured rock substratum
• If second filling does not completely drain in less than 24
hours, the horizon tested shall be considered a massive rock
substratum
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•
•
THE “PERCS” OF SOIL & SITE
EVALUATION
• With the combination of proper site and soil evaluation and the use
of the appropriate design, an engineer can be sure that he/she has
done his/her best to ensure that the groundwater is adequately
protected.
• Types of Systems I’ve used quite often in addition to conventional…
THE “PERCS” OF SOIL & SITE
EVALUATION
• And you get to see some cool places…
Water-Tightness
Preparation and Testing
Photos