Drop of Knowledge

Across rural America and U.S. held territories, Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) Technical Assistance Providers (TAPs) help rural communities navigate complex bureaucracies, secure project funding, and implement infrastructure projects vital to regional economies. However, TAPs face unique challenges that make their jobs incredibly difficult. Despite these challenges, dedicated rural development specialists understand their critical role as a lifeline connecting communities with the resources they need. 

From the banks of the Colorado River to the archipelagos of Micronesia, Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC)– the Western RCAP – serves a remarkably diverse region. Regardless of the specific culture or geography, the communities RCAC assists often confront the same basic challenges. Here are five of the most typical challenges TAPs encounter. 

1. Tech Time Warp 

Due to spotty internet in rural communities, TAPs find themselves dusting off fax machines, googling a tutorial on how to use one, or becoming an in-person courier, hand-delivering documents so the utilities you assist don’t miss critical application deadlines. Advocating for better connectivity is a long-term battle being fought on various levels, but in the meantime, TAPs should be prepared to deal with the same technological frustrations rural water operators face.  

2. Capacity   

Finding qualified engineers, contractors and other professionals to work in remote rural areas is its own challenge. Communities regularly face overpriced, substandard services and long delays when searching for reliable vendors. TAPs can often expect to spend significant time helping communities navigate the procurement process, vetting bidders, and ensuring that projects are technically sound. TAPs may also find themselves mediating disputes, acting as a watchdog to protect community interests, and providing impromptu project management seminars. Additionally, TAPs may arrive on-site expecting a formal office but instead find yourself working with a few volunteers, juggling their board duties with full-time jobs or businesses or busy lives of their own, including other community leadership roles. In the most basic level, these communities lack capacity for managing major infrastructure projects. Your ability to adapt is crucial. 

 3. Jumping Through Hoops While Drowning in Acronyms (JTHWDA) 

Navigating the labyrinth of federal, state, and local regulations is a formidable task, even for seasoned TAPs. In chronically under-resourced rural areas, the process becomes even more daunting. The alphabet soup of acronyms – RUS, SDWA, CWSRF, TTHM, VOCs and countless others– becomes a second language that takes significant time and effort to master. Understanding the nuances of agency procedures, interpreting timelines and adapting to an ever-evolving regulatory landscape requires specialized expertise and relentless dedication. 

Technological constraints can add another layer of complexity; online portals designed to aid the application process often require extensive navigation and troubleshooting due to their design, shifting requirements and occasional technical glitches. The TAP’s ability to navigate these challenges is a vital skill and critical for assisting rural communities to secure the support they need.  

4. Perseverance Is Your Friend 

Rural communities facing wastewater system failure have no time to spare; when things are not maintained, systems are exposed to potential regulatory fines and public health risks, resulting in cascading economic consequences that can destabilize entire local economies. Securing funding, getting regulatory approvals, and finishing construction projects can take an agonizingly long time. The ability to manage expectations, advocate tirelessly for action, and celebrate even incremental progress is essential for project success and community morale – not to mention your sense of purpose and mental health. Remember: the road to success isn’t always straightforward, and the biggest wins can come from overcoming unexpected setbacks in a slow and steady manner. 

5. Empty Pockets, Full Potential 

Rural communities bear the brunt of historical neglect, underinvestment, and other structural barriers that continuously limit access to capital and professional expertise. These factors make it tough to keep basic services running and aggravate rural communities’ inherent disadvantages in a playing field heavily skewed in favor of more urbanized, affluent regions. 

To effectively tackle these problems, it’s important to understand the historical contexts and inequities that continue to shape rural communities – and their proven track record of finding creative solutions with limited means. This is crucial for crafting strategies that mitigate immediate challenges and pave the way for sustainable development over the long haul. 

Rural communities embody a spirit of resourcefulness and determination that can spark remarkable growth when given the right opportunities. By partnering with organizations like RCAP, these communities leverage their strengths, develop strategies for positive change, and energetically build a future where they flourish on their own terms. 

