Advanced Onsite Wastewater A Treatment Systems: Strategy for W Natural Resource Protection m nt Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Science and Policy Bulletin Series /n/s ouiietin stems from the WBNERR 1992conference on advancedonsite wastewatertreatmentsystems, which exploredthepotentialforusing these systemsin coastal watersheds, as a componentofcomprehensiveplans, to address existing andprojectednitrogen loadingproblems.* While thisixilletin reflects the sense ofthe 1992 WBNERR meetingandthe thoughtsofsome ofthose mostknowledgeable atx>ut these systems, debate continues oversome ofthe information wereport. How Can We LimitNitrogen Inputs to than necessary; yet the existing wasteproducers using theplant Coastal Salt Ponds andBays? mustpay the entire cost. Othertimes the community grows fasterthan expected andoutgrows the capacity ofthe plant. A There is no single solution. There are a numberoftechnologi- related issue is thatconventional sewering can actually cal andplanning toolsavailable to limitthetotal amountof encourage development; die community has an incentive to nitrogen from homes andbusinesses in acoastal watershed so add houses in order to recoup the cost ofthe sewer. With that itdoes notcause unacceptabledeterioration ofthe advanced onsite wastewater treatment systems, the numberof receiving waters. All ofthe a;/ailable tools shouldbe used in systems installed matches die size ofdie community andcan thecontextoflogical, comprehensiveplanning. expand atwhateverrate the community grows. One historically populartechnological option.is seweringand centralizedwastewatertreatmentplants. Asecond is small, community-based wastewater ireatme'ntplants, foreitherraw wastewateroreffluent from conventional sepdc tanks that travels from the sepdc tanks throughsmalldiameterpipes. 'S9S A third and importantoption is using advanced wastewater treatmentsystems forthe home ("onsite" wastewatertreatment Copy ^'^ systems). These systems treat the wastewater where it is produced, atthe home orbusiness - hence the name "onsite" systems - andthey discharge to thegrounda higherquality effluent than conventional sepdc tank-leach field technology, which is notadequate to protectgroundwaterandsurface waterresources in someareas. Why LookAtAdvanced Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems? These technologies haveanumberofadvantages. First, compared to building orextendingacentral sewer system, advancedonsite wastewatertreatmentsystemscan be economical. Onepartofthiseconomic advantage is the ability to match die numberofsystems to the size ofdie community. Central plantsaregenerally builtto accommo- date wastewaterflows from projectedpopulauons. Since diese projecuons are uncertain, dieplants are somedmes larger The History ofWastewater: 1400 A.D. Illustrationsby KarenEsswein For infermaiiononwhynitrogenisaproblemincoastalwatersandtheimportanceofseptictanksasasourceofnitrogen,contact WBNERR. andconventional septic tank- leach fields; both technologies Selected key features of advanced, onsite areconsidered standard. InWashington State, therearetwo or wastewatertreatment systems: three thousand intermittentsand filters in use today. Similar stories oftheextensiveuseofalternatives come from Califor- Allowforclose fitbetween thestrength ofwaste nia, Maryland, and Oregon. producedataparticularsiteandthe leveloftreat- AmlelnotwAfeocrhcnloolsoegfyitrbeeqtuwiereednastutphpelysiaten.ddemand. In Massachusetts, theRUCKsystem is permittedas an alternative, which requires approval from the local boardof u Allowclose fitbetween levelofwaste treatmentandthe natureoftheresourcearea wherethe wasteis health as well as a variance from DEP. Toapply fora produced. variance costs$400, andDEPhas sixty days torespondto Createsmallbusinessopportunities. applications. Massachusetts also allowscomposting systems, Require oversightofoperation andmaintenancebya as long as theyare used in combination with astandard septic localboardorregionalagency, sometimes in coop- tank-leach field. The DEPisalso optimistic aboutits ability eration with a3rdpartycontractor. tograntspeedy variances forsand filters. u Allowtighterclustering ofdevelopmentandtherefore greaterflexibilityinlanduseplanning than traditional Why Don't States Permit More of septicsystems, u Periodicshort-term failures willhave onlyminorimpacts These Technologies? on the totalwastestreamdischargedto the environment Aside from evaluating the technologies, which many states u Failures aregenerallyinexpensive to repair, atleast consider