Session Presenter: Dr. Sara Heger, University of Minnesota
Title: Separation Distance After Advanced Pretreatment
Content: The separation distance from a limiting condition such as bedrock or a water table has typically been based on the potential number of bacteria and viruses present in septic effluent. This presentation will discuss the research related to how much separation is needed after effluent has undergone advanced pretreatment in an aerobic treatment unit or media filter. The
research supports reducing the typical separation required due to the significant reduction in
disease causing organisms.
Title: Design and Management Considerations for Septic Systems Serving Vacation Home Rentals
Content: US short-term rental supply hit record highs in 2022. That means more of your customers may be renting out their vacation homes either part time or full time. Vacation home rental can create numerous resulting in more frequent maintenance and management. Unaware property owners could irreparably damage their system if these issues are not addressed. The first concern is an overall increased hydraulic loading. The second concern is peak loading of water and cleaning products. The third concern is having renters who do not understand how septic systems work and the limitations and rules around proper use. On the design side increasing design flows, incorporating time dosing and upsizing components are all items to address with new systems. On the management and maintenance side of things rental properties that are heavily used should have more frequent service visits. These visits can help alert owners of system abuse and needed maintenance before serious problems arise. On conventional systems annual service visits to measure the accumulation of sludge and scum is advisable along with an evaluation of overall system performance. Advanced treatment systems may also need increased maintenance.
Title: Evaluating Septage and Septic Tank Performance with Bioaugmentation at Rest Areas
Content: With support from the Minnesota Department of Transportation the University of Minnesota has collected and analyzed the septage pumped out of rest area septic tanks. Due to the predominance of toilet flushing it is assumed that this septage is higher in concentration in many contaminants than typical residential septage. Data from thirty systems has been analyzed for organic content (BOD, COD, FOG), nutrients (ammonia, TKN, and phosphorus), along with selected metals and at five sites PFAS were also tested. This data will help assist maintainers of commercial systems in maintaining similar commercial systems and potentially impact rates for land application or inform WWTP accepting septage. At one of these rest areas, a bioaugmentation product is being tested to determine if can positively impact sludge production and downstream treatment of a commercial aerobic treatment unit. Data will be presented on the wastewater effluent from the septic tank and after the aerobic tank along with sludge and scum measurements from the system.
Title: Challenging Wastewater Streams
Content: More septic systems are being negatively impacted by the use and disposal of varying
chemicals, cleaners, medicines, and anti-bacterial products. This presentation will discuss
challenges related to RV parks, convenience stores, breweries/distilleries, salons, dog
grooming, medications in-home health care, and others. Data from related studies will be
included and potential solutions offered.