LPI ISSUES & inspections

Why is a site evaluation needed? To prevent contamination and health risks Evaluates type of soil Evaluates type of soil (drainage capabilities) (drainage capabilities) Keeps system away from wells, water bodies. Keeps system away from wells, water bodies. (setback requirements) (setback requirements) Keeps system away from the water table, ledge and other restrictive layers Keeps system away from the water table, ledge and other restrictive layers (separation distances) (separation distances) Size of system– based on soil type and # of bedrooms. Size of system– based on soil type and # of bedrooms. Determines what type of system is best for property. Determines what type of system is best for property. HOW??

A site evaluation is needed for; All Newly Designed Subsurface sewage disposal systems Pit privies Holding tanks

IF THE STATE AND LOCAL PLUMBING INSPECTOR APPROVAL BOX IS CHECKED DO NOT PERMIT IT, SEND IT TO US FOR APPROVAL

The HHE-200 Form All boxes on the first page are checked All boxes on the first page are checked Signed by applicant or agent Signed by applicant or agent 3 measurements from 2 ref. points or 2 measurements with a compass bearing 3 measurements from 2 ref. points or 2 measurements with a compass bearing All setbacks are met if no variances are asked for All setbacks are met if no variances are asked for Permit application, give applicants copy back Permit application, give applicants copy back

Signed by applicant or agent Signed/dated by SE

2 ref. points, 3 ties

2 Horizontal points with Compass bearing

Permit labels The label on the far left is the permanent record for the permit number, permittee’s name, date of issue and inspection, fee charged, and installer’s name. Permitting

Permit labels The center label is to be placed on the owner’s copy of the HHE-200 Form. It states that this has been permitted to install an onsite sewage disposal system. Permitting

Permit labels The two smaller labels on the far right are to be placed on the Town and State copy of the HHE-200 Form, respectively. These copies serve as permanent records of the design, but not of any subsequent inspections. Permitting

Permitting Vault Privies Vault privies are permitted as “Alternative Toilets”. The LPI can prepare an application for a vault privy by completing Page 1 of an HHE-200 Form.

Why does a holding tank need a site evaluation but a vault privy doesn’t?  Holding tanks receive gray water as well as solids – Vault privies only receive solids  It has to be proven a property cannot produce the passable soils or other issues to retain a full system by a SE for a holding tank to be designed  Holding tanks are a last resort

Permitting Replacement Septic Tanks If a replacement septic tank is being installed to serve an existing non-engineered disposal area, and there are no alterations proposed to the disposal area, no soil test is needed. The LPI can prepare an application for a replacement septic tank by completing Page 1 of an HHE-200 Form.

Permitting Holding Tanks Holding tanks require an HHE-200 Form and a completed holding tank pumper agreement (HHE-233) with an owner and municipality statement.

Entire system is located by… Elevation Reference Point (vertical measurements) Elevation Reference Point (vertical measurements) And the system ties which are: And the system ties which are: 3 measurements from 2 or more known horizontal reference point 3 measurements from 2 or more known horizontal reference point Or 2 reference point ties with compass bearings to 2 corners each Or 2 reference point ties with compass bearings to 2 corners each

Elevation Reference Point ERP Usually a nail in a tree with a bright orange ribbon Usually a nail in a tree with a bright orange ribbon Easily visible Easily visible Usually that point will be 0 inches. Usually that point will be 0 inches. Anything below is a negative #, above is a positive #. Anything below is a negative #, above is a positive #.

Elevation Reference points Measurements to: Bottom of bed Top of pipe Finish grade

Page 1-5, sec:111.7 Preparation for inspection. THE INSTALLER SHALL: Arrange to enable the LPI to inspect all parts of the system Arrange to enable the LPI to inspect all parts of the system Have present the proper equipment for conducting the inspection Have present the proper equipment for conducting the inspection Furnish assistance as may be necessary Furnish assistance as may be necessary

Contractors Page 8-1: Section Page 8-1: Section The installer of the system SHALL make certain that the system and all its component parts are installed in conformance with this code, the site evaluator plan and any special design requirements required by this Department The installer of the system SHALL make certain that the system and all its component parts are installed in conformance with this code, the site evaluator plan and any special design requirements required by this Department