the lesserchallenge, the main hurdles thatregulatory from acommunity-wideperspective;systems are agencies face are ensuring adequate maintenance, oversight, designedforeasymaintenance. and managementofthe systems. In some cases, regulatory u Becauseindividuals mustthinkabouttheirwastewater, agencies are furtherburdened with the legacy ofwastewater theyare more likelyto take responsibility fortheirbehav- treatmentregulations being used forland use management. iors ingenerating waste. This requires a compre- hensive education effort. Communities and local boards need to work together tocreate strategies such as wasetwater managementdistricts thatwill ensure the long-term oversightand maintenance ofonsite A second benefitofadvanced onsite wastewatertreatment wastewatertreatmentsystems. systems is that they can be specialized to treatavariety of types ofwaste. Compared tocentralized collection and Will Using these Systems Lead to treatmentsystems, which combine wastewater from many Excessive Development in Our sources, advanced onsitewastewatertreatmentsystems treat Communities? strongerwaste (e.g., firom restaurants) separately from other wastewater(e.g., from single family residences). In addition, Compared to traditional methodsadvancedonsite wastewater the costoftreating thishigh strength waste is bome by its treatmentsystems may allow forhigher housing densities - producer, rather than by all otherhomeownersandbusinesses and the consequentpreservation ofopen space. The result in thearea. may be tighterclusters ofhousing withoutan overall increase in the numberofhouses in acommunity. Although land use Third, the necessary maintenance andoversightforadvanced planning in Massachusetts hasbeen closely tied to the onsite wastewater treatmentsystems presents communities wastewatertreatmentregulations, this is notdesirable from the with small business opportunities, as pointedout in a 1992 perspective ofaplanneror natural resource manager. Housing conceptpaperby the Association for the Preservation ofCape densities shouldbe basedon logical comprehensiveplanning Cod (APCC). These opportunities range from constructing stemming from acommunity's vision ofwhat it wants tobe and installingsystems to monitoring and maintaining them and where it wants to grow. throughout theirlives. So, much ofthe money spent foronsite wastewatertreatmentsystems goes back into the local and Nitrogen loading isonly one ofa myriad offactors thatneed regionalcommunities. tobe considered in planning for land use. Ofequal impor- tance are otiier natural resource constraints (e.g., wedands, Can IActually Use Advanced Onsite plantand wildlife habitat, flood hazardareas), as well asthe Wastewater Treatment Systems? availability ofpublic infrastructure, the need foraffordable housing, the location ofeconomic centers, and historic land Itdependson the system andon where you live. In Florida, use and setUementpatterns. The key point is that nitrogen forexample, using a sand filterorcomposterrequires only that loading is notand should notbe the sole basis fordetermining users obtain approval from the local health department. In desirable land use patterns. Maine, theregulationsdo notdifferentiate between peat filters In Massachusetts, What is My Part in Getting There? As a Homeowner: A Educateyourselfaboutnitrogen loadingandadvanced A Furtherinformyourselfaboutthis issue. Reading the onsite wastewatertreatmentsystems. Reading this more detailed WBNERR reportfrom the conference is document is agreatstart! agoodstart. A Considerinstalling an advancedonsitesystem atyour home, eitheras a retrofit toyouroldsystem, oras a new system, especially ifyourexistingsystem needs to be As a Conservation Agent: replaced. Educate yourself further regarding new technology and how A Attendmeetings ofyourlocalboardofhealth, and thattechnology relates to conservation. Then, working with the encourage them to considerusing these systems as Boards of Health, educate the public; encourage homeowners partofa comprehensiveplanning effortby the town. to use systems appropriate for each site. Act as a regulatory A Properly maintain whateveronsite wastewatertreat- check point with other local environmental agencies to be sure mentsystemyou currentlyown. This willdemonstrate that installed systems are adequately monitored. thatindividualhomeowners can andshould take responsibility formaintaining conventionaland advancedonsite wastewatertreatmentsystems. As a Planning Board Member: Consider using advanced onsite wastewatertreatment systems as atool to