This article is funded under RCAP’s EPA NPA 2 2022 – 2024 grant. 

Sewer customers may be familiar with the notices, “Due to rising costs, the monthly price of your service is set to increase during your next billing cycle.” So why do so many wastewater utilities struggle to raise rates? Unlike your favorite subscription service, wastewater utility customers do not have the choice of pausing or canceling their membership in response to a price increase and deciding to take their business elsewhere.

Wastewater utilities have a responsibility to safely and reliably treat the wastewater that flows through the plant as well as a responsibility to customers to ensure that the use of funds is lawful and efficient. Proper fiscal management means that revenues not only meet day-to-day expenses but also prepare the system for potential emergencies and future capital projects.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Consum the cumulative rates of inflation over the last two, five, and ten years are 6.0%, 21.4%, and 31.1% respectively. We should also expect that the costs associated with the safe and reliable treatment of wastewater have also risen during that time. Infrastructure projects constructed in the U.S. during the 1980s are reaching the end of their useful lives and are in need of capital improvements. If typical repair and replacement schedules are not followed, components suffer premature failure, further increasing costs. Wastewater systems can prepare for these capital upgrades with regular contributions to capital reserves, but not all systems have a dedicated reserve fund or, if they do, it may have not have much in it.

A combination of an outdated rate schedule, little to no reserve or emergency funds, and future capital improvement projects places a wastewater system in a financially vulnerable position. Keeping rate evaluations and increases as a regular part of system operation will benefit managers, operators, and customers in the long term. Raising utility rates may not be a popular move and can result in public backlash from customers. However, keeping rates artificially low and postponing rate adjustments is not financially sustainable and will increase future costs, let alone leave the system vulnerable in case there is an emergency. Maintaining clear and consistent communication with sewer customers throughout the rate adjustment process, including opportunities for public input, helps with a smoother transition to potential rate increases.

Whether a rate adjustment is many years overdue or has become part of the regular budget season, the basic steps are the same.

Current rate structure evaluation

First, the system must understand the existing rate structure and evaluate if that should change. Common fee types include a base fee ($/month) and a use fee ($/gallon). These fees can vary for residential and commercial customers. Systems may have other revenue sources such as debt service fees, or funds levied through property taxes. Check your local code for any limitations about the types of rates your system may use.

Financial assessment

A financial assessment is critical to setting appropriate rates. At a minimum, the last three complete years of budget versus actual expenses should be reviewed to understand how money is moving through the system and what are common expenses as part of operations.

Customer assessment

Customer data must also be reviewed for rate adjustments. Critical questions such as, “How many customers are there, and how much are they paying?” should be asked during this review process. If use fees are applied based on meter data, are there use patterns? Are residential and commercial customers billed differently? Create a picture of the types of customers using the system and what kind of bills they are currently paying. Does this reflect the goals of the municipality and the utility?

Future projections

In concert with the financial and customer assessments, utilities should also consider the future use of the system. Are the expenses expected to change significantly due to capital projects? Is the number of customers expected to stay the same or change? Be critical when reviewing population data since customer bases may be in decline, but rates could be calculated on number of potential users instead of actual users. Use local knowledge and data to make projections for cost and use.

Rate options

With an understanding of total revenue under the current rates coupled with projections for total revenue needed, the difference shows how much additional revenue is needed to maintain sustainable operations. The board of the wastewater system must determine how to produce the additional revenue using available rate structures. Increasing base fees provides a more reliable revenue source but may be unfair by charging all customers evenly, whereas increasing use fees gives customers the most control but leaves the system more susceptible to revenue shortfalls if usage decreases. Considering three to five different rate options can help boards and customers evaluate the pros and cons of different strategies for meeting the system’s expenses.

The annual budget process is a natural opportunity for wastewater systems to assess their financial needs and make necessary adjustments. Just as expenses are consistently rising, sources of revenue need to keep up. Regular rate increases can be intimidating to implement but are a foundation of financial sustainability in any wastewater system.

