Homeowners using sanitation systems such as septic systems or non-traditional types of sanitation need to know something of the language and something about how the codes regulate sanitation.
Decisions are made everyday about repairing systems as well as buying properties with these systems in place.
Here are more of the most common terms.
Enhanced treatment: this term refers to methods of enhancing typical septic treatment of wastewater.
Septic treatment is based on allowing bacteria to digest the organic matter and then letting the ground take over with the natural process of absorbing the liquid nutrients.
Disease-causing pathogens die off quickly once they are in the ground.
Some common methods of enhancement include use of ultra violet light to kill pathogens, injection of more bacteria and injection of oxygen through the use of air bubbles.
Oxygen serves as food for bacteria.
Septic systems need a good constant supply of bacteria, which only thrive if they have oxygen.
Oxygen in water is attached to other molecules and cannot be used by bacteria until the bacteria break apart the molecules and free the oxygen.
By injecting free floating (unattached) oxygen cells into the system the bacteria are given more nutrition, and that helps promote multiplying of the bacteria.
Non-discharge systems: systems that treat wastewater but do not put anything into the ground.
These systems are not capable of handling large amounts of wastewater and are typically used only for treating sanitation discharge (what comes out of the toilet).
Composting toilets: a category of non-discharge systems that turn the sanitation into material that can safely be used as soil enrichment.
Evaporative systems: evaporate liquids and dry and shrink solids.
Vault toilets: holding tanks with a toilet, commonly found in outdoor settings such as parks and roadside rest stops.
Chemical toilets: waterless toilets with a holding tank.
Heavy use of chemicals kills the pathogens.
Portable toilets are a common type of chemical toilet.
Pit latrines: trenches in the ground used to collect sanitation.
When full, the trenches are either pumped or covered over with dirt.
Codes: the regulations governing sanitation systems.
Each state has these codes.
Counties and cities also usually are given authority to add to the state codes.
These regulations are designed to protect human health and the environment.
Before permits are issued for the installation of any sanitation system, information about the site is required to make sure that the systems is properly matched to the site conditions and intended use.
The permitting process is usually handled by the local Health Department or Environmental Protection Department or both.
Many people think that the U.
S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates sanitation and wastewater systems.
It does not.
Each state regulates sanitation disposal.
EPA sets standards for environmental safety: ground, air and water.
It also receives information and monitors what is happening to the environment, providing important research and data to the states for best environmental practices.
Industrial and agricultural wastes and runoff are large concerns, along with the sanitary waste materials generated by homes, cabins, recreational vehicles, commercial sites and various other sources.
Given that our usable water comes from a very limited supply, it is vital that regulation be based on solid information and good science.
Well owners need to pay close attention.
But all of us need to be aware that the lakes, rivers and aquifers from which our usable water is drawn are subject to overuse and contamination on an unprecdented scale.
Methane gas: this deadly gas is lethal instantly if breathed.
It can collect in tanks holding sanitation waste and is virtually odorless.
The gas is produced when solids in wastewater begin to decompose.
Bacteria, needing oxygen, break up the molecules in water to which oxygen is attached.
The oxygen is most commonly attached to gas molecules.
When the molecules break up not only oxygen but also the gas is freed.
Methane and sulphur are the most frequent gases.
Sulphur smells but methane does not.
Never go into a sanitation tank and do not breathe air coming from a sanitation system.
For more information check your state regulations governing sanitation and plumbing.
These are posted by Health Departments and Environmental Resources or Protection Departments.