Defiance County General Health District
Sewage Operation & Maintenance Homeowner Training Program
Training Information
What this Training Will Cover:
Why Are We Here Today?
In order to avoid septic system failure, the state of Ohio has created a set of rules, OAC Chapter 3701-29, to help monitor and maintain septic systems. These state wide rules have made it so Defiance County Public Health had to develop its Operation and Maintenance program to include all septic systems in Defiance County. Defiance County Operation and Maintenance Supplemental Sewage Rules were adopted May 2019.
Implementation of O & M Program
Defiance County Public began implementation in 2019, bringing three townships into the program each year.
2019 – Defiance, Noble, Richland
2020 – Adams, Delaware, Highland
2021 – Hicksville, Mark, Tiffin
2022 – Milford, Farmer, Washington
The Basics - What You Must Do
Homeowner Service Providers
Aeration Units
Do You Have an Aeration Tank?
If you are not sure what type of system you have, contact our office with your road address and we can review our records.
Signs you may have an aeration system:
In Addition to this In-Person Training
Include a copy of your certificate with inspection form
Schedule B Pumping Guide
Schedule B – Pumping Schedule
Developed by OSU Extension
Choosing to Follow the Pumping Schedule
Following the Pumping Schedule
Example of failed inspection following Schedule B:
Service Provider
A service provider is defined as:
A Service Provide can do the following:
Example of cleaning septic tank filter
Service Provider Activities - Continued
Example of homeowner installing risers to their septic tank
Your Duties as a Service Provider
Inspection standards:
Each owner of an STS shall provide documentation of inspection or maintenance to the health department within 60 days of the service.
Should an owner fail to provide evidence of inspection, the health department may inspect the system. The health department will bill the owner for the inspection and collect any fees adopted by the Board of Health. The health department will issue a notice to the owner regarding any required maintenance or repairs as a result of the inspection.
Duties as a Service Provider - Continued
Each owner of an STS shall have their tank pumped by a Registered Septage Hauler in accordance with Schedule B Pumping Schedule or when the sludge level exceeds 1/3 of the tank.
Any maintenance or repairs must be reported on inspection form to the health department.
Copy of form to be submitted to health department by homeowner within 60 days of inspection.
How To Protect Your System
Now that you have learned the fundamentals of the O&M Program, it is time to learn basic steps to protect your septic system. Proper maintenance and preventative measures can eliminate costly repairs to a septic system. This video will help you to understand the basics of household sewage treatment systems, and how to properly care for your system.
Items to Avoid Putting into Your Tank
Using an in-sink garbage disposal unit can impact how often you need to pump your septic tank. Food waste usually is slowly digested by the healthy bacteria in your septic tank and can accumulate as scum and sludge.
Primary Treatment
Septic tanks are the most common first step in wastewater treatment. The septic tank provides some treatment of the effluent from the house by allowing for the settling of solid materials, and separation of scum, fats and greases. The partially clarified liquid, or effluent, is then drained to a secondary treatment.
Examples of septic tanks
Properly Maintained Septic Tank
The tank needs to retain water for 24 hours to properly treat the waste.
Wastewater enters the tank through the T-inlet. Solids settle to the bottom, fats and oils float to the top creating a scum layer, and the liquid layer rises to exit the tank through the T-outlet. The effluent filter prevents solids from exiting the tank.
Septic Tank Ready for Pumping
You can see the solid level in the tank is rising. The effluent is held less than 24 hours and is not being properly treated. Septic tanks should be pumped when the solid + scum layer takes up any more than 1/3 of the volume of the tank. Proper inspections ensure tanks are pumped when needed.
A Neglected Septic Tank
You can see the fats & solids are now exiting the tank. This will damage the secondary treatment system by plugging drain tiles or clogging soil pores. Solids leaving a tank can also create a Public Health Nuisance.
Because the tank is not functioning as intended, sewage is also backing up through the inlet pipe. This can cause unpleasant odors in the home and cause sewage to back up into the household plumbing.
One and two compartment Septic Tanks
Single Compartment Septic Tank
Two Compartment Septic Tank
Crock Tank
Double Crock Tank
Secondary Treatment
A basic design of soil absorption trenches.
Secondary Treatment - Continued
Septic Tank to Field Tile
Aeration Tanks
** As stated earlier, owners of aeration units must maintain a service contract with Registered Service Provider and a copy of that contract must be filed with the health dept. **
Standard & Raised Leach Field
Inspection
Example of a septic diversion device as being installed
Sand Filters
Septic Tank to Subsurface Sand Filter
Sand filters were installed from the 1950’s through 2007. In 2007, discharging systems were banned and the switch was made to only soil based treatment systems.
