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septic systems |
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septic systems Program Summary Because the West of Hudson watershed is sparsely developed, most communities rely on individual septic systems, rather than sewers and treatment plants, to treat and dispose of sanitary waste. Proper septic maintenance is important in prolonging the life of a septic system. Routine maintenance prevents ground water pollution and surfacing effluent. And while the cost of repairing or replacing a septic system can be very expensive, the effort and expense of routine maintenance is minimal. The key to avoiding septic failure is periodic tank pumping. Without regular pumping, sludge and scum layers become too thick and solid materials can flow from the septic tank into the leach field, clogging the pipes and soils and causing the system to fail. The new $1.5 million Septic System Maintenance Program is part of the City’s 2002 Filtration Avoidance Determination (FAD) issued by EPA. A voluntary, cost-sharing effort, the Septic System Maintenance Program is intended to reduce septic system failures through regular pump-outs and maintenance. The City will pay for: a pilot project to help the Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC) in develop an efficient and cost-effective program; a percentage of the cost of pump-out and/or minor maintenance of a septic system in the West of Hudson watershed as often as once every three years; the development and dissemination of septic system maintenanceeducation materials; and the program’s administrative costs. The program, managed by CWC, will operate for 10 years, until 2013. The initial pilot projects, to be chosen on the basis of their location within the watershed and the type of septic systems in use, will last no more than two years. Before the pilots can begin, CWC, in consultation with DEP, will develop program rules.
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Watershed
Protection