Notification required LPI SHALL be notified at least 24 hours in advance LPI SHALL be notified at least 24 hours in advance There is no time limit to inspect, use courtesy and inspect as soon as you can to not hold up the contractor There is no time limit to inspect, use courtesy and inspect as soon as you can to not hold up the contractor

How many inspections are required? PERMITTING & INSPECTING SUBSURFACE WASTEWATER DISPOSAL SYSTEMS Inspections

The first inspection shall be made after site preparation to confirm that: The disposal field is in the correct location The disposal field is in the correct location The vegetation has been cut and removed in the disposal field area The vegetation has been cut and removed in the disposal field area The area under the disposal field and fill extensions has been scarified The area under the disposal field and fill extensions has been scarified A transitional horizon has been established A transitional horizon has been established The erosion and sedimentation control measures are in place The erosion and sedimentation control measures are in place Bottom of bed elevation Bottom of bed elevation

Scarification 6-8 inches into original soil, footprint and fill extensions 6-8 inches into original soil, footprint and fill extensions Roto-tilled or teeth of a backhoe Roto-tilled or teeth of a backhoe

Transition horizon A minimum of 4” of backfill material mixed into scarified soil by plowing, disking or roto-tilling A minimum of 4” of backfill material mixed into scarified soil by plowing, disking or roto-tilling HHE-200 form design may require more HHE-200 form design may require more This will be the bottom of the bed elevation This will be the bottom of the bed elevation

The second inspection shall be made after installation of the system components stone, pipes or proprietary devices stone, pipes or proprietary devices tanks, hay, filter fabric tanks, hay, filter fabric curtain drains, diversion ditches curtain drains, diversion ditches

Inspection #2 Elevation for top of pipes or devices Elevation for top of pipes or devices Pipes or devices level, (2” within 100’) Pipes or devices level, (2” within 100’) Stone between ¾ & 21/2, or specified on design, clean & at least 1” over pipe Stone between ¾ & 21/2, or specified on design, clean & at least 1” over pipe 2” compressed hay or a layer of filter fabric 2” compressed hay or a layer of filter fabric Overlapping at least 6” Overlapping at least 6” Septic tank and “d” box level Septic tank and “d” box level Pipe pitch from house to tank ¼ per foot Pipe pitch from house to tank ¼ per foot Pipe pitch from tank to field 1/8 per foot Pipe pitch from tank to field 1/8 per foot

No stumps, large rocks in any part of the system No stumps, large rocks in any part of the system Correct backfill material, usually gravely coarse sand Correct backfill material, usually gravely coarse sand Minimum of 4 “ backfill over filter fabric-- hay or device Minimum of 4 “ backfill over filter fabric-- hay or device Minimum of 4” of loam over backfill Minimum of 4” of loam over backfill Any curtain drains or diversion ditches Any curtain drains or diversion ditches Pumps/alarms working Pumps/alarms working

Curtain Drain Min. of 10 uphill of system

The LPI Inspects according to; The Rules & Regulations The Rules & Regulations ( subsurface / Internal) ( subsurface / Internal) The HHE-200 Form ( Septic Design Permit) The HHE-200 Form ( Septic Design Permit) The HHE-211 form ( Internal Plumbing Permit) The HHE-211 form ( Internal Plumbing Permit)

When inspecting a septic tank Its not backwards—(inlet is higher then outlet) Its not backwards—(inlet is higher then outlet) Bung hole is plugged Bung hole is plugged Level Level The inlet pipe is not against the baffle The inlet pipe is not against the baffle Baffles are in place Baffles are in place If filter is called for, it is installed If filter is called for, it is installed

Pump station Is used if the disposal field is higher then the tank Is used if the disposal field is higher then the tank Must have an alarm on a float switch connected to the inside of the dwelling Must have an alarm on a float switch connected to the inside of the dwelling (visual and audible) (visual and audible) With separate breakers then the pump circuit

This is not a legal pump station

Pay attention to obvious signs IS THERE STANDING WATER ON TOP OF THE SCARIFICATION? DO YOU NOTICE A WELL CLOSER THEN WHAT’S ON THE PLAN?

