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123 Conservation Commission Review 2016 g / ,7' /%4, /7z c .77,05///7 e a / /Vet_ lom) 5/Tee/• ) yov a70/70 _ , /�G/�JdCS % // f ' /: � Aorn gSiiit/P �it// ' / 7)7e 4iior). 77:_,1, uukr kialy usfA l+- ►Awl rev4O- -gyp ce: cl:ksr& is < 1 Ci)-,6 \6cuLd cl C � dii-11'0w4 &s-tun bo'v , A't 'J9,e,c( rice '►\N- to 10 gfibrelCX6) 81'1 q fw BOARD OF HEALTH CITY OF NORTHAMPTON i •" 1Jti DONNA C.SALLOOM,CHAIR SUZANNE SMITH.M.D MASSACHUSETTS 01060 NO•�' JOANNE LEV{N,M D. i41 11 OFFICE OF THE Benjamin Wood,MPH,Director Jeverta Mir, MPH,rearm inspector BOARD OF HEALTH Petri=Abbott,RN,Public Health Nurse 212 MAIN STREET eu har McBride, Olen( (413)587-1214 NOR—HAMPTON.MA 01060 FAX(413)587-1221 1/77/0,5/7/1-)y e / Onsite Septic System Construction Permit: Conservation Commission Review NOTE: As of 1/1/11, Septic System Permits will not be issued by the Northampton Board of Health until we receive this form signed by the Northampton Conservation Commission Staff Member. The Conservation Commission can be reached by contacting: 0 Sarah LaValley, Conservation, Preservation and Land Use Planner SLaValleyPnorthamptonma.gov Office of Planning& Development 210 Main Street, Rm. 11, City Hall Northampton, MA 01060 C Property Owner: / r- / Address: /23 76,Jowu Engineer. j' ,1 p 6, 5 Ze•Le Conservation Commission Conservation, Preservation and Land Use Planner Date: ," Calit4 IAA( bletcl Fidotb atit ibfaA0 ethitai c SrIC( eNif tit)41;4/ cYM'L LocWhVk 61AWK lS kkr�itA t 1(CV4 ZUer ) CC &4V&t iI\ * 5 I��VA ) ( 1t 2X- S (toiLUKiekts(g.t47) (S GVec� �� � ���� 1664 Cape St. HOMESTEAD Williamsburg, MA 01096 413 628-4533 Vegheat@gmail.com May 2,2016 Narrative Summary This is an application for a disposal works permit for 123 Meadow Street in Florence,owned by Lance Kirley who resides at that location. The application is to approve a new toilet facility in an existing outbuilding for use of employees and tenants. The toilet facility will be an alternative type facility that is comprised of a Phoenix brand composting toilet with a urine divesion system built in.A second chamber will be used for urine composting on-site and any possible leachate from the solids composting system. The new toilet facility will be constructed in the"Hay Barn"as shown on the attached site plan. This is an unheated facility without any nearby water supply or removal systems. It has an existing cement lined manure pit built during the times this was an animal shelter. Currently unused, the manure pit will be thoroughly cleaned, the concrete inspected and repaired as required to be a sealed chamber on the sides and base. The masonry wall height may be extended to avoid any possible flood intrusion from the nearby Mill River. A backup sump pump system will automatically remove any leakage during spring floods.The composting chambers will be tied down in case of any flood in the manure pit so they are not dislodged. Additional improvements will include the use of a waterless handwashing station with an alcohol based hand cleaner and the installation of LED lighting system. A toilet enclosure will be constructed over a fraction of the square footage of the manure pit to provide conventional privacy surrounding the toilet seat. This enclosure will be handicapped accessible.The enclosure will also be ventilated. A small silicone type heating pad will be installed below the composters and operated thermostatically to avoid complete freezing of the compost systems in cold weather. The Phoenix composting toilet, model 199, will have an automatic leachate pump system that will collect any excess liquid at the base and pump it to the adjacent urine/leachate composting system.This system will be constructed from one or more 96-gallon, rolling, blow-molded plastic totes, modified with a double snorkel system to aerate the wood-shaving based compost so to promote biological activity and evaporation.These systems are currently in operation at the Community Garden located directly across the street from the proposed facility at 140 Meadow St. These have been operational for approximately one year at that location and have been found to be satisfactory in performance. A copy of a chemical analysis of the compost resulting from this system is attached. The toilet facility will be used by a maximum number of eight employees or tenants.Typical usage will be fewer than four per day.310 CMR 15.203 (3)defines the facility as a Factory, Industrial Plant or Dry Storage Space without cafeteria with a sewage production rate of 15 gallons per day.The use of a compost toilet reduces this flow rate by 50%, or 7.5 gallons per person per day.The lack of any water source to the toilet facility further reduces the total expected flow by an additional 80%. For the maximum number of users this will result in a calculated flow rate to the Phoenix composter of 12 gallons per day. To this we calculate that only 10% of this volume may become leachate needing further disposal, or at most 1.2 gallons per day that will be sent to the leachate/urine composter. The literature states that humans produce up to 150 gallons of urine per year. No adult is likely to spend more than 20% of his/her time at this facility,producing a maximum of 30 gallons per year. For the total user population, this would result in a maximum of 0.66 gallons of urine per day.Thus the total liquid input to the urine composting system is 1.86 gallons per day or less. This urine/leachate composting system is designed to handle this liquid volume. Composted solids from both the Phoenix composter and the urine composter will be disposed of at a schedule to be determined, and on-site at the garden site shown on the plans.The solids will be manually removed when necessary and buried below six inches of garden soil as per the Title 5 code. ---litsrut,zesr Thomas S. Leue R.S. President Homestead Inc. Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Laboratory (V) Ii M a s s 203 Paige laboratory 161 Holdsworth Way University of Massachusetts Extension Amherst,MA 01003 Phone: (413)545-2311 e-mail:soiltest@umass.edu website:soifest.umass.edu Compost - Comprehensive Sample Information: Sample ID: FOG 3/16 Prepared For: Adele Franks Order Number: 21114 123 Black Birch Trail Lab Number: C160415-103 Florence, MA 01062 Received: 4/15/2016 Reported: 4/22/2016 adele.franks@ gmail.com 413-582-0191 irri°"114111111"1"11.411.11.11111111.11.1.11111111111.1111111.1111111111111.1111111.11111I lii %4'e ,Basis W ilk Bit oIu' r pH 531 Bulk Density 360 Ibsrcub yd Moisture Content 723% 261 lbs/cub yd Total Nitrogen 1.64% 0.45% 1.63 lbs/cub yd Nitrate Ni 1 n 2148 mg/kg 594 mg/kg Total Carbon 40.7% 11.3% 40.5 lbs/cub yd Phosphorus 0.19% 0.05% 0.191bsrcub yd Calcium 1.12% 031 % 1.10 lbs/cub yd Material: Finished Feedstock: Leaves,sawdust,urine,finished compost Age In weeks: 25 Intended Use: Landscape Mulch, Compost Method: Passive Interpreting your Compost Test Results 1 t 1:'.l .. 11 it - 1•. 1 11 l 1'- . -It • 1 of 1 Sample ID:FOG 3116 Lab Number C160415-103 City of Northampton Mail - 123 Meadow Street Composting Toilet https:!!mail.google.comimail!u/0/?ui=2&ik=6523cdbe9e&view= • ? CitJ of Daniel Wasiuk<dwasiuk@northamptonma.gov> Northampton 123 Meadow Street Composting Toilet 4 messages Sarah LaValley <slavalley@northamptonma.gov> Tue, Jun 21, 2016 at 2:25 PM To: Daniel Wasiuk<dwasiuk@northamptonma.gov> Hi Daniel- I spoke with the engineer for this project,for which I had listed a few questions on the septic permit application last week. He confirmed that all work will be located within the existing barn structure;so conservation commission review is needed since that's the case. Thanks! Sarah I.LaValley Conservation, Preservation and Land Use Planner City of Northampton Office of Planning and Sustainability 210 Main Street,Room ii Northampton MA,oio6o 413-587-1263 °nor'' Daniel Wasiuk <dwasiuk@northamptonma.gov> Wed, Jun 22, 2016 at 3:10 PM To: Sarah LaValley <slavalley@northamptonma.gov> Thanks Sarah! [Quoted text hidden] Daniel Wasiuk Health Inspector Northampton Health Department 413-587-1217 office dwasiuk@northamptonma.gov Sarah LaValley <slavalley@northamptonma.gov> Wed, Jun 22, 2016 at 3:11 PM To: Daniel Wasiuk <dwasiuk@northamptonma.gov> I left out an important word I just noticed! "so NO conservation commission review is needed since that's the case" Thanks! I of 2 6/22/2016 3 City of Northampton Mail - 123 Meadow Street Composting Toilet https:/mail.google.com'mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=6523cdbe9e&view= Sarah I. LaValley Conservation,Preservation and Land Use Planner City of Northampton Office of Planning and Sustainability 210 Main Street,Room H. Northampton MA,oio6o 413-587-1263 it'It : • [Quoted text hidden] Daniel Wasiuk <dwasiuk@northamptonma.gov> Wed, Jun 22, 2016 at 3:15 PM To: Sarah LaValley <slavalley@northamptonma.gov> I was just reviewing the engineer's email to me and it did not"align"with what you had stated...so