Septic systems: it’s not cool to pee in the pool
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So it is with untreated sewage released near your well. A septic system failure is unhealthy, dangerous, against the law, and very expensive if your “pool” is also your source of drinking water. Runoff from failing septic systems is also very toxic to our land and shorelines. Most islanders use well water for drinking, and everyone on the island uses on-site sewage systems to handle our waste water.
Based on the 2006 report Northern Lummi Island Hydrogeologic Investigation by Aspect Consulting.
People who move from areas with municipal wastewater treatment may not immediately appreciate the responsibility of managing their own sewage. While a properly maintained septic system will quietly last for years to come, never take it for granted!
Don’t raise a stink
The classic outhouse was built over hole in the ground. When the hole filled up, you moved the outhouse. Studies have shown that bacteria, viruses, and chemicals can travel 85 feet from a pit latrine and pollute groundwater in the area.
Septic systems rely on the bacteria in your own poo—pardon, your excreta—to breakdown and settle out the solids. Eventually clean harmless water drains into the soil. That’s the intention, but the system can fail quickly if abused.
A very basic system of sewage being processed in a holding tank, then letting gravity send the treated effluent to a drainfield where the mostly clear liquid can percolate into the ground or evaporate, eventually returning to the aquifer. Image source: EPA
There are many different systems and variations to this basic design, such as pumping the tank outflow uphill, or even up through a mound in a Glendon Biofilter. Healthy septic systems are essential when dealing with shallow aquifers and limited drinking water supplies on a small island. It’s when untreated sewage or animal waste starts to enter the well intakes that things get dangerous.
Listen to the experts
Your system is unique to all others due to usage, type, soil, maintenance, and other variables. Testing your water system for nitrates at least every three years is the best advice Water Watchers can offer, but let’s listen to what our local OSS experts have to say on the subject.
We reached out to Darin Klein, Environmental Health Supervisor, Whatcom Health Dept for a brief set of questions on how the county is doing in general.
Protect our drinking water
Darin Klein
Environmental Health Supervisor, Whatcom Health Dept
What areas have experienced pollution of their aquifers due to nitrates or other septic issues?
The Blaine-Sumas aquifer, also sometimes called the Abbotsford-Sumas aquifer, has some documented nitrate contamination. Please see this Department of Ecology link for more information.
Is the biggest threat of septic systems to our drinking water, or surrounding wetlands and shorelines?We want to protect our drinking water, surrounding wetlands and shorelines as much as possible. That is why it is so important to follow all OSS regulations including the setback distance between your septic system drainfield and drinking water well along with any bodies of water around your home.
How is Lummi Island doing complying with current inspection requirements?Currently, there are 992 Active septic systems, 304 with current Reports of System Status (ROSS) and 31% of systems are in compliance with evaluation requirements.
With 69% of island septic systems out of compliance, it’s fair to say we have some catch up work ahead of us. To ignore the problem is to jeopardize our drinking water sources as people continue to move here. And the fix is often very, very expensive.
Lummi Island septic systems
Fecal bacteria closes shellfish harvest
Recently, Drayton Harbor made the news again with high fecal coliform readings, threatening sensitive shellfish beds. A key source of fecal bacteria was identified as human sewage from failing septic systems.
The Whatcom Clean Water Program recommends picking up pet poop and regular septic system inspections to reduce bacteria levels in the area
Flush your worry away
Residential property owners don’t have to spend a lot of money to keep their systems in a good state of repair. Taking a simple on-line class on how to self inspect your system provides you with peace of mind and keeps you in compliance with the three-year inspection rule. Or you can hire a licensed professional, also called an O&M Specialist. Some systems, such as Glendon Biofilter, OSCAR, and ATU require a licensed professional to do the inspection. If you are the DIY type, follow this link to learn more about homeowner training.
You can get certified to inspect your own septic system in two ways: attend a workshop, like we have given in the past at the Grange (none scheduled at this time), or better yet, take the online class. It’s really simple to do and you can save hundreds of dollars in inspection and pumping fees knowing your septic system is performing as designed.
Where is my septic tank?
Your septic tank access lids may be buried. Inspection risers can be installed so that the lids are at ground level and readily accessible. They’re available from most home improvement stores in different diameters and heights.This saves a lot of digging every three years.
Heavy solids settle to the bottom of the tank while greases and lighter solids float to the top. The solids stay in the tank while the wastewater is discharged to the drainfield for further treatment and dispersal. Source: EPA
As the former owner of Budget Septic, Richard Muehlhausen may be the best resource for advice we have. He has pumped most of the island’s septic tanks over the last 40 years. Budget Septic is a licenced pumper and continues to provide service to Lummi Island. Phone Ben Johnson at (360) 739-1493.
Help your septic system to stay healthy
Richard Muelhausen
Your septic tank is designed to break down human waste through bacterial action. The tank should be airtight: no air, water or light should be allowed to seep in. Anything that goes into your tank that bacterial action cannot break down, will remain in the tank until the next cleaning. (Rule of thumb - if it doesn’t go through you, it should NOT enter the septic tank.)
The Health Department recommends that septic tanks be cleaned every three to five years to remove the sludge buildup and other accumulated debris. If a septic tank is overdue to be pumped, particulate matter could damage the drainfield. How often your tank will require cleaning depends upon the size of the tank and what you put into it.
