North Carolina Certified Subsurface Systems Inspector Training School

NC STATENC STATE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITYDEPARTMENT of DEPARTMENT of SOIL SCIENCESOIL SCIENCE




North Carolina Certified Subsurface Systems

Inspector Training School

Sponsors:Sponsors:North Carolina State UniversityNorth Carolina State UniversityNorth Carolina Division of Environmental HealthNorth Carolina Division of Environmental HealthLocal Health Departments across North Carolina Local Health Departments across North Carolina Private Consulting and Manufacturing Companies across the USPrivate Consulting and Manufacturing Companies across the US





In general

• Cell phones on non-audible– Feel free to take calls outside

• Restrooms

• Lunch provided

• Questions





Subsurface Systems

• US EPA Strategy (May 17, 2004)– Purpose: sustainable WW management

systems – whether centralized or decentralized

– Vision: appropriately managed decentralized systems are key components of the nation’s infrastructure

– Action: Upgrade professional standards of practice through training and certification of practitioners





North Carolina

• Subsurface systems can be the preferred choice for wastewater treatment

• 50% of NC population use onsite systems

• 25% of US population

• State Certification of system inspectors required effective January 1, 2008– 2400 Certified Level 1 to 4/Inspector





Certified Inspector School

• Training Objectives– Participants should be able to inspect

subsurface wastewater treatment systems for purposes of financial transactions

– Achievement of this capability will be measured by passing a state certification exam





Inspector School

• Designed to provide details on system inspection

• Continuing Education will build upon this foundation

• NCOWCIC Board administers the actual certification





Who’s here?• Certified Operators• Home Inspectors• Installers• Pumpers• LHD personnel• Engineers• Designers• LSS• Others





Workshop Overview





Day 1: Classroom

• Introduction and welcome

• Rules for Inspectors

• Overview of Wastewater and System Types

• Safety Issues

• Source and Site Assessment

• Inspecting Tanks

• Inspecting Dosing Systems and Controls





Day 2: Classroom

• Advanced pretreatment– Media Filters– ATUs

• Disinfection

• Distribution and Dispersal

• Final Report

• Special Conditions





Classroom materials

• Notebook

• Manual (optional)





Notebook

• Regulatory information– House Bill 688– Application for certification

• Inspection Protocol– Recommended minimal inspection points– Detailed Inspection Checklists

• Inspector Resources– Suggested tools– Websites– Vendor contact info





Notebook

• PowerPoint printouts– In order of presentation– Not in color – SORRY!

• Presentations are available on the web:– http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/lockers/lindbo/

» FOLDER: NC Inspector





Manual

• Residential Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: An Operation and Maintenance Service Provider Program*– Detailed descriptions of technologies– O&M checklists – Supplemental materials

*Standardized for use nationwide – some items vary from the NC perspective.





Inspection Form





NCOWCICB Suggested minimum onsite wastewater inspection

No representation, warranties or opinions are hereby given, written or expressed otherwise, as to the future performance of onsite wastewater system described herein. This onsite wastewater system inspection is a presentation of system facts in place on date of inspection. Address of Property __________________________________________________________________________________ Street __________________________________________________________________________________ City St Zip Current owner of Record ______________________________________________________________________________ Inspection requested by: Owner of record Other Name _________________________________________________________ Company ___________________________________________________________ Phone ______________________________________ Date of Inspection: __________________________________

Copy of Operations permit from _____________________________ County Environmental Health Attached Operations permit not available

Type of water Supply Well Public Water Community Water Location of Septic Tank and septic tank details:

_______ft from house or structure _______ft from well if applicable

_______ft from water line if applicable _______ft. from property line _______ approximate distance from surface to top of tank _______Access riser(s) yes no Describe__________________________________ _______Tank lids intact yes no _______Tank has baffle wall yes no _______Inflow to tank is noted as sufficient _______Inflow to tank is noted as insufficient or blocked _______Outlet has filter yes no _______Outlet T is present yes no _______Effluent leaves the outlet yes no _______Roots present in tank yes no _______Evidence of infiltration into tank or surface water yes no _______Evidence of tank leakage noted _______Unable to locate tank system inspection cannot be completed until tank is located Date tank was last pumped ______________________________ unknown Percentage of sludge detected in tank ____________% Client requesting this inspection has been advised that for a complete inspection to be performed the tank needs to be pumped. Client has declined to have the tank pump at inspection and hereby acknowledges they have so declined. Client Signature ___________________________________________________ Date__________________

Does system have pump tank? yes (complete blanks below) no ______ft from house or structure _______ft from well if applicable _______ft from water line if applicable _______ft. from property line _______ Approximate distance from surface to top of tank _______Access risers in place yes no _______ft from septic tank Location of control panel: _________________________________________ _______Electrical connections are in place and properly grounded _______Alarm working _______Pump working _______Dosing volume correct yes no _______Unable to operate pump due to lack of electricity at site at time of inspection System requires a subsurface operator yes no If yes, Operator Name ____________________________________________Phone____________________ Copy of most recent operator report attached Drainfield: Located _________ft. from property line

_________ft from septic/pump tank _________ # of lines located

__________length of lines

Type of system: Conventional Accepted Innovative Experimental Controlled Demonstration Pretreatment; Type of Pretreatment_________________________________________ Brief Description of System Type_______________________________________________ ______Evidence of past or current surfacing at time of inspection Briefly describe:_____________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ______ Large trees or other vegetation noted over drainfield area ______ Evidence of traffic over drainfield Briefly describe: _____________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Other pertinent facts noted during inspection: _________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Inspector Name: _______________________________________________ Certification #_______________ Address ________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone __________________________________________________________________________________________ Inspector Signature: ______________________________________________ Date ______________________

Recommended Form





Use of additional forms

• Provides a record of what was seen

• Acts as a check list (reminder)

• Allows for a more detailed report

• Provides consistency between inspections

• Can assist client in understanding issues (pros and cons) more effectively

• Can act as a ‘To do’ list for system upgrade, repair etc.





Summary

• Subsurface systems can be the preferred choice for wastewater treatment

• Various technologies are currently used and more are being developed

• Proper inspection is part of an effective management program

• School is designed to educate the Inspector• Examination is designed to measure the

Inspector’s competency





Please note…

The direct participation of manufacturers’ representatives as school trainers and the use of

photos of proprietary equipment does not constitute endorsement of one product over

another.





Thank you

NCSU and affiliated governmental entities appreciate the support of the private sector and state and local health department personnel.

Their participation in training is critical.





Please complete your program evaluation…

Thanks!

North Carolina Certified Subsurface Systems Inspector Training School

Documents