Septic Systems

Remember: Whatever you put in your septic system eventually gets into the groundwater, and that is where you get your drinking water!

Would You Like to Save $5,000 to $10,000?

Many people that move to our community have never owned a septic system and are completely unfamiliar with how they work and how easy it is to ruin them. You can easily manage your system or pay a high price to replace it. If you do not receive a monthly bill from a city sewer company, you have a septic system.

The septic system in your yard is your sewage treatment plant. It is designed to let bacteria treat your wastewater and make it clean before it enters the groundwater. You must manage your system or it will fail. If you follow these recommendations, you will greatly reduce the potential for your system to fail and avoid the thousands of dollars that it would cost to replace it.

• Know where your septic tank and septic field are located in your yard. If you don’t know, contact the Department of Health to get a copy of our records.
• Don’t let a plumbing problem ruin your system. A toilet that leaks or a faucet that runs can overload your system.
• Do not connect the sump pump in your basement to the septic system - it will overload and ruin your system - not to mention it is a violation of state and county law. If it is connected, call a plumber. The clothes washer must be connected to the septic system, not the sump pump. You can discharge the sump water onto the ground.
• Do not put the following down the drain:
  • Fats, oils, or greases. This is one of the major causes of failures. Put these in the trash.
  • Paint, petroleum, or other hazardous materials. The Solid Waste Management District will take these for free.
  • Unused medicine of any kind. Put these in the trash.
• Do not put anything in the toilet but human waste and toilet paper.
• Have your tank pumped:
  • If only two people live in the home, it should be pumped every five years.
  • If six people live in the home, it should be pumped every other year.
  • If you use your garbage disposal heavily, have the tank pumped twice as often.
  • Look under “Septic” in the yellow pages for a pumper.
• Don’t build anything (such as a sidewalk or garage) over your septic tank or field. You will not be able to repair the tank, and the field system will be deprived of oxygen that the bacteria need to break down the contaminants. Don’t drive on your system either.
• Don’t plant trees near your system; they will clog the pipes and the field system.
• Don’t overuse your system by running the clothes washer many times in a single day. Spread out the loads. The system needs to recover after it is heavily used.

Remember, it is your responsibility to manage your septic system, and if it fails, the Department of Health will require that you replace the system. This will be costly. The Department of Health can provide you with much more useful information. Please call (574) 235-9722 for more information or to speak with an Environmental Health Specialist.

How a Typical Septic System Works

• All of your wastewater flows through pipes into a concrete tank in the yard. There should be a one-foot diameter vertical plastic pipe in your yard that allows access to the tank.
• Bacteria in the tank begin to break down the waste. Solids drop to the bottom and scum (fats, oils, and greases) float at the top.
• The liquid between the solids and the scum flows through a distribution box that allows the same amount of liquid to go to each of the trenches.
• The trenches are usually three feet wide and 50 feet or more in length. Typically, the trenches consist of either pipe with holes surrounded by rock or plastic chambers. Different bacteria continue to break down the contaminants within the trenches and the underlying soil. The remaining liquid continues to seep deeper into the ground and ultimately reaches the groundwater.

These spreadsheets are available to the public for the purpose of checking a septic pump design for compliance with 410 IAC 6-8.3. They are not to be used as a designer’s sole design resource. Also, pump manufacturers will size pumps for free, but they do not verify that a septic design complies with IAC 6-8.3 requirements. Therefore, these spreadsheets were created as a free tool for designers and regulators to verify code compliance.

The spreadsheets utilize an accurate method, the Operating Point Method, to check pump design. With a few minutes of input, the spreadsheets automatically: calculate the pump and system’s operating point, check that operating point for compliance with IAC 6-8.3 as well as general engineering principles, and offer tips to remedy failed compliance. The spreadsheets yield precise results while saving time.

Brief Instructions

The spreadsheets are very user-friendly and work for Excel versions 2007 and up. Read the “Read Me First” tab of the spreadsheet. The user agreement must be accepted for the spreadsheet to function. The “Design Check” tab is where information is input, analysis is displayed on a chart, checks are performed, and recommendations are made. All cells with tan coloring must be filled out in order for the spreadsheet to perform correctly. Cells that are not colored tan cannot be edited. The “Design Check” tab can be printed as a hand-out. The “Help” tab has a detailed explanation of everything in the “Design Check” tab. Nearly all questions can be answered from the “Help” tab. The “Calcs” tab is the calculation engine of the spreadsheet and does not require input.

These spreadsheets account for the St. Joseph County Ordinance and follow a slightly different method for calculating Total Head than IAC 6-8.3. The St. Joseph County method results produce similar to the IAC method.

The designer has the option of submitting the applicable spreadsheet or submitting the previously utilized hand-calculation worksheets: Flood Dose Worksheet, Pressure Trench Distribution Worksheet, Elevated Sand Mound Worksheet. If the worksheets are submitted, then they will be checked using the spreadsheet. If a designer seeks pump-related design guidance, then they may use the Elevated Sand Mound Design Manual created by ISDH.

The spreadsheets perform two different types of checks: IAC Code checks and general engineering design checks.

A pump design will be rejected if any of the IAC code checks fail, except for the following situations:

1. Only applicable to Elevated Sand Mounds – Inline Residual Head between 2.5’ and 4.0’.
2. The dose-volume is within 10% of the required dose volume. This can be waived if a larger dose volume is required to pressurize laterals for a bed or deep cut backfill applications.

A pump design will be rejected if any of the following general engineering checks fail:

1. The operating point is placed in a “Questionable” or “Re-design” region. Those regions occur when the operating point is located outside of the middle 67-100% of the pump performance curve.
2. Pump run time is less than 1 minute.
3. Pressure Trench & Elevated Sand Mounds – the dose is less than 7 times the lateral volume.

Help with Spreadsheets

First, make sure all instructions are followed. Secondly, make sure all tan-colored cells are filled out and the user agreement is accepted. Thirdly, nearly all questions can be answered by thoroughly reading the “Help” tab.

SpreadSheets

• Flood Dose Check Spreadsheet
• Pressure Trench Check Spreadsheet
• Flood Dose Worksheet
• Pressure Trench Distribution Worksheet
• Mound Worksheet

A septic system is a privately maintained small-scale wastewater treatment plant. The owner of a private septic system must have a good understanding of their system in order to maximize the life span and treatment capabilities. A septic system that is improperly maintained could cost a homeowner thousands of dollars and could also contaminate the surrounding drinking water. The video provided below will help you understand how a septic system works.

Watch this video: Septic Systems 1-2-3

Inspections are required for:

• Gravity Systems
  • When the installation is complete, but the sewer and effluent piping, tank, d-box, and headers are not yet covered. Chambers must be bedded.
• Flood Dose System
  • When the installation is complete, but the sewer and effluent piping, tank, d-box, and headers are not yet covered. Chambers must be bedded.
• Pressure Distribution Systems
  • After placement of tanks and distribution network with the tanks, residential sewer, manifold, laterals, end caps, and delivery line fully exposed.
  • After the system is covered and when the pump and alarm are operational. This inspection must be scheduled within one week of the completion of the other portions of the system and the contractor shall be present to demonstrate the pump settings and alarm.
• Mound Inspections
  • When the delivery line is in place, the plow is performed, and the basal sand is being placed immediately after the plow. The sand must be onsite. The installer must notify the office that they are requesting a mound plow inspection when scheduling the appointment.
  • After placement of tanks and distribution network with the tanks, residential sewer, manifold, laterals, end caps, and delivery line fully exposed.
  • After the system is covered and when the pump and alarm are operational. This inspection must be scheduled within one week of the completion of the other portions of the system and the contractor shall be present to demonstrate the pump settings and alarm.
• Subsurface Drains
  • After placement of the piping, rock fill, and outfall before they are covered.
• Air Injection Fracturing
  • Upon the receipt of a permit for soil fracturing, the contractor may perform the work per their schedule.
  • The Department of Health will not inspect soil fracturing unless we so state on the permit. If an inspection is required, the contractor shall contact the Department of Health at (574) 235-9722 to schedule the inspection.
  • Upon the completion of the soil fracturing, the contractor shall provide written notice to the Department of Health within 7 days that the soil fracturing was completed via e-mail, fax, or mail. The written notice shall include the permit number and date of soil fracturing.
• Other requirements
  • The Department of Health may require other inspections as deemed necessary and will identify these on the permit.

Contact the Department of Health for an Inspection:

• All inspections must be arranged through the office of the Department of Health one day in advance of when the inspection is needed.
• Call (574) 235-9722 to schedule an inspection.
• Inspectors do not schedule inspections.
• Installers are to contact the Department of Health as soon as possible if the system is not going to be ready for an inspection at the scheduled time. The Department of Health will try to accommodate these requests when possible.

General Requirements for all Inspections: (as applicable)

• All portions of a septic system shall remain uncovered to the maximum extent possible until inspected and approved by the Department of Health.
• If the system is covered without a valid reason, the contractor shall excavate the portions needing inspection.
• The contractor shall be present for all pump and alarm inspections.

Establishing a vegetative cover, such as native grasses, is beneficial to the proper function of your septic system and critical for mound systems. Plants with good root systems can stabilize the soil to prevent erosion, loosen the soil to allow air movement, and even draw water. While trees and some shrubs can remove a significant amount of water from the area, their roots can occlude sewer lines, damage septic tanks, and invade distribution lines. Aggressive water-loving trees such as poplar, willow and maple should be avoided near the soil absorption field. Most trees root systems are about the same size as the leaf canopy at maturity. A good rule of thumb is to plant trees at least this distance away. Even if you plant non-aggressive types, the potential for damage to the system exists. Before planting trees or shrubs, consult with a tree nursery professional or Purdue Cooperative Extension agent.

Septic systems in Indiana may function for 20 years or more. The Department of Health's responsibility is to make sure the system is properly sited, designed, and installed, but the homeowner is responsible for the use and maintenance. If the system is not maintained, the system will fail prematurely.  For more information, you can contact the Department of Health at 574-235-9721.

This is a much debated question. According to information from the Indiana State Department of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency:

• There are well over 1000 different septic tank additives on the market, but there is no standard for testing them.
• There is no evidence proving that a septic tank that is designed, operated, and maintained properly needs an additive to work effectively.
• There is no product available that will allow a homeowner to escape regular pumping of the septic tank.
• Some additives may actually harm your septic tank and/or absorption field.
• There are products that can cause groundwater contamination.

As a rule, tanks should be checked for solids buildup every year and pumped every three to five years, more often if you have a garbage disposal which can increase solids buildup by 50%. In practice, however, how often solids should be removed depends on the lifestyle of the family using the system and the size of the tank. If you wait until wastewater begins to back up into your home, solids have already started over-flowing from the septic tank and into your absorption field. This can cause some very expensive damage to the soil absorption system. When choosing a company to remove solids from your tank, ask if they thoroughly clean the tank and remove all solids. It is not very useful to just pump the liquids without removing the solids. To effectively clean the tank, the removed liquids should be flushed back into the tank to thoroughly agitate and remove settled solids. In addition, the baffles on the tank should be checked to make sure they are functional and the tank’s effluent filter (if installed) should be cleaned. A riser installed on your septic tank makes solids removal easier, and septic tank maintenance companies may charge less if the tank is easy to access. If your tank has an effluent filter installed, it can be inspected and cleaned through the riser. A properly functioning tank effluent filter protects the soil absorption field much more effectively than a baffle. If your tank does not currently have one, consider installing one the next time you have your tank cleaned. Note: a septic permit is required for any alteration or repair to the system. If you have questions about what is required, contact the Department of Health.

There are many things you can do to reduce water use throughout your home without reducing your quality of life. Generally, don’t let the water run and fix leaky faucets. The more water and waste down the drain, the less time there is for settling of solids in your septic tank and the more effluent the absorption field must treat. Either of these can cause a system to fail prematurely, but together you have a recipe for failure. If your home has a septic system, you should be doing most of these even if you system is functioning normally.

The Department of Health has records of septic permits starting in 1970. Some of the information is incomplete, but a search can be made. A completed Schematic Request must be submitted to the office, but you can call ahead with as much of the following information as possible to see if we have the record:

• Name of original applicant
• Year the home was built
• Address of home
• Subdivision and lot number

You may sometimes hear gurgling in your drains, see bubbling in the toilet, or an occasional damp/wet spot in the yard, or after a large rain the plumbing seems… slow. These are all signs that your system may be “ailing” and headed for replacement. It is possible there may be a simpler solution, such as obstruction or your tank may need pumped. However, if the symptoms return after the tank is pumped, your system is headed for failure. You won’t know until it is evaluated. It will not go away by ignoring it! If you have an “ailing” septic system that is limping along, DON’T WAIT until it is a full blown FAILURE to start the process. The symptoms will get worse! If you complete as much of this process as possible, you can plan. Remember, once the “ailing” goes to “failing,” it disrupts the whole household.

If you have a septic system problem, you should immediately contact the Department of Health and review all the information available in this website, including: procedures, soil scientists, registered septic installers, schematic request, etc. Reduce water usage in your home, check the septic tank for accumulation of solids, and have it pumped as necessary to keep sewage from surfacing on the ground.

Septic systems are now designed specifically for the site based upon daily design flow, soil borings, and an on-site study of the property. The reason your replacement system must now have a bigger absorption field, a system with a dose tank and pump, a larger septic tank, or a mound system is because that is what the soil and conditions on your property qualify for. Most likely, if the existing system has been in use for many years, it was not designed; it was just the standard version of septic systems at the time of installation. Furthermore, due to lack of space, water wells, the addition of fill, compaction, and landscaping, soil and site conditions are different than when the property was developed. If you have questions about system sizing or type, contact an environmental health specialist at 235-9721 for further explanation.

Because of past negative experiences, both for us and the unfortunate homeowners, we recommend that you leave septic system design and installation to the professionals. The Department of Health maintains a list of registered septic installers for you to choose from. However, if you want to pursue your own installation, please be aware of the following:

• The septic application and associated paperwork, while as straightforward as possible, will not be familiar to you, and incorrect submittal of paperwork often delays permit approval.
• The Department of Health cannot design the system for you. Rule 410 IAC 6-8.3, Residential Sewage Disposal Systems, and County Code 51, will be provided to you for standards of installation and design.
• You must submit plans with detail and accuracy showing how you are going to meet minimum specifications.
• A homeowner design is seldom of sufficient clarity, accuracy, and completeness to receive approval on the first submission.
• A pre-construction conference is required prior to installation of the system.
• Many times, space is limited for system repair, and an installation mistake could damage the site beyond use.
• You must do the work yourself.
• The Department of Health will inspect your system and require corrections if it is not installed correctly.