You can help your septic system to stay healthy by following these simple rules:
Use household chemicals sparingly. This includes detergents, bleaches, drain cleaners. Excessive amounts of household chemicals may stop bacterial action in the septic tank, causing the system to fail.
Use a good quality toilet tissue that breaks up easily when wet (low wet strength). A good test is to place a handful of tissue in a quart jar half full of water and shake the jar. If the tissue breaks up easily, the product is suitable for your septic tank. Tissue color has no effect on the septic tank, although many scented toilet tissues are undesirable because they have a high wet strength.
Practice water conservation. For each gallon of water that flows into a septic tank, a gallon flows out to the drainfield. If excessive amounts of water are flowing through the system due to irresponsible usage or leaking plumbing fixtures, the bacteria that aids in the breakdown of solids may also be flowing out of the tank before it can do its job, so that you may need to have your septic tank cleaned more often.
DO NOT discharge the following into your septic tank:
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Hair (use strainer cups in sinks, tubs and showers)
- Facial tissue, disposable diapers or paper towels
- Cotton swabs, feminine products or condoms
- Cigarette butts
- Cooking fats, coffee grounds, eggshells or bones
- Paints or chemicals, except as listed above
- Handy Wipes or baby wipes.
Our next pro-tip comes to us from Stephen Schneider, who may have designed your septic system on Lummi Island, along with thousands more around Whatcom County. Steve started in the business in 1981, learning from Ray McFarland, of GRAMAC Construction.
Let’s be aware of OSS’s important functions and protect our surface waters, groundwaters, aquifers, and wells!
The days of “flush and forget” are over
Stephen Schneider
On-site Waste Water Treatment System Designer
On-site sewage system (OSS) design regulations are used to protect both public health and environmental health, including surface waters and groundwaters which recharge potable water well aquifers. This is done through three main design aspects: horizontal separation from surface features such as surface waters and well heads, vertical separation or the distance between the OSS drainfield bottom and the groundwater, and treatment levels (ie. a septic tank provides lower Treatment Level E, whereas a Glendon Biofilter provides higher Treatment Level A). In general, as horizontal and vertical separation are reduced, the treatment level must be raised. If OSS’s are designed, installed, and maintained properly they provide an important recharge component for well aquifers.
Some important things to remember as you use an OSS:
Do not use an in-sink garbage disposal. This just grinds organic solids into a suspended solids solution that then has to be treated and later removed from your septic tank. Save the extra septic pumping and put organic waste into the compost or garbage.
Do not put things that kill organisms down the drain. Think of your septic tank as a living organism, with bacteria that need feeding to live. Avoid putting antibiotics, excessive bleach, Drano, paint thinners, etc. down the drain and keep your bacteria alive!
Fix leaks in your plumbing. A leaky toilet not fixed for years can overload your drainfield and cause it to fail.
Fix groundwater leaks into your septic tank. If you live in an area with high groundwater, it is possible that the groundwater will cover the top of your septic tank. If the tank lids and risers are not water tight and groundwater can enter, you are overworking your OSS and this hydraulic overloading of the drainfield could cause failure.
Focus all house, driveway, and other drainage away from your septic tank and especially the drainfield areas. Septic tank effluent must filter through the soils beneath the drainfield and then drain away, eventually entering the existing groundwater. The drier the soils on the drainfield area, the better this process works. If you suspect that groundwater may be interfering with your drainfield, especially during the wet season, you should consider diverting the groundwater if possible, or replacing the drainfield and/or OSS.
Do not park on or put a driveway over your drainfield. It might continue to work, but compaction can eventually negatively affect the drainfield function.
Practice water conservation, especially if you are a large family with a small OSS. The less water through the system, the longer it should last, assuming it is maintained properly.
Maintain your OSS. Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Inspections are required every 3 years for gravity OSS and every year for pressure and proprietary systems, with a “Report of System Status” (ROSS) filed with the Health Department. Homeowners can be trained to do their own inspections on non-proprietary systems. Licensed O&M Specialists are also available for hire. All real estate sales and property transfers involving an OSS, must have the OSS inspected by a Licensed O&M Specialist, and results given to the buyer.
If you have a gravity OSS and do not have an effluent filter on your septic tank outlet, install one. If solids start moving out of the septic tank, it is better to clog and clean the filter, than to clog and have to replace your drainfield.
The days of “flush and forget” are over. Let’s be aware of OSS’s important functions and protect our surface waters, groundwaters, aquifers, and wells!
Our thanks go out to Darin, Richard, and Stephen for sharing their wisdom and experience. On this little island we have to manage our water sources and waste water carefully. Here are some additional tips from Whatcom County Public Health with Seven Ways to Save Thousands of Dollars in Septic System Repairs.
Co-Authors
Mike Skehan | email
MANAGER OF RIDGE WATER ASSN, PAST OWNER OF LUMMI WATER WORKS, MGR OF HILLTOP WATER AND SUNSET BEACH WATER, (WATER DISTRIBUTION SPECIALIST, BASIC TREATMENT OPERATOR), RETIRED.
Isaac Colgan | email