thank you kindly for the clarification. I appreciate your assistance with this one! Be well. Daniel [Quoted text hidden] 2 of-) 6/22/2016 3 • COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS • -** — EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS =vr� DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ONE WINTER STREET, BOSTON, MA 02108 617-292-5500 MITT ROMNEY ELLEN ROY HERZFELD Governor Secret KERRY HEALEY Ao Governor ROBERT W.GOLLEDGE, Lieutenant Commissio Revised April 2005 Using Composting Toilets and Greywater Systems in Massachusetts COMPOSTING TOILETS Required Approvals Homes: Title 5 (310 CMR 15.000)allows composting toilets for Remedial Use and also certifies them for General Use in new residential construction where a system in full compliance with Title 5 could otherwise be installed. The local approving authority (typically the Board of Health)must also approve installation of a composting toilet through a Disposal System Construction Permit and Certificate of Compliance. Check with your local Board of Health for its approval procedures. Commercial or Public Facilities: Massachusetts General Laws of 2002 (Chapter 176, §3) allow the use of composting toilets for remedial use or new construction of commercial and public facilities without meeting the full compliance requirement of Title 5. As with residential facilities,they must obtain approval from their local approving authority. DEP is the approving authority for state and federal facilities. Plumbing Approvals: Since a composting toilet is a plumbing fixture, the Board of Registration of Plumbers and Gas Fitters must also approve the unit. For a list of approved units, see http:Micense.reg.state.ma.us/pubLic/pb_product.asp. In addition,the local plumbing inspector must approve any installation of indoor plumbing fixtures. Composting Toilet Technology Composting toilets use a biological process in which various types of organisms degrade human waste under controlled conditions to a humus-like end product. This process is influenced by environmental factors such as temperature,moisture,pH,aeration and the ratio of carbon to nitrogen: ■ Compost temperature must be maintained above 55°C for three days for composting to proceed effectively and kill pathogenic organisms. At lower temperatures,.bacterial activity is inhibited,the composting process slows,and pathogens may not be destroyed. This information is available in alternate format.Call Donald M.Comes,ADA Coordinator at 617-556-1057.TDD Service-1-800-298-2207. DEP on the World Wide Web: http://www.mass.govidep 0 Printed on Recycled Paper Using Composting Toilets and Greywater Systems in Massachusetts Revised April 2005 ■ Moisture must be maintained between 40-60%for best results. All organisms require water, but too much moisture in the compost pile may create anaerobic conditions. On the other hand,very low water content will retard microbial activity. • Normally,there is no need to influence the pH of a composting toilet. The ideal pH range for most bacteria is from 6 to 7.5. Fresh human excreta are slightly acid(below 6)but after a few days in compost pile the pH usually begins to rise to the optimum range. • Proper mixing,porosity and maintenance of aerobic conditions are necessary for rapid decomposition and for the destruction of pathogenic organisms. Under anaerobic conditions, the decomposition is slower,heat given off is only a fraction of that from aerobic conditions,and foul-smelling gases are released. • To achieve rapid decomposition,the optimum range for the carbon/nitrogen balance is 20:1 to 30:1. Human excreta and especially urine are rich in nitrogen. It may be necessary at times to add high carbon materials like sawdust, grass and kitchen wastes to keep the carbon/nitrogen ratio in the optimum range. Manufacturers of composting toilet systems often recommend such materials and provide instructions on how often to use them;they may even sell pre-packaged bulking agents. Types of Composting Toilets There are two types of composting toilets generally available: Separate Composting Units: These are toilets connected to a separate, relatively large composting unit located near the toilet. Waterless composting toilets are typically installed in a bathroom directly above the composting unit with a straight chute directly connecting them. A foam flush toilet can be offset from the composting unit and connected to it via a standard pipe. The composting unit consists of a receptacle