DOMESTIC WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT

INFORMATION HOMEOWNERSAND OPTIONS FOR

MAINTENANCE RECORD
System Installer Date Date Work Done Performed by

DOMESTIC ON SITE WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT

WHAT IS WASTEWATER AND WH! "E CONCERNED#
any of our daily chores such as bathing, doing laundry, flushing toilets, preparing meals, washing dishes and other Few people give thought to where wastewater goes after it disappears down the drain. Domestic wastewater (i.e. sewage) must be properly treated because it contains excessive nutrients, harmful bacteria/viruses and household chemicals that may contaminate the land and waters of our state and threaten public health. In the .!., we are fortunate to have the technology and the resources available to properly treat our wastewater.

POSSI"$E DISEASES FO%ND IN WASTEWATER

PARASITES "eef Ta&e'orms Pork Ta&e'orms F(s) Ta&e'orms G(ard(a lambl(a Cry&tos&or(d(*m s&e+(es ,IR%SES Pol(o He&at(t(s A Rota-(r*s Entero-(r*s "ACTERIA Salmonella ,(br(o +)olera Es+)er(+)(a +ol( "a+(ll*s +ere*s S)(.ella s&e+(es

"#!$%"#$%& $&%#$'%($) +,I.& I(DI/ID #, (.(0!I$%) wastewater* collection and -entral collection and treat0 n heavily populated areas
both domestic and commercial wastewater is treated using a central collec0 tion and treatment system. Individual residences, subdi0 visions and even entire cities and towns use this type of

treatment system. $he waste0 water is transported, via a col0 lection system, from its origin to a central location where it is treated and disposed of in compliance with state and fed0 eral regulations.

ment can be cost prohibitive in rural and/or less populated ar0 eas. In these areas, individual on0site sewage disposal sys0 tems are commonly used to treat and dispose of household wastewater.

n the nited !tates, it has been estimated that there are more than 12 million residential on0site sewage disposal systems in use. $he average household uses 344 gallons of water per day, which e5uates to more than 66 billion gallons of wastewater being treated and disposed of in on0 site sewage disposal systems per day.

ON SITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT

!I$% !*%-IFI%ach on0site sewage disposal system is designed for a specific site and a specific

volume of wastewater. %ach site is different and must be evaluated individually. !ite evaluation information includes) soil conditions, topography, lot si7e and location, estimated water usage, depth of the groundwater tables, seasonal high water tables, water0well locations (yours and your neighbors8), location of cree9s, rivers, springs, ponds and la9es, or other factors that may affect the type of system you select. It is possible that no system can be approved if

adverse environmental and/or physical conditions exist on the site. !oil conditions are determined by conducting a soil percolation test or soil profile description. :our local D%; office or a 5ualified private consultant can conduct these services for you.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN SE$ECTING A S!STEM

Cost /In(t(al and O&erat(on0Ma(ntenan+e1 So(l Cond(t(ons Est(mated Water %sa.e $ot S(2e and $o+at(on To&o.ra&)y Gro*nd'ater Tables Well $o+at(on /W)en A&&l(+able1 $o+at(on of Ot)er Water /Creeks3 R(-ers3 S&r(n.s3 Ponds and et+41 Ab(l(ty to Ma(nta(n F*t*re %se

t ta9es both primary treatment and secondary treatment combined to ma9e a properly designed on0site sewage disposal system.

COMPONENTS OF ON SITE SEWAGE DISPOSA$ S!STEMS

PRIMAR! TREATMENT
rimary treatment is the initial process in which the solids are removed from the li5uids through settling. $he two types of primary treatment allowed in .9lahoma are the septic tan9 and the e5uali7ation tan9 for the aerobic system.
Inlet

SEPTIC TAN5
-leanout !cum .utlet

SEPTIC TAN5S
(ationwide, septic tan9s are the most common primary treatment method used for on0 site sewage disposal systems. !eptic tan9s can be made of pre0cast concrete, fiberglass or plastic. !eptic tan9s must have a minimum capacity of <,444 gallons. $hey are made in different shapes and si7es to accommodate different sites. $he septic tan9 receives household wastewater and helps the li5uid wastes to separate from the solid wastes. $he heavier solids settle to the
!ludge

bottom while the lighter solids (greases, etc.) float to the surface of the tan9. $he li5uids (effluent) from the septic tan9 then discharge into a secondary treatment system. #ll D%; approved secondary treatments methods, except aerobic/surface application, utili7e septic tan9s for primary treatment.

E6%A$I7ATION TAN5S
%5uali7ation tan9s provide the primary treatment for wastewater entering aerobic systems. #s with septic tan9s, the =ob of the e5uali7ation tan9 is to separate the solids from the li5uids. It also e5uali7es the strength of the sewage entering the aerobic treatment unit. %5uali7ation tan9s must have a minimum capacity of 344 gallons and maximum capacity of <,444 gallons.

