septic drainfield question

Started by devildog, May 29, 2011, 01:30:32 PM

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devildog

We just purchased a church that we're converting into a house. I was told by the health dept. lady before hand that it had a 3br septic. After closing and trying to get a zoning permit the sewage inpector said the drainfield was barely over a 1br. (4-45' lines).She said we'd need to add double or so more lines to make it a 3 br. But then said, it was sufficient as is if I added an effluent pump and filter and had it inspected and maintained by a company.

Did i hear her right? How does adding filter reduce lines?

I dont know if there is enogh room on the lot to add new lines.We are also needing to hurry this along because we need building permits to get started and cant get those until we have a zoning permit. It already took 3 weeks for the inspection.

Does anyone here have an effluent pump? What is installation cost? what about mintenance and inspection cost annually?

I need to decide if its more cost effective to have new lines added now, or go with the pump . any info would be helpful
Thanks Darrrell
Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem.
Ronald Reagan, President of the United States; 1985

Squirl

Maybe.  I have heard that septic laws have changed over time and that systems that were approved a while ago would not pass to the same standards of today.  I have seen this a few times when people go to sell their house and the home inspector will not sign off and the bank wouldn't give a mortgage without the septic being redone.  I go off the state laws of NY because that is where I am building and that is what I learned.  The code seems pretty clear and is easily accessible online.  You would have to adapt this to your location and your states laws.  The code I reference is here:  http://www.health.ny.gov/regulations/nycrr/title_10/part_75/appendix_75-a.htm

It sounds like you are referring to the section "Distribution devices"  This covers the lines running from the tank.  I assume that you currently have a gravity distribution system, since they are telling you that you need a pump.  It states that the maximum length can be 60 ft for each line.  I have seen other sources (can't remember were off the top of my head) that recommend a maximum of 4-6 per gravity distribution box depending upon the reference.   I saw nothing in the code here that references and reduction in field size for a pump or filter.  The only references in reduction of field size for tradition systems I found are a 25% reduction in field size for Gravelless Absorption Systems and 75 gpd per bedroom waterless toilets.

You can find the required field size in chart 4(a).  You have 4x45' trenches for a total of 180'.  This would seem to fit into a 2 bedroom size if you have a decent perc rate.  If not, then I can see them needing it to be larger.  My building inspector requires a filter on all systems.  My suspicion is that they meant you needed a pump, filter, and larger system.  As opposed to a pump, filter, or larger system.  I hope this helps and you can adapt it to your local laws.  This is the closest I can get because I don't know the laws of VA.  I remember a member a little while back asking a similar question, and after reviewing the code and going back to the designer, the designer admitted a mistake in the calculation of field size.


rick91351

Hey devildog I have not seen anything from you as of late.  Was wondering about you the other day.  Last I seen I think you had a new job?

Wonder what happened between what the lady from the health dept told you and now?  How come you have to do this when they passed it once?  Something smells here and it is not the septic tank.  I think I would go that route as well.  But if the drain field does not work properly or is not large enough life is not good!!  But why penalize you when it was okay when it all started.  Did you buy it from a church denomination or private?         

Working with those health department people at least here in Idaho they are very helpful in finding a spot for a new drain field.  Usually they in fact will map it out for you and your installer or if Do It Yourself will explain it all out very well.  If there is room I would go with the expanded drain field rather than pump and and maintenance and power to keep it all running.  Nearly all states allow for the owner to do it.  Drainfields and infusers certainly are not rocket science.     
Proverbs 24:3-5 Through wisdom is an house builded; an by understanding it is established.  4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.  5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

devildog

thanks squirl and rick91351 for your responses.

She did say more. They based the septic on 60 people(small church) at 3gpd per person,because it s a church. but now that we're making it a house it needs to be increased. And we'd like to have 3br.

I do think it would be better to add new lines now if possible,but money is an issue. I have alot to do to make this church liveable, like adding a kitchen and a tub/ shower in one of the bathrooms. It also needs  a roof, insulation, sheetrock, windows, and the floors re finished.

I'm on here looking and reading all the time. i dont post much though.
Yes, I did get a job with Federal Mogul and things seem to be turning around. But I have put our property in hillsville for sale on craigslist. Its over an hour away from my job and even further to our church. Im not happy about it ,but it is what it is. I could use the money
Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem.
Ronald Reagan, President of the United States; 1985

Squirl

I know it has been a while since this was posted, but I had another thought on this.  I was reading the charts to prepare for my septic test this Friday.  I had relized that there are very differnt field sizes depending on when the fixtures are from, such as Pre-1980 and Pre-1994.  If this is a factor, it may be cheaper to replace faucets and toilets.