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ONSITE WASTE MANAGEMENT FAQs Q. I haven't done anything with my septic system in over 20 years and haven't had any problems. Why do we need this program? Q. Soil is a natural filter. Wouldn't harmful pollutants be filtered out before reaching a well? Q. Regulating septic systems is the State's job. Why should the Town adopt stronger standards than the State? Q. Why do I need an inspection? I already have my system pumped on a regular basis. Q. What's involved in an inspection? Q. How can I choose a qualified inspector and how can I be sure the inspection is performed properly? Q. Do I need to have the tank pumped at the first inspection? Q. How often do I need to pump? Q. Why not just pump on a set schedule such as every three years? Q. I have a 1970s conventional septic system with a small tank and older-style "bed" drainfield that I've been told doesn't meet today's standards. Will I be required to replace my system? Q. How much time do I have to replace my cesspool? Q. I have a very small lot and have been told that I can't replace my cesspool because no septic system will work there. Q. Replacing a septic system can be a major expense. Is the Town going to help pay for this? Q. Why should I let anyone on my property? Q. What if the pumping schedule recommended by the Inspector is off? Q. What's the difference between the first inspection and others? Q. What are access risers? Q. Are access risers required? Q. What are effluent filters and do I need one? Q. I haven't done anything with my septic system in over 20 years and haven't had any problems. Why do we need this program? return to top You could be polluting your well water and groundwater even though you don't have any obvious signs of failure, such as wastewater backups or surface ponding. If your system undergoes normal use and the tank or cesspool never needs pumping, chances are waste is getting into the groundwater without proper treatment. Q. Soil is a natural filter. Wouldn't harmful pollutants be filtered out before reaching a well? return to top This was the thinking when septic system standards were first adopted in 1970. Research has since shown that bacteria and viruses can travel much further than initially thought, especially in the sandy soils typical of South Kingstown. Even properly functioning septic systems don't remove nitrogen, which can contaminate drinking water and overfertilize coastal waters. Relying on groundwater to dilute pollution may have worked when South Kingstown was rural. The Town has grown rapidly and most new development is not sewered, increasing the risk of contamination from septic systems. Q. Regulating septic systems is the State's job. Why should the Town adopt stronger standards than the State? return to top The State sets minimum standards for siting, design and construction of septic systems. Towns are responsible for ensuring systems are maintained. The State encourages municipalities to establish stronger standards to protect local water resources. Q. Why do I need an inspection? I already have my system pumped on a regular basis. return to top First, an inspection may in fact reveal that you don't need to pump as regularly as you do. However, frequent pumping may be a sign that a system is substandard or failing. Regular inspections provide an ounce of prevention. You might be able to catch a minor problem before it grows into a major repair. If you have a good system, regular inspections (every 3 - 5 years) will protect you from having to make unnecessary improvements or from pumping more often than you need to. Q. What's involved in an inspection? return to top An Inspector will locate and describe the type of system, interview the homeowner about the amount of use it receives, check the site for signs of failure, look for obvious leaks or broken pipes, and measure solids buildup in the tank. If pumping is required, a more thorough inspection of the tank can be done. The inspector will submit a report to the Town and the homeowner, stating required maintenance and the date for the next inspection. The inspector will follow procedures set out in the RIDEM Inspection Handbook. It sets fair, consistent procedures for all. Q. How can I choose a qualified inspector and how can I be sure the inspection is performed properly? return to top The Town will keep a list of licensed inspectors and you should feel free to ask the inspector for references. All inspectors must follow standard Department of Environmental Management procedures. If you have reason to believe an inspector is not performing the inspection properly or is filing improper reports, you should notify the Town's Onsite Wastewater Specialist. Town staff will investigate and respond appropriately. Before hiring an inspector, homeowners may contact the Onsite Wastewater Specialist to learn if the Town has issued the inspector warnings or violations. Q. Do I need to have the tank pumped at the first inspection? return to top If you have a cesspool or older system installed before 1970, a pump out is required. Q. How often do I need to pump? return to top The inspector will recommend