At first these were single beds of various sizes. With the advent of the 1977 rules, dual beds with a valve to rest one bed were installed. The dual beds were 15x24 or 12x30 feet.
These systems have proven relatively trouble free provided the tank is pumped, the system is not overloaded and improper wastes are not being flushed into the system.
On dual bed system the department recommends switching the beds every 5 years. The valve may be accessed by the PVC stand pipe that was installed.
Inspection:
Sewage Treatment Types - NPDES
Current state of System Design
Example of a Presby Secondary system
Example of a Infiltrator Chamber Secondary system
Tank Risers
Example of septic tank riser
Effluent Filters
Example of septic tank effluent filter
Perimeter Drain
Example of an installed perimeter drain
Inspection Ports and Vents
Make sure pipes are capped
System damage by squirrel & dirt bikes
Because an inspection port was left uncovered, a squirrel filled the distribution line with nuts. In addition, further damage was done to they system by dirt bikes. The entire distribution line had to be excavated and replaced. Along with other work, the entire repair cost to the homeowner was more than $10,000!
Pump/Lift Stations
Pump Stations pump tank effluent through a pressure line to a distribution box. Set dose to 125gal or less.
Pumps must have sufficient in strength and capacity to pump effluent to the distribution box. Pumps have floats and or timers to start the pump.
Your pump station may have an alarm. This will alert you if the water level is too high in the tank.
Inspection & Maintenance
System Components and Devices – Distribution Box/Diverter Valve
Documenting Results on Inspection Form
Here is the top portion of the inspection form that is to be used to submit the results of your inspection.
Inspection form can be found online at: www.defiancecohealth.org/myseptic
Inspection – Locating Components
Ways To Locate Your System:
In this photo the sub-surface sand beds and line coming from D-box are detectable from satellite imagery
Source: Google Maps
Conducting Inspection - Locating Components
Another Option:
The health department has property records going back to the 1940s. If you want to see what records we may have on file please fill out the form that was handed out or contact us via phone or email. Please give us a few weeks to respond to requests.
Before opening the tank
Collect any tools and materials you may need.
Septic Inspection Safety – The 4 F’s
FRIEND – Always inspect with another person present.
FUMES – Keep your head outside of tanks. The fumes from septic tanks can be toxic and may overwhelm you. You can use a mirror attached to a stick to inspect the inside of your tank – use flashlight.
FALLING – Keep tank openings in front of you. A fall may occur if you step backwards into an open tank. Never leave an open tank unattended.
INFECTION – Avoid touching your face. Raw sewage contains harmful bacteria and viruses.
Opening the Tank for Inspection
NOTE: You may have to dig down a foot or so with a shovel to locate tank lid if no risers are present. Call 811 to mark utilities before doing any digging
Once the Tank Lid is Off
The scum layer is below the baffle
The scum layer is above the baffle level – time to pump
Is the Septic Tank in Sound Condition
Example of tank deteriorating
Example of tank collapsing
Example of tank leaking
John Smith
12345 Jewell Rd
4/18/23
Richland
Tank Material
Concrete Septic Tank
Plastic Septic Tank
Brick Septic Tank
John Smith
12345 Jewell Rd
4/18/23
Richland
Are there Risers on the Tank
You can install risers on your tank to save time each time the tank is inspected or pumped. Document on report.
Pre-installed risers
Riser installed with a safety net
Retro fit kit from local box store
Note: Risers must be sealed to tank per manufacturer’s instructions
John Smith
12345 Jewell Rd
4/18/23
Richland
Are the Lids/Risers in Good Condition
You can check risers for water tightness by running water around the outside of each riser. If water seeps into the tank there maybe an issue with your riser or the seal.
Example of a broken riser lid
John Smith
12345 Jewell Rd
4/18/23
Richland
Securing Access to Tank
Don’t let this happen to those you love
Make sure lid is secularly placed onto tank
Make sure each screw or bolt is installed in the lid – this can keep the sidewalls from pushing in.
John Smith
12345 Jewell Rd
4/18/23
Richland
Tree Roots can extend 1 ½ -2 times canopy
Ways to address tree roots in septic tank
1. Cut Tree Roots Mechanically
One of the most common techniques is to use a mechanical auger. This method involves sending a powered sewer auger down a septic line. The rotating head is covered in teeth like a reciprocating saw blade. The rotating action cuts the roots, clearing them, but they'll start growing back almost immediately.
2. Chemical Tree Root Removal – Read and follow manufacture’s instructions!
There are special chemicals designed to kill tree roots in a septic tank system so they don’t grow back. Copper sulfate septic treatments are the most common. This method is especially effective as it creates a poison barrier within the soil that kills the tree roots before they can grow into the pipe.