achieve comprehensive planning goals As a Small Business Owner: and to move beyond planning constraints posed by traditional A Considerinstalling an advancedsystem atyour wastewatertreatment options. business. A Considerwhatbusinessopportunities the widespread Anticipate how zoning and development procedures might use ofadvancedonsite wastewatertreatmentsystems change in response to the increased availability of these mightpresent foryou, aqd work with localandregional systems. Work closely with other local boards, which will planningandhealth agencies to expandyourbusiness. undoubtedly receive requests for variances. As a Representative on the Board of Health: As a Selectman: The Massachusetts DEP feels that, considering the potentially A Pass bylaws to delineate environmentally sensitive large number of systems involved, their permitting, sun/eil- areas. lance, and enforcement capabilities would be overwhelmed. A Requireperformance standards in environmentally Therefore, the Department states that it would have to rely on sensitive areas. local boards of health (although DEP recognizes that these A Establish funding sources forinspection andmain- local boards are also often understaffed) oron local waste- tenanceprograms foronsite wastewatertreatment water managementdistricts for management and oversight. systems. A Create annualawards fororganizations thatimplement Board members and health agents should: outstandingprograms aboutonsite wastewater A Determine whichgeographicareas withinyourjuris- treatment. diction are criticalresource areas, in ordertoprioritize areas forthe use ofadvancedonsite wastewater treatmentsystems. Areas likely to receive highpriority As a Legislator: include wellheadprotection areas andshallow, enclosed bays. Marine embayments thatdo notexhibitsigns of m Draftandsupportlegislation which willhelp fundthe research andimplementation ofinnovative wastewater eutrophication stillrequire theboard's attention. treatmentsystems. A Work with neighboring towns to establish a coordinated mCommission task forces toperform the necessary plan forprotecting criticalresource areas. Often, the economicandtechnicalanalyses. landarea thatdrains to a coastalwaterbodyfalls within thejurisdiction ofmore than one town. A Establish andimplementprograms forinspection and maintenanceofexistingsystems. A Documentlocations ofsub-standardsystems andforce upgrades to advancedsystems. A Learn aboutsystems thatcurrently exist which would meetyourestablishedperformance criteria. A Write aproposalto DEPforinstalling andmanaging newsystems;convince DEPthatyou are serious about managementandoversight, thatyou wantto work with them, andthatyou have agoodplan. Where Do We Go From Here? A Report From the Conference Working Groups We need to establish comprehensive educational o Taxing the use ofconventionaltechnology. programs about wastewater treatment options. o Enabling towns to applyforrevolving loans, garnered These programs should address towns, vendors, andadministeredby the state, to fundadvancedonsite municipal boards, researchers, system users, and state, wastewatertreatmentsystems, regional, and federal agencies. We need to educate as many o Deciding upon events that willtriggeran enforced people as possible that: upgraderequirement. o Establishing databases thatallowcomparisons of o 777© myth thatconventionalsepticsystems are technologies, associatedcosts, andenvironmental adequate toprotectpublichealth andthe environ- benefits. mentin allsituations isjust that- a myth. In much of o Following Wisconsin and Washington in implementing southeastern Massachusetts the high nitrogen concen- aperformance basedregulatorycode that wouldallow trations in the effluentcontribute to degradation of flexibilityandlong-range comprehensiveplanning. groundwaterandestuaries. o Assemblingcase studies/models ofmanagement a Nitrogen loading togroundwaterimpacts both ofadvancedonsite wastewatertreatmentsystems. human health andestuarine ecosystem structure o Requiringoperatingpermits forallonsite wastewater andfunction. treatmentsystems, with associatedinspections and a Wastewatertreatmentstandards may needto be higher fees. The fees couldbe directedto a specialfundfor in recharge areas to coastal waters than in otherareas. appropriate disbursement. a Advancedonsite wastewatertreatmentsystems o Establishingaprocess forthe effectiveandtimely are viable tools to use aspartofthe solution, and evaluation, operation, andmanagementofnewsystems. decentralizedwastewatertreatmentsystems can have significantenvironmentalandeconomic We need to develop an approach for phasing in the use of advantages overlarge centralizedsystems. advanced onsite wastewater treatment systems. This means: We need to create a regulatory climate that fosters innova- tion, that asks for a better mouse trap.