National onsite wastewater treatment: A national small flows clearinghouse summary of onsite systems in the United States, 1993
In 1994, the National Small Flows Clearinghouse undertook the project of learning about the status of onsite systems across the country by contacting those in the local and state public health agencies who work with these systems every day. Approximately 3,500 agencies were sent a questionnaire containing questions about onsite systems. The project objectives included determining the following for each state for the year 1993: the number of new onsite systems permitted; reasons for permit denial; number of onsite systems reported to have failed; reasons for system failure; new onsite system construction/installation cost; how often onsite system inspections are performed; and who has responsibility for onsite system maintenance. The most common reasons given for permit denial were inadequate lot size, high water table, poor/inadequate soils, shallow bedrock, and central sewer availability. Health departments attributed failure of onsite systems to the following factors: age, unsuitable soils, lack of maintenance/pumping, high groundwater table, and excessive water use. Many health departments noted a correlation between failing systems and either inadequate or nonexistent regulations. One recurring observation made by the local health departments was that sites which previously would never have been considered for onsite system use are now being purchased, planned, and developed with onsite wastewater treatment in mind.
- Research Organization:
- National Small Flows Clearinghouse, Morgantown, WV (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 20014940
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 1998 National Conference on Environmental Engineering, Chicago, IL (US), 06/07/1998--06/10/1998; Other Information: PBD: 1998; Related Information: In: Water resources and the urban environment--98, by Wilson, T.E. [ed.], 754 pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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