and a storage chamber. A properly operating composting process will decompose the pile to less than 10%of the original volume by the time the compost is ready to be removed. Excess liquid is drained to the lowest part of the composting unit where it is either evaporated or collected. This is a slow process, and it may take a few years before the first time there is a need to remove humus from the storage unit. After that, annual removal is generally sufficient. Self-contained Units: These are smaller units in which the toilet seat,receptacle and composting tank are a single self-contained unit. Some designs incorporate heaters and mechanical aeration to maintain a balance of moisture and aerobic conditions necessary for proper composting. Self-contained units are designed to evaporate all excess liquid so that there is no discharge other than the finished compost. Compost has to be removed from these units several times per year; disposal options for the finished compost are described below. Liquid By-product If the composting toilet produces a liquid by-product that is not recycled through the toilet,the liquid by-product must be disposed of in one of the following ways: a) Discharged through a greywater system on the property that includes a septic tank and leaching system in compliance with Title 5 (310 CMR 15.100-15.293); 2 Using Composting Toilets and Greywater Systems in Massachusetts Revised April 2005 b) Stored properly and removed and disposed of by a licensed septage hauler; c) Disposed of using an alternate method specifically approved by DEP. Composted Solids Title 5 (310 CMR 15.289(3)(a)(3))requires that composting toilet systems be designed to store compostable and composted solids for at least two years, either inside the composting chamber(systems with large separate composting units) or in a separate compost container (smaller self-contained units), unless DEP has specifically approved an alternate system. Compost from a system may be removed by the owner, a maintenance person, or a licensed septage hauler. Compost has the potential to contain pathogenic organisms, and caution and good hygiene are necessary when dealing with this material. The composted material must be disposed of in one of the following ways: a) Burial on the site or in another manner and location approved by the local Board of Health, and covered with a minimum of six inches of clean compacted earth; b) By a licensed septage hauler. Places to try before you buy Manufacturers should be able to give you a list of facilities you can visit. In addition. there are a number of public facilities in Massachusetts that use composting toilets: • Halibut Point State Park, Rockport,MA • Johnny Appleseed Tourist Information Center,Route 2, Lancaster,MA • Mass. Audubon, Visitor's Center, Wellfleet, MA • Nickerson State Park, Brewster,MA • Salisbury Beach, Salisbury,MA • Walden Pond State Reservation,Concord,MA • Wallum Lake, Douglas,MA • Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Waquoit, MA. GREYWATER SYSTEMS If a facility using a composting toilet generates greywater(i.e. wastewater from sinks, showers,washing machines, etc.),a soil absorption system still is needed for its safe treatment and disposal. A 2002 study by University of Massachusetts in Amherst(Greywater Characterization And Treatment Efficiency) indicates that greywater,while containing less of many pollutants than combined domestic wastewater,is still contaminated. It may contain toxic chemicals, nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen, and pathogens, including bacteria and viruses. There are three approval options for greywater systems: Remedial Use, General Use for New Construction, and Piloting Approvals. In addition to the information below, see DEP's Technology Approval Process for UA Systems. 3 Using Composting Toilets and Greywater Systems in Massachusetts Revised April 2005 Remedial Use Remedial Use Approvals(310 CMR 15.284)may be used for greywater systems in all types of existing facilities(residential,commercial,or public)that meet three criteria: a) Design flow of less than 10,000 gallons per day; b) Served by an existing system which has failed, is failing or does not conform to Title 5 standards; c)There is no proposed increase in the design flow from the facility. Under remedial use, an existing cesspool may be used as a leaching pit under the following conditions: • The cesspool is pumped and cleaned when the other system components are installed; • The