For additional information, check out our rates guide and our eLearning on rate setting.

This article is funded under RCAP’s EPA NPA 2 2022 – 2024 grant. 

Across rural America and U.S.-held territories, RCAP technical assistance providers (TAPs) help rural communities navigate complex bureaucracies, secure funding and implement infrastructure projects vital to regional economies. However, TAPs face unique challenges that make their jobs incredibly difficult, to put it mildly. Despite the headaches, dedicated rural development specialists understand their critical role as a lifeline connecting communities with the resources they need. 

From the banks of the Colorado River to the archipelagos of Micronesia, Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) – the Western RCAP – serves a remarkably diverse region. Regardless of the specific culture or geography, the communities RCAC assists often confront the same basic issues. Get ready, because here are five of the most frustratingly typical challenges TAPs encounter – and why overcoming them requires a whole lot of grit. 

1. Tech Time Warp: Back to Y2K!  

Do you think the small-town wastewater operator ghosted you? Well, maybe they did – or maybe they’re dealing with spotty bandwidth. You might find yourself dusting off your fax machine – or googling a tutorial on how to use one – or becoming an in-person courier, hand-delivering documents so your partners don’t miss critical application deadlines. Welcome to the analog shuffle! Advocating for better connectivity is a long-term battle being fought on various levels but, in the meantime, prepare to deal with the same technological frustrations rural water operators face.  

2. Capacity – Where Did Everybody Go? 

Have you ever tried to find a qualified engineer in a town smaller than your high school? You might arrive expecting a formal office but instead find yourself working with a few volunteers juggling their board duties with full-time jobs or businesses and busy lives of their own, including other community leadership roles. Imagine the person who organizes the town festival also taking a crash course in cryptic agency guidelines and cumbersome grant applications. On the most basic level, these communities lack the homegrown capacity for major infrastructure projects. 

Finding qualified engineers, contractors and other professionals to work in remote rural areas is its own challenge. Communities regularly face overpriced, substandard services and long delays when searching for reliable vendors. Expect to spend significant time helping communities navigate the procurement process, vetting bidders and ensuring that projects are technically sound. You may also find yourself mediating disputes, acting as a watchdog to protect community interests, and providing impromptu project management seminars. Your ability to adapt is crucial! 

3. Jumping Through Hoops While Drowning in Acronyms (JTHWDA) 

Navigating the labyrinth of federal, state and local regulations is a formidable task, even for seasoned TA providers. In chronically under-resourced rural areas, the process becomes even more daunting. The alphabet soup of acronyms – RUS, SDWA, CWSRF, TTHM, VOCs and countless others– becomes a second language that takes significant time and effort to master. Understanding the nuances of agency procedures, interpreting timelines and adapting to an ever-evolving regulatory landscape requires specialized expertise and relentless dedication. 

Technological constraints can add another layer of complexity; online portals designed to aid the application process often require extensive navigation and troubleshooting due to their design, shifting requirements and occasional technical glitches. The TAP’s ability to navigate these challenges is a vital skill and critical for assisting rural communities to secure the support they need.  

4. Time Isn’t Your Friend, Perseverance Is 

Rural communities facing wastewater system failure have no time to spare; when things really start to stink, they’re exposed to potential regulatory fines and public health risks, and resulting cascading economic consequences that can destabilize entire local economies. Securing funding, getting regulatory approvals and finishing construction projects can take an agonizingly long time. The ability to manage expectations, advocate tirelessly for action and celebrate even incremental progress is essential for project success and community morale – not to mention your sense of purpose and mental health. Remember: the road to success isn’t always straightforward, and the biggest wins can come from overcoming unexpected setbacks! 

5. Empty Pockets, Full Potential 

The fundamental challenge lies in a critical resource scarcity – a symptom of deep-rooted structural inequalities that favor metropolitan centers at the expense of rural zones, which is a worldwide phenomenon. Rural communities bear the brunt of historical neglect, underinvestment and other structural barriers that continuously limit access to capital and professional expertise. These factors make it tough to keep basic services running and aggravate rural communities’ inherent disadvantages in a playing field heavily skewed in favor of more urbanized, affluent regions. 

