new rule- annual septic inspections !! (single, systems)

[kelly237]

Seems like a trend..
1) Talk about how to regulate well owners' use of water
2) passing a law against disposals
3) septic inspections

??what is next

[CHTransplant]

Originally Posted by Cary Samara

Thank God they are there to protect us...... I have lived with only 2 septic tanks in 41 years..... 1 28 years.... the other 13 years.... both worked perfectly & were NEVER pumped out.... Have known many more to operate flawlessly for 30 + years....

I'm no expert on this subject, but I do wonder how folks with septic tanks can have such a high degree of certainty that nothing bad is happening under ground, just because they don't see anything above ground (i.e., everything "works"). It seems to me that inspections would be recommended (or mandated) because problems that may be causing environmental damage can't be detected by the average homeowner.

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

^^

Voice of reason.

[Since72]

Originally Posted by evaofnc

Wow wth. Forwarding this to my parents right now. I'm sure they'll be thrilled to hear about this.

Wait, it says every five years:

"The inspection system would be similar to that of vehicle inspections, with residents required to get one every five years from an independent contractor."

That's not nearly as bad and probably should be done every five years to prevent sewage from seeping into the water table.

You do know that's what septic systems do correct??? That is why the ground must perk.

[Since72]

Originally Posted by kelly237

Seems like a trend..
1) Talk about how to regulate well owners' use of water
2) passing a law against disposals
3) septic inspections

??what is next

TP inspections and rationing!!!

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by Since72

You do know that's what septic systems do correct??? That is why the ground must perk.

No, actually, septic systems are supposed to treat household sewage and release treated water into ground, ground which will be adequate to process that water so it is not a threat to bring disease into ground water.
Otherwise, if the goal was to put sewage into the water table, we would still be allowed to pipe our junk to the ditches.

[boudin]

Originally Posted by kelly237

Seems like a trend..
1) Talk about how to regulate well owners' use of water
2) passing a law against disposals
3) septic inspections

??what is next

Healthcare. oh wait that's a different discussion.

[kelly237]

Originally Posted by MikeJaquish

No, actually, septic systems are supposed to treat household sewage and release treated water into ground, ground which will be adequate to process that water so it is not a threat to bring disease into ground water.
Otherwise, if the goal was to put sewage into the water table, we would still be allowed to pipe our junk to the ditches.

How is the water treated in a septic..The solids separate but there are no chemicals.

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by kelly237

How is the water treated in a septic..The solids separate but there are no chemicals.

Biology has its way with things.
And the dirt filters and further processes.

From Wikipedia:

Wastewater enters the first chamber of the tank, allowing solids to settle and scum to float. The settled solids are anaerobically digested, reducing the volume of solids. The liquid component flows through the dividing wall into the second chamber where further settlement takes place, with the excess liquid then draining in a relatively clear condition from the outlet into the leach field, also referred to as a drain field or seepage field, depending upon locality.
The remaining impurities are trapped and eliminated in the soil, with the excess water eliminated through percolation into the soil (eventually returning to the groundwater), through evaporation, and by uptake through the root system of plants and eventual transpiration.

[kelly237]

I just wouldn't agree that it releases treated water into the ground.
Just that it releases the liquid part.