San Fernando City Septage

Welcome!

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robbins) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 07:20:00 +0000

Welcome to our site! We are excited to use the power of the Internet to help us manage our project while doing our best to keep the public informed about our activities regarding sanitation. This web page will also help us to maintain transparency, serve as a simple way to access information, and link the Technical Working Group with other stakeholders throughout the region.

While this is a project about improving sanitation in San Fernando City by implementing septage management and sewerage systems, it is also about health, pride of community and economic development. Thanks to funding by USAID and Rotary International, the San Fernando City Sewerage and Septage Management Project is now underway.

We hope you use this web page to learn about our activities, participate in meetings and give us feed back. Use the resources listed to track our progress and to improve sanitation in your own home and neighborhoods. Below this message you will find a monthly calendar where meetings and events will be posted. We will update this frequently to keep you informed of all of our project-related activities.

We hope you will become active participants in our program, and take on the challenge of improving sanitation in our City.

Thank you,

Pablo C. Ortega, Mayor

Learning by example

noreply@blogger.com (Clara) — Thu, 19 May 2011 01:13:00 +0000

As the construction of the Septage Treatment Facility continues, the partners in the Septage and Sewerage Management Project continue to iron out details of the operations of the septage management program. To assist this process, on May 12 and13, 2011, USAID sponsored a study tour of the wastewater treatment facilities in Dumaguete and Bayawan Cities for key members of the government, civil service and Rotary Club of San Fernando, La Union. The purpose of the trip was to facilitate sharing of knowledge and experience between LGUs. Dumaguete City and Bayawan City have both already constructed septage treatment facilities and are at varying stages in implementing their septage management programs. In Dumaguete, the participants toured the Septage Treatment Facility, which is already operational and processing its full capacity of 80 cubic meters of sludge per day. They also saw the wastewater treatment facility at the City Market. On May 13 the participants travelled to Bayawan City to see the sanitary landfill and septage treatment facility, a wastewater treatment facility for the Fishermen's Village, and a biodiesel processing plant.

Mayor Pablo Ortega expressed his enthusiasm about the tour and his commitment to sanitation in San Fernando. “We learned a lot by coming here, and seeing their systems,” he said. On the topic of septage management, Mayor Ortega went on to say, “People often ask me, 'why are you doing this now?' Several barangays in San Fernando already have groundwater so polluted that you cannot dig an uncontaminated deep well. If we start now we can prevent it from getting even worse.”

Vice Mayor Gualberto also was convinced of the value of the tour. “This is very important for us, we need to compare our [sanitation] ordinance with other LGUs, and identify good practices that we can learn from. In this way we can ensure our septage management project is feasible and workable for us,” he said.

For more photos from the tour, visit our facebook page.

San Fernando Sewerage and Septage project on facebook!

noreply@blogger.com (Clara) — Wed, 04 May 2011 06:37:00 +0000

For quick updates and photos, visit our facebook page! "Like" us on facebook to be notified whenever the blog is updated, and to share your thoughts on the project. The page can be found here.

Promotions Update: Barangay Septage Orientations and Youth Sanitation Symposium

noreply@blogger.com (Clara) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 01:05:00 +0000

Continuing the effort to inform all citizens in San Fernando about the new Sewerage and Septage Management Program, several outreach events have been held in the past month. Between March 29 and April 1, 2011, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office invited the Barangay Councils and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) of all 59 barangays to orientation meetings on the Septage Management Program in San Fernando. In total seven meetings were conducted, with between 6 and 10 barangays in attendance at each one, for a total of 555 individual attendees.

Participants were given a brief background on septage management, including basic definitions, an overview of the current situation in San Fernando, the laws governing sanitation in the Philippines, proper septic tank construction, and the relationship between septage management, health and the environment. The recent amendments to the City Sanitation Code (a description can be found here and the Ordinance here) were also discussed, as were the corresponding responsibilities of citizens and barangays. BHWs from all barangays confirmed that they have been carrying out the house-to-house campaign which began after the training session for BHWs on septage management in November. One hundred more brochures – on top of those already distributed since November - were handed out to each barangay for BHW distribution to small commercial establishments. The final component of the meetings was an open forum during which those present asked questions and discussed what they had learned.

On April 15, 2011, former Mayor Mary Jane Ortega hosted a Youth Sanitation Symposium at the Provincial Capitol. 80 enthusiastic youth representing the Philippine Red Cross, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Union Christian College, and St. Louis College took part in this sharing of ideas.

After introductory remarks by Mary Jane Ortega, the session began with a presentation by Lisa Lumbao of USAID-Philippine Sanitation Alliance on the importance of wastewater management and what is currently being done in San Fernando. Then, Sustainable Cities International interns, Stu Campana and Clara Blakelock, led an asset mapping session wherein groups of 8-10 were invited to brainstorm elements within and outside their communities that could be used to help promote septage management and sanitation. Each group presented their ideas, demonstrating a strong commitment to sanitation and awareness building in their community. The ideas ranged from the use of clubs and newspapers within their universities, to community organizations, to churches, and much more.

Promoting this project is a tough job, and it is not possible, nor would it be effective for the city government to give presentations to every citizen in San Fernando. Outreach by community members such as barangay leadership, BHWs and enthusiastic youth will be a key component in ensuring that everyone in San Fernando learns about the importance of septage and sewerage management and sanitation.

Sanitation Presentation

noreply@blogger.com (Clara) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 01:23:00 +0000

We need your help! If you would like to be involved in promoting the USAID-Rotary San Fernando City Sewerage and Septage Management Project by presenting to a group or organization you are connected with, a PowerPoint presentation for your use can be downloaded here.

Sewage and Septage Ordinance

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 01:38:00 +0000

City Ordinance No. 2010-014, on sewage and septage, is available here.

Desludging: The Challenge Begins

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 08:17:00 +0000

With the successful passing of City Ordinance 2010-014, it is now official: every septic tank in the City of San Fernando will be desludged on a five year schedule.

The ordinance – amending chapter 16 of the city's sanitation code – mandates the contracting out of the desludging task to private desludger(s) and proper treatment and disposal of the collected septage (septic tank contents). With current desludging fees among the highest in the country at PhP 7500, the city's septic tank desludging program brings with it a much lower cost. A Wastewater Management Fee will be charged at the following annual rates, beginning January 2012:

1. Residential building: Six Hundred Pesos (PhP 600.00)

2. Commercial Establishments (excluding malls): One Thousand Pesos (PhP1,000.00)

3. Malls and Institutions: One Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (PhP1,500.00)

4. Industrial: Two Thousand Pesos (PhP 2,000.00)

The fee will be added onto the Real Property Tax (RPT) bill. The desludging schedule will be made public in the barangays as soon as it is drafted, so that residents and establishments will know in which year/month they can expect their septic tanks to be desludged.

Septic tank owners will also be able to request an “out-of-schedule” desludging by contacting the CENRO and paying a one-time fee to the City Treasurers Office in the amount of:

1. Eight Hundred Pesos (PhP 800.00) per household

2. Three Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (PhP 3500.00) per commercial establishment

To comply with environment and health regulations, the city is currently building a septage treatment facility in Barangay Dallangayan Oeste that will clean all the septage removed from the septic tanks. Construction has started on several lagoons, with financial support from Congressman Victor Ortega. Funding from the USAID-Rotary San Fernando City Sewerage and Septage Management Program will be used to hire a contractor to build the rest of the facility. The contractor is scheduled to start work before April 1st.

Construction of lagoons for septage treatment

New Septage Promotions Posters and Brochures Now Available

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 03:09:00 +0000

The newly created Septage Promotions Material can now be found under the 'downloads' bar at the top of this page.

Barangay Health Worker Training on Sewerage and Septage Management

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robbins) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 19:40:00 +0000

Editor's Note: Barangay Health Workers will be taking on an important role in the USAID-Rotary San Fernando City Sewerage and Septage Management program, by helping spread the word about sanitation. To assist them in their jobs, the project team will be conducting training sessions specifically for BHWs in San Fernando City. These will be a series of one day training events, the first of which is detailed below.

Barangay Health Worker Training - Day 1
Venue - Various
Date - November 9-12th
Cost to Attend - Free for all San Fernando City BHWs

Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) are the front liners in communicating information about sanitation to families in the Philippines. In San Fernando City, there are 310 BHWs working in 59 barangays that work as volunteers to help improve health and wellness in their neighborhoods and communities. According to Mayor Ortega, " these are highly motivated, selfless and dedicated people who are working every day to improve life in our city, and we all owe them our gratitude."

In February, 2010, BHWs, with the assistance of certified plumbers and engineers, conducted Rapid Technical Assessments in 15 barangays to identify issues related to sanitation. During the assessment, they visited 150 homes, interviewed residents, and observed sanitation practices related to wastewater discharge and septic tanks. As a result of the survey, a baseline was established that shows the current situation as far as septic tank desludging, as well as the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to sewerage and septage management.

Pictured: BHWs prepare for rapid assessments

BHW Training Program - Goal

The goal of the BHW training program is to provide useful and practical information about how families can take simple steps to improve sanitation. This will include general information on how families can participate in the city septage management program, how to properly use and desludge septic tanks, and how to reduce odors, flies and other nuisances that result in poor wastewater management practices.

Format

The training will be conducted by project team members, Sanitary Engineers (SEs) and Sanitary Inspectors (SIs). It will include class room style lectures, and small group roleplaying where BHWs can practice the techniques presented.

UPDATE: On October 21st, 2010 50 Sanitary Inspectors, Midwives and a few select BHWs were trained on the new City of San Fernando Sanitation Program. The training of trainers one day workshop was a joint effort on the parts of AECOM/USAID and the City of San Fernando. The participants from this one day ToT workshop will be passing their knowledge onto the City's BHWs.

Schedule of Training Components

8:00 - 9:00 Registration
9:00 - 9:30 Introductions and Motivational Address
9:30 - 10:00 Sanitation Basics - What is a Septic Tank and How Does it Work
10:00 - 10:30 Coffee Break - Networking
10:30 - 11:00 Communications Strategies for BHWs
11:00 - 11:30 San Fernando City's - Septage Management Program
11:30 - 12:00 How Septage Management Improves Environmental Health in Our Neighborhoods and City
12:00 - 1:30 Lunch - Networking
1:30 - 3:00 Role Playing Session 1 - General Communications Strategies for Sanitation and Hygiene
3:00 - 3:30 Coffee break - networking
3:30 - 5:00 Role Playing Session 2 - Sharing Information on the City Septage Management Program

Septage and Sewerage Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 07:32:00 +0000

Update 03-21-11: An eco-tank is now installed in Barangay Poro.

We are happy to report that there is lots of new news to share concerning progress on the Sewerage and Septage Program here in San Fernando!

First of all, the eco-tanks have finally arrived in Manila and will soon be transported to San Fernando! The three Eco-Tank units were kindly donated by CityNet and the Rotary Club of San Fernando. As previously mentioned the EcoTanks will be utilized in Barangays Catbagnan, Poro and San Francisco. The EcoTank is an anaerobic treatment tank combined with an anaerobic filter that will produce an effluent of 50 mg/l BOD and TSS, which will meet the Class C requirements of the Department of Environment and Natural Resource and greatly improve the surface water quality in these areas.

While bids for the new Septage Treatment Facility (STF) are still being reviewed by the Technical Working Group for the Sewerage and Septage Program, progress is ongoing and we can expect the contract to be awarded before Christmas, with construction beginning soon after that!

Finally, in preparation for the forthcoming implementation of these new Sanitation initiatives, the first instalment of the Barangay Health Worker Training Program is set to begin on October 21st, with a Training of Trainers Session to take place at The ABC Barangay Hall. The purpose of this Session will be to train Sanitary Inspectors, Midwives, and Barangay Health Workers about septage management fundamentals and the City’s promotion plan for sanitation. Various role-playing techniques will be used to prepare the trainees for a variety of scenarios that they may encounter while delivering promotions and disseminating information throughout the Barangays. It is expected that this initial training session will also prepare the trainees to train BHWs throughout the city who will also deliver septage management information to their Barangays.

USAID-Rotary San Fernando City Sewerage and Septage Management Project

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robbins) — Tue, 04 May 2010 23:51:00 +0000

CHALLENGE

Sanitation is of great importance to the people of San Fernando City, La Union. However, a recent sampling of drinking water wells showed widespread contamination, endangering large areas of the city with water-borne bacteria. Many people want to desludge their septic tanks, but the cost is one of the highest in the country as septage is transported to Baguio City for proper treatment. Because of the cost and distance, improper septage disposal onto land or into waterways is common. This leads to increased pollution of the environment, which impacts health, fisheries, and other economic opportunities.

The project will improve sanitation in San Fernando City, La Union Province in line with the Clean Water Act by providing:

- A septage management program to properly maintain septic tanks

- A sewage treatment system for an urban neighborhood

- Improved local policies
- Effective promotion campaign to encourage support and cooperation

INITIATIVE

The Philippine Sanitation Alliance (PSA), supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with Rotary International, are addressing these issues through the USAID-Rotary San Fernando City Sewerage and Septage Management Project. This project is collaborating on the ground with the local government of San Fernando, Sustainable Cities, AECOM, and the Rotary Club of San Fernando to develop improved sanitation systems that will benefit residents.

The project will focus on three areas:

Septage management. The project will fund the construction of a septage treatment
facility that will be used by city government and private sector desludgers. As septage
treatment will be done locally instead of in Baguio, the cost of desludging septic tanks will
be reduced by almost 50%. In addition, the program will result in fewer incidents of illegal
septage discharge, less pollution entering the environment, and a healthier community.

Sewerage system development. To address the issue of groundwater contamination,
the project will pilot test a full sewage treatment system (pipes for sewage collection and a
sewage treatment plant) in an urban poor neighborhood within San Fernando City. The
sewerage component will demonstrate effective, low-cost technologies that other
communities, subdivisions and businesses may use to address their own wastewater issues.

Private sector opportunities. The program will engage private sector desludgers,
engineers, plumbers and contractors to work with the city government to achieve the
goals of the project. This public-private-partnership will result in significantly more
business opportunities for the private sector as septic tanks are desludged, and homes and
businesses upgrade their sanitary facilities over time. The project will work with local Rotary clubs, the city government, and other government and nongovernment partners to achieve these goals. It will be implemented from January 2010 to June 2011.

EXPECTED RESULTS

- Regular desludging of septic tanks and proper treatment and disposal of the septage
- Construction of a septage treatment facility near the landfill
- Purchase of a vacuum truck for the city to desludge city-owned septic tanks

- Installation of a sewerage system for a targeted community in the urban core of the city

- Enhanced business opportunities for private sector desludgers, engineers, plumbers and contractors

PARTNERS

- Rotary Club of San Fernando (L.U.) San Fernando City, La Union

- AECOM International Development (USAID Grantee)

- Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources

- Department of Health

Eco Tanks Sewerage Pilot Projects

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robbins) — Sun, 02 May 2010 09:11:00 +0000

Editor's Note: Thanks to CITYNET (http://www.citynet-ap.org), the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR),and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation for their support of the San Fernando City Eco Tanks program.

Eco Tanks are innovative small-scale sewerage treatment systems composed of a disposal tank that receives and purifies wastewater before discharging it into the environment. The compact, ready-made septic tank works independently and without power supply using anaerobic bacteria to bio-chemically transform wastewater into a safe, non-contaminated effluent. It is capable of treating all kinds of wastewater from buildings, including toilets, sinks and kitchen as well as treating sewage of up to 750 persons a day. It can also be used to treat organic waste and turn it into compost.

Eco tanks are manufactured by Premier Products Co., Ltd. of Thailand, a manufacturer of high quality water and wastewater treatment equipment and construction products.

In San Fernando City, several sites are currently under consideration for the first Eco Tank pilot project. These are:

- Bgy San Fernando beach sheds
- Bgy Canaoay ocean front homes
- City Hall complex
- Bgy Poro near the EcoSan Village
- Public restrooms at the City Plaza

The selected site will demonstrate the Eco Tank unit, sewage collection system, and the process used to develop sustainable sewerage programs.

Premier Products to Visit San Fernando City

Premier Products engineers will visit San Fernando City between May 18 and May 21 to view the potential project sites, select a preferred site, and begin the process of designing the wastewater system. The Technical Working Group's Infrastructure Team will work hand in hand with the Preferred Products engineers to help document the process for future replication. Construction is scheduled to begin in June, 2010.

Check back to learn about updates of this exciting project, and view the photos from the construction site.

Septage Treatment Facility and Management: Request for Proposals

noreply@blogger.com (Firth McEachern) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:10:00 +0000

Terms of Reference - Septage Treatment Facility

Instruction to bidders:

The USAID-Rotary International San Fernando City Sewerage and Septage Management project is requesting proposals for the design and construction of a septage treatment facility. A pre-bid conference will be hosted by the project staff at 4:00 PM on May 20, 2010 in the People's Hall at the City Hall Building in San Fernando. Interested contractors must register at least one day in advance of this meeting by contacting the City Environment Office by email at: valmar_valdez@yahoo.com. Proposals will be accepted through May 30, 2010 from accredited firms that meet the following criteria:

a) The firm must be a registered company in good standing in the Philippines and be in compliance with all SEC requirements;

b) The firm must employ at least one civil engineer; and

c) The firm must have successfully completed at least one other similar project in the Philippines, and be willing to provide references.

The Following Terms of Reference shall be utilized by prospective contractors:

1. Tasks to be performed:

1.a. Design of the septage treatment and biosolids handling facilities (System). The System shall be designed for a flow of 15 cubic meters of septage per day. The System shall be designed to minimize odors and other nuisances, and minimize the use of electrical power. The selected contractor will be required to provide a design report and preliminary specifications that will be submitted with their proposals and reviewed and approved by the project team. The technology featured in the design must meet the requirements of the Philippine Department of Heath. Once approved and the contractor is hired, final construction grade plans and specifications shall be prepared prior to construction. The selected contractor will be required to obtain an ECC based on their design. Once completed, as-built drawings and an Operation and Maintenance manual shall be submitted to project staff.

1.b. Construction of the system. Prior to construction, the contractor shall prepare a site specific health and safety plan (Safety Plan), in conjunction with the project staff. The contractor shall be responsible for complying with the requirements of the Safety Plan at all times and employ a designated safety officer to be present on-site at all times when construction activities are occurring. Once the Safety Plan is approved, the contractor shall perform construction staking to locate all tanks, basins, pipe lines and other structures. This will be approved by the project team prior to construction. The contractor shall perform the construction in accordance with the approved plans, and utilize best practices and materials that are suitable for the project. The contractor shall be responsible for conducting leak tests on all tanks and basins and verifying water-tightness. The contractor shall provide the project staff with a time line that identifies milestones, and update the time line as needed. The contractor shall be responsible for removing all spoils from excavation, waste products and scrap materials from the site and performing re-vegetation for any disturbed soils after construction is completed. The contractor shall be responsible for obtaining all required inspections, certifications and clearances required to operate the facility.

1.c. Operation and maintenance. The contractor shall provide operation and maintenance of the facility for a minimum of 30 days after system turnover. During this time, the contractor shall prepare and submit the Operation and Maintenance plan and agree to train project team staff on all operation and maintenance tasks.

2. General Information:

2.a. Location. The septage treatment system will be located on a parcel of land near the San Fernando City Sanitary Landfill. The parcel is located at: 16 DEG 37' 50" N latitude, 120 DEG, 20' 21" E longitude. The parcel is one hectare and gently sloping. Site visits may be arranged by contacting the project staff through the "contact us" tab on this web page, or by contacting the CENRO at valmar_valdez@yahoo.com. San Fernando City (the City) shall be responsible for providing a suitable access road that can accommodate heavy truck traffic.