Think of it this way: smaller communities often receive fewer resources up front, making it harder to attract businesses, skilled professionals and even essential workers. This creates a negative feedback loop where the lack of resources leads to even fewer resources. Over time, it becomes incredibly challenging for these communities to compete on their own, even when they have amazing ideas or potential. 

To effectively tackle these problems, it’s important to understand the historical contexts and inequities that continue to shape rural communities and their proven track record of finding creative solutions with limited means. This is crucial for crafting strategies that mitigate immediate challenges and pave the way for sustainable development over the long haul. 

Rural communities embody a spirit of resourcefulness and determination that can spark remarkable growth when given the right opportunities. By partnering with organizations like RCAP, these communities leverage their strengths, develop strategies for positive change and energetically build a future where they flourish on their own terms. 

This article was funded under RCAP’s EPA Wastewater 2022 – 2024 grant. 

How do you respond when your car reminds you it is time for a check-up? Or when your calendar sends a reminder that it is time for a doctor’s appointment or teeth cleaning? Nearly everything, from our bodies to our appliances, requires maintenance to survive without breakdown. Preventative care is usually less expensive than costly repairs when breakdowns occur, so performing up-front routine maintenance can save money, time, and energy.

Maintaining your community’s wastewater system will increase its sustainability, further addressing aging infrastructure, limited funding, and increased populations and demands. Failure to upkeep your system will result in system failure and create compliance issues. One of the major issues could be the effluent not meeting permit standards and, most importantly, the community’s wastewater not being treated correctly, thus creating a public health issue.

One solution to protect and maintain your community’s wastewater system involves completing a drawdown pump test at the lift station.

How to perform a Pump Drawdown Test:

1. Determine the pump rate in gallons/minute.

What is the size of the lift station? (diameter in feet or length, width or depth)

To find the pump design size/capacity information, look in the manual or plans of the lift station.
What is the influent rate without the pump running?

You should calculate the influent rate with a stopwatch, rod, or meter tape marked in feet and inches. An electronic water level meter tape is a more expensive but straightforward method of gauging depth changes. You can determine the cubic footage over a set period.
Turn the pump off and use the rod and stopwatch to measure the water rise in a set time. This will establish the cubic feet per minute. Multiply it by 7.48 gal/ft3to compute gallons per minute influent. This is the influent rate without the pump on.

What is the drawdown rate with only one pump running?

Turn the pump on and analyze the drawdown in water over the same set period with the pump running. This is the drawdown rate with the pump in operation. Determine the cubic feet per minute and gallons per minute. Add the influent rate to the calculated drawdown rate to calculate the gallons per minute pump rate.

2. Determine the effectiveness of the pump.

What is the percentage of efficiency?

Convert the design capacity pump rate (rated capacity) to gallons per minute.
Divide the pump rate you calculated by its rated capacity and multiply it by 100. This is the percentage of efficiency.

The following rate calculations are for a circular wet well:

Influent Flow Rate Calculation

Where D is the diameter of the well, and R is how much the water level rises (in feet) in one minute.

Initial Drawdown Rate Calculation

Where D is the diameter of the well, and F is how much the water level falls (in feet) in one minute.

Pumping Rate Correcting for Influent Flow

Pump Rate = Drawdown Rate + Influent Rate

Pump Efficiency Calculation

Performing a drawdown pump test will calculate your pump’s actual pumping flow rate and diagnose possible issues with your pumping system. Additionally, this test will determine if your lift station(s) are functioning efficiently. It is best practice to examine wastewater pumps at least twice yearly to expose operating conditions changes.

Safety Warning:

Disconnect and lock out the power before servicing equipment. Review the manual to be aware of any safety guidelines before starting.

