Standards, Inspection and Enforcement
(Afternoon of October 27)
Development of High Strength Wastewater for NSF Standard Testing, Sara Heger, University of Minnesota
Most state’s regulations do not have separate requirements for the design of onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) for facilities with the potential for higher strength wastewater (HSW) characteristics such as from food service establishments and RV parks. HSW is defined by elevated levels of organics measured in biological oxygen demand (BOD5), total suspended solids (TSS), and/or oils and grease (O&G). There is a growing understanding that all OWTS design must consider both hydraulic and organic loading. Pretreatment possibilities exist beyond simple primary treatment in a septic tank, but none have yet to be independently tested to a standard. There have been discussions and requests for development of a HSW standard testing protocol for these pretreatment systems. The first step in establishing a Standard-HSW is setting the key organic characteristics. The following raw wastewater values are recommended which are in the middle to high range of median levels in the published literature. These values represent the wastewater which be enter the first component in the treatment train which may be grease trap or septic tank.
• BOD5 = 2,500 mg/l
• TSS = 1,200 mg/l
• O&G = 300 mg/l
In addition pH, temperature, alkalinity, surfactants, total nitrogen and phosphorus will be determined.
The next implementation step is the laboratory development of a HSW “soup”. The procedures developed to date to develop HSW are limited in their breadth and applicability. To closely mimic actual HSW, it is recommended to start with raw residential wastewater and supplement with complex and simple proteins, sugars and O&G to achieve the suggested key characteristics. Due to the challenges of creating the supplemented HSW a 30% tolerance plus or minus from the BOD5, TSS and O&G levels set in the Standard-HSW should be allowed. The total nitrogen in this wastewater will replicate typical wastewater with values in the range of 60-80 mg/L.
New NSF Onsite Wastewater Treatment Standards Nearing Completion, Sharon Steiner, NSF International
The expert committees that contribute their valuable time and knowledge are nearing the end of the lengthy process of consensus building for completion of two new NSF Standards. These new standards expand the scope of treatment system evaluation into field installations, a growing area for individual state approvals, and for treated wastewater reuse applications, a growing need to address ever increasing demands on water supply.
The Case for Point-of-Sale Inspection, Dawn Long, American Septic Service
Point-of-sale inspections as mandated by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Comprehensive Septic Tank Inspection Program protect all involved parties. Inspection reports reduce risks, avoid liability issues, and minimize consumer complaints. My presentation presents photographic evidence supporting the necessity for the ADEQ rule. All examples are from 278 point-of-sale inspections conducted under the new administrative code.
Fraud Prevention in the On Site Industry, Link Summers, Link Summers, LLC
Fraud in the on site wastewater industry takes many forms including misrepresentation, concealment and fraudulent inducement. In an industry where price is often the main, if not the only issue, the temptation to engage in misrepresentation and cut corners is always present. Likewise manufacturers are tempted to overstate the performance of their products. Manufacturers may also attempt to ""game the system"" by manipulating the individual states approval process to keep competitive products out of the marketplace. In states with performance - based regulations, too often the practice is to ""fix the sample, not the system"". The engineering community faces similar legal and ethical challenges. In some instances the regulatory community is afflicted with favoritism and bribery.
The victims of on site fraud are most often innocent. The consumer often makes uneducated choices due to lack of information and objective evaluation. The sales person at the point of sale is often the installer who may be selling a product that is not his first choice. Often the manufacturer is looking for sales and requires little, if no training. And technical support is often a bad joke with the consumer and installer left with a system that doesn't work.
The mortgage lender often doesn't discover that the wrong system was installed on the property until they try to resell the property after a foreclosure. If the loan was sold on the secondary market, the improperly permitted, installed and inspected on site system now becomes an instance of federal loan fraud.
The final victim is the environment and the nations water resources. If you are a victim of fraud in the on site industry, you are also often victimized by the remedy. This presentation will provide actual cases and suggestions for fraud prevention.
