Introduction and How to Use the Guidelines
An Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Owner’s Manual
Introduction and How to Use the Guidelines
Introduction
The performance of onsite and clustered wastewater treatment systems is a local, state, and national issue and a great concern to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Decentralized systems are used by an estimated twenty-five percent of homeowners in Missouri and are permanent components of our state’s WASTEWATER infrastructure. Decentralized systems, defined for the purposes of these guidelines, shall mean managed individual onsite, or clustered, wastewater treatment systems (commonly referred to as ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS) used to collect, treat, and disperse WASTEWATER from individual dwellings, businesses, or small communities. Unfortunately, many of the systems in use are improperly managed and do not provide the level of treatment necessary to adequately protect public health and groundwater and surface water quality.
Proper management of decentralized systems involves a comprehensive set of measures that encompass several elements in addition to proper OPERATION and MAINTENANCE. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Voluntary National Guidelines for Management of Onsite and Clustered Wastewater Treatment Systems provides five management models for decentralized systems that address education, performance, evaluation, design, construction, OPERATION and MAINTENANCE, and corrective actions essential for a more complete MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. For more information see MANAGEMENT MODEL I, II, III, IV or V at Voluntary National Guidelines for Management of Onsite and Clustered Wastewater Treatment Systems.
How to Use the Guidelines
Every wastewater system requires care and oversight. ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS do not last forever, however, following the recommendations within these guidelines can significantly extend the life of your onsite or cluster system.
The guidelines consist of various sections to assist in your understanding of the OPERATION and MAINTENANCE of an ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM. Each chapter focuses on one component within the most common ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS. This was done so that a homeowner, REGISTERED ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM PROFESSSIONAL, or qualified SERVICE PROVIDER can custom design a user’s manual specifically for your system.
For example, if you have a septic tank with an EFFLUENT screen and gravity dispersal trenches, you should use Chapters 1, 7 and 8 of these guidelines to gain an understanding of your system’s OPERATION and MAINTENANCE requirements.
In addition, defined terms are formatted in ALL CAPS. The glossary, a diagram of a system, a record keeping log, and resources are located at the end of these guidelines for additional information.
Wastewater Treatment System Owners and Users
To achieve the best performance from your system, it is essential to know what type of ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM you have, where it is located, and its basic OPERATION and MAINTENANCE requirements. Upon installing the system, a REGISTERED ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM PROFESSIONAL may have provided an owner’s manual tailored to your system that answers these questions and provides a specific service schedule. If no information about your system is available, a Diagram of System page is located at the end of these guidelines to sketch the location of any visible or known parts of your system. To assist your search, look for inspection ports, tank or valve access, and control/alarm panels. A good place to start is down slope from the house; however, if there is a pump in the system, some components may be up slope. It may be necessary to seek the expertise of a REGISTERED ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM PROFESSIONAL to locate and identify the components of your system. Use the information in the following chapters to help determine which components make up your system.
Once you know what type of system you have, review the information in the appropriate chapters. Note the Do’s and Don’ts and the Warning Signs. Use the MAINTENANCE section(s) to schedule or contract with a wastewater professional to perform regular INSPECTIONS and service as needed. Always keep records of routine service and repairs. Remember to check with the local onsite WASTEWATER ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY about whether a permit is necessary for any system repair.
Wastewater System Professionals
You should give system OWNERS a detailed ‘as-built’ drawing of their wastewater system and any manufacturer provided owner’s manual or other OPERATION and MAINTENANCE information. In addition, the appropriate sections of these guidelines should be used to support or supplement OPERATION and MAINTENANCE information for the OWNER’S specific system.
Homeowner Responsibilities
- The OPERATION and MAINTENANCE of an ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM is the responsibility of the OWNER and user of the system.
- A permit is usually needed before a system is installed or repaired on your property. Applications are available from your local public health agency or other local onsite WASTEWATER ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY.
- All ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS must be installed and OPERATED in accordance with the requirements specified in 19 CSR 20-3.060, Minimum Construction Standards for On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems, and 19 CSR 20-3.015, Operation of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, the manufacturer’s specifications, and the designer’s OPERATION and MAINTENANCE manual.
- In accordance with Missouri law, ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS must be OPERATED and MAINTAINED to prevent the production of odors, the creation of a habitat for insect breeding, contamination of surface water or groundwater, or creation of a nuisance or health hazard.
- In accordance with Missouri law, MALFUNCTIONING ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS must be remediated, repaired, and/or replaced in accordance with the requirements specified in 19 CSR 20-3.060 Minimum Construction Standards for On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems.