In December 1991, the District was approached by the Cayuga County Health Department about the possibility of accepting the individual household septic system program from them. Their staff was already cut dangerously low for them to meet their core program requirements as outlined by the New York State Commissioner of Health. Thus, they were not able to keep up with the demand for new septic system designs and inspections. They decided that the best way to continue to meet the demands of the new housing market was to assign the work to another agency, since the septic system program was not a mandatory requirement for them.

Due to our expertise in soil evaluations, surveying, and mapping skills, the Health Department knew that we could conduct the program professionally and efficiently with a minimum start up time. Also to our advantage, we had a licensed professional engineer serving on our District Board of Directors who was willing to stamp our designs.

The District accepted the proposal only after we had determined that we could make the program earn income for us. Prior to the end of March, we completed our training from the Health Department. Also, by this time we had established the office infrastructure for the program which included the procedure for scheduling perk tests and final system inspections, a filing system and the completion of all the necessary paperwork and documentation that would be required.

Now we were ready to begin. Once we receive an application, we check the soils map to make sure that the site is not located in a hydric soil. We also check the state and federal wetlands map to insure that the site is not in a designated wetland. After these determinations are made, a perk test appointment is scheduled with the applicant, who is instructed to have a backhoe on site for the purpose of digging a deep test hole.

On the day of the perk test, we conduct a soil investigation. A six foot hole is dug in the area where the applicant wishes to locate the leachfield. Depth to bedrock and/or groundwater is recorded. The color, depth, and soil type of each layer of the profile is also recorded.

Three percolation tests are made at the site. Holes 12" in diameter, 30" deep, 30' apart in a triangular pattern in the area where the leachfield is to be located are dug by the applicant the previous day and are kept saturated. We measure the depth of each hole and note if there is any water in the hole. We pour approximately 6" of water in the hole and time how long it takes for it to drop an inch. The test is repeated two or three times to get a stabilized rate.

Once this part of the test is completed, a map of the site is drawn, locating the test holes, the deep test hole, the dwelling, the driveway, the proposed well, property lines and anything else which may affect the design, such as water courses, yard swales, road ditches, etc.

Finally, we survey the lot so that a contour map of the site may be drawn.

When the field investigation is done, a septic system is designed, based on the percolation test and the number of bedrooms the dwelling is proposed to have. The design includes a site map with contours, showing the location of the proposed septic system. The size of the septic tank, distribution box, length and number of laterals are specified. The type of pipe and the grade of the pipe are indicated. A diagram of a typical lot layout, septic tank, distribution box, and trench is also included with the design. After the design is completed, our engineer reviews it and stamps it. It is then submitted to the Health Department for acceptance. After acceptance by the Health Department, it is sent to the applicant.

The applicant calls us to inspect the system once it is installed. The inspection requires that we check to make sure that the system was installed as it was designed. This includes checking the grades of all the pipes, the depth of the stone beneath the pipe, the depth and width of the trenches. The inspection report is filed with the Cayuga County Health Department, which issues the applicant a statement that says he has an approved private sewage disposal system. When the applicant receives this statement from the Health Department, he is then able to get his certificate of occupancy and move into his new home.

In addition, the District also assists homeowners who have a failing septic system by designing new systems for the existing home.

The District also has staff certified to perform sanitary code inspections (or dye tests) of septic systems as required by the Cayuga County Sanitary Code. This certification is issued by the Cayuga County Health department, after the inspector has completed a certification course. Recertification is required every 2 years. Sanitary code inspections include interviewing the landowner, conducting a dye test where dye and water are introduced into the septic system via the household fixtures, and an inspection of the site. A 6 page report, including a map of the site is then submitted to the Health Department.

For more information about the Waste Water Management program, e-mail Valerie Horning at vhorning@cayugaswcd.org.



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Page updated on February 3, 2012