bottom of the cesspool is located at least two feet above the high groundwater elevation; • The cesspool meets the design criteria of Title 5 (310 CMR 15.253) for depth, separation between units, and inspection access, or the cesspool is replaced by a precast concrete leaching pit meeting these requirements; • The requirements of 310 CMR 15.242 on effluent loading rates are satisfied. When greywater is to be discharged to a facility's existing soil absorption system and that system has failed, a new soil absorption system is required. The soil absorption system may be reduced by 40% from the size required by its Title 5 design flow(310 CMR 15.242). A new septic tank also is required if a filter system approved by the DEP is not installed;note that to date DEP has not approved any greywater filter systems. Since filters are plumbing fixtures installed in a building,they would need to be on the list approved by the Board of Registration of Plumbers and Gas Fitters,and an inspection by the local plumbing inspector is required. Approval Process for Remedial Use: A Disposal System Construction Permit and Certificate of Compliance must be obtained from the local Board of Health; no application to DEP is required unless variances from Title 5 are being requested. If DEP variances are needed, the applicant must apply for the variances first to the Board of Health and then to the appropriate Regional Office of DEP using form BRP WP 59b(DEP Approval of Variance). See http://www.mass.gov/dep/brp/wwm/t5forms.htm#ia for DEP Forms and Applications. General Use for New Construction Under Title 5,New Construction includes facilities built on an undeveloped lot and any situation in which a facility increases its design flow,e.g., adding a bedroom to a home or adding seats to a restaurant. In a facility with a composting toilet, if there is a greywater discharge or a discharge from a drain equipped with a garbage grinder, a septic tank and soil absorption system are required. A filter system specifically approved by DEP for this type of application can be used instead of the septic tank;note that to date DEP has not approved any such filters. Since filters are plumbing fixtures installed in a building,they would need to be on the list approved by the Board of Registration of Plumbers and Gas Fitters,and an inspection by the local plumbing inspector is required. For greywater systems in New Construction,the size of the soil absorption system may be reduced by 40%. However, in residential construction the site must be capable of providing 100%leaching capacity. This ensures that there will be available land for waste disposal in case 4 Using Composting Toilets and Greywater Systems in Massachusetts Revised April 2005 the current or subsequent property owners remove the composting toilets. Installations at commercial and public facilities do not have to meet this requirement for a site with 100% leaching capacity(2002 MGL,chapter 176, §3). There is currently no nitrogen removal credit established for the use of composting toilets; therefore,the loading on the lot cannot exceed 440 gallons per day per acre in a nitrogen sensitive area(310 CMR 15.214). Approval Process for New Construction: A Disposal System Construction Permit and Certificate of Compliance must be obtained from the local Board of Health or approving authority. No application to DEP is required, unless DEP variances to Title 5 are needed, in which case the application also must be submitted to the appropriate Regional Office of DEP using application form BRP WP 59b(DEP Approval of Variance). See http://www.mass.gov/dep/brp/wwm/t5forms.htm#ia for DEP Forms and Applications. Greywater Piloting Approvals DEP issues Piloting Approvals for innovative greywater systems such as greywater gardens. Piloting Approvals for New Construction must meet the conditions in 310 CMR 15.285. The applicant must also show that a fully complying Title 5 system could be constructed on the site, should the piloting project fail and require replacement. In addition, greywater systems with Piloting Approval may be installed as Remedial Use systems to replace a failed,failing, or nonconforming system. DEP has approved alternative greywater systems to serve homes and public facilities such as state parks and rest areas. Based on performance data from the Greywater Piloting Program and information from the University of Massachusetts study, DEP has proposed regulatory changes to Title 5 for greywater systems. In