2.b. Capacity. The septage treatment facility shall be designed to treat a volume of up to 15 cubic meters of septage per day. For the design considerations, the septage shall be assumed to contain BOD and TSS levels of 5,000 mg/l and be of domestic origin.

2.c. Expandability. This System represents phase 1 of the septage treatment program for the City. The system shall be designed and installed to the extent possible, to allow future expansion, with an ultimate design flow at 50 cubic meters per day at build out.

2.d. Performance. The System shall be designed to meet or exceed the environmental discharge requirements for Class C water as per the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

3. Additional Considerations

3.a. Ease of operation - The project team will rank higher in the selection process those technologies that are easier to operate, require less skilled labor, and minimize future expenses for replacement parts.

3.b. Longevity of system components - Those proposals that feature components that will last longer will be ranked higher than shorter lived products or components.

3.c. Proven technology - Technologies for the treatment of septage and handling of biosolids that are shown to be effective through actual demonstration projects will be ranked higher than new or innovative technologies without existing physical demonstration facilities.

3.d. Further/alternative suggestions — Bidders are welcome to propose designs, construction plans, and operations and management proposals that fall outside the specifications of these Terms of Reference, if the arguments for such divergence are compelling and thoroughly explained.

4. Time line for Project Completion:

4.a. Preliminary specifications and design report due July 31, 2010
4.b. Final construction grade plans and specifications due September 15, 2010
4.c. Construction staking by October 10, 2010
4.d. Construction completion and turnover by May 1, 2011

This concludes the Terms of Reference. Interested contractors are encouraged to submit proposals by the deadline complete with cost and payment terms. Attendance at the Pre-bid meeting is mandatory for consideration.

Thank you for your interest in this project.

Septage, Sewerage, & Sanitation Technology Symposium Launches San Fernando's Sanitation Project

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robbins) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 08:23:00 +0000

The USAID/Rotary Septage and Sewerage project in San Fernando City was officially begun in earnest on March 16th and 17th with the city's hosting of a septage, sewerage, and sanitation technology symposium. This symposium was well-attended by a number of dignitaries (including Mayor Pablo Ortega, former mayor Mary-Jane Ortega, and representatives on behalf of Governor Manuel Ortega and DENR Secretary Horacio Ramos) and over 100 representatives of local governments and government agencies from around Region 1.

Day 1 of the Conference
The aim of the conference was to describe the recent and proposed efforts by San Fernando City to improve sanitation, including the pilot testing of EcoSan waterless toilets, a public market wastewater treatment facility, and its USAID/Rotary project to form a septage collection and treatment program in the city, which was officially launched at the conference. The conference also featured expert information and advice about sanitation from various industry professionals, including a low-tech wastewater treatment contractor, a green products supplier, and the Center for Advanced Philippine Studies. A media briefing was also held by USAID, Rotary, and San Fernando representatives to publicize the project. On the second day of the proceedings, a sanitation action planning workshop was held to stimulate and exchange sanitation ideas between the conference participants, which was followed by a tour to San Fernando's sanitation projects for visiting participants.

With this successful launch, the San Fernando sanitation project now moves into its substantive phases, with plans for the septage treatment plant and urban sewerage with EcoTanks portions being rapidly finalised. Pilot areas for EcoTank sewage treatment will be then selected, while ground will soon be broken for the septage treatment plant. Stay tuned for more updates as they happen!

Day 2 Conference Participants

Results of the Rapid Technical Assessment

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robbins) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 04:16:00 +0000

Editors note: In March 2010, barangay health workers (BHWs) along with licensed plumbers and engineers were deployed to 15 barangays to conduct Rapid Technical Assessments in San Fernando City. Teams of three (one BHW, one plumber and one engineer) went to houses to look at the state of wastewater treatment at the household level, and to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to sanitation. This is what they found out ...

In order to determine the current state of sanitation in San Fernando City, Rapid Technical Assessments were combined with KAP surveys for 150 households in 15 barangays. The purposes of the surveys were to evaluate septic tanks and septic tank practices for households that rely on these wastewater treatment devices, and pit toilets or communal toilets for houses where septic tanks were absent. Information was also gathered on the state of indoor plumbing, greywater discharge and the mechanisms by which wastewater effluent flows away from homes. The results of the assessments and surveys provide the research that will be used to tailor the promotions campaign so that outreach efforts are targeted, meaningful and effective.

Septic Tanks and Pit Toilets

According to the latest Philippine census, San Fernando City has a population of about 114,800 people in 24,140 households. Of these households, the survey estimates that 88% rely on septic tanks, while 12% utilize pit toilets.

This equates to 21,120 families that utilize septic tanks as their primary wastewater treatment device. The survey also determined that 10% of the families share septic tanks with their neighbors, leaving a total of approximately 19,000 residential septic tanks in the city. This is the baseline starting point for developing the septage management program that will desludge the city's residential septic tanks on a rotating 5 year cycle.

It should be noted that a small number of families claimed to use communal toilets (less than 1%) and an even fewer number indicated that they had no access to sanitary facilities at all.

Accessibility for Desludging

An important goal of the assessment was to determine the number of residential septic tanks that are accessible by desludging trucks. San Fernando City has many rural and coastal areas that are not easily accessible by car or truck. In addition, it was noted in the survey that some houses are located far off the road, sometimes in excess of the length of a standard desludging truck hose.

The assessors were trained to identify these issues and rate homes as being readily accessible, difficult to access or inaccessible.

The results show that of the 19,000 residential septic tanks, almost 5,900 fall within the categories of being either inaccessible or difficult to access by septage truck. The remainder: 13,110 residential septic tanks that are considered readily accessible.

Septic Tanks and Clean-outs

In the Philippines, septic tanks are often located under the kitchen or comfort room to allow for easy drainage. Unfortunately, in some instances, septic tank clean-outs have been covered by flooring, or may have never existed. In still other cases, septic tanks are believed to be present, but the location of the septic tank is not known.

The results of the assessment show that 20% of the septic tanks do not have clean-outs, or if they do, the location of the clean-out was not known.

Interestingly, 30% of septic tanks in San Fernando City have only one clean-out. Proper septic tank practice requires that septic tanks have a minimum of two chambers and that one clean-out be installed over each chamber.

However, for the purposes of determining desludgability, those tanks with a minimum of one clean-out were considered desludgable. When combined with the number of tanks that can be accessed by the truck, the total number of readily accessible and currently desludgable septic tanks is 10,488. This will represent the Phase 1 of the septage collection and treatment program. The remaining tanks will be desludged during subsequent phases.

Other Interesting Survey Results

54% of homes with septic tanks discharge their effluent through open channels that lead to off-site surface waters. Open drainage leads to flies, odors and environmental health hazards. These results suggest that a program to promote installing closed pipelines to transport effluent away from the house to off-site drainage could result in significant improvements to environmental health in the barangays.
61% of the septic tanks inspected have roof gutters or surface drains discharging to them. This is a condition that can overload the septic tank and cause overflowing. This is an easy fix where a plumber can re-direct stormwater flows away from septic tanks. Information in the form of fliers or handouts that describe this problem and provide instructions for correction could be beneficial to homeowners.
Of the 150 houses inspected, only 9 had greywater flowing to the septic tank. The remainder discharged greywater without treatment. 20% of the houses discharge their greywater to closed drains that discharge off property. 48% discharge their greywater though either open channels that lead to off-site discharge, or is simply left to pond near the home. Greywater may contain pathogens, and will create nuisances if not properly addressed. An outreach campaign to educate homeowners on proper greywater treatment and reuse suggestions would likely help reduce nuisances from improper wastewater disposal.
79% of the respondents have wells on their property. 28% are shallow with static water depth at less than 2 meters below grade. 62% of the total number of wells are located within 25 meters of the house. Since 56 of 59 wells in San Fernando city recently showed high levels of E-coli contamination, and they should be 25 meters away from any septic tank, the data suggests a linkage. An information campaign that promotes adherence to proper septic tank / well setbacks might help alleviate this problem in the long term.
12% of the properties inspected have pit toilets, and of those, 46% were vented. Of the total number of pit toilets, 1/3^rd of the users of these toilets described nuisance conditions including odors and flies. The results indicate that over 50% of the pit toilets in San Fernando City are unimproved, which may also lead to groundwater pollution. Information and education campaigns on how to upgrade unimproved pit toilets might help control this source of pollution.
49% of homes evaluated had no plumbing vent stacks for proper septic tank venting. Additionally, only 50% have proper "p" traps. This information suggests that homes that upgrade to proper septic tanks, must also correct plumbing deficiencies in the home to avoid nuisances.
One fifth of the homes are considered “newer” having been constructed within the last 10 years. Many of these may have proper two compartment sealed septic tanks. The remaining 80% are older homes with bottomless septic tanks. This situation represents another probable link to the groundwater pollution problem. Educating the public about this issue and requiring proper septic tanks for homes undergoing remodeling or new construction should be promoted.

The promotions team of the Technical Working Group will be developing the outputs for the information campaigns targeting the issues identified above. We are expecting the promotions campaign to launch by August, 2010.

Promotions Plan for San Fernando City's Sewerage and Septage Programs

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robbins) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:41:00 +0000

Promoting sanitation in San Fernando City is an important aspect of this project. Effective promotions campaigns help to raise the level of awareness of the issues while driving the demand and raising the willingness to pay for services. Because of the importance of this aspect for the City's sanitation project, Mayor Ortega has assigned a Promotions Technical Working group to tackle these issues.

Recent sanitation surveys in the Philippines conducted by USAID have found that:

House-to-house campaigns are the preferred outreach method for receiving information about septic tanks and household sanitation; and
Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) are a trusted source of information for issues related to health and hygiene.

