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A component of an individual or community sewage system where liquid from a treatment tank seeps into the soil; it consists of an aggregate-filled area containing piping for the distribution of liquid and the soil or sand/soil combination located beneath the aggregate |
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An alternative to the septic tank is an aerobic treatment tank. This type of tank is utilized in some systems. These systems utilize an air compressor or a churning propeller to maintain an aerobic environment for the growth of aerobic microorganisms. These microorganisms break down the sewage like the anaerobic bacteria found in the septic tank. Proper functioning of this type of treatment tank is highly dependent upon the diligent maintenance of the mechanical components of the aerobic system. |
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Coarse material manufactured from stone, gravel or slag, having Type B characteristics as described in Department of Transportation specifications |
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A method of demonstrated onlot sewage treatment and disposal not described in this part |
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One of the most important components of the septic tank is the baffle. The inlet baffle forces the wastewater from the building sewer line down into the tank instead of across the surface of the tank and into the outlet pipe leading to the absorption area. The outlet baffle prevents the scum layer from moving into the soil absorption area. |
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Piping carrying liquid wastes from a building to the treatment tank or holding tank |
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Homes with systems installed prior to 1970 may have these systems presently in use. Cesspools are constructed of open-jointed walls (concrete block or stone) and open bottoms. The solids in the waste water settle to the bottom of the cesspool, while the effluent seeps through the jointed walls and bottom. If the cesspool is not properly cared for, the sides and bottom tend to plug up with solids. This may result in sewage backing up into the house or being discharged to the ground surface. Cesspools are no longer permitted for new installation or as corrective measures for malfunctioning systems. Permits are not issued to make any type of repairs and a new system will need to be installed to meet current D.E.P. standards. |
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Conventional Sewage System |
A system employing the use of demonstrated onlot sewage treatment and disposal technology in a manner specifically recognized by this chapter. The term does not include alternate or experimental sewage systems |
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Department of Environmental Protection |
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Usually consists of concrete structure that allows effluent to be distrubted evenly throughout a series of trenches. |
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The pump housed in a dosing tank which provides a measured volume of sewage effluent to the pressurized distribution system in an absorption area |
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The elevated sand mound system is used in areas of the County with reduced permeability, shallow soils and poor drainage characteristics. Soils in these areas require the addition of sand above the ground to provide for adequate renovation of the sewage prior to reaching the water table. The absorption area is constructed similarly to a standard seepage bed or trench, except that the system is required to use pressure distribution and a layer of sand must be placed between the crushed stone and the natural soil cover. A soil berm is placed around the mound to protect it and to provide a suitable base for the establishment of a vegetative cover. |
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Experimental Sewage System |
A method of onlot sewage treatment and disposal not described in this title which is proposed for the purpose of testing and observation |
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Flow Equalizers (Speed Levelers) |
Devices used within distribution box to adjust flow to each trench to allow for equal distribution to all trenches. |
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An accessible system of tanks, dose piping, sand media, aggregate and collection piping used for the intermittent filtration and biochemical treatment of sewage |
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Material consisting of mesh polypropylene, polyester, nylon or similar material, used to prevent migration of fine aggregate into coarser aggregate |
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A test to verify that the absorption area can receive and transmit to the soil environment the volume of liquid which the system is expected and intended to be able to handle on a peak-flow day. |
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PVC moisture proof box that contains all the electrical connections needed within a pump tank. This box not only allows resistance to moisture but easy access to electrical connections for future trouble shooting. |
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PA ACT 38 is a Law enacted to prevent accidental damage to underground utilities supplying gas, electric, telephone, sewage, water or other services. This law requires any person who intends to conduct any earth disturbing activity to call the Pennsylvania One-Call System between three (3) and ten (10) days prior to the start of digging. Call toll free at 1-800-242-1776. |
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Percolation (Perc) Testing |
The percolation test is an attempt to determine the absorption capacity of saturated soil. The percolation test results are used in conjunction with the proposed daily sewage flow to calculate the size of the absorption area. Since the percolation rate can vary across any given property, the percolation test must always be conducted within the proposed boundaries of the absorption area. |
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Some systems may require pressure distribution due to the permeability characteristics of the soil. In this type of system, the effluent from the septic tanks flows by gravity into a dosing tank. Depending on the size of the dose volume for that absorption area, effluent may be pumped to the absorption area at least once a day. The dosing tank forces effluent through the distribution lines in a controlled dose so that all pipes discharge effluent at the same rate throughout the absorption area. The pressure distribution system has two distinct advantages: (1) the entire length of the lateral is utilized and, (2) the soil absorption area is allowed to rest between doses. The disadvantage of this system is the additional maintenance requirements of the mechanical parts of the pump and alarm system. |
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Pennsylvania Septage Mangement Association www.psma.net |
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Sewage Enforcement Officer |
An official of the local agency who reviews permit applications and sewage facilities planning modules and issues permits as authorized by the act and conducts the investigations and inspections that are necessary to implement the act and regulations thereunder. However, Jake Findley at Fins Environmental Services, is not employed by any township or local agency. His certification/training is used solely for the benefit of Fins Environmental Service’s customers. |
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Small Flow Treatment Facility |
An individual or community sewerage system designed to adequately treat sewage flows not greater than 2,000 gpd for final disposal using a stream discharge or other methods approved by the Department |
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A layer of soil approximately parallel to the soil surface with characteristics produced by soil-forming processes |
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Soil Mottling (Redoximorphic Features) |
A soil color pattern consisting of patches of different colors or shades of color interspersed with the dominant soil color which results from prolonged saturation of the soil |
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The purpose of a test pit excavation is to analyze the soils beneath the proposed sewage disposal system, to determine effluent renovation capability. In general, any limiting zone must be at a depth of at least four (4) feet below the bottom of the stone aggregate used in a conventional sewage absorption area. A limiting zone is defined as a horizon or condition of the soil or underlying strata which includes: 1. A seasonal high water table, whether perched or regional, determined by direct observation of the water table or soil mottling 2. Rock with open joints, fractures or solution channels, masses of loose rock fragments including gravel, with insufficient fine soil to fill the voids between the fragments
3. Rock formation, other stratum, or soil condition which is so slowly permeable that iteffectively limits the downward passage of effluent. |
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The collection of soil horizons, including the natural organic layers on the surface |
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A deflection device at the outlet tee or baffle of a septic tank designed to deflect buoyed solids from escaping the tank |
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Piping, spray heads and ground surface to the outside edges of the wetted perimeter, used for the application and treatment of the sewage effluent in an individual residential spray irrigation system |
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A water-tight tank designed to retain sewage long enough for satisfactory bacterial decomposition of the solids to take place. The term includes the following: Septic tank—A treatment tank that provides for anaerobic decomposition of sewage prior to its discharge to an absorption area. Aerobic Sewage Treatment Tank-A mechanically aerated treatment tank that provides aerobic biochemical stabilization of sewage prior to it's discharge to an absorption area |
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