an inspection and pump out schedule based on inspection results, taking into account system age, tank size, household occupancy and solids accumulation since the system was last pumped. For example, a small family with a standard system may only have to pump every 3 - 5 years. However, a substandard system or one that receives heavy use, such as a summer rental home, may have to be pumped annually. Q. Why not just pump on a set schedule such as every three years? return to top Regular inspection with maintenance only as needed is technically sound, can avoid unnecessary expense and is more fair than mandatory pumping by a pre-set schedule. For instance, homeowners who use their system lightly or have invested in a larger tank may need to pump less often than every three years. Homeowners with an undersized system, heavy water users, and those using garbage disposal units may have to pump more often. Q. I have a 1970s conventional septic system with a small tank and older-style "bed" drainfield that I've been told doesn't meet today's standards. Will I be required to replace my system? return to top The priority is to upgrade serious failures that are an immediate threat and phase out cesspools. If a system is functioning, replacement would probably not be necessary, but more frequent pumping may be needed. Q. How much time do I have to replace my cesspool? return to top Cesspools must be replaced within five years from the first required inspection in your area (not from the time the ordinances was approved) or within one year of house sale, whichever comes first. Cesspools with serious failures will need to be replaced within eighteen months from the date of Notice of Violation. Q. I have a very small lot and have been told that I can't replace my cesspool because no septic system will work there. return to top New technologies are now available that can provide a high degree of wastewater treatment on even the smallest, most difficult lots. You can obtain technical assistance in selecting the best repair solution for your property from the URI Cooperative Extension. Q. Replacing a septic system can be a major expense. Is the Town going to help pay for this? return to top The Town is offering town residents a low interest loan program (currently at a 2% interest rate) for septic system improvements. Click here for more information on the low interest loan program. Q. Why should I let anyone on my property? return to top Routine inspections are the norm for various home systems. For example, homeowners typically have maintenance contracts for oil burners. The wastewater treatment system is just another home utility that must be maintained to extend its useful life. Q. What if the pumping schedule recommended by the Inspector is off? return to top The Town's Onsite Wastewater Specialist will review the inspector's recommendation for pumping frequency and make the final decision. In addition, the pumping schedule will be adjusted as needed with each inspection. For example, if the scheduled inspection finds less solids accumulation than expected, less frequent inspections will be recommended. Q. What's the difference between the first inspection and others? return to top At the "First Maintenance Inspection", the inspector locates the tank and other system components and gathers information about its condition and its use. The purpose is to:
The "Routine Maintenance Inspection" is simply the regularly scheduled system check-up that follows the first inspection. Routine inspections mostly measure solids build up to determine the need for pumpout and other maintenance. Q. What are access risers? return to top The septic tank has manhole covers for inspection and pumpout, but the tank is generally buried. Simply finding the tank and digging up the lawn to reach the manholes (which can be 3 - 4 feet down), is a lot of work. Homeowners can find and dig up the system themselves or pay extra to have the septic system inspector do it. Access risers are vertical tubes with tight fitting fiberglass or concrete covers at or near the ground surface. These fit over the tank manholes or inspection ports. To inspect the tank, the access riser lid is simply unscrewed and removed, providing ready access to the tank below. Since on-going future inspections and pumpings will be required, homeowners may want to consider installing risers (if they do not already exist) to avoid digging up the tank for each future inspection or pumping. Q. Are access risers required? return to top Only for new tanks installed for new construction or repairs, in keeping with DEM standards. For existing functioning tanks, they are optional, but highly recommended as a way to simplify routine inspection and maintenance. Click here for more information on possible reimbursement for installation of access risers. Q. What are effluent filters and do I need one? return to top An effluent filter is a low-cost screen that fits inside the outlet pipe (tee) in the tank and traps solids in the tank, protecting the drainfield. They are not required, but highly recommended as a simple, low-cost extra level of protection to the drainfield. | |||||||||||||