Barangy Health Workers Take the Lead Role in Promoting Sanitation in San Fernando City

There are 310 BHWs in San Fernando City. These are highly motivated volunteers who work with families in their homes and neighborhoods on a variety of health-related issues including nutrition, child wellness, family planning, sanitation and hygiene. As the primary bridge between the city and the family on health-related issues, they are in a unique position to communicate important information at the household level on the City's efforts to improve sanitation.

The Rapid Technical Assessment that was conducted by the BHWs in San Fernando City in February 2010 identified five focus points where improvements at the household level would support the overall goal of improving sanitation in the city. As BHWs work with the families in their neighborhoods, they will identify the sanitation needs and disseminate the appropriate information. In the coming months, the promotions team will be creating the outreach materials and training the BHWs in their use.

The five focus areas for the BHW outreach campaign are:

General information about the city's sewerage and septage management program and how participation in the program helps improve environmental health in the community;
Proper care and use of septic tanks. This includes information on what should and should not be placed in the septic tank, as well as signs that indicate septic tanks should be desludged;
How to install proper septic tank cleanouts. The Rapid Technical Assessment indicated that 50% of the septic tanks in San Fernando City have no cleanouts, or only one (there should be a minimum of two for proper desludging). Installing a proper cleanout is easy, and the BHWs will distribute information on how to accomplish this, or who to contact for assistance;
Improving pit toilets. There are approximately 1,880 unimproved pit toilets in San Fernando City. In many instances, these discharge wastewater directly to our drinking water aquifers. The BHWs will distribute information on simple measures that can be taken to improve pit toilets to minimize pollution, odor and flies; and
Grey water treatment. Drainage from sinks, laundry washing and showers can be a health hazard if allowed to pond around residential housing. Ponded grey water turns black (septic), smells bad, attracts flies and mosquitoes, and contains pathogens that can make our children sick. The BHWs will distribute information on proper treatment and reuse of grey water to families where this situation is evident.

Newspapers

There is an active press corps in San Fernando City, with a number of local and regional publications. Stories and feature articles about the City's efforts in improving sanitation in the community through sewerage and septage management will help to spread the word about the program. The City communications office will be tapped to coordinate the outreach messages.

Radio

A recent survey indicated that many people in the Philippines rely on the radio for information and news. The outreach campaign will target radio talk shows and news programs for information dissemination. The promotions team will conduct an information awareness seminar for key people who can serve as a cadre of experts who can be tapped for radio news and talk show interviews. The seminar will provide talking points, frequently asked questions and answers, and general information about the sewerage and septage program, so all experts are speaking with a unified voice on the issues.

Other Outreach Measures

In addition to the above, promotional posters will be created to post at barangay halls and public buildings. Information fliers and brochures will also be created for distribution through water bills, the BHW door-to-door campaigns, and other outreach opportunities.

These outputs will be:

Focused
Audience-driven
Behavior-change directed
Research-based
Measurable
Creative

Stay tuned to the promotions section of this web page for the latest activities and contact us if you would like to find out how you can become involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robbins) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:39:00 +0000

What is septage?
Septage is what is inside your septic tank. It includes solids and liquids that come from your toilet, sinks, kitchen and laundry.

Is septage dangerous?
Yes. Sewage from your house, and septage in your septic tank contain pathogens that can make you and your family sick. If it overflows, or seeps into our groundwater or streams, it can cause serious health problems in your community.

What is septage management?
It is our city’s program for managing septic tanks, which includes regular desludging (every 5 years), transporting, treating and properly disposing of septic tank contents.

Why do we need septage management?
Dirty water from your septic tank can contaminate your well or that of your neighbors, and causes foul odors. By having your septic tank desludged regularly, your septic tank can function properly and reduce the spread of water-borne diseases like diarrhea and cholera.

Is it required by law?
Yes, the Clean Water Act of 2004 requires all local government units to implement septage management programs in areas without piped sewerage systems. The Sanitation Code of San Fernando City requires all septic tanks to be desludged once every five years.

How do I know if I have a septic tank?
Often, there are access ports you can find in and around your home. Check the kitchen and comfort room for tank lids that can be lifted or pried up.

Who will desludge our septic tank?
Licensed private companies hired by the City government.

How does the desludging service work?

Check your barangay hall for the schedule of desludging in your area.
Make sure you are at home when your turn comes. You will need to open your septic tank access ports.

How much will it cost?
The city will begin adding a Wastewater Management Fee onto the Real Property Tax bill in January 2011. All residents will benefit from the various wastewater management projects in the city, including septage management, so all RPT payers will be charged the fee for each building they own. The City Council is currently deliberating on the amount of the fee.

Can I be exempted from paying the Wastewater Management Fee if I don’t have a septic tank?
No. All building owners will benefit from a cleaner environment and better health, so all will pay. Those without septic tanks are required to build one or utilize another approved wastewater management system.

What should I do if I need to have my septic tank desludged out of schedule?
Residents can request an out-of-schedule desludging by contact the City Environment and Natural Resources Office. A fee will be charged for out of schedule desludging that is payable to the City Treasurer’s Office.

Where is this septage facility going to be located?
Next to the landfill. We have some land set aside there.

More questions? Give us a call at City Hall. Thanks for your interest in this program.

Infrastructure Basics

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robbins) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:14:00 +0000

Infrastructure refers to the products, equipment, services and systems that will collect, treat and reuse septage and sewerage. The infrastructure components of this project are broken down into two sectors: septage management and sewerage.

The infrastructure for the septage component will include a septage truck for use by the city in desludging septic tanks for city-owned institutional buildings (schools, offices, etc.), and a septage treatment facility where desludgers can safely and economically discharge their wastes.

The Septage Component Will:

Fund the construction of a septage treatment facility
Fund the purchase of a septage truck for use by the city
Involve the private sector desludgers through service contracts
Eliminate illegal septage discharges while improving wastewater management at the household level

Infrastructure for sewerage includes devices such as septic tanks, sewer lines and treatment facilities. While the sewerage component of this project is not as large as the septage management activities, they will have an important role as models for future development.

The Sewerage Component Will:

Identify areas of the city where people are at risk from improper sewage disposal
Install low cost treatment systems for selected areas
Demonstrate appropriate technology for addressing wastewater treatment for the urban poor

Stay tuned to this section of this website to learn about other specific activities, issues or technologies that may be considered for this project.

Improving Our Regulations

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robbins) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:42:00 +0000

San Fernando City in La Union Province is one of the few cities in the Philippines to have both a City Environment Code and a City Sanitation Code (download both from the "Downloads" section of this web page). Over the next few months, the Technical Working Group will be reviewing these documents as well as how other cities have incorporated septage management into their rules and regulations. The Technical Working Group is currently drafting both an amendment to the City's Sanitation Code as well as a new ordinance. The amendment will update and strengthen the Sanitation Code in the area of septic tank management, including adding details regarding proper septic tank design and installation, maintenance, and desludging procedures and schedules. It will also clarify roles and responsibilities, fines and fees, and allowed exceptions to septic tanks. The new ordinance will formally introduce the Septage and Sewerage Management Program by establishing the details for a septage treatment plant, new desludging fees, and the installation of pilot sewage treatment projects in the City. Once finalized by the Technical Working Group, these updates will be recommended to the City Council, subjected to public hearings, and formally presented for approval.

Taken together, this legal update will provide a strong framework for the achievement of San Fernando's sanitation goals and will serve as an excellent example for future cities to mimic.

The draft text will be posted here once it is submitted to the Technical Working Group.

Notices of public hearings will be posted in this web page as well as in the local paper.

BHW Message: Managing Greywater

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robbins) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:42:00 +0000

Greywater is wastewater from sinks, laundry washing, showers and bathtubs. It may contain bacteria and pathogens, oil and grease, and food wastes, and if allowed to pond near homes, can cause nuisances and health hazards. Greywater is properly managed in four ways:

1. It can be piped to septic tanks and treated with the blackwater from toilets;
2. It can be piped to a dedicated greywater treatment system and then disposed of in soil-based leaching trenches;
3. It can be piped to a dedicated greywater treatment tank and then reused to water plants or flush toilets; or
4. It can be piped to city sewers or approved stormwater/wastewater drainage canals.

In each case, greywater must be piped away from the home where it can not pose a threat to people, be a breeding site for mosquitoes and flies, or cause odors.

Discharging Greywater to Septic Tanks

Sinks, showers and bathtubs may be plumbed to the waste drainage lines in the house and discharged to the septic tank with the rest of the household wastewater. This is the most common and simplest way of managing greywater. To do this, it is important to verify that all plumbing fixtures connected to the drain line are equipped with "P" traps, as shown to the left. A "P" trap is a plumbing fixture that blocks sewer gasses from escaping from the fixture into the indoor environment. Sewer gasses can be identified by their characteristic "rotten egg" odor, and are most obnoxious for residents of the home. For sinks, you can observe the "P" trap easily simply by looking underneath the sink. Observing a "P" for showers and bathtubs is more difficult, as the connection is usually under the floor. If the home is built on a stem wall, observing the plumbing from the crawl space under the floor may be possible. For homes constructed on concrete slabs, there is really no simple way of checking. If tubs or showers give off odors, it may be possible to control this by placing a "P" trap and dedicated vent pipe just before the septic tank. This will generally require the assistance of a plumber.

Discharging greywater to the septic tank adds to the volume of wastewater flowing to the tank, so it is important to verify that septic tanks are properly sized, and have proper outlets. Septic tank outlets should flow to combined stormwater/wastewater drainage canals or soils-based leach trenches. If the drainage from the septic tank is in question or known to be inadequate, consider using a dedicated greywater treatment system.

Dedicated Greywater Treatment Systems

In many cases, plumbing the greywater to the septic tank is impractical, or inadvisable if the septic tank sizing or outlet is in question. In such cases, simple and effective greywater treatment systems can be constructed. These typically consist of a small tank or drum that is equipped with a screen to trap the larger solids. The tank or drum allows the greywater to settle. An outlet pipe from the tank or drum collects the settled greywater a few centimeters below the water surface and sends it either to a soils-based leaching trench, or in the case shown to the left, a small planter box. Here, the plants provide additional treatment of the greywater, and provides an easy way to reuse this valuable water resource. Any remaining wastewater after the planter box is clean enough where it may be piped directly to the nearest stormwater drainage system in full compliance with local laws.