the meantime,DEP will continue to accept applications for Piloting Approvals of greywater disposal or reuse projects. Approval Process for Piloting: Applicants for a Piloting Approval must show through available laboratory data, field-testing,previous use and other information that the system is likely to be capable of providing a level of protection at least equivalent to a conventional Title 5 system. For installations in homes, commercial facilities, and local public facilities, the applicant must first obtain Board of Health approval and then submit DEP application BRP WP64b(Installation of Alternative Systems)to the Boston DEP. For state and federal public facilities,applicants should submit BRP WP63 (Disposal System Construction Permit for State and Federal Facilities)to the Boston DEP. See http://www.mass.gov/dep/brp/wwm/t5forms.htm#ia For DEP Forms and Applications. 5 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS 20141-7---=---=--7---- OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ONE WINTER STREET, BOSTON, MA 02108 617-292-5500 • MITT ROMNEY STEPHEN R.PRIT( Governor Se KERRY HEALEY ROBERT W.GOLLED Lieutenant Governor Commi INSPECTION AND SAMPLING IN TITLE 5 I/A SINGLE FAMILY HOME REMEDIAL AND GENERAL USE TREATMENT SYSTEMS WITH DESIGN FLOWS LESS THAN 2000 GALLONS PER DAY Effective date: January 1,2006 Policy/SOP/Guideline#:BRP/DWM/PeP-P06-1 Program Applicability: BRP, Watershed Permitting, Title 5 Approved by: Assistant Commissioner Regulation Reference:310 CMR 15.284, 15.287(2), Glenn Haas 310 CMR 15.289(3) • 310 CMR 15.202(4)(c) Supersedes Policy/SOP/Guideline: NONE PURPOSE: This policy presents the Department's position on the appropriate inspection and sampling schedule for Remedial Use and General Use Innovative/Alternative (I/A)Title 5 systems installed at Single Family Homes(SFH).This policy amends the provisions for inspection and sampling contained in Title 5,310 CMR 15.000 and the Department's approvals and certifications for I/A Systems. APPLICABILITY: This policy is for SFH owners and operators who own,operate and/or maintain Remedial and General Use systems,and for boards of health and Department staff that monitor operation of such systems. This policy applies only to I/A systems that serve SFH facilities with design flows of less than 2000 gallons per day(gpd).This policy does not prohibit the local approving authority from requiring more frequent inspection and/or sampling. This policy does not apply to nitrogen reducing systems Certified for General Use or to Provisional or Piloting systems or to Remedial or General Use commercial systems or systems with design flows of 2000 gpd or greater. This information is available in alternate format.Call Donald 11.Comes,ADA Coordinator at 617-556-1057.TDD Service-1-800-298-2207. DEP on the World Wde Web: http:l!www.mass.gov/dep Phntea on Recycled Paper I.e Policy/SOP/Guideline#: Page 2 of 4 INTRODUCTION: Over 2000 Remedial and General Use UA Systems have been installed at SFH in Massachusetts since the promulgation of 310 CMR 15.000 in 1995. Remedial Use systems, installed to replace failed onsite systems,are designed to reduce biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and total suspended solids(TSS)to 30 milligrams per liter(mg/L)or less. General Use I/A systems can be installed either for nitrogen reduction or when the owner can demonstrate the capability to install a standard Title 5 system. Some boards of health are requiring General Use systems to be installed for new construction to meet local environmental limits. The Department requires quarterly inspection and effluent sampling for pH, BOD5 and TSS for the first year of operation in remedial situations. When approved by the Department, sampling is reduced to an annual event after the first year. All SFH I/A systems Certified for General Use must be inspected on a quarterly schedule, four times per year. The above inspection provisions were adopted based on the Board of Certification of WWTP Operators recommendations to ensure that the systems are correctly maintained and operated. The Department has been collecting operating data on aerobic I/A systems, i.e.