3. Remove Tree Roots From a Septic Tank With a Hydro Jetter
An effective but potentially expensive way of clearing septic lines is with a hydro jetter. This machine uses a pump and pressurized water. After the hydro jetter does its job, the septic line can be flushed with a chemical to kill any roots still present.
4. Manual Tree Root Removal
Sometimes a septic line can't be cleaned or cleared with chemicals, a hydro jetter or an auger if it’s been damaged too badly. To assess the extent of the damage, a service provider may insert a camera into the septic line that'll provide better diagnostics so they can determine the best course of action.
Don’t plant trees around your system. Tree roots may cause damage to the tank or clog pipes.
John Smith
12345 Jewell Rd
4/18/23
Richland
Signs of Heavy Traffic over Tank
Do not allow heavy traffic over the septic tank
Driving anything more than a lawnmower over your septic system can risk serious damage.
This is why it is important to know where your septic system is located on your property.
John Smith
12345 Jewell Rd
4/18/23
Richland
Effluent Filters
Example of effluent filter that can be retrofitted
John Smith
12345 Jewell Rd
N/A
4/18/23
Richland
If a Structure Built on Top of Tank
If there is a structure over the tank, it should be moved if possible. Current rules require 10 feet between a tank and any building foundation.
Don’t place over septic system:
Ok to place on or near septic system:
John Smith
12345 Jewell Rd
N/A
4/18/23
Richland
Date Tank Last Pumped - if Known
Copy of ODH approved pump report
John Smith
12345 Jewell Rd
N/A
5/8/16
4/18/23
Richland
Measuring Sludge Levels (if your are not following the O&M pumping schedule)
The homemade option
Borrow equipment from Health Department
Calculating Sludge Level
Formula:
Solids Depth + Scum Layer
Depth of Water in tank
Equals Percent of Solids & Scum in Tank
X 100
If the percent of Solids & Scum EXCEEDS 30%...
It’s Time To Pump The Tank
John Smith
12345 Jewell Rd
44”
N/A
3”
5/8/16
8”
25%
4/18/23
Richland
Lift Station – If Present
Items to check include:
Example of an installed lift station with mounted alarm
John Smith
12345 Jewell Rd
N/A
44”
3”
5/8/16
8”
25%
4/18/23
Richland
Secondary System – Check for Signs of wastewater surfacing
Walk across the entire drainfield checking for odors and damp areas.
Look inside inspection ports. There may be standing water inside. If it is very high, it may indicate blockage or imbalance in the system or leaking plumbing.
Make sure the caps are in good condition.
Dry inspection port – system working properly
12345 Jewell Rd
N/A
44”
3”
5/8/16
8”
25%
Richland
Secondary System: Bull Run Valve & D-box
A bull run or paddle diverter valve allows one side of the system to be active while the other side rests. They need to be switched periodically. The department recommends:
Change the resting trenches annually by switching the blocked outlets.
The box will settle over time. Make sure the flow is equalized on all outlets by adjusting the Flow Controllers.
If the box is holding water part way up the outlets, this indicates a problem that needs to be investigated.
12345 Jewell Rd
Richland
N/A
5/8/16
44”
3”
8”
25%
Other Secondary Issues to Observe
Do not allow heavy traffic over the treatment area
N/A
44”
3”
5/8/16
8”
25%
Other information to evaluate:
Acceptable:
Laundry water discharges to sewage system
This is acceptable and should be the way the laundry discharge is plumbed.
Water softener discharges to sewage system
This is acceptable but, there must be an air gap to prevent sewage backflow into your water system. Otherwise it should be treated as storm water.
Unacceptable:
Footing drains/sump pump, swimming pools, or spas discharge to sewage system
This is unacceptable and drains must be rerouted to prevent overloading the septic system.
Back Page
Finishing the Inspection:
Here is where any issues observed or actions taken should be documented (i.e. installed risers, cleaned effluent filter etc.)
The property owner completing the inspection.
The date the inspection was completed
Bull run value was switched; new inspection cap was installed.
John Smith
On page two of the inspection form draw your septic system. Please include the following information at a minimum:
Finishing the Inspection:
N
Submit the Form to the Health Department
Completed form can be mailed or dropped off to:
Defiance County General Health District
1300 East Second Street Suit 100
Defiance, OH 43512
Completed form can be sent electronically to:
** Maintain a copy for your records **
Forms and Required Training
Now that you have completed the training, you must take the following steps to inspect your own system. Click the links below to access the resources.
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
To submit electronically, you must download this form, fill it out, then click submit on the form.
Defiance County General Health District
1300 East Second Street, Suite 100, Defiance, Ohio 43512
Phone 419-784-3818 Fax 419-782-4979
https://defiancecohealth.org/myseptic/
myseptic@defiancecohealth.org