Maintenance for this type of system is easy. Simply clean the screen once a week, and be sure to place the screenings in a covered trash receptacle. Then tend the plants as you would a normal garden. Thin them if the vegetation becomes too dense. Greywater treatment planter boxes are easy and inexpensive to build. It is a nice project for weekend hobbyists, or your local barangay plumbing contractor.

Greywater Treatment and Reuse

Greywater, once it is treated, can be used for various purposes including toilet flushing and landscape irrigation. Greywater may be collected after the treatment drum and planter box in a tank or drum for storage and use by bucketing or as directly plumbed systems. If greywater is intended for reuse in the home, add a small amount of household bleach to the greywater tank. This will help control bacteria that can cause slimy buildups in the tank and also address odors that can be generated from greywater. Use 1/4 cup of household bleach once per week for a 100 liter tank for bacteria and odor control.

Discharging Greywater To City Sewers

Ideally, cities will have centralized sewer systems that can accept wastewater (including greywater) from houses. Unfortunately, in San Fernando City, such sewer systems are years away. Instead, a network of drainage channels that combine wastewater with stormwater exist that transport wastewater to streams, rivers and eventually the sea. Properly treated greywater may be piped directly to these drainage channels without causing any nuisances or adverse public health impacts. Untreated greywater may in some instances be piped directly to drainage channels, as some of these are being connected to sewer treatment plants. Check first with the city engineering department for the specific rules for your drainage area.

Rapid Technical Assessments

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robbins) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:30:00 +0000

Editor's note: This training was first given by the City Environment Office in February, 2010 to engineers and plumbers, who then helped the barangay health workers conduct their Rapid Technical Assessments. The training was well received, with over 30 individuals passing the final exam and becoming Certified Site Investigators. By popular demand, we are providing the training course in its entirety here, in a self paced modular format. After you complete the module, we invite you to take the final exam, and test yourself to see your level of knowledge related to conducting sanitation technical assessments.

What is a Rapid Technical Assessment

A Rapid Technical Assessment identifies household level sanitation systems and practices. It provides input to city-run sanitation improvement programs by identifying issues or problems that can be addressed to improve the quality of life and health through better sanitation.

To perform a Rapid Technical Assessment, teams of three are deployed to barangays where they interview residents about their sanitation practices, and assess the plumbing and sanitation infrastructure, such as septic tanks and sewers. The team consists of a plumber, an engineer and a barangay health worker. The roles and responsibilities are as follows:

The plumber. Much of proper sanitation systems revolves around plumbing. Plumbers assess the condition of the pipes and fixtures, proper fixture connections and venting;

The engineer. Engineers look at sanitation systems, such as septic tanks, pit toilets, sewers or other components and judge their condition and function, and the potential for upgrading or repairing inadequate systems;

The Barangay Health Worker (BHW). The BHW plays an important role by interfacing with the resident, and asking survey questions about the sanitation practices in the home.

Rapid Technical Assessments should take about an hour. When completed, the results can be compiled by barangay or smaller community to determine appropriate interventions designed to improve sanitation in a given area of the city.

There are six steps in a Rapid Technical Assessment for residential houses:

Step 1: Gather baseline data and document existing conditions
Step 2: Assess the septic tank
Step 3: Identify any plumbing problems in the building
Step 4: Assess the drainage
Step 5: Making recommendations
Step 6: Determining the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices related to septic tanks and sanitation

First, Some Definitions

- Blackwater – wastewater from toilets
- Building sewer – A pipe or channel that conveys sewage away from a house, ideally to a septic tank or sanitary sewer
- Desludging – the process of removing septage, or the contents of a pit toilet, typically through the use of a vacuum truck.
- Effluent – partially or fully treated wastewater from septic tanks or other treatment equipment that flows to the next treatment stage or to the point of discharge
- Greywater – the wastewater from sinks, showers, and laundry washing.
- On-site Wastewater Treatment System – Sanitation equipment that treats and/or disposes sewage or wastewater on the site where it is generated
- Sanitary sewer – a pipeline or channel for conveying septic tank effluent or raw sewage to off site treatment or discharge
- Septage – The contents of septic tanks. This is the concentrated waste that a family produces and includes the sludge, scum and liquid that accumulates over years.
- Septic tank – an water tight, multi chambered tank that receives sewage from the home or building and treats it by settling and anaerobic decomposition
- Sewage – The wastewater that discharges from homes or buildings. Includes wastewater from toilets, sinks, kitchens and showers.
- VIP – Ventilated Improved Pit toilet. A pit toilet that is constructed so that air enters through the doorway, down through the toilet, and up through a vent.

In this lesson, we will discuss the method of gathering the baseline data and documenting existing conditions. One end result of your site investigation will be a completed checklist and site plan drawing (sketch).

Step 1: Gather Baseline Data and Document Existing Conditions

In this step, the team will gather the baseline data and document existing conditions. This generally starts with the team touring the house and property accompanied by the building owner or occupant. As the team walks around, they are looking for the key sanitation components: toilets, septic tanks, drainage lines and others. After the brief tour, the plumber and engineer work together to document the existing conditions by preparing a site plan sketch. At the same time, the BHW sits down with the owner or occupant and conducts a survey about the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding sanitation. The end result is a completed site plan sketch, and valuable survey data.

Task: Make a site plan sketch (click picture for enlargement)

This is a sample site plan sketch. Notice the main features. The property boundaries are shown, as is the nearest street, the septic tank and off site drainage features. This drawing can be used by desludgers to determine where they can best position the truck to simplify the desludging activities.

How to make a site plan sketch

On a sheet of paper, sketch the features of the site. Make sure to record the locations of:

- Buildings and structures
- Property lines
- Neighboring building and land use (residential, commercial, other)
- Location of water service connections (wells or Water District service)
- Septic tanks, sewer lines and discharge points
- Driveway and nearest road
- Slope, cut banks, streams or rivers, floodplains

Hint -- Take your time. Try and draw the site plan to scale to the extent possible. Interview the homeowner or resident to determine where the property lines are. Ask if other buildings or homes are connected to the septic tank.

Hint -- Often, laundry washing discharges or kitchen wastes do not drain to the septic tank. Talk to the owner and determine if this is the case. If so, sketch in the location and plot the discharge drainage.

Hint -- In many situations, there is no septic tank at all. Residents may use a pit latrine or practice open defecation. The site evaluation must identify these conditions if they exist.

Hint -- Interview the homeowner using the homeowner questionnaire. This is a good way to find out where septic and plumbing problems exist.

Hint –- While making the site plan sketch, look for open spaces that might be used for future sanitation improvements, such as the installation of a new or upgraded septic tank, installation of an improved pit toilet (if no toilets exist), or areas where greywater may be used for on-site irrigation.

Site plan Checklist

• North arrow shown
• Nearest street or road shown
• Property lines shown
• Parking area shown
• All buildings and paved areas shown
• Location of well, water line shown
• Location of existing septic tank, pit toilet, other sanitary structures shown
• Greywater discharge point shown
• Building sewer line from house to septic tank, septic tank to sewer
• Topography. provide arrows that indicate the slope

Questions to consider as you make the site plan sketch:

Is this property in a flood plain?

• Yes. If so, how often does it flood, and how high does the flood water get?
• No

Are buildings from neighboring properties connected to the septic tank?

• Yes. If so, be sure to draw them along with the sewer lines
• No

Are roof gutters and surface drainage directed away from the septic tank?

• Yes
• No

Is there any land on the property available for a new septic tank, pit toilet, on-site irrigation?

• Yes. If so, identify it on the site plan
• No

Where does the wastewater go after it leaves the house / septic tank?

• All underground – it leaches from the septic tank
• Effluent or sewage flows through a closed pipe or channel to off-site drainage
• Effluent or sewage flows through an open channel to off site drainage

Step 2: Assess the Septic Tank

In this step, determine:

- Where the septic tank is on the property
- If there is an access port over each septic tank compartment
- Accessibility of the septic tank for desludging

Septic tanks are often located in the home, either somewhere under the comfort room, or under the kitchen. Sometimes, homeowners can help identify openings in the floor that may lead to septic tanks.

Hint -- If you can't locate the tank, try the tic tic method where the evaluator uses a steel bar to gently tap on the floor to locate the septic tank. Hollow sounds when tapping may indicate the location of the tank.

Hint -- Measure the distance from the clean out to the nearest access point for the desludging truck. This will help determine how much hose will be required to pump the septic tank. Then, measure the road to verify it is wide enough to accommodate the truck.

Proper septic tank. Notice the two access ports. This is a two compartment septic tank. Also notice the inlet and outlet structures.

Septic tank safety

1. Never enter a septic tank. Septic tanks are confined spaces that can accumulate toxic gasses, and displace oxygen. Workers entering a tank can be quickly overcome. Cleaning of septic tanks should only be performed by licensed septic tank desludgers.

2. Never smoke around a septic tank. Septic tanks produce biogas, which contains methane. It is explosive and can be ignited by cigarettes or lighters.

3. Wash your hands. Always wash your hands after coming in contact with septic tanks, wastewater or sewage. Sewage contains bacteria and other pathogens that can make you sick. Don’t pass on disease causing germs to your family. Protect yourself by washing your hands often.

4. Secure septic tank access ports. Access ports must be protected from unauthorized entry. Children especially are at risk of falling into or otherwise entering unsecured septic tanks. Secure lids with safety screws or other devices to keep kids out.

Site inspectors should inspect septic tanks to verify that they are in sound condition and will not present a hazard. Unsecured tank lids, or deteriorating tank structures that could fail and pose a hazard to home occupants should be identified.