- trickling filters, submerged media, RSF or other systems. This database indicates that these systems are producing a higher quality effluent than required by the regulations; median BOD5 and TSS values are 9.5 mg/L and 7.6 mg/L, respectively. Inspection reports for both Remedial and General Use systems indicate that problems occur at a low incidence and are generally detected by the onsite alarm system. Accordingly, the Department will reduce the inspections required per year for SFH Remedial and General Use systems and condition the requirement for sampling and laboratory testing on SFH Remedial Use systems. TEXT: The Remedial Use technology approvals oblige the owner to have quarterly operation and maintenance(0 & M) inspections conducted for the life of the system. In addition, the system for the first year of operation must have quarterly effluent sampling for pH, BOD5 and TSS and then an annual sample for those parameters. General Use systems that are not certified for nitrogen reduction require quarterly inspection, without sampling, for the life of the system. The I/A Program has reviewed the operations of the over 2000 aerobic Remedial and General use I/A Systems installed on SFH in Massachusetts and has developed a new policy for inspection and sampling. The continued sampling of the Remedial Use aerobic I/A systems is not necessary except in special circumstances for the following reasons: 1. Systems approved by the Department for Remedial Use must have previously received general use approval in other states. 2. There is generally a reasonable amount of information on operations in those states. 3. Field sampling of SFH systems only duplicates a process that has already been conducted in other states. 4. The Department has reviewed over 4500 data points and found these systems provide good effluent quality. Pane 2 of 4 Policy/SOP/Guideline#: Page 3 of 4 The Program has determined that under almost all circumstances a visual examination of the effluent wastewater followed by simple field testing will demonstrate that the systems are operating at secondary treatment standards, 30 mg/L of BODS and TSS. The Department will now require that system operators perform and provide documentation for the following field tests: 1. Visual examination of the effluent for color, turbidity and effluent solids, 2. Effluent pH to determine if the wastewater is between 6 and 9 standard units, 3. Dissolved oxygen,2 mg/L or more,to ensure that the system is operating,and 4. Turbidity, less than or equal to 40 NTU. If the effluent does not pass all of the field tests than the operator will be required to collect a sample for laboratory analysis. Based on the preponderance of inspection reports submitted since 1996,the Program has also determined that conducting four inspections per year is unnecessary for SFH systems. The Program has determined that quarterly inspection does not improve operation or reduce system failures. Remedial Use system will now require two inspections per year. During those inspections the operator will conduct and document the field tests described above. Should the system fail the field test, the operator will be required to collect an effluent sample for laboratory testing. If the laboratory tests indicate that the system is not in compliance, the operator must conduct a follow up inspection and field-testing to pinpoint the problem within 60 days of the original inspection date. Should the subsequent inspection and field-test fail the operator shall conduct a full evaluation within 30 days: 1. Including if necessary laboratory testing,and 2. Prepare and submit a report to the local approving authority that details the problems and includes recommendations for repairing the system. General Use systems are presumed equivalent to a standard Title 5 system. The Program has determined that an annual inspection with one field test as described above is adequate. Table 1, next page,presents the Program's inspection and sampling requirements for SFH I/A systems with design flows of less than 2000 gpd. The table does not include inspection requirements that the technology supplier specifies is necessary for start up and shut down of these systems. Page 3 of 4 Policy/SOP/Guideline#: Page4of4 Table 1. INSPECTION AND SAMPLING REQUIREMENTS FOR SFH REMEDIAL AND GENERAL USE SYSTEMS System Inspection Schedule Field Test Laboratory, Test Type Remedial Twice per year Visual,pH, DO,Turbidity pH. BOD5 and TSS' General' Once per year Visual,pH, DO,Turbidity pH, BOD5 and TSS' 1 =Laboratory Test required only if system does not pass Field Test, follow up Inspection and Field Test within 60 days if Laboratory Test results do not meet the secondary treatment limits. 2=Systems Certified for General Use but not certified for nitrogen reduction. Page 4 of 4