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Private Sewage Program
Sewage FAQs
1.What do I have to do to install a sewage
system?
2.Is it legal to install a subsurface lateral
field (tank and laterals)?
3.What can I do if my old system is failing?
4.Can I run wash water out to the ditch and
bypass my sewage system?
5.I bought an old house and the washing machine
in the basement drains into the sump, is that legal?
6.I have a really old system; is it grandfathered
in?
7.I have an aeration unit and it has not been
working for a long time, what can I do?
8.How is Perry County soil for installing
subsurface lateral fields?
9.My subsurface system is 30 years old, why
won't it work?
10.I've heard I can't use bleach in my house
if I have an aeration unit, is that true?
11.I see commercials for Rid X on TV, they
say to put it in your septic system once a month, should I use it?
12.I have a very small lot and I need to
install an aeration unit, can I run the discharge to the road ditch?
1. What do I have to do to install a sewage system?
Obtain an installation permit application from PCHD, pay the permit fee, discuss
the system specifications and options with a PCHD inspector, have an on-site
meeting with the inspector and sewage contractor prior to installation, obtain
installation/permit approval, then install system with inspector present.
2. Is it legal to install a subsurface lateral field (tank and laterals)?
It is legal to install a subsurface lateral field (tank and laterals) only if
you have performed a percolation test of the soil or a certified soil classifier
has performed a soil analysis.
3. What can I do if my old system is failing?
More than likely you will need to install a completely new system if your system
is older than 20 years. In most cases an aeration unit will take the place of
old failing lateral systems due to space constraints. In certain instances of
septic tank failure, a new tank can be installed without disturbing the rest
of the system. Also, if it is a newer subsurface lateral system, installing
more lateral pipe may be an option. Every system and situation is different
so specific options can be discussed with an inspector.
4. Can I run my washing machine water out to the ditch and bypass my sewage system?
Absolutely not. All domestic sewage must be directed into the sewage system
including all grey water discharges such as washing machines, dishwashers, sinks,
showers, etc. Only clear water basement sumps (that do not receive waste or
grey water) can be discharged.
5. I bought an old house and the washing machine in the basement drains into the sump, is that legal?
No it is not. All domestic sewage must be directed into the sewage system including
all grey water discharges such as washing machines, dishwashers, sinks, showers,
etc. Many years ago, this was not usually the case when sewage systems were
installed. There were few if any regulations regarding sewage system installation
until the early 1970's, even then inspection and permitting did not always occur.
We find that many of the older pre-1970 sewage systems have a separate grey
water discharge directly to the ground surface bypassing any system.
6. I have a really old system is it grandfathered in?
Many systems prior to the 1970's could consist of anything from 50-gallon drums,
old metal fuel barrels, rock pits, clay tiles and/or direct discharges of sewage.
If the system is not failing and no discharge of raw or improperly treated sewage
is occurring, then essentially yes it is. It more than likely does not meet
current code standards, but is a legal system if it is functioning properly.
(In our experience most of these old systems are not functioning properly and
need to be replaced.)
7. I have an aeration unit and it has not been working for a long time, what can I do?
Aeration units are somewhat unique in their design in that raw sewage goes in
one end and clear water comes out the other. Aeration units have pumps and motors
and run on electricity, along with having alarms and control panels. These units
require proper routine maintenance in order for them to function properly and
last a long time. If maintenance is not performed they will fail rather quickly.
There are many different brands and designs of aeration units so specific maintenance
procedures cannot be discussed here. Always follow the owner's manual that came
with your system. We recommend that aeration units be pumped every 2-3 years.
The pumps and motors should be inspected/cleaned every 6 months. If your aeration
unit has failed and the pump is not running you essentially have a holding tank
with raw sewage running out of it, which of course is illegal.
8. What is the soil like in Perry County for installing subsurface lateral fields?
Perry County soil in general has a fairly high percentage of clay. Very claylike
soil does not absorb water very well; therefore subsurface systems tend not
to work well in Perry County or in Southern Illinois for that matter. On average
80-90% of the systems installed in Perry County are aeration units. Now that
is not to say that subsurface systems do not work at all. There are some areas
of soil in the county that may absorb water fairly well, but are much rarer
than areas of high clay content.
9. My subsurface system is 30 years old, why won't it work anymore?
Subsurface lateral fields rely on the soil to absorb and treat the sewage that
passes through the septic tank and eventually trickles out of the lateral pipe/chamber.
At some point the soil may lose its ability to absorb due to various factors.
A subsurface system is not expected to last forever. Just like a car or an air
conditioner or a refrigerator, it will fail and it will need to be replaced.
Some last much longer than others so to put an expected number of years would
be futile. Just know that any system can and probably will fail eventually,
either by improper maintenance, abuse, or just naturally wear out.
10. I've heard I can't use bleach in my house if I have an aeration unit, is that true?
That is not necessarily true, however with any private sewage system, homeowners
need to be careful about what they put down their drains. Aeration units especially
are more sensitive to harsh chemicals and detergents. Aeration units rely on
a type of bacteria that require oxygen to live. The primary source of treatment
in any sewage system is bacteria. Bacteria are living creatures and cannot survive
in a harsh environment of chemicals and cleansers. Remember, the more you use,
the harder it is for the bacteria to live and reproduce. That said, most systems
including aeration systems are designed and tested to function under normal
household usage of detergents and cleansers.
11. I see commercials for Rid X on TV, they say to put it in your septic system once a month, should I use it?
The key word here is septic system. An aeration unit is not a septic system
even though septic system is used as a general term to describe any sewage treatment
system. These types of bacterial additives are for anaerobic systems (typically
any system that does not have aeration and has a septic tank). Never put Rid
X or any other anaerobic bacterial additive in your aeration unit. You can add
aerobic bacteria to your aeration system in certain instances, which is usually
available from the manufacturer of the unit. In general, septic systems should
work without the use of additives; however there are many uncontrollable factors
such as what exactly is going down the drain, how well the soil is absorbing,
and condition of the septic tank/lateral field that may decrease the performance
of the system. We cannot promote nor discourage the use of these products. We
only ask that you follow the instructions properly.
12. I have a very small lot and I need to install an aeration unit, can I run the discharge to the road ditch?
Technically, discharging anything to a road ditch is not usually legal. Although
many times there is no other alternative given the situation. The Illinois Private
Sewage Code allows a discharge to be within 5 feet of a property line. That
means that if your discharge must go toward the road ditch, you must hold the
discharge pipe back 5 feet on your property and cut your own ditch from the
discharge pipe to the road ditch. Typically the right of way on a state highway
or county road extends further into your yard than you would think. This may
make your discharge be as far back as 10-15 feet from the road ditch itself.
This is another situation that must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