Step 3: Check the Plumbing and Venting

Often, bad plumbing or poor venting can cause odors in the home, excessive water use, and drainage problems. Check the toilets for sound installation. Look for p-traps, listen for water leaks (does the toilet run). Finally, check the roof. Proper venting of septic tanks is through the plumbing stack in the home.

Hint -- Vent pipes protruding through the roof are a good indication of proper venting. Lack of vent pipes indicates potential venting problems.

Hint -- Venting at the roof level is proper. Venting septic tanks at street level can lead to odors in our communities.

A bit about septic tank effluent

The water that comes out from the septic tank actually contains quite a bit of pollution. It has organic matter, suspended solids, and pathogens that can make people sick. Proper septic systems have septic tanks for treatment, but also systems for disposing the septic tank effluent. In the picture above, the structure on the right (leach field/drain field) is the effluent disposal system for this home. Also called an on-site disposal system, this structure safely disposes of the effluent on the same site where it was generated. More about this discussion follows in the drainage section below.

On-site disposal – If there is room, as in rural areas, and if the soils are good, home owners may use leaching trenches or pits. These are gravel filled holes where the septic tank effluent is directed, so it can seep into the ground safely.

If there is no space for leaching, consider clustering effluent from several homes and having a common-leaching trench.

More on p-traps

A p-trap is one of the most important elements of plumbing. They are very simple to visualize, and you have them under every plumbing fixture in your home. P-traps exist because the house drain system is empty much of the time, and does not completely flush out human waste and other waste products out of the system. As waste decomposes the process releases methane and other flammable, odorous gasses.

The house plumbing system is called a DWV system for Drain/Wastewater/Ventilation, and over each drain there must also be a riser that will terminate in a vent above the roof. The roof vent permits gas to escape. You can tell a DWV vent from other roof perforations because they are open on top, as the drain pipes aren't worried about rain coming in.

But being gasses, those noxious vapors will vent where they can. So to ensure that your gasses stay inside the system and go to the roof, plumbers install a p-trap everywhere, except under your toilet, whose bowl itself serves as a trap.

The trap is very simple. Imagine a capital P letter, turned on its side so the fat part points down. As you run water through the sink, waste water will flow down into the p and back up down the stem into the DWV riser. When you shut off the sink a small amount of water remains trapped in the P, blocking the gasses. The water doesn't get rancid because you change it every time you run the faucet.

Thanks to http://everything2.com/title/P+trap for their assistance with this post.

Greywater

In addition to looking for proper plumbing connections, it is important to determine which fixtures are connected to the septic tank. In many homes, only toilets are connected to septic tanks, and sinks and showers discharge to open drains. Discharging greywater to surface drains can lead to odors, flies and other nuisance conditions, and can choke streams, rivers and estuaries with organic matter, grease and other pollutants.

Greywater is wastewater that comes from lavatory sinks, showers, and laundry washing. Grey water is easier to manage than toilet water as it contains fewer pathogens, less nutrients and organic matter. Where possible, greywater should be used for on-site irrigation instead of being allowed to discharge off site. In dense urban areas, two or more homes can combine their greywater and create common planting areas. The site evaluator should note where greywater exits the home and where it goes.

Prior to irrigation, greywater must first be filtered to remove the solid materials. There are many types of greywater filters. Some are pictured below:

Step 4: Assessing the Drainage

Once the septic tank and any greywater discharges have been located, the site evaluator should determine what happens to the sewage after it leaves the home or septic tank. Three possibilities exist:

Ø The sewage or effluent soaks into the soil

Ø The sewage or effluent flows through pipes or closed channels to the nearest drainage or sewer line

Ø The sewage or effluent flows through open channels to the nearest drainage

For sites where the soils are permeable and deep, leaching is one potential option. Shown here is a typical leaching pit:

This can be used for septic tank effluent, or greywater after it has passed through a suitable filter.

Other configurations of leaching systems are trenches and beds. Trenches maximize the amount of soil absorption area and are easy to construct. Shallow rock filled beds can also be used if space allows.

In many circumstances, effluent tor greywater flows on top of the ground in open channels or ditches to the estero. Simply installing pipes to keep the sewage contained can help greatly in reducing the potential for human contact with wastewater. This also helps to minimize odors and flies.

Leaching Beds

This photo shows a septic tank and leaching bed under construction. The size of the leaching bed is determined by the number of occupants in the house, and the permeability of the soil. To build the bed, soils are excavated one meter deep and filled with crushed rock. Then perforated pipe is laid out from the septic tank to achieve even distribution.

Step 5: Making Recommendations

After the site has been assessed, the team is in a position to make recommendations, which should be done in writing in a paragraph or two in the space provided on the assessment form.

Here the team will use their professional judgment to make informed recommendations based on actual site conditions. The goal is to improve conditions to remove the potential for human contact with sewage.

Examples:

a. If there is no septic tank or toilet and space allows, recommend installation of a VIP or communal toilet system;
b. If sewage is conveyed in open channels, recommend the installation of closed sewers
c. If greywater is causing nuisance conditions, recommend a greywater filter and on-site irrigation
d. If septic odors are common in the house due to poor plumbing or venting, recommend installation of proper p traps and vents on all fixtures
e. If septic tanks are open or access ports do not seal properly, recommend improving access ports so that they can be easily opened and secured when closed.

Step 6: Determining the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) related to Septic Tanks and Sanitation

While the plumbers and engineers are assessing the technical aspects of the sanitary facilities, BHWs conduct interviews with homeowners or residents. The survey is developed to gather information that will be useful in designing the promotions campaigns. Practices related to the care and use of septic tanks is most important. Information on how people dispose of grease or food waste, for example can identify opportunities for improving septic tank performance and minimizing sludge accumulation. Other points of the survey should determine:

- Where people get information: newspaper, barangay meetings, TV, Radio
- Who people trust for information on health - BHW, Barangay captain, City Health Office, other
- Knowledge about disease reduction through hygiene

Taken together, the technical aspects of sanitary facilities in the home, along with KAP survey is a very useful tool in planning and implementing effective septage management programs.

Below are the questions used in the San Fernando La Union Rapid Technical Assessment. They may be used as a model questionnaire, or you may prepare other specific questions to address conditions particular to your LGU, socioeconomic or geographic conditions.

Survey Questions

1. The septic tank is:
a. Outside of the house

b. Under the house

2. Access Ports

a. There are a minimum of two access ports or manholes

b. There is only one access port or manhole

c. No access ports or manholes can be found

3. A septage vacuum truck can access this house

a. Yes

b. No

c. Yes, but with difficulty

4. The distance from the truck access to the septic tank manhole is:

a. Less than 10 meters

b. Between 10 and 20 meters

c. Between 20 and 30 meters

d. Greater than 30 meters

Plumbing, Venting and Drainage

5. There is a plumbing vent stack protruding from the roof

a. Yes

b. No

c. Can’t tell

6. All plumbing fixtures appear to have proper p-traps

a. Yes

b. No

7. Greywater from the house flows to the septic tank

a. Yes

b. No

c. Can’t tell

8. Greywater and/or septic tank effluent flows through

a. Closed pipes or channel to a drainage outside of the property

b. Open channel to a drainage outside of the property

For Homes Without Septic Tanks

1. There is an existing pit toilet on the property

a. Yes

b. No

2. There appears to be space for a pit toilet on the property. The space identified is at least 25 meters from any well, and groundwater is > 2 meters below ground surface)

a. Yes

b. No

3. There is a communal or shared toilet for occupants of this home

a. Within 25 meters of the home

b. Between 25 and 50 meters from the home

c. Greater than 50 meters from the home

d. There is no communal toilet available for occupants of this home

For Homes with Pit Toilets

4. The pit toilet has a vent pipe protruding from the roof

a. Yes

b. No

5. The pit toilet sits on a concrete slab

a. Yes

b. No

6. Odors and/or flies are present at the time of inspection

a. Yes

b. No

7. There is space for an additional pit toilet on this property

a. Yes

b. No

Background Questions:

1. This house was built:

a. Between 2000 and 2010

b. Between 1990 and 2000

c. Between 1980 and 1990

d. Between 1970 and 1980

e. Before 1970

f. Not known when the house was built

2. Water supply source to this house:

a. Shallow well

b. Deep well

c. Water district

d. Other ___________________________________________________

3. Is water supply pressurized?

a. Yes

b. No

4. This house is:

a. Upland Rural– no neighbor within 25 meters

b. Upland Urban – neighboring houses are within 25 meters

c. Coastal Rural – on the coastal plane and no neighbors within 25 meters

d. Coastal Urban – on the coastal plane and neighbors within 25 meters

e. Other __________________________________________________

5. Which statement is most accurate?

a. My house has a septic tank and a sanitary toilet

b. My house shares a septic tank and a common toilet with other families

c. We have a pit toilet (Antipolo) for our house in the back yard

d. We share a pit toilet with other households

e. We do not have access to toilet facilities

f. Other __________________________________________________

6. What is the estimated family monthly income?

a. Less than P5,000

b. Between P5,000 – 7,500

c. Between P7,500 – 10,000

d. Between P10,000 – 15,000

e. Greater than P15,000

7. Indoor Plumbing

a. Yes. There are plumbing fixtures, drains in the house

b. No. There are no plumbing fixtures or drains in the house

If you said yes to #7, please answer the questions below. If you sand no, we are done! Thank you for your time.

