Inspection Tales
FROM THE CRYPT
Pretreatment Vessel
Lack of Maintenance
No effluent-all solids
Field still taking effluent
No clarified effluent
Condition of the Field
A person shall not use a cesspool for sewage
disposal. R18-9-A309A 4
Conventional Onsite
General Permit 1.09 before
2001
General Permit 4.02 after
2001
Why is this important?
Because there is an effluent screen
Evaluation of Actual Flow 6 F
Septic Tank’s daily design flow is determined as follows: R18-9-A314 4.
Based on Bedroom Count and fixture count
• No person shall
discharge sewage or
wastewater that
contains sewage
from an on-site
wastewater
treatment facility
except under an
Aquifer Protection
Permit issued by the
Director.
R18-9-A309
First Tool As-Bilt
Some Tools you will find helpful.
NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT
So now you have a phone with a camera !
SCUM and SLUDGE
Was the Tank Pumped ? 8
Septic Tank Material 8B
R18-9-A314 Design, Manufacturing, Installation.
Liquid Level- Normal 8C
Depending on the precast, levels will be different, by
the gallons, so you need to measure the level.
Most Important question on the form
Normal - Below Normal - Above Normal - Not Determined
Inlet Baffle with 2 inch drop at
invert of the inlet. Proper, but very
rare! R18-9-A314 1 f. 8 K I
Liquid Level at Outlet
Proper level-at invert of the outlet
Below normal
Fluctuating levels,Home is
occupied, this could have been
easily missed
Liquid Level-Above Normal 8G
Improper Level
Tank set to High
Compartments 8E
1989 2 compartment tanks
Septic Tank Risers 8G
What is the concern here?
Tank Depth 8 I
Air to Liquid Interface
Measure the level
Don’t be Fooled!!
If you can’t see sewage entering tank, be cautions!
This tank had a proper level at the outlet.
Clamshell
Obvious receding levels; this tank is leaking.
FOG
FOG Fat Oil Grease 6G
This would exceed typical Residential Sewage
Inlet Baffle 8 K i
Not Functional, essential to layering
WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT BAFFLES
Our septic tank pretreats the sewage, separates it
into layers, baffles are essential to this process.
Baffles or Sanitary T’s 8 J
Pre-cast concrete
What’s wrong here?
BAFFLES
OFF PLUMB
When we need to send a photo to the
customer to show then the issue with the
baffle, we place our measuring stick plumb.
You can see the degree it is off 90.
If it is not @ 90, there is a problem, it is:
YOU WILL FIND THIS.
DIPPED
Crimped
Severed at Tank
It can Function for Years,
without being noticed until soil around tank is saturated.
Exfiltration at Outlet Delivery 9B
Effluent not Reaching Disposal Works.
EXPOSED REBAR
Is there evidence of:
Root Invasion,
Cracks in the tank
Damaged lids,
Damaged Risers
Other
Exposed Rebar causes cracks, root invasion. 8
N other
CRACKS ON THE
BOTTOM
Evidence of: Cracks, roots, rebar, damaged
lids or risers. 8 N
Drain Flies
Diatomaceous Earth
DRAIN FLIES
Surging
Effluent Screen/Filter 8 P
Closed at Top
Theobacillus is the culprit
T Baffle acts as a smoke stack.
Disposal Works, Ettringite.
Billowing
Early Precast Septic Tanks
Flush to Lid
Billowing, HS Damage
Field Inspection Ports 9 E
How to measure ?
Ponding in Field?
Good or Bad?
Chamber Technology 7
Seepage Pit 7
This Seepage pit that failed.
Seepage Pit
Not connected to-
Straight System.
Beware of problem areas.
PONDING
What can be in a scum cap?
Disposable Wipes
Septic Safe and Flushable ?
Landfill Trash
INSULIN BOTTLES
We Retired

Tank tells the tale