After the Flush . . . Westchester’s Wastewater and the Environment March 27, 2009

After the Flush . . . Where does it go? 7 County-operated wastewater treatment plants 30+ other wastewater treatment plants 40,000 On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems (Septic Systems) Wastewater from Westchester County’s population of 923,459 (2000 Census), along with wastewater from our schools, businesses, restaurants and all other water users goes to one of 3 places: 7 County-operated wastewater treatment plants, 30+ smaller wastewater treatment plants or is handled by 40,000 on-site wastewater treatment systems (septics)

After the Flush . . . How much do we flush? 7 County WWTPs 180 MGD 30+ other WWTPs 5 MGD 40,000 Septic Systems 7 MGD Nearly 200 million gallons of wastewater is generated in the County every day or almost 200 gallons per person per day.

After the Flush . . . How is it treated? 90% treated at County WWTPs 5-7% by septic systems 3-5% at 30 small WWTPs 90% of the wastewater is treated at the County plants; less than 12% of Westchester’s households are served by septic systems which handle 5-7% of the wastewater load and the 30 small WWTPs serve schools, institutions and some residential areas handle the remaining 3-5%.

13 County Sewer Districts 7 County Sewage Treatment Plants Most of the southern and central portions of the County, areas with higher population density, send their wastewater to County WWTPs, although it should be noted that within those districts there are over 7,000 parcels that are not connected to the sewer system and are served by septic systems. County Sewer Districts Westchester County Department of Planning

Non-sewered Areas We estimate that there are approximately 40,000 septic systems throughout the County, with most of these non-sewered areas in the northern, less densely populated, part of the county.

Looking more closely at the this part of the County you can see that, although the majority of properties are served by septic systems, there are also over 30 WWTPS in the northern part of the County (serving the areas shown in white), including the County’s Peekskill WWTP. This is also the area where the New York City Croton Watershed reservoirs are located. We estimate that 30,000 or 75% of the septic systems in the County are located in the NYC watershed area. Many residents in these areas also rely on groundwater wells as their source of drinking water.

Focus Areas Under the 1997 NYC Memorandum Of Agreement, the County conducted a Diversion Study that identified approximately 30 Focus Areas. These are areas that are currently experiencing wastewater problems (failing septic systems) or could be expected to have problems in the future due to the density of existing development.

Peach Lake Many of the Focus Areas are lake communities such as Peach Lake in North Salem with over 500 residential units around the lake. The good news is, a wastewater solution is currently in design for this community and includes construction of a new wastewater treatment plant. The bad news is, it will cost residents of this lake community $1,200/year in sewer taxes to provide that solution. That’s a lot of incentive to keep your septic systems functioning properly.

Typical System Layout Septic tank and absorption field Wastewater flows to septic tank Heavy solids settle Partial decomposition by bacteria Light solids and grease float and form scum layer Discharge to absorption field A typical system has 2 basic parts - the septic tank and absorption field. Wastewater from plumbing fixtures in the house flows into the septic tank where heavy solids settle to the bottom and are partially decomposed by bacteria. Light solids and grease float to the top to form a scum layer. Partially treated wastewater flows from the septic tank to the absorption field for filtration and further decomposition by microorganisims. A properly designed, constructed and maintained septic system will provide long-term, effective treatment of household wastewater Source of Picture: http://www.thenaturalhome.com/septic.html

Why Septic Systems Fail Useful life reached and absorption field clogs Pipes block by roots Soil saturated by high water tables Crushed distribution pipes Poor original design or installation Most common reason for early failure is improper maintenance Nationally, it has been reported that 10-12% of septic systems fail. This happens for many reasons including the system reaching its useful life and soil in absorption field becomes clogged with organic material. Pipes can be blocked by tree roots. Soils can become saturated by high water tables. Pipes are sometimes crushed by heavy traffic over them. If the original design or installation was poor, the system will not reach its useful life. However, the most common reason for early failure is improper maintenance.

Septic System Maintenance DOs Inspect Keep records Pump out Conserve water Maintain lawn Clean drains mechanically DON’Ts Use additives Add clean water Garbage disposal Chemical disposal Plant trees Drive vehicles Dispose of grease So what do you need to do or not do to keep your system functioning properly. You need to know and inspect your system. Pump out on a regular basis, every 3 years on average. Fix leaks so that you don’t overload your system. Maintain a lawn over your septic system. Clean drains with plungers or snakes, not harsh chemicals. Watch what you put down the drain. No garbage, household chemicals, gasoline, oil, pesticides or paint. Limit grease and use of a garbage disposal. Don’t drive vehicles or park on your drainfield. Keep clean stormwater from drains and gutters out of your system.

Groundwater Study Septic systems release: 800,000 pounds of nitrate Bacteria and viruses Caffeine Pharmaceuticals Detergent byproducts A County study of groundwater issues in 2003 estimated that domestic septic systems discharge between 4 and 7 MGD to Westchester’s groundwater aquifers. They release an estimated 800,000 pounds of nitrate to aquifers each year. Where septic systems are too close together, nitrate concentrations in groundwater may exceed drinking water standards. Septic systems also discharge bacteria and viruses into aquifers. These can impact well water quality, particularly during dry periods when little other recharge is entering aquifers. In Dutchess County, a 10 percent increase in detections of e-coli contamination in water samples has been noted during drought periods. Septic systems also discharge caffeine, pharmaceuticals, detergent byproducts, and endocrine disrupting chemicals such as hormone treatment or birth control residues into aquifers. Groundwater concentrations or health impacts of such releases are still not well understood.