ENFORCEMENT

Page 1-5, sec:111.8 Covering of work No part of a system may be backfilled until it has been inspected and approved. It SHALL be uncovered at the discretion of the LPI and the expense and risk of the homeowner

Resolving violations - complaints Investigate the situation Investigate the situation Is it a true complaint? Is it a true complaint? Evaluate the problem Evaluate the problem Talk to the owner, what can be done? Talk to the owner, what can be done? Document…………Write a letter Document…………Write a letter Initiate corrective actions Initiate corrective actions

INVESTIGATIVE NOTES Inspection Observations Inspection Observations Date, Time, Location Date, Time, Location Parties present Parties present Result of the inspection Result of the inspection PHOTOS PHOTOS Inspection form on page 15 of the Enforcement manual Inspection form on page 15 of the Enforcement manual

CORRECTIVE ACTIONS Issue an oral notice of violation Issue a stop work order Issue a written notice of violation

Violations of the rules during installation Issue a compliance order to the responsible party/stop work order Issue a compliance order to the responsible party/stop work order In coordination with the municipal attorney or if cert. in 80K, pursue resolution in court

Malfunctioning system violations Written letter ordering repair / certified 2nd written letter / certified Prepare and present all documentation to Municipal officials Serve abatement order signed by officials to responsible party In the event nothing is done, municipality may cause it to be fixed and recovering costs through court / taxes

The written violation should include… The violation The violation Penalties Penalties Deadline date in which I shall be corrected Deadline date in which I shall be corrected

Right of entry: 1) For the purpose of enforcing the rules. 2) Proper credentials If denied, the LPI may seek an administrative Inspection Warrant

Administering violations requires Public Relations

Assertiveness

Understanding

Determination

Patience

Page 1-1, sec: Public Sewer Connection When public sewers come within 200 feet of the premises served Webster's Dictionary: Premises -- Land and the building on it

Page 1-6, sec:116.2 Structures No portion of a structure SHALL be located on any part of a disposal field

Permitting Revised HHE-200 forms need not be permitted Revised HHE-200 forms need not be permitted State approval needs to be sent to the office before permitting State approval needs to be sent to the office before permitting

When sending in monthly permits If it had a local or state variance, they need to be attached If it had a local or state variance, they need to be attached All forms up to date All forms up to date

Variances All signatures & dates All signatures & dates Local Plumbing Inspector Local Plumbing Inspector Site evaluator Site evaluator Municipal Municipal Homeowner Homeowner

Separation distances between disposal fields Page 8-4: Section Page 8-4: Section disposal fields shall be separated by a minimum of 5 feet or ½ the width of the widest field 2 disposal fields shall be separated by a minimum of 5 feet or ½ the width of the widest field

Disposal Field Perforated piping Page 14-2: Section Page 14-2: Section Perforations: Perforations: There SHALL be 2 rows of evenly spaced perforations running the length of the pipe. There SHALL be 2 rows of evenly spaced perforations running the length of the pipe. The rows shall be at the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions, hole size to be between The rows shall be at the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions, hole size to be between 3/8 and 3/4. 3/8 and 3/4.

Grey water systems need a septic tank Laundry disposal systems don't Both may be designed and used for hot tubs and backwash

Shall not be connected to a system: Roof Drains Roof Drains Foundation Drains…if the system is properly sized & no potential hazardous materials Foundation Drains…if the system is properly sized & no potential hazardous materials Chemicals other then household cleaners Chemicals other then household cleaners Hot Tubes—but may discharge into a separate laundry system Hot Tubes—but may discharge into a separate laundry system

Replacement septic tanks The old tank needs to be pumped out The old tank needs to be pumped out Either removed or filled with sand/gravel Either removed or filled with sand/gravelOR

Use it as a family hot tub

When an approved means of temporary waste disposal is needed…..

The porta potty

LOCATION

Construction workers or homeowner problems?

Unexpected situations

When doing Inspections Be prepared to see anything

A homeowner walks into the town hall and asks for a building permit…..