^This could include prioritizing areas forusing these systems. actions by the state of Massachusetts such as; determining how they willbe managed when there are o Incorporatingknowledge aboutnutrientloading only a fewin thegroundand when, in the future, there are hundreds orthousands ofthem in theground. This o iPnrtoomsutlagtaetiwnagstleewgiastleartitonrelaitkemetnhtecWoidsecso.nsin pmleiasnhesddaentderimdienntiinfgyitnhgeatgaesnkcsitehsatapnpereodprtioatbeefaocrceoamc-h eGfrfoluuenndt)waatnedrtLhaewPe(nrnesquyilrveasndirainCklienagnwSatterreaqmuaslity task. Itmeans anticipating future needs (e.g., estab- lishmentofpublic-privatepartnerships, implementation Law. ofmandatorypumping schedules). Italso means o Fostering cooperative agreements between state recognizing that managementis a criticalissuebutnot agencies to constructandmonitordemonstration one thatis insurmountable. sites. A"gaming out"future scenarios to determine, forex- o Establishinggrantprograms like the Wisconsin Fund ample, howmuch revenue wouldbegeneratedby forreplacing failedsystems with innovative systems. differentfunding mechanisms andhowmuch wouldbe o Removing regulatoryandbureaucraticbarriers to neededby associatedmanagementscenarios (e.g. to innovation (e.g. excessivepermitting requirements and pay additionalboardofhealth agents). Italso includes filing fees forvariances forinnovative technologies) focusingon the costs andmethods forretrofitting while retainingregulations necessarytoprotectthe existing onsite wastewatertreatmentsystems. environment andpublichealth. A developing aplan formoving from the initial, small- o Makinga commitment to activelysupportcommunities scale managementandoversightprocedures to the thatestablish reasonable maintenance andoversight later-stage large-scaleprocedures. programs. o Drafting modelprocedures to enable thirdparty mainte- nance ofadvancedonsite wastewatertreatment systems. o Reducing siting restrictions forsystems thatproduce high quality effluent, o Implementing clearandreasonableperformance standards. o Establishing a dateby which existingsystems in areas where a higherleveloftreatmentis needed wouldhave to be replacedbyadvancedsystems. The History ofWastewater: 1970 .\.D. Which Communities Use These process (callednitrification/denitrification) requires passing Systems to Protect TheirNatural and the wastewaterthrough a sequenceofaerated and oxygen-free environments, in which the bacteriathatconvert the various Cultural Resources? forms ofnitrogen areactive. 2) Use micro-filters orresins to attractand remove ionized nitrogenous waste. Thisentails Threecommunities taking the initiative and usingadvanced cleaning, orregenerating, the filtermediaperiodically, much onsite wastewatertreatmentsystems to improve wastewater ashousehold waterpurifiersarecleaned. Theresulting treatment from existing developmentareWashington Island, nitrogen-rich liquid could then be denitrified orrecycledas Wisconsin; Thurston County,Washington; andGloucester, fertilizer. 3) Intercept the bulk ofnitrogen-rich waste (i.e. Massachusetts. toiletand kitchen wastes - "black water") and compost itor A store itforoff-site treatment. groupofcitizensrepresentingover twenty civic associations in the watershed ofWaquoitBay,Massachusetts has been In discussing "nitrogen removal", it is clearly important to working with the Citizens fortheProtection ofWaquoitBay, consider notonly how the nitrogen is removed from the the Association forthe Preservation ofCapeCod, and the wastewaterbutalso where the nitrogen ultimately goes. WaquoitBay National EstuarineResearch Reserve to draftan Converting it to nitrogen gas solves thegroundwaterand action plan forthe watershed in order toprotectand restore the surface water problemsbutis energy-inefficientbecause naturalresources ofthe bay. Theaction plan includespromot- considerable energy is expendedconverting nitrogen gas to ing the useofnitrogen-removalonsite wastewater treatment nitrate forchemical fertilizer. Recycling anitrate-rich liquid systemsin the watershed anddesignating the watersheda orcompostas fertilizer is more efficient in this regard. The demonstration areafor these systems. thirdoption, carting the nitrogen-rich wastewateroff-site adds truckingcosts and associated environmental impacts; of course, wastewater treatment must follow the storage and What Are Nitrogen Removal transport. The transportoption also reinforces the prevalent Onsite Systems and What jjerception thatwastes canjustdisappear, which may not encourage environmentally responsiblepollution prevention Technologies Are Available?