This article was funded under RCAP’s EPA Treatment Works 2022 – 2023 grant.

There are innumerable articles, webinars, books, training sessions and publications that address asset management for water and wastewater utility systems. Though philosophies and frameworks vary, all of them essentially say, “Know what you have.” When we think about utility assets, we tend to picture structures such as pump houses, treatment plants, tanks, vaults, basins, the underground facilities and piping. These are easy to consider as “assets”. Keeping track of them involves building plans, up-to-date maps, maintenance history, and more. Unfortunately, though managers try to keep detailed records and maintenance plans for facilities, when capturing inventory for rate setting, vehicles used for many aspects of running the utility system often receive less attention.

If the system is large enough, there may be established fleet management personnel, procedures, recording systems, maintenance records, and maintenance schedules. In smaller systems however, where employees wear multiple hats or vehicles are used across a variety of purposes, record keeping and maintenance schedules may be in the hands of individuals that may not prioritize the care of the cars, pick-ups, dump trucks, tankers, vac-trucks, or even backhoes, tractors, mowers (depending on the manner in which such equipment is categorized for each system) with equal consideration of other equipment used in moving and treating water/wastewater. Hearing “I wasn’t the last one to use it” is not uncommon. Sometimes forgotten is the fact that the SUV used to travel to a water training session, or the tractor with a finishing mower to keep the wellhouse lot tidy, are both legitimate uses for utility system purposes. Keeping track of the vehicles can be made easier with the use of fleet maintenance software and programs, and a dedicated person with an aptitude for computers and data entry to maneuver through those systems. Of course, that is if the utility can afford such tools, which are generally quite pricey, and can be cumbersome for some fleets.

An alternative suggestion is to appoint one single person to oversee vehicle records, maintenance schedules, and other paperwork.  This employee does not need to be the one performing the actual wrenching, lubing, and repair on the vehicles; the mechanical work can be contracted out. Documentation and recordkeeping can be done through a homemade spreadsheet or database, and a computer folder to hold scanned materials on each vehicle. Of course, some papers, certificates, and documents (titles, bills of sale, registration, insurance, etc.) are required to be kept in hard copy form, so an actual file folder (such as an expanding folder or accordion file keeper) for each vehicle is recommended. Keep the folders in a single location that is known and accessible to more than one employee.

Other items that are beneficial to place in a vehicle’s folder, whether real or electronic, include: receipts for all parts and services, notes on uses and users, comments and complaints from operators, and photographs. Speaking of pictures, be sure to take photos when the vehicle is first acquired, from each side and multiple angles, as this provides a historical record if damage occurs, or other future uses. Finally, provide each vehicle with a distinct identifier, be it a number or alpha-numeric designation. No need to be overly complicated with it. Do not reuse identifiers from previous units that have been removed from the fleet – confusion will ensue, and running out of numbers is generally not an imminent worry. Maintaining the care of these vehicles is a necessary and continuous component of any water and wastewater utility.

This article was funded under RCAP’s Treatment Works 2022 – 2023 grant.

Red Cliff Public Works Department, which includes the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe’s wastewater treatment plant, is located on the southern shores of Lake Superior. The Wastewater Treatment Department is run by the Public Works Administrator, along with two operators. They are also hiring a new Assistant Director.

Aided by the many years of knowledge between the experienced Public Works Administrator and Lead Operator, the utility has been making great strides to get the Wastewater Treatment Department in compliance with US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations and keep it there.

When the administrator came on board, the first task he undertook was to lead the utility to completion of the EPA’s Administrative Order of Compliance. The administrative order required a set of tasks and responsibilities to be conducted within two years. This was accomplished in nine months.

One of the many positive changes made on the way to compliance was moving the chemical feed of aluminum sulfate to the splitter box prior to effluent entering the clarifiers. By injecting the aluminum at the splitter box, the additive now has enough “contact time” to assist the wastewater with phosphorus and ammonia removal via the process of flocculation. As the particles combine, they become floc and settle out. The better the flocculation, the better the overall effluent, with less phosphorus and ammonia.

