Questions and Answers
May 26 Water Webinar – On Lot Septic
Presenter – Dana Rizzo
Facilitators – Peter Wulfhorst, Bryan Swistock
Questions

Are 50 year old systems on 100 + acre farms grandfathered in to septic system regulations?
There is no "grandfathering" clause in the Pa. Clean Streams Law or Sewage facilities Act . If your
sewage system is discharging untreated sewage to the surface of the ground it must be repaired
regardless of when it was constructed.

Is there any reason to install multiple tanks? Will multiple tanks reduce the likelihood of
sludge getting into the sand mound pipes?
Pennsylvania regulations require installation of a properly sized two compartment tank when a new
system is being constructed or a when a repair is made to an existing system. Installation of two
tanks/multiple tanks would essentially have the same "sludge reducing" effect, minimizing the
chances of clogging the distribution system.

What do you do about disposing of your urine when you are going through extensive
chemotherapy?
There is nothing on the EPA and/or state list or, elsewhere regarding special treatment/handling for
urine when someone is on extensive chemotherapy. Kidney dialysis, however, generates medical
waste that must go to an Industrial Waste holding tank likely due to the difference in the volume of
material generated. Flows from an inpatient cancer clinic would probably be similar to the dialysis
centers, however, an individual's contribution to a family OLDS may not raise concentration to the
level of concern.

Is the use of draino once per month harmful to the septic system?
No. There is enough bacteria going into your septic system to handle the occasional use of
products like drain cleaning products or chlorine bleach in your laundry.

Should you filter the water that drains out of a washing machine before it goes to the septic
system?
There is no need to filter the water that drains out of a washing machine before it goes to the
septic system.

Should copper sulfate treatments be used to kill plant roots in the distribution pipes?
There are no established guidelines for use of CuSO4 in an on lot sewage disposal system. CuSO4
when used on a building sewer connected to a community sewerage system would normally go to an
STP in a very diluted form but when used for delivery lines in an OLDS, will enter the soil in a more
concentrated form before eventually passing to the groundwater. We would therefore not recommend
it's use.

Will dye testing reveal the location of the septic system?
Dye testing can reveal locations of failures in septic systems, but if a septic system is
working properly you will not see the dye come out anywhere. If a system is failing and
causing wastewater to come to the surface or to exit the system at another location, you will
see it.

What potential effect can gas drilling have on a drain field?
Gas drilling should have no effect on a septic drain field. The only possibility for disturbance
to your drainfield is if any construction type project which disturbs the surface of the ground
is extremely close to your drainfield, is up-gradient and proper erosion and sediment
controls are not in place. Excess surface flow from any construction type project up-gradient
of your drainfield could cause hydraulic overloading or clogging due to excess
sedimentation.

What are your suggestions for a clogged drain field?
If it is clear that solids have been introduced to the system for an extended period of time, a new
location for the distribution system should be found. If an organic plug, animal or other foreign object
is the cause of the clog, mechanical extraction is recommended. Tree roots can be removed and
trees nearby can be removed however, tree roots may continue to grow for an extended period of
time; Additional tree root extraction may be necessary.

Is there anything you need to do to protect your septic system during extended dry spells
that lower the water table?
There is nothing you need to do or be concerned about during extended dry spells. This will
not affect you’re your onlot septic system.

What can be done about the hundreds of homes in my county where the sewage is dumped
into creeks or the ground?
The local municipal officials are responsible for developing and implementing plans that address
"mass sewage problem areas". These same officials are also responsible for insuring that isolated
individual sewage system problems are corrected.

Are you knowledgeable about the Eloo, a totally self contained solar evaporative waste
water system?
The DEP is not aware of the specific operational capabilities of the Eloo.

Who monitors the use of latrines?
Again, the municipal officials and their Sewage Enforcement Officer are responsible for oversight and
enforcement of the regulations related to on-lot sewage disposal systems. These duties include
oversight of outhouses.