Indoor Plumbing Questions

1. I smell septic odor (rotten eggs) in the house

a. All the time

b. Frequently

c. Infrequently

d. Never

2. I experience slow drains or problems with toilet flushing

a. All the time

b. Frequently

c. Infrequently

d. Never

3. I have seen my septic tank overflow (sewage running or ponding on the ground surface)

a. All the time

b. Frequently

c. Infrequently

d. Never

4. I place grease and oil from cooking

a. Down the drain

b. In the trash

c. Other

5. I place coffee grounds, egg shells, and scrapings from plates and utensils

a. Down the drain

b. In the trash

c. Other

6. I know exactly where my septic tank is

a. Yes

b. No

7. My septic tank has a manhole that can be removed for desludging

a. Yes

b. No

8. How many houses are connected to the septic tank you use?

a. Only my house

b. My house and one other

c. My house and two others

d. My house and three others

e. My house and 4 or more other houses

f. Don't know

9. Estimate the total number of people that use the septic tank your home is connected to (adding up all of the people in all of the houses that are connected to the tank)

a. Between 1 and 3

b. Between 4 and 6

c. Between 7 and 10

d. Greater than 10

e. Don’t know

10. When is the last time the septic tank was desludged?

a. Within the last year

b. Within the last two years

c. Between 3 and 5 years ago

d. More than five years ago

e. The tank has never been desludged

f. I don’t know

11. If your tank has been desludged, how much did you pay?

a. Less than P2,500

b. Between P2,500 and 5,000

c. Between 5,000 and 8,000

d. More thank P8000

12. If your tank was desludged, how was it done:

a. Manually – people using buckets and shovels

b. Vacuum truck of a private company (name:_____________)

c. Other _______________________________________________________

That’s it! We’re done!! We will use this information to help us design our septage program so it best meets the needs of the citizens of San Fernando in improving our sanitation for health and to benefit our community.

Thank you for participating.

EcoTanks Project - Catbangen Interceptor Sewerage System

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robbins) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 09:53:00 +0000

Editor's Note: This is the second of two potential EcoTanks projects that may be funded by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and supported by CITYNET (http://www.citynet-ap.org), the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and Premier Products, Ltd. of Thailand. The project is recommended for further study by the city engineering, planning and environmental departments, with final recommendations to be issued in July. Updates will be posted on our website, so check back often for details as they emerge.

Project Background

The Project site contains approximately 90 homes, the majority of which are occupied by informal settlers. Greywater (from sink, floor, and shower drains), septic tank effluent, and wastewater dumped directly from toilets flow into combined stormwater canals which empty into the Catbangen Creek, shortly before it reaches the South China Sea. There are numerous shallow wells along the drainage canals at risk of being contaminated, and residents often use the river for bathing, so improving the sanitation of this area is a high priority for the city. A location for the installation of EcoTanks has been identified near where one of the combined stormwater - wastewater drainage discharges to the river, and local residents seem eager for a solution to this problem. The importance of the project as well as the local interest indicates this may be an ideal location for a demonstration of effective sewerage management.

Combined Sewerage. A common scenario in the Philippines is that stormwater is allowed to mix with sewage in surface drains that flow to the nearest estero, river, or bay. There is often one such drainage behind every row of houses, with multiple discharge points to surface waters. Some discharges flow from homes through pipes to the drainage, but others seep from bottomless septic tanks as non-point sources of pollution. This combination of issues makes it very difficult to install fully piped sewer systems in existing housing areas. One solution, as detailed here, is to intercept the combined discharge and deliver it to a treatment plant for proper treatment prior to discharge to the river. Such "interceptor" sewerage systems catch the wastewater flow in a tank, and then pump the dry-weather flow to the treatment plant. During storms, interceptor tanks are designed to overflow so as not to inundate the wastewater treatment plant. As the overflow occurs during rainy periods, wastewater is diluted so impact to the environment is minimized. In some instances, interceptors are designed to capture and deliver more than just the dry-weather flow. Multiples of 1.25, 1.5 and up to 3 times the dry weather flow are common. For the Catbangen Phase 1 interceptor project, a multiple of 1.25 times the dry-weather flow is proposed.

Interceptor System Components

The main components of the proposed Catbangen Phase 1 interceptor sewerage system are:

Interceptor tank with Combined Stormwater Overflow (CSO) device
Sewerage Lift station
Wastewater treatment system

Interceptor Tank

For this project, it is proposed that a concrete interceptor tank will be installed near the point where the combined drainage discharges into the river. As this is within a flood hazard zone, anti-floatation precautions will be required, which will include anchoring the concrete tank to engineered piles that are driven into the ground. The CSO will be installed in the tank to discharge when flow velocities exceed 1.25 times the peak dry-weather flow.

Sewerage Lift Station

The sewerage lift station will be attached to the interceptor tank and contain two non-clog pumps. The pumps will be controlled to operate in "demand mode", meaning that when the wastewater level in the pump basin reaches a preset level, the pumps are activated sending wastewater to the treatment plant. Trash racks and a grit chamber will be installed between the CSO and the pump basin, and both will require frequent servicing.

Treatment Plant

Two EcoTank model EC75 S anaerobic treatment tanks, coupled with model EC75 AF anaerobic filter tanks are proposed for this project. The site for the treatment plant is estimated at 8 meters X 16 meters, which is deemed to be adequate for this installation.

Next Steps

1. Rapid Technical Assessments. Barangay Health Workers along with trained plumbers and engineers will be mobilized into the barangay to perform rapid, but thorough technical assessments of each of the houses. Investigators will be looking at such issues as greywater discharge practices, locations of septic tanks and non-conforming pit toilets that may be discharging either directly or indirectly into the drainage. The purpose of this exercise will be to make as accurate an estimate as possible of the nature and quantity of wastewater entering the drainage. This data will be supplemented by analytical tests, which together with the rapid technical assessments will determine hydraulic and organic loading.

2. Assessor and City Planning Office. Both offices will investigate the possibility of obtaining permission to use the identified open space for the location for the treatment plant.

3. Engineering Analysis. The City Engineering office will make a detailed study of the proposed location for the interceptor tank and determine the flood elevation and design specifications for the proposed tank.

4. Financial Analysis. The study will determine the cost of the interceptor, pump tank and operations costs of the proposed system, as well as willingness and ability of the local residents to pay for the sewerage system. Initial cost estimates indicate that a sewer fee of 100 pesos per household per month (just over 3 pesos per day) may be adequate to cover the city's share of the infrastructure and operations costs. These figures must be validated.

Should the next steps show that the project is feasible and all partners agree, formal plans will be prepared and the barangay notified of the city's intention to pursue the project. Consultations with barangay officials and residents will then proceed, with a formal survey and promotions campaign to follow.

Interested in this project? Contact us to see how you can help. and stay posted to this website for further details as this project progresses.

Sewerage Project - Barangay San Francisco Beach Sheds

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robbins) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:19:00 +0000

Editor's note: This post documents the first of two proposed projects to demonstrate decentralized sewerage treatment and disposal methods using the EcoTanks technology. Special thanks to CITYNET (http://www.citynet-ap.org), the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR),Premier Products, Ltd. of Thailand, and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation for their generous support of this project.

Project Background

Barangay San Francisco is known for its broad expanse of powdery white sand beaches overlooking the South China Sea. A favorite of summer sun and surf worshipers, the area attracts day visitors by the thousands on key weekends and holidays. Many choose to rent one of over 50 beach sheds that are equipped with restrooms and shaded sitting and picnic areas. In an effort to improve sanitation and continue to attract visitors, the San Fernando City Government is engaged in a renovation project that will upgrade the beach sheds, while providing full wastewater treatment facilities that will meet "Class C" discharge requirements as set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The upgraded beach sheds will include sanitary water-sealed toilets, shower facilities, parking space, and a greenbelt planted with native plants in between the parking space and the sheds.

Wastewater Project Elements

The proposed wastewater project will include a sewer collection system, wastewater treatment, disinfection and a disposal system. Each are described below:

Wastewater Collection. The beach sheds occupy a 300 meter stretch of ocean frontage. A boat ramp located near the middle of this stretch is a naturally low lying area, which is chosen for the location of the wastewater treatment plant.

The sewer line will utilize 8" PVC pipeline, which will be adequate to collect and convey the wastewater from each of the beach sheds to the central location for treatment. The pipeline will be laid at a .05% slope and fitted with 4" connection tees so that individual beach sheds may be connected once the renovations are complete.

Two way sewer cleanouts will be installed every 30 meters to facilitate sewer line maintenance. As this is a sanitary sewer system, the introduction of trash and debris will be minimized. Typical operation and maintenance activities, such as sewer line rodding or pressure washing will be required on an annual basis.

Wastewater Treatment System. The heart of the wastewater treatment system will be the EcoTank unit, which is manufactured by Premier Products, Ltd., of Thailand. The EcoTank is an anaerobic treatment tank combined with an anaerobic filter that will produce an effluent of 50 mg/l BOD and TSS, which will meet the Class C requirements of the Deparment of Environment and Natural Resources.

A model EC 60 S treatment tank unit and a model EC 60 AF anaerobic filter unit will comprise the proposed wastewater system. Combined, the system as proposed will be capable of treating 12 cubic meters of wastewater per day, which should be adequate for treating peak flows generated on weekends and holidays. The tanks will allow for a 28 hour detention time, which is required to adequately treat the sewage.

Disinfection of the Treated Effluent. Wastewater effluent from the EcoTank may contain as many as 10,000 fecal coliform units per 100 milliliters of wastewater. Even though there are no limits to fecal coliform discharge to marine waters in the Philippines, due to the popularity of the site, and the potential for contact with effluent, a disinfection system will be provided.

The device pictured at the left is an erosion-style chlorinator. Chlorine in the solid form is commercially available in tablets that can be loaded into feeders that are plumbed in-line with the effluent piping. As the effluent passes through the feed tube and contacts the pellets, a dose of chlorine is imparted to the effluent as the pellets erode.

These devices are easy to maintain and are very effective for low flow systems, such as this San Fernando beach shed project.

Wastewater Disposal. Treated and disinfected wastewater will be recycled and used for planting beds located in the green zone in between the service road and the beach sheds. The reuse system will include an effluent pump, controller and a small diameter piping network that will distribute the effluent evenly throughout the planting beds.

The image shown at the left is a typical effluent lift station. The fiberglass basin serves as the wet well where the treated and disinfected effluent accumulates. When the water level reaches a certain point, the pump is activated and the effluent is sent to the distribution network of pipes. A simple analog controller activates the pump, and also sends a signal should a high water condition exist, indicating a need for maintenance.