Let’s review the wastewater treatment process at Red Cliff:

First, we have our influent, which is pumped to the treatment plant from lift stations and gravity-fed sewer lines throughout the collection system. As the wastewater begins its process, it starts off at pretreatment, where it passes through a bar screen which is used to remove large physical materials and debris.
From the bar screen, the wastewater continues through a fine screen where smaller debris is removed.
From there, the wastewater passes through a grit removal process that helps remove the finer granular matter from the wastewater.
As the wastewater makes its way through the grit removal process, it now enters the oxidation ditch. This is where the raw wastewater is introduced to microorganisms and the microbiology portion of treatment begins. It is the wastewater operator’s job to keep the microorganisms happy and healthy. The dissolved oxygen (DO) must be monitored and set at the correct level to keep the tiny critters alive, but not give them too much DO where they won’t eat any of the biological matter in the wastewater to keep the treatment process going. There is a fine line that needs to take place with the microorganisms as they play a major role within the wastewater treatment process. The biology and microbiology that take place within wastewater treatment is just one of the many processes that most people do not know happens.
From the oxidation ditch, a portion of the mixed liquor is pumped back to the oxidation ditch, also known as Return Activated Sludge or RAS. RAS has a healthy batch of microorganisms which will be used to jump-start the natural microbiologic treatment process.
Now, as wastewater has been introduced to the microbes and natural matter has been removed, aluminum sulfate has been added to aid in phosphorus and ammonia removal and the effluent makes its way to the clarifiers.
As the alum interacts creating floc, this matter will settle to the bottom which creates a clearer effluent.
From the previous treatment process, the final product, known as effluent, is sent through an ultraviolet light bank which neutralizes any pathogenic organisms. This process prevents any remaining pathogens from being able to reproduce if they have made it through the treatment process.

Numerous steps are taken to ensure the effluent is safe and meets all the EPA’s stringent standards before final discharge. Many samples, analytical data, and test results are collected, reviewed, and recorded before the final effluent is discharged. Biosolids created during the treatment process are pumped to the utility’s reed beds, where they are dewatered and stored. The reed beds can dewater natural materials many times the weight and size of the reeds themselves. Through a collection of underdrains, any liquid collected is sent back to the top of the plant to be reintroduced and begin the process all over again.

Through the hard work of the utility’s staff and the partnership with RCAP, the Red Cliff Wastewater Treatment Plant has met and continues to meet the requirements and standards needed to stay in compliance.

This article was funded under the EPA NPA 2 22 – 24 Grant. 

Members from Communities Unlimited’s (CU) Environmental Team recently visited the rural community of Martindale, Texas, population 1250. Located in the fast-growing region of Central Texas, this small city owns and operates its own wastewater treatment plant, while the city’s drinking water is provided by the Martindale Water Supply Corporation.

The original reason for the visit was to help the wastewater operator find a solution to the inflow and infiltration in the flood plain of the San Marcos River, where stormwater was entering the wastewater system through open sewer lines. However, during discussion with the operator, CU learned that I&I was not the only problem affecting the system: the plant was also in violation with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for high pH levels in their wastewater ponds/lagoons. The team also discovered that the plant was suffering from excessive sludge build-up, reducing pond capacity and useful life.

Regarding the I&I, the operator informed CU that storm water was entering the wastewater system at a site where homes had been demolished to mitigate a flooding problem. Unfortunately, when the homes were destroyed, the construction contractor did not cap the lateral sewer lines for each vacant property lot. Since then, during rain events when the area floods, stormwater enters the wastewater system, overburdening the wastewater plant.

In such situations, a smoke test is often the first option for locating open sewer lines that are allowing stormwater inflow. Unfortunately, after contacting several agencies and organizations, they could not find any smoke test equipment to borrow. Instead, the team and operator decided that the next best solution would be to borrow a sewer line inspection camera from a local plumbing contractor. The camera would then be inserted at the maintenance hole located in front of vacant property lots to search for sewer lines and buried taps, and capping the lateral sewer lines to stop the infiltration and inflow.

After addressing the I&I issue, the team turned its attention to the lagoon’s high pH levels. They discussed several options with the plant operator, leading to a short-term, yet cost-effective, solution of treating each pond with muriatic acid and implementing a pH monitoring schedule.

Finally, the team provided the plant’s operator with a list of chemical vendors specializing in enzyme-based products that decompose sludge– an affordable alternative for improving the hydraulic volume and loading capacity of the ponds.

Thanks to CU’s Environmental Team, the City of Martindale’s plant operator is aware of next steps to take – and low-cost resources to use– to triage the system’s immediate technical issues. Long-term issues still loom, however: recently, a developer approached the city with plans to build a new subdivision, bringing flows that would exceed the capacity of the existing system. The CU team stands ready to help city leaders evaluate options for appropriate treatment technology to accommodate the potential increase in flow and embrace the city’s growth.

After a long winter or summer, seasonal changes can be pleasant. However, one side effect of changing temperatures is the undesirable effect produced in wastewater systems, particularly lagoon systems. During the fall and spring months, wastewater lagoons often experience turnover due to changing temperatures. During the fall, cold air decreases the temperature in the upper regions of a warm lagoon, or in the spring, warm air increases the temperature in the upper areas of a cold lagoon, it can cause mixing between the upper and lower zones, stirring up lagoon settled solids and releasing gasses that can result in unpleasant odors.  

Symptoms of turnover can include the previously mentioned odors, floating sludge, and a darker color in the water of the lagoon. Usually, this is a normal and temporary process. Aside from resident objections to undesirable odors or possible elevated concentrations in the effluent, it is nothing to be concerned about. If the process lasts longer than a few weeks, additional underlying issues may exist.  

If a lagoon is experiencing the symptoms of turnover for longer than a few weeks or during stable temperatures in the summer or winter, it is likely overloaded. For aerated lagoons, the first step is often to increase aeration times to introduce more oxygen into the treatment process. Another option is to switch to temporarily operating in parallel for lagoons that are performed in sequence. This can help to decrease loading on individual cells and give the overloaded cell time to recover. If the system has adequate storage capacity, operators may also want to consider recirculating effluent into the affected cell. This can help to dilute the lagoon and increase dissolved oxygen levels. In extreme cases, the affected cell may need to be bypassed or temporary aerators installed to remedy the problem. 

Regular wastewater influent testing is essential. Consistent flow measurements can help operators anticipate and diagnose whether these symptoms are typical or the result of overloading. This can help operators remedy the problems before they get out of hand. 

For regular seasonal turnover, lagoon facilities with repeated odor complaints from residents might consider establishing a community outreach plan. The plan should include explanations about how these types of systems work, why turnover happens, and the importance of wastewater treatment to a community, which may alleviate resident concerns and temper frustrations. Possible avenues for community engagement include local newspapers, social media or flyers. Although the plan may not prevent all residential complaints, transparency and readily available information may help residents understand what to expect regarding this vital part of their local infrastructure.  

It is essential to have plans to deal with the many challenges a wastewater treatment system can throw at you. Being on the lookout for changes, knowing what is normal and what may require operational adjustments, and having a robust community engagement plan will go a long way toward dealing with challenges like lagoon turnover.  

This is an age-old question that owners of septic systems seem to ask one another. Although misguided, there seems to be some sense of pride of ownership that the longer one can go without pumping their septic tank, the better, more robust system they must have. Not so. Please tell all of your friends!

A septic tank system needs regular maintenance, just like your car needs oil changes and spark plugs replaced, just like your HVAC system needs filters replaced and periodic checks by professionals. Think of your septic system as you would any other household system that needs some care and upkeep. Household wastewater contains disease-causing bacteria and viruses, as well as high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. If a septic system is well-maintained and working properly, it will remove most of these pollutants. If not, a malfunctioning septic system can be a public health and environmental hazard by allowing exposure of harmful contaminants to humans, pets and the natural world. Not to mention, it is a violation of the law.

