Wastewater Management
Because
of the rural nature of Vermont, the vast majority of the state is not served by
any type of municipal sewer. As such, on-site wastewater disposal systems are
an essential part of Vermont.
Previously,
there were several sets of rules to play by when it came to wastewater management.
In 2007, the state of Vermont, Wastewater Management Division adopted universal
jurisdiction over all properties and all wastewater systems.
With the
onset of universal jurisdiction, many properties that were previously exempt
from state permitting are no longer exempt. For most properties, if you are
changing the operation of a water or wastewater system, a state permit is
required.
While
there is now one set of rules, the rules are complex and there is no “one size
fits all” design. Please contact Long Trial Engineering, P.C. to discuss the
particulars of your property.
The
design of an onsite wastewater system begins with the evaluation of soils in
backhoe-excavated test pits. Test pits allow an engineer to evaluate the
type, texture, and consistency of the soil on a property. An engineer can also
estimate the depth to seasonal ground water and bedrock, two of the most critical
factors when assessing the suitability of a site for wastewater.
For
larger properties, a walkover survey is typically conducted before any
test pits. This allows the engineer to get a better idea of the property as a
whole before a backhoe is brought to the site.
Once test
pits are complete, perc tests are completed. Perc tests measure the rate
at which the soil can absorb water, and are used to size a wastewater system.
The last
field activity required before design is the topographic survey. The topo
survey is required to depict the contour elevations of the property, as well as
other important features such as house locations, streams, trees, bedrock, etc.
With the
field information complete, design can begin. There are generally three types
of wastewater systems:
In-ground (completely
buried)
At-grade (partially buried; creates a
small hump in a yard)
Mound (constructed on top of
existing ground; creates a large hump)
In
addition, any one of these systems may use advanced treatment, which
pre-treats wastewater before discharging it to the disposal field.
Once the
design is complete, an application for a Potable Water Supply & Wastewater System
Permit must be filed with the state Wastewater Management Division. Systems
with larger flows may need additional permits.
Note: this information is provided for general informational purposes only; please contact Long Trail Engineering, P.C. to discuss how the programs might affect you in particular.