* practices by individuals. Background SandFilters andSynthetic Media Filters These systemspass the septic tank effluentacross filters made Nitrogen removal onsitewastewatertreatmentsystemsremove ofsandoralternative material (e.g. peagravel, ash, mine slag, much ofthe nitrogen from wastewaterand existon the site synthetic media). This process creates an oxygen-rich thatthey service. There are three strategies which systems environment wherebacteriaconvertammonium in the effluent employtoachieve this goal: 1) Convertthe nitrogen in to nitrate. This liquid then enters an oxygen-free environment, wastewaterinto nitrogen gas (in this form itis innocuous since where bacteriaconvert nitrate to nitrogen gas, which escapes the Earth's atmosphere is 80% nitrogen). Toaccomplish this to the atmosphere. The History ofWastewater Treatment: 1990 A.D. * Fordesignspecificationforadvancedon-sitesystems,see WBNERR informationsheetsfromtheFebruary, 1992NitrogenRemovalConference. ! Nitrogen removal rates vary from 50% toover95% depending systems is commonlyadded to soils atthe site. Incineration upon theparticularsystem. More complex systems tend to toiletsevaporateandbum toiletwastes leaving an ash which achieve higherremoval rates butalso have a highercostand disposed with the household trash. The gray waterwaste i< more extensive maintenancerequirements. generally flows through aconventional septic tankand leach field, butthissystem can also includeadenitrification These filters have theaddedadvantage ofcapturingsolids that componentlikeasand filterorpeatfilter. are carriedoutoftheseptic tank. This both reduces the strength ofthe wasteandprolongs the life ofthe leach field. Mechanically, these systems are relatively simpleand thwe- One variation on this type ofsystem is the RUCK system, nfiotrreoagreen,untlhiekyelgyretaodbyreraekdudcoewtnh.e vInolaudmdietioofnsotloiCdsr.eatAilntghtohuegh which incorporates alayered sand filterand which separates this is notdirecdy connected to the nitrogen pollutionprob- the blackandgrey water. lem, itisclosely tied to theproblems ofsolid wastedisposal and septage treatment. Composting Systems andHolding Tanks. PeatFilter Separating blackandgrey watercan be an attractive option becauseblack watercontains60-90% ofthe nitrogen in all All oftheeffluent from the septic tank runs throughapeat domestic wastewaterbutcan accountfor less than 15% ofthe bed, which serves as both filterand leach field. Monitoring total flow. Thus, it ispossible toprovide nitrogen removal systems in Maine suggests thatremoval rates can exceed90% facilities forasmallportion ofthe wastestream andremove a ofthe total nitrogen in the wasewater. In addition, these lotofthe total nitrogen. systemsseem torequire extremely minimal maintenance. Ofthese systems, some store the black waterina holding tank. Related concerns include the excavation ofpeat, an essentially Otherscompostit, with eithera dry system orone incorporat- non-renewable resource, and the transportation ofpeatto ing a flush toUet. The compostorash thatresults from these distantsites. For more Information: SCaelel WWaBqNuoEiRtRBaWyhiNtaetiPoanaplerEsotnuaNriitnreogReenseRaermcohvaRlesSeyrsvteem•s(5&08W)B45N7E-0R4R95I,nfNoartmiaotniaolnSSmhaeleltFslforwosmCtlheearCionngfheoruesnece•.(800) 624-8301 No.2 Advanced Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems. August 1992 Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Science and Policy Bulletin Series TheWaquoitBayNational EstuarineResearch ReserveispartoftheNational EstuarineResearch ReserveSystem, establehed bysection 315oftheCoastal Zone ManagementAct, asamended.Additionalinformation abouttheSystem canbeabtained fromtheSanctuariesand Reserves Division OfficeofOcean andCoastal ResourceManagement, National OceanicandAtmosphericAdministration, U.S. DepartmentofCommerce, 1825ConnecticutAvenue NW Washington DC20235. Thispublication madepossiblethroughthecooperativeeffortofNOAAandthe US E PA Editor/Author:NoelGurwickWBNERR, WBNERRReserveManager:ChnstineGault Sendcommentsandquestionsto:WBNERR, POBox3092,Waquoit, MA02536 Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management Division of Forests and Parks - Region 1 PO Box 3092 Waquoit, MA 02536 (508) 457-0495