Conventional septic systems are designed to be relatively low maintenance, but low maintenance does not equate to NO maintenance. A septic tank system is essentially comprised of five basic components:

A household collection system that removes all sewage from the dwelling and transports it out into the holding tank, or septic tank.
The septic tank is where the treatment of the waste begins, and its routine maintenance is an important step in the functional lifespan of your system. From the septic tank, the liquid portion of the sewage, called effluent, exits the septic tank, and moves out to the third component.
A distribution box, as the name implies, this box equally distributes the effluent as it moves out into the fourth component,
A drain field or absorption trenches.
Lastly is the soil, in which your septic system is installed, is the final step of treatment for a conventional septic system.

The septic tank works to “sort” the household waste as it allows for the contents to settle and separate. The solids settle down to the bottom of the tank, while the fats, oils, and greases float to the top. This action ideally results in no solids moving out into the drain field where they can potentially clog up the absorption trenches. If too much water is introduced into the septic tank at one time (i.e.., multiple consecutive loads of laundry), this can disrupt the settling time and potentially result in solids moving out into your drain field. Adequate settling time is important, so it is vital to keep this in mind in your routine household activities. Over time, the solids at the bottom of the tank accumulate and need to be removed. If the tank is not pumped out every three to five years, the holding capacity, and the ability to separate the waste will be diminished, thus creating a situation in which solids can more easily move into the drain field.

Septic tanks contain naturally occurring anaerobic bacteria which help break down solids in the tank and support the biological processes that treat human waste. Some people believe that they can reduce the frequency of septic tank pump outs by introducing “additives” to their septic system. There are different types of additives on the market. Biological additives add more bacteria to the tank, and in doing so, can create conditions in which the bacterial populations compete against each other, potentially causing negative effects. Enzymes are another type of septic tank additive. The enzymes are thought to aid in the breakdown of certain types of solids and limit the buildup of the scum layer (fats, oils, greases). Additives claiming to eliminate the need for pumping usually re-suspend solids, moving them to the drain field, thus clogging lines and leading to system failure. Septic tank additives are not regulated and there is no scientific evidence to support their benefit. A healthy septic tank should not need any additives, but again, it does need routine inspection and pumping every three to five years.

Some general rules of the road when it comes to caring for your septic system:

Use less water. Space out laundry sessions throughout the week. This avoids overloading the system over a short period of time. Be sure to notice any leaking toilets or dripping faucets and repair them right away.
Keep toxic chemicals from going down the drain. Properly dispose of solvents, paint, varnish, oil, and pesticides, instead of putting them down the drain. Use bleach and household cleaners sparingly.
Keep solids out. Cigarettes, left over medications, handwipes, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, tissues, kitty litter, and other solid items should go into the trash, not your septic system. Left over medications could kill the “good” bacteria in your tank.
Keep grease and fat out of your kitchen drain. Pour the oil into a container and dispose of it in the trash.
Limit use of garbage disposal. Using a garbage disposal increases the amount of water and solids in your septic tank, requiring more frequent pumping.
Divert runoff and drainage water. Never drain swimming pools or hot tubs into your septic system or drain field. Downspouts and roof runoff should be directed away from your drain field to limit hydraulically overloading the soil.

Regular maintenance pump fees can average between  $250 to $500. This expense every three to five years is a bargain compared to the cost of repairing or replacing a failing septic system. Replacement costs can range from $5,000 to $20,000 or more depending on the type of system needed. A well designed, healthy septic system that is properly cared for should last a homeowner 20-30 years or more. Your septic system is a silent partner in keeping your home life humming. As lovable as your car, which you maintain regularly and as just as aggravating when it breaks down?! To find more information about being Septic Smart, go to: https://www.epa.gov/septic/septicsmart-week-quick-tip-videos.