options and resources for individuals and communities using onsite … · 2014. 11. 26. · options...

Options and Resources for Individuals and Communities using Onsite Systems

Amy Galford, M.S., Extension AssociateCollege of Human Ecology & NYS Water Resources Institute

Cornell [email protected] 607-255-1943

Canadarago LakeRichfield Springs, Otsego County, NY

20 April 2013

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Options and Resources for Property Owners

Decentralized vs. Centralized Wastewater Treatment

Community Decentralized Management Options

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Options and Resources for Individuals and Communities using Onsite Systems

Septic Workshop, Otsego Co, April 2013

Options and Resources for Property OwnersLow-Cost Improvements (free to few hundred $)

Organize records

Routine inspection and pumpingOrganize with neighbors to negotiate inspection

and pumping rates

Add features such as effluent filter (outflow from tank), access risers to make maintenance easier

Water conservation3


Emergency measuresHave system inspected and pumped immediatelyConserve water, use water elsewhere

Work with local agencies and design professionals to determine options

Siting – can you use another location on the property?

Rehabilitation – replace, add, or upgrade parts of OWTS

Install an advanced treatment component?

Join a larger system?

Options for a Failing System

4U.S. EPA



Check Local Agencies Before Making Changes• Which changes allowed? • What forms, permits, inspections, or fees are required?

Local Clerk (town or village)

County Code Enforcement Officer – forms may be online

Local Health Department (State not County Health Dept. here)Otsego Co: NYS DOH Oneonta District 607-432-3911Herkimer Co: NYS DOH Herkimer District 315-866-6879

NYS DEC Region 4 Stamford – for activity near wetlands, shoreline; Shoreline General Permit for in-kind replacement http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6048.html

• Who can do the work? e.g.,NYS DEC regulates waste disposal and transport

See NYS DOH Factsheet “Need for Licensed Design Professionals– Residential Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems” 5


Possible Sources of Financial Assistance

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USDA Home Repair Loans and Grantswww.rurdev.usda.gov/nylow-income, rural, agemore info next slide and on handout

RCAP Solutionswww.rcapsolutions.org/financial_services.htm

It’s free to ask!

Organize, cooperate, negotiate, be creative



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USDA Home Repair Loans and Grantswww.rurdev.usda.gov/ny


Most local area eligible

Property, income, age guidelines

Local contacts:

Otsego CoSchoharie Service Center(518) 295-8600 x4

Herkimer CoMarcy Service Center(315) 736-3316 x4

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Individual Property Owners or Community Wastewater Treatment Solution?

• Owner responsible for maintenance

• Provide local groundwater recharge

• Limited by site condition

• Limited life but decades if maintained

• Smaller capital investment and ongoing commitment

• May be low energy

• Good for large rural lots

Wastewater Treatment – Generalizations

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• State, county, watershed regulation

• Nutrient and organism levels reduced to levels for surface discharge

• Regular maintenance, inspection, laboratory testing

• Professional staffing – but can be a challenge for small systems

• Can use or generate energy depending on technology

• Cost-effective for dense population


Decentralized (On-Site) vs. Centralized

Much of upstate New York falls in the middle?

Wastewater Treatment

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All need state, local, watershed regulation and/or oversightAll need investment to last over timeAll affect community financial and environmental resourcesCommunity planning process

Conventional septic systemAdvanced on-site treatment systemCluster system (e.g., septic tanks but shared treatment field)Management combinationsPackage plantsCentral wastewater treatment plant

Best solution will vary locallyContinuum of centralization and technologyVariety of combinations

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water.epa.gov/infrastructure/septic


Range of Community Management Options

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1. Homeowner Awareness – education, records, reminders

2. Maintenance Contracts – for more complex systems (may be required by NYS or county health dept.)

3. Operating Permits – owner permits, renewal, often with contract

4. Responsible Management Entity (RME) Operating and Maintenance – permit to the RME (public or private; fees; technical, managerial, financial capacity)

5. RME Ownership – RME ownership of wastewater treatment system, most similar to sewerage


Community Decentralized Management Models

US EPA 2003 Voluntary National Guidelines for Management of Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems

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• Adapt based on environmental sensitivity, public health risk, complexity of systems, other local factors

• May phase in additional management measures over time, monitor results

• Appendices with detailed tables of program elements, responsible parties, activities

• EPA suggestions; NYS, County, Local, watershed regulations may supersede



US EPA 2003 Voluntary National Guidelines for Management of Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems

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Integrate with other water resources management (stormwater, private water wells, drinking water source protection, etc.)

Monitoring data to evaluate options and progress

NYS DEC regulation with > 1000 gallons per day –intermediate systems, larger systems

Various federal and state financing assistance for small water systems (next slide)



Possible Sources of Financial AssistanceOften geared toward building centralized systems;

ask about decentralized options

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USDA Rural Developmentwww.rurdev.usda.gov/NY_WEP_Home.html Other organizations may get grants from USDA RD to run grant, loan, or technical assistance programs

NYS Environmental Facilities Corporationwww.nysefc.org EPA Clean Water State Revolving Fund for NYS

Syracuse Univ. Environmental Finance Centerefc.syracusecoe.org/efc/sub.html?skuvar=5

RCAP Solutionswww.rcapsolutions.org/financial_services.htm



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Case Studies

Otsego Lake – covered in previous presentation

Keuka Lake – 8 municipalities, uniform ordinances, inspection program, contracts, permits (see handout, website)

Owasco Lake – Cayuga Co. Code for periodic inspection + Watershed Inspectorwww.cayugacounty.us/hhs/doh/environmental/septicsystem.htmcayugacounty.us/wqma/owasco/index.htm

Skaneateles Lake (Onondaga Co.)

See handouts and EPA for more examples and principles; Cornell WRI working on developing more NYS case studies



What about Canadarago Lake?

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The State of Canadarago Lake 2011

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• SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station Technical Report #30, Feb 2012

• Provides perspective with data over time and history of wastewater treatment plant, phosphate ban, agricultural practices, invasive species

• “During times of high water, there is concern that submergence of private wastewater treatment systems poses potential human health risks. Also, the inundation of systems could cause substantial flushing of P and N to the lake. Few details are known regarding the current state of treatment systems around Canadarago Lake, and no inspection program is currently instituted to monitor their functionality or treatment performance.”

• Fecal coliform bacteria data in lake and tributaries; spatial and temporal variation.

Public Survey 2008

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• Anonymous mail-in survey in Canadarago Lake Improvement Association Spring 2008 Newsletter

• 23% pumping every 3-5yrs>25% never pumped (at least while they owned)

• Do you believe there are significant wastewater problems in the community? ~50% yes

• Do you favor a community wastewater system?31% yes, 48% unsure, 21% no

Discussion of next steps for Canadarago Lake

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• Current understanding of onsite wastewater treatment?* Homeowner behavior* Water quality impacts

* Public opinion about options

• Which options technically feasible?

• Which options practical, affordable, preferred?

• Educational strategies?

• Funding opportunities to pursue?

options and resources for individuals and communities using onsite … · 2014. 11. 26. · options...

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