Groundwater Connection Well Soil drain field Home Septic tank Soil absorption Soil layers Purification In a properly functioning system, microbes in the soil digest or remove most contaminants from wastewater before it reaches groundwater. In a failing system, those contaminants may enter the groundwater and find their way into nearby wells or surface waters. Groundwater To streams and lakes

WWTP Connection Hawthorne Receiving Facility Westchester County waste 15 million gallons annually 42,000 gal/day 2,000 lbs/day loading to Yonkers treatment plant HRF closed when flow at North Yonkers Pumping Station reaches 50 mgd There is also a connection between septic systems and the County WWTPs. Material from septic system pumpouts are disposed of at the County’s Hawthorne Receiving Facility, which is connected to the YJTP. Only waste generated within the boundaries of Westchester County are accepted at the HRF. Approximate 15 million gallons/year or 42,000 gal/day are received at the HRF, adding approximately 2,000 lbs/day loading to the YJTP. No waste can be received at HRF when flow at North Yonkers Pumping Station reaches 50 mgd. www.inspect-ny.com

Westchester County Department of Health PURPOSE To ensure that sewage generated from residential dwellings and other buildings that is discharged into the approximately 40,000 septic systems located in Westchester County is collected, treated and disposed of in a manner which protects public health, preserves the safety of drinking water, and protects the water quality within the County. The Westchester County Department of Health has the most authority over septic systems. Among other duties, one of the County Health Department purposes is to ensure that sewage generated from residential dwellings and other buildings that is discharged into septic systems is collected, treated and disposed of in a manner which protects public health, preserves the safety of drinking water, and protects water quality.

Septic System Management Approval for new construction Licensing of septic system service providers and haulers Complaint investigation Enforcement Actions upon evidence of septic system failures Delegation within the Croton/Kensico watershed The Health Department performs its role through the approval of new septic system construction, licensing of septic contractors and haulers, following up on complaints, implementing enforcement actions when necessary and through agreements with the NYCDEP to ensure that the City’s Watershed Rules and Regulations pertaining to septic systems are also implemented.

CODE AUTHORITY Chapter 873, Article VIII of the Westchester County Sanitary Code 10NYCRR, Part 75, Appendix 75A of the New York State Sanitary Code NYC Memorandum of Agreement www.westchestergov.com/health The Health Department authority is found in these codes and a great deal of educational information is available on the Health Department’s website listed here.

Licensing Program Purpose Ensure the health and safety of drinking water and natural resources of Westchester County Ensure efficient, safe collection, transportation and disposal of septage County-wide reporting Contractor and hauler training The County has created a licensing program to ensure that any work done on septic systems is performed by a licensed individual or company that has received adequate training. This program requires reporting to the Health Department on all septic activities. Contractors have been licensed since 2002. Haulers since 2008.

Failing Septic Haulers now need to report any evidence of septage on the surface of the ground to the Health Department, which follows up with an inspection by a County sanitarian.

Westchester County Reimbursement Program Property owners in a County-sewer district served by a septic system are entitled to reimbursement for work performed between 9/2008 and 9/2014 1 Pumpout every 3 years/$300 1 Inspection every 6 years/$600 The County created a new program in 2008 to encourage proper maintenance of septic systems in County sewer districts. Property owners that are paying sewer taxes, but not receiving sewer service, can receive reimbursement funds for 2 pumpouts and 1 inspection over a 6 year period.

NYSDEC MS4 Permit Requirements Municipalities in the East of Hudson Watershed must ensure that septic systems are inspected once every 3 years and, where necessary, maintained or rehabilitated Program must be in place by May 1, 2011 The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) require Towns in the NYC watershed area to implement and enforce a program to ensure that septic systems are inspected and, where necessary, maintained or rehabilitated at a minimum frequency of once every 3 years. This program must be in place by May 2011.

Westchester County Septic Database Development Confirm parcels utilizing septic systems Create database with mailing addresses Link all septic information to database (construction, repairs, pumpouts) Data sharing with municipalities and NYCDEP To assist communities with the educational and inspection requirements of their stormwater permits, the County is developing a tax parcel based database of all properties utilizing septic systems in the County. In the future, the database will be linked to all septic information for each individual parcel and that information will be available to the municipalities. County Legislator Peter Harckham has created a Septic Subcommittee of the County Board of Legislators that includes municipal representatives, County Departments, technical experts and concerned citizens to discuss approaches to septic issues. That subcommittee has worked with NYSDEC to ensure that the County’s programs will go a long way in assisting the municipalities in meeting their MS4 permit requirements for septic inspections.

Westchester County WaterMaster Gina D’Agrosa Westchester County WaterMaster 914 995 4425 gtd1@westchestergov.com