The effluent disposal system will also be equipped with a leach trench that will receive treated effluent in the case of overflow. The trench will be located below the beach sheds and designed to filter the treated effluent through sand, which will further increase the clarity of the effluent.

The project will be reviewed by the city engineering and environmental offices, and recommendations made to the City Council and Mayors Office by July, 2010. Should the project be conceptually approved, formal consultations with the barangay officials as well as project partners will begin, as will preparation of the detailed engineering designs and specifications.

Updates to the project will be regularly posted on this website, so please check back often.

BHW Outreach Message 1 - Septic Tank Cleanouts

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robbins) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 03:01:00 +0000

Editor's note: This is the first of several outreach messages that the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) will disseminate as they promote sanitation and septage management in the communities in which they live and work. BHWs are trusted authorities when it comes to all issues about health. The San Fernando City Sewerage and Septage Management Project will build upon this trust to promote the program while empowering the BHWs with information, education and training through a series of hands-on workshops beginning in August of 2010. Stay tuned to this website for the training schedule and other promotions program outputs, which will be posted as they are developed.

Introduction - Septic Tank Clean-Outs

In order to function properly, septic tanks must be desludged before they are half full of sludge. In the Philippines, desludging septic tanks every 5 years is the best way to accomplish this. Septic tanks are desludged by vacuum trucks that connect a hose from the septic tank to the truck and are cleaned through the efforts of a skilled operator. The operator will pump the contents of each septic tank compartment to properly accomplish this task. Unfortunately, many homeowners do not know where their septic tanks are on their property, and to compound this problem, many septic tanks do not have proper clean-outs. This post details the process of locating the septic tank on the property, checking to see if the clean-outs are proper, installing new clean-outs if needed, and detailing where homeowners can go for help to get professional assistance in installing proper clean-outs.

Locating the Septic Tank

Septic tanks are usually located outside of the home, but may also be directly under the kitchen or comfort room. If you are not sure if your septic tank is outside or under the house, first look for clues. Depressions in the soil around tanks and pipelines may be one indicator. Another may be the presence of building sewer clean-outs.

If you suspect your septic tank is outside of the house, try these techniques for locating the tank:

1. The septic tank may be located by probing with a metal rod, following the pipeline from the house or by listening to the noise a plumber's snake makes when it contacts the tank inlet. Care must be utilized during the probing as it may damage the inlet tees or piping.

2. Using a water probe may be a great help in locating a septic tank. Get a ½" X 6’ galvanized water pipe, threaded on one end. Purchase a pipe to hose fitting. Turn the water on and sink the probe into the ground. The water will do the digging. Set up a grid pattern and probe every foot or two until you find the tank. Proper septic tanks should be no closer than 5’ from the house, so begin 6-7’ from the house. The top of a concrete septic tank is about 5’x8’. The top of the septic tank is usually 2-4’ beneath the surface so be patient while digging or probing.

If You Suspect Your Septic Tank is Under the House

Use the "tic tic tic" method. Locating septic tanks that have been installed under the house may be a challenge. If your home is placed on a concrete slab, using a metal bar to gently tap on the floor may provide good results. Tapping may reveal the septic tank location as the tapping over the tank will sound different (hollow sound) than when tapping on solid concrete. Remember to remove carpeting or other flooring to get the best results from this method.

If your house is on a stem wall, use a flashlight to look into the crawl space. Sewage pipes are a lot larger than water pipes (3 to 4 inches). Identifying where these enter the ground can give clues as to the exact location of the septic tank.

Anatomy of a Septic Tank Clean-out or Access Port

Septic tank access ports may be made of plastic or concrete. They have three key components:

1. A base plate that connects the riser to the tank in a water-tight fashion;

2. A riser to bring the elevation of the access port to floor level (if the tank is located under the house), or just below grade (if the septic tank is located outside of the house; and

3. A gas-tight lid with a proper locking mechanism.

In the drawing to the left, a tank adapter ring is used to secure the riser to the concrete tank. The ring is mounted on the tank by screws that have been sunk into the concrete. It is also glued in place with construction cement. The glue helps to achieve a gas-tight fitting which helps minimize odors.

The plastic risers come in different sizes to meet the exact needs of the installation.

Concrete Access Ports

Concrete hollow block can be an inexpensive alternative to plastic access ports. Simply mortar the blocks in place around the hole to achieve a gas-tight seal. Add blocks to achieve the desired height. Then use cocoa lumber to build a form for a simple concrete lid, which should be a minimum of 3 inches thick. Embed a wire handle in the wet concrete to make it easy to remove the lid. The weight of the lid will keep it in place and prevent small children from accessing (or falling into) the septic tank.

Chipping a Hole in Your Septic Tank

If there is no hole in the septic tank that can be accessed by the septage truck operator, installing a suitable hole will be required. This is typically achieved by chipping with an iron bar through the top of the tank to access the chamber beneath. Remember that one hole or access port is required to be installed over each septic tank compartment. The hole in the tank should be a minimum of 18" in diameter (round hole) or 15 inches square. This will allow the truck operator enough room to properly desludge the compartment.

Access Ports in High Traffic Areas

If you find that your septic tank is installed under the driveway or garage, special traffic bearing manholes are required. These are typically cast iron lids installed over a concrete ring. For traffic areas, the manhole should be designed so that lid is flush with the finished grade so that vehicles may pass over the lid smoothly. Always consult with a civil or structural engineer before attempting to install a new manhole in an area subject to vehicular traffic.

Where to Go for More Help

In Early 2010, San Fernando City conducted its first septic tank training for plumbers and engineers. 18 professionals were trained and certified in the methods referenced above. If you feel you need assistance with your septic tank clean-out project, contact the City Environment Office for a list of certified professionals in your area. Contact them at:

(072) 888-6901 loc. 110

sfluseptageinfo@gmail.com

Proper Care and Feeding of your Septic Tank

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robbins) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 02:27:00 +0000

Editor's note: A recent survey in San Fernando City indicates that as many as 21,000 families living within the city boundary rely on septic tanks for their wastewater treatment. When properly operated and maintained, septic tanks can remove up to 70% of the pollution from the sewage that they receive. When not maintained or operated properly, septic tanks are very inefficient, and can be linked to groundwater pollution and disease outbreaks. The purpose of this post is to provide families with general information on how to use and maintain their septic tanks and understand the signs that indicate their septic tank is ready for desludging.

How the septic tank works

Waste material from the house enters the septic tank and

Heavier solids settle to the bottom and form a sludge layer
Lighter wastes such as oil and grease rise to the top and form a scum layer
Between these two layers is liquid wastewater

Then bacteria consume the organic matter in the waste as food, which drives the treatment process. Activities that upset the settling process, add too much waste, or kill the bacteria will disrupt the treatment resulting in poor performance, nuisances and the possibility of spreading diseases.

Septic Tank Do's and Don'ts

Do connect laundry and kitchen water to septic tank.
Do have your septic tank pumped out by a licensed operator every 5 years as part of the San Fernando City Septage Management Program
Do have the operator check to be sure there is a tee or baffle on the outlet of the septic tank. The baffle stops the scum from floating into the disposal field.
Do check with the CENRO department if you are having problems. They can assist with operation, maintenance and design questions.
Do learn the location of your septic tank, drain field and well. Keep a sketch of it handy with your maintenance record for service visits.
Do divert other sources of water, like roof drains, house footing drains, and sump pumps to lawn areas away from the septic system. Excessive water floods the system, keeping the soil in the drain field saturated and unable to adequately treat the wastewater.
Don't put hazardous chemicals like paint or motor oil down the drain. Such chemicals can kill off the beneficial bacteria and reduce the treatment efficiency
Don't ever enter a septic tank or leave the lid off of manholes or pump out ports. Septic tanks are dangerous and must be kept sealed to keep kids out!

Don't put excess grease, trash or food scraps down the drain as this can overload the septic tank and reduce its efficiency

Do Not Flush Or Wash Down The Drain!

coffee grounds	hazardous chemicals	dental floss
fat or grease	kitty litter	disposable diapers
grease or oil	paper towels	cigarette butts
condoms	sanitary napkins	tampons

Overloading Septic Tanks - Reduce the volume of water entering the septic tank

Proper septic tanks are sized based on the amount of sewage generated by the occupants of the home. Extra volume will reduce the time that the waste can settle and result in poor effluent quality. Reduce extra water that enters the septic tank by:

Fixing plumbing leaks, and running toilets. While it may seem insignificant, such leaks can add lots of volume. Fixing these leaks will also reduce water bills;
Routing roof gutters and surface drainage away from septic tanks. Excess water entering the tank can cause overflows and send organic matter and disease causing pathogens into nearby waterways. Often, it is a simple matter to keep storm water out of septic tanks. Consider extending roof gutter systems to storm drains. If surface water tends to seep into your septic tank, mounding over it may be an easy way to divert storm water.
Use aerators on faucets and flow reducer nozzles on showers to help lower water consumption. These simple devices are available at most plumbing supply stores
Reduce water levels for small loads of laundry.
Wait until the dishwasher is full to run it.
Use a displacer to reduce the amount of water needed to flush the toilet. A displacer can be a brick or a filled water bottle. If your toilet is old, consider replacing it with a new, water saving model. Old toilets can take as much as 20 liters of water to flush, while new models require only 5 liters to flush.

Keep Trees Away from the Septic System

Discourage root damage by keeping trees at least 100 feet away from the septic system. Trees with very aggressive roots, such as willows, should be even farther away from the system.

Perform Regular Maintenance

Solids must eventually be pumped from the tank. Participate in the City septage program and desludge your tank every 5 years to keep it functioning properly
Remember, Safety First! Never attempt to open a septic tank yourself. Gases and bacteria in it are dangerous.

Signs That Your Septic Tank Needs to be Desludged

Slow drains. If your toilet or sinks are draining slow, consider desludging to alleviate this problem
Ponding of wastewater or overflowing from the septic tank. These are clear indications that something is wrong.