PROTECT YOURSELF ~ PROTECT OTHERS
Aerobic systems use aerobic bacteria (with air),
in addition to anaerobic bacteria(without air), to digest the solid waste
that is flushed from your home. Once the waste is converted to tiny particles
and mixed within the waste water, it is supposed to be treated by the system
to kill the many water borne diseases that exist within the water. These
systems in most instances, have failed since installation. State regulations
mandate annual testing to determine if the water is still safe to discharge
onto the grounds surface.
The DEQ regulations state, in"Residential
Sewage disposal Chapter 310:340 2000" .... "on site system failure
occurs when waste water is discharged to the surface of the ground. Multiple
factors, such as poor installation/construction and/or lack of proper maintenance,
are generally responsible for system failure."
Your Aerobic system is discharging treated waste
water directly to the grounds surface. If your system is not working properly
your waste water is not treated, thus contaminating your property. As you
are probably aware, Oklahoma ground water contamination continues to be
a problem. This problem will only increase as time goes on. I don't want
your waste water treatment system to be a contributing factor and I'm sure you don't either.
If improperly treated water makes it to the ground's
surface, then it is most definitely a contaminant. This water contaminates
whatever it touches in the vicinity. With additional water, such as by rain
or irrigation, the waste can eventually become a contaminant in the ground
water as well. With aerobic systems, the water is treated unless the system
is inoperable, or operating inefficiently. "On site system failure"
allows improperly treated waste water to make it directly to the ground's
surface. This system failure, may partially be the result of the fact that
the "customer," in most instances, is the builder. Once the builder
is finished with the home and it has sold, most of them have nothing more
to do with the property. This leaves the home owner uninformed, and subsequently
the future owners as well.
"Oklahoma code requires maintenance/management
contracts to monitor and maintain aerobic treatment units (ATU's). The state
has sole authority to adopt or require maintenance/management programs."
These maintenance agreements are included in the
purchase price of your system for the first 2 years. I have created a new
company to service and inspect waste water treatment systems. I worked for
a company installing these systems. When I was installing/servicing for
my former company, I became aware that when the required 2 year installer
maintenance contract ends, few customers renew them. I have serviced over
a hundred systems in the last few years which were not functioning when
I arrived (and had not functioned in quite a while). Some of those service
calls were made because of a DEQ complaint and a confiscated water meter.
DEQ forces the homeowner to get service, or they are prevented from adding
to the problem by not being able to add more water. If the DEQ doesn't get
involved, and the system owner is unaware that their system is no longer
safe,the problem just gets worse. I believe that the DEQ approved systems
(correctly operating of course) are good ones, or else the DEQ would never
have approved them for installation. The previously installed units (regardless
of brand) have to be made safe again. Usually the only reason the systems
aren't working properly is because the systems owner is unaware a problem
exists.
If the DEQ keeps getting complaints about aerobic
systems which don't work, I am afraid that the State may become unfavorably
involved by saying no more aerobic systems can be installed here. If the
problem continues after that, the DEQ could even force the systems to be
removed. (at the owners expense) In instances where the aerobic system was
installed because the ground won't absorb water, your only solution at this
point may be to pay a considerable sum of money to convert your yard into
a septic waste water lagoon. If you have ever been near one of those things
you couldn't help but notice the smell, particularly in the summertime.
This scenario may be extreme, but one never knows. The state DEQ looks out
for the interests and safety of all Oklahomans. If it becomes necessary
to remove the systems to insure public safety, removals could be mandated.
Water which has been in direct contact with human
beings is the definition of sewage.
Sewage contains many contaminants such as bacteria,
phosphorous, nitrates, salts, metals, and other toxic materials. Seepage
and overflow can eventually get into our drinking water sources. Ingestion
can cause disease from microorganisms such as Escherichia
Coli, Salmonella Choleraesusuis, Streptococcus Pyogenes, Giardia, Hepatitis
A, Helminths, Cryptosporidium, Rota Virus WA (the leading cause of diarrhea
in children), Meningitis, Polio Virus Type 1 , HIV, and AIDS. Standing water
from inoperable systems also adds to the mosquito problem by giving them
a place to breed. Mosquitoes have been known to carry many types of diseases
such as: Yellow Fever, St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE),Western Equine Encephalitis
(WEE), Malaria, and (most recently) West Nile Virus.
LINKS
For consultation, system
evaluation, to schedule an appointment for service, or for water testing,
call ....(918) 247-2243 or (918)760-5749