SECONDAR! TREATMENT
econdary treatment is the biological brea9down of the remaining organic matter in the effluent after primary treatment. !econdary treatment reduces the pollutants and pathogens in the effluent prior to disposal. $here are several types of secondary treatment systems available for use in .9lahoma) !ubsurface #bsorption Fields, %$# !ystems, ,agoons, #erobic !ystems and other approved alternative systems

including -onstructed "etlands.

S%"S%RFACE A"SORPTION FIE$DS

$he most common on0site wastewater disposal method is the subsurface absorption field. It consists of a networ9 of shallow trenches filled with an absorption media (usually roc9,

gravel or other similar material). $he gravel surrounds perforated pipe and is covered with the excavated native soil. %ffluent from the septic tan9 slowly tric9les through the pipes into the absorption media where it is stored. $he effluent is gradually absorbed into the soil. $he effluent is filtered and cleansed by the soil and natural

T!PICA$ ON SITE SEWAGE DISPOSA$ S!STEM

>ouse

$wo0"ay -leanout !eptic $an9

!ubsurface #bsorption Field

bacteria. $his type of disposal is totally dependent on the soil8s permeability (its ability to absorb water). !ubsurface absorption fields do not wor9 well in tight or high clay content soils.

larger than subsurface absorp0 tion fields. $he use of the %$# system is not recommended in areas of high rainfall and low evaporation.

environment since the volume of the wastewater is reduced through evaporation. $his type of system is very effective and relatively easy to maintain? however, it re5uires a large lot or site for construction. is bac 9 fille d with san d inst ead of the clay and the n cap ped with two to four inch es of new top soil. $he was tew ater wic 9s upw ard through the sand where it can evaporate and/or be utili7ed by vegetation.

E,APORATION TRANSPIRATION0 A"SORPTION /ETA1 S!STEMS

%$# systems are generally used in tight clay soil. $he trench construction is the same as the subsurface absorption field with the exception of the bac9fill material. Instead of being used as bac9fill, the excavated native soil (clay) must be removed. $he trench

$AGOONS /O8IDATION PONDS1

# ,agoon is a shallow total retention, pond0li9e structure in which the effluent is exposed to sunlight and oxygen that enables aerobic bacteria to digest the organic matter. ,agoons are si7ed based upon local rainfall and evaporation rates. # properly si7ed lagoon will have no discharge to the

A E R O " I C T R E A T M E N T
,i9e the typica l subsu rface absor ption field, %$# syste ms are si7ed accor ding to water usage and locati on. >owe ver, they are re5uir ed to

% N I T

#eration

!ettli ng -ha mber

!ludge

Inl et

. ut le t be mu ch
%5uali7ation $an9

CATIO N

!ludge

S % R F A C E A P P $ I

#erobic

-hlorinator

*ump

$reatment

SECONDAR! TREATMENT CONTIN%ED

AERO "IC S!STE MS WITH S%RF ACE APP$I CATIO N

CONTI N%ED
in=ecte d into the wastew ater to promot e biologi cal brea9d own of the organic matter. -hlorin ation comple tes the treatm ent prior to dispos al. "hile for

most on0 site sewa ge dispo sal syste ms the secon dary treatm ent also acco mplis hes d i s p o s a l , t h i s i s n o t t r u e

f o r a e r o b i c s y s t e m s . $ h e a e r o b i c t r e a t m e n t

pr oc es s pr od uc es a h i g h 5 u a l i t y e f f l u e n t t h a t s t i l l r e

5 u i r e s d i s p o s a l . $ h i s h i g h 5 u a l i t y e f f l u e n t

m a y b e a p pl ie d di r e ct ly to la w n s th r o u g h a ti m e d

sprin9le r system that sprays the effluent over a large vegetat ed area at night. 'ost of this water will evapor ate and the rest will be absorb ed and utili7ed by the vegetat ion.

A$TE RNAT I,E S!ST EMS

&e5uir ement s for on0site sewag e dispos

al syste ms that have been appro ved for use by the D%; in .9la homa are outline d in the D%; r e g u l a t i o n s . I n c l u d e d i

n t h e r e g u l a t i o n s i s provisio n allowing the D%; to conside r and approve systems not address ed in the regulati ons that are conside red experim ental in .9laho ma. $hese

systems are addressed in the regulations as alternative systems. %ach alternative system is considered on a case by case basis. #lternative system plans must be submitted to the D%; .n0site !ystems -oordinator for approval before construction begins.

TR %C TE D WE T$ AN DS
.ne example of an alternative system is the constructe d wetland

providing on0site wastewater treatment and disposal. $hese units consist of various si7ed beds that are lined with a synthetic liner, filled with filter material, usually gravel (non0 limestone) or similar material, and planted with common wetland plants.

CO NS

%ffluent from the septic tan9 flows through the entire filter bed where plant roots and associated microorganisms living on the roots and gravel surfaces remove pathogens and nutrients from the

wastewater. #ny effluent not removed by the plants is usually disposed of using subsurface absorption fields but may be disposed of using surface application.

Inlet from + septi a r c tan9 r i e r m a t e r i a l +

C O N S T R % C T E D W E T $ A N D S

" a t e rl i n e

+ord er

&oc9 or gravel

,iner *erforated distribution pipe

disposa l area

OTHER CONSIDERAT IONS

$IFT STATIO NS /P%MP TAN5 S1
Ideally waste water flows by gravity from the primar y treatm ent unit to the second ary treatm ent system . In situatio ns where the second ary trea tme nt sys tem is loc ate d at a hig her ele vati on tha n the pri mar y trea tme nt unit , the effl uen t flo ws int oa lift statio n that will pum p the efflu ent to the high er elev ation . $he lift statio n has a pump with a float contr ol that turns it on and off. "he n the lift

station reache sa certain capaci ty, the float control turns the pump on

to auto mati cally pum p the efflu ent to the seco ndar y treat men t syst em. &e5 uire men ts for lift stati ons are addr esse d in the D% ;

regula tions.

WATER CONSER,ATION
here is always a limit to how much and how 5uic9ly nature can recycle wastewater. 'ost residential on0site sewage disposal systems are designed to treat and dispose of less than @,444 gallons per month. It is imperative to practice good water conservation to insure that your on0site sewage disposal system can efficiently and effectively treat wastewater.

WA!S TO RED%CE HO%SEHO$D WATER %SAGE

%se lo' flo' fa*+ets3 s)o'er )eads and to(lets Re&a(r dr(&&(n. fa*+ets and leak(n. to(lets R*n yo*r d(s)'as)er only ')en (t9s f*ll Ad:*st 'ater le-el (n yo*r 'as)(n. ma+)(ne to f(t t)e s(2e of t)e load

:ou should always contact your local D%; office if you have any 5uestions regarding on0 site sewage disposal. D%; has other publications available that provide more detailed information regarding #%&.+I- ! &F#-% #**,I-#$I.(, -.(!$& -$%D "%$,#(D!, ,#A..(! (.BID#$I.( *.(D!), !%*$I- $#(C! and ! +! &F#-% .(0!I$% DI!*.!#, !:!$%'!. $hese brochures and the .9lahoma &egulations (.9lahoma #dministrative -ode (.#-) 626)DE<) governing I(DI/ID #, #(D !'#,, * +,I- .(0 !I$% !%"#A% DI!*.!#, can be obtained free of charge from your local or state D%; office. (!ee the bac9 of this brochure for a list of phone numbers.)

MAINTENANCE RECORD
System Installer Date Date Work Done Performed by

WHO TO CONTACT FOR INFORMATION REGARDING DOMESTIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT S!STEMS

DOMESTIC SEWAGE REG%$ATIONS
!o*r lo+al DE6 off(+e; DE6 Small system +oord(nator /<=>1 ?=@ A@@@ C*stomer Ser-(+es /B==1 BAC D<==

DETERMINING !O%R SOI$9S S%ITA"I$IT! FOR A PARTIC%$AR S!STEM

!o*r lo+al DE6 off(+e; Pr(-ate +ons*ltants /(4e4 Re.(stered En-(ronmental S&e+(al(sts3 San(tar(ans3 En.(neers3 and $and S*r-eyors1 So(l Conser-at(on ma&s for .eneral (nformat(on

HOW ON SITE S!STEMS WOR5

!o*r lo+al DE6 off(+e; DE6 Small system +oord(nator /<=>1 ?=@ A@@@

PRO"$EMS WITH !O%R ON SITE S!STEM

!o*r lo+al DE6 off(+e; DE6 Small system +oord(nator /<=>1 ?=@ A@@@ Pr(-ate +ons*ltants /(4e4 Re.(stered En-(ronmental S&e+(al(sts3 San(tar(ans3 En.(neers3 and $and S*r-eyors1

INFORMATION REGARDING $OCATION AND DESIGN SPECIFICS OF !O%R ON SITE S!STEM

!o*r lo+al DE6 off(+e;
FOR INFORMATION REGARDING AN! T!PE OF ON SITE S!STEM3 P$EASE CONTACT !O%R $OCA$ DE6 OFFICE; ,ISIT O%R WE" SITE ATE '''4deF4state4ok4*s

O5$AHOMA DEPARTMENT OF EN,IRONMENTA$ 6%A$IT! EN,IRONMENTA$ COMP$AINTS AND $OCA$ SER,ICES P4O4 "oG DA?? Okla)oma C(ty3 O5 ?HD=D DA?? /<=>1 ?=@ A@@@ or D B== >@@ =@=A
; For t)e &)one n*mber or lo+at(on of yo*r lo+al DE6 off(+e3 +ons*lt yo*r lo+al

tele&)one d(re+tory or +allE /<=>1 ?=@ A@@@4

$his publication, printed by .9lahoma niversity *rinting !ervices is issued by the .9lahoma Department of %nvironmental ;uality as authori7ed by 'ar9 !. -oleman, %xecutive Director. <,444 copies of the >omeowner8s Information and .ptions *ac9et have been produced at a cost of FE,244.44. -opies have been deposited with *ublications -learinghouse of the .9lahoma Department of ,ibraries. *rinted on recycled paper. G/GG