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Infosheet #7 Treatment of Household Waste
Table of Contents
IntroductionThis infosheet provides background to Worksheet #7 of the Environmental Farm Plan Workbook. It outlines options you could adopt to address problem areas in your operation. In most cases you'll need more information before implementation: please refer to the resource materials listed in the infosheet, and consult OMAFRA Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Technical Advisors. All options are classed as Actions, Compensating Factors or Monitoring. Actions address the areas of concern identified, and will change the rating to (3) or Best (4). Compensating Factors are alternatives that will adequately address the concerns, but will not change the rating in the EFP worksheets. Monitoring is an alternative only in special circumstances and is explained in the infosheet when and how it can be used. At the request of the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition, consisting of Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, AGCare, and the Ontario Farm Animal Council, the following people contributed to the development of Infosheet #7: Bob Stone, OMAFRA (Co-Chair) Technical Editing Committee: The following people contributed to the revision (2004) of Infosheet#7: Bob Stone, OMAFRA, (Chair) Technical Editing Committee: OMAFRA = Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs | Top of Page | Quantity of WastewaterIssue: 7-1 Efficient water useUsing less water in the household reduces wastewater and lessens the load on your treatment system. As a result, the system should have a longer life, require less frequent pumping of the septic tank, and have a lower potential for contamination of surface and ground water. Using water more efficiently means a lower demand for well water, and lower energy costs. What can you do?Option - ActionReduce water usage to less than 60 gallons (270 L) per person per day:
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| Top of Page | Issue: 7-2Fixtures and maintenanceWater-conserving measures should be used to reduce the amount of wastewater produced. This will lower the potential for surface and ground water contamination. Less water usage through conservation will also result in a lower demand on the well and lower energy costs for pumping. What can you do?Option - ActionInstall water-conserving fixtures, inspect fixtures and repair any leaks:
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| Top of Page | Quality of WastewaterIssue: 7-3Solid wasteThe addition of solid wastes, particularly through the use of garbage disposal units, results in a large load of solid material being added to the treatment system. This increased solid load may result in the septic tank having to be pumped more often, and increased organic loading of the leaching bed. The result may cause failure of the leaching bed with increased risk of surface and groundwater contamination. What can you do?Option - ActionDo not use garbage disposal units in kitchens. For More Information:
| Top of Page | Issue: 7-4 Dissolved wasteThe overuse of household detergents and cleaners or disposal of household solvents into the plumbing system may result in ground water contamination. Septic systems do not remove these materials. The bacterial action in the septic system may be inhibited by the addition of these materials. What can you do?Option - Action
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| Top of Page | Issue: 7-5 Water softener dischargeWater softeners discharge relatively large volumes of backwash with high salt concentrations. This may have a negative impact on the septic tank and treatment bed operation. What can you do?Option - ActionDo not direct water softener discharge to the septic system unless the system is designed to accommodate this type and amount of wastewater:
| Top of Page | Issue: 7-6Grease and oilsGrease and oils do not break down and also inhibit the bacteria in the septic tank from working on the other waste materials. As a result, the septic system may not have as long a life, the tank may have to be pumped more often and the potential for ground water contamination increases. What can you do?Option - ActionReduce the amount of grease and oils going into the plumbing system:
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| Top of Page | Wastewater SystemIssue: 7-7 Design and constructionThe septic system must be sized and installed according to regulatory requirements.. An adequately designed/installed system will also result in less maintenance, a reduced pumping interval for the tank and a lower risk of surface and ground water contamination. Legislation controls the design and installation of the septic system. Any person installing a septic system must obtain a Building Permit or Certificate of Approval and have the system installed by a licensed installer. What can you do?Option - ActionEnsure that the septic system has a Building Permit or Certificate of Approval and that it was adequately sized and installed by a licensed installer. For More Information:
| Top of Page | Issue: 7-8Knowledge of the septic systemA good knowledge of your septic system will help you better diagnose functional problems, maintain and manage the system effectively, make improvements to the system, and protect the system from damage from vehicles, tree roots and drainage. What can you do?Option - ActionEvaluate your existing septic system:
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| Top of Page | Location of Wastewater SystemIssue: 7-9 Distance from wastewater treatment system to nearest surface waterWastewater treatment systems must be properly located in relation to surface water to reduce the risk of surface water contamination. Any outbreak of wastewater to the ground surface has the potential of reaching surface water. The location should take into account soil type and topography to lessen the potential for surface water contamination. Legislation stipulates minimum separation distances between wastewater treatment systems and surface water. What can you do?Option #1 – ActionRelocate wastewater treatment system at an adequate distance from surface water:
Option #2 – ActionMove surface water away from wastewater treatment system:
Option #3 – MonitoringFor existing wastewater treatment systems that have a Building Permit or Certificate of Approval and are in good working condition, monitor treatment system regularly for surface outbreaks, odours, ground conditions over bed, backup of sewage, etc. For More Information:
| Top of Page | Issue: 7-10Distance from wastewater treatment system to wellWastewater treatment systems must be properly located in relation to water wells to reduce the risk of water well contamination. This question addresses the level of natural protection provided by the soil around the well and well location relative to the treatment system. Where a high potential for contamination currently exists, more drastic actions may have to be carried out. Legislation stipulates minimum separation distances between the wastewater treatment system components and water wells. What can you do?Option #1 – ActionRelocate wastewater treatment system at an adequate distance away from well:
Option #2 – ActionRelocate well away from wastewater treatment system:
Option #3 – MonitoringFor existing wastewater treatment systems that have a Building Permit or Certificate of Approval and are in good working condition, test the well water for indicator bacteria at least three times a year and once a year for other parameters (such as nitrate):
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| Top of Page | Collection of WastewaterIssue: 7-11 Source and amountAll wastewater must be collected and treated in the septic system. Leakage losses through leaky piping or treatment tanks can allow wastewater to return to the water supply. The addition of clear water overloads the system. The resulting impact may be evident in surface and ground water deterioration. Legislation requires that all wastewater be collected and treated in the treatment system. No clear water is to be added. What can you do?Option - ActionAll wastewater produced is collected and no clear water is to be added:
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| Top of Page | Issue: 7-12 CesspoolCesspools are only used for the disposal of contents of chemical toilets, privy systems, etc. What can you do?Option - ActionReplace cesspool with a new wastewater treatment system. | Top of Page |
Issue: 7-13Septic tankTwo compartment tanks are more effective in retaining sludge and scum that otherwise would move into the leaching bed. Failure to pump out a septic tank when required may result in sludge or scum being carried over to the leaching bed, resulting in soil clogging and complete failure of the system. What can you do?Option - ActionUpgrade the septic tank to a two compartment septic tank. Ensure that the septic tank is checked for sludge and scum depths every four to five years and pumped as required:
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| Top of Page | Issue: 7-14Other treatment systemOther treatment systems are an alternative to the regular septic system, but must be regularly maintained. Without proper maintenance, the complete wastewater system could fail and surface and ground water supplies could be contaminated. Some of the systems contain mechanical or electrical devices which also require regular maintenance. What can you do?Option - ActionFollow a regular maintenance program:
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| Top of Page | Issue: 7-15Holding tank - no leaching bed connectedA holding tank that has a larger-than-designed-for capacity will provide you with a safety reserve. The tank will not have to be pumped as often and there will be less potential for overflow. Checking the tanks for leaks and having an alarm system to trigger when there is still a sufficient storage capacity left in the tank (until the pump-out truck arrives) helps prevent overflows and potential surface water contamination. Regulations restrict the installation of holding tanks and set criteria for the design, installation and operation of the holding tank. What can you do?Option - ActionMinimize wastewater production and check tanks regularly for volumes and leaks:
| Top of Page | Treatment SystemIssue: 7-16Subsurface distribution of wastewaterA leaching bed is required to properly treat and distribute wastewater in the soil. An inadequate system will result in the potential contamination of surface and ground water. Human health can be impacted when the well or surface water sources are contaminated. Connection of a sewage source directly to a field drainage system is illegal. Wastewater cannot be piped to anywhere but a septic or other approved treatment system. What can you do?Option - ActionEnsure all wastewater, including grey water goes to a leaching bed, using a pressure or gravity-fed delivery system:
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| Top of Page | Issue: 7-17Leaching bed locationLandowners must position their leaching beds at the minimum separation distances from buildings, lot lines, etc. to meet legislation. What can you do?Option - ActionPosition the leaching bed in accordance with the minimum separation distances:
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| Top of Page | Issue: 7-18Leaching bed surface water drainageSurface water should not drain onto the leaching bed area, as it keeps the soil saturated and does not allow the leaching bed to work to capacity. The wastewater treatment system may fail as a result. What can you do?Option - ActionDivert all surface water away from leaching bed area. Eliminate traffic over leaching bed. For More Information:
| Top of Page | Issue: 7-19Depth to saturated soil or bedrock from trench bottomSoil is required beneath the leaching bed lines to further break down the pollutants and filter out solids and pathogens. If saturated soil or bedrock is located too close to the bottom of the leaching bed trenches, ground water contamination can occur. There must be an adequate unsaturated soil depth beneath the distribution pipe to allow for treatment of the wastewater. A high water table can cause the system to become flooded and quit functioning. The Ontario Building Code requires a minimum of three feet of soil depth between the trench bottom and saturated soil or bedrock. What can you do?Option #1 – ActionLocate the leaching bed in a location where there is at least 0.9 m (3 feet) of depth to saturated soil or bedrock. Option #2 – ActionInstall a raised leaching bed system where insufficient soil depths exists. For More Information:
| Top of Page |Issue: 7-20Leaching bed loading (visual inspection)If the ground over the leaching bed is always wet and spongy, or if there is a noticeable odour, wastewater may be moving to the surface instead of draining downward. The condition could indicate poor drainage beneath the bed or a saturated condition. Surface or ground water contamination could result. It is illegal to have ponding or seepage of wastewater on the surface over the leaching bed. What can you do?Option - ActionIf ground is wet or spongy, or odours are detected, check water usage against design capacity and have system checked. If problem cannot be resolved, install a new system on a properly drained site or consider a raised bed system at this site. For More Information:
| Top of Page | Hauled SewageIssue: 7-21Sewage from septic tanks, other treatment systems, and holding tanksSewage from septic tanks, other treatment units or holding tanks must be disposed of by licensed hauler at an approved site. What can you do?Option - ActionEnsure you are using a licensed hauler.
| Top of Page | For more information:Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300 Local: (519) 826-4047 E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca |
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