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UNIVERSITY <br />OF MINNESOTA <br />Septic System Management Plan <br />for Below Grade Systems <br />Professional Management Tasks <br />These are the operation and maintenance activities that a pumper/maintainer performs to help ensure <br />long-tgrm performance of your system. Professionals should refer to the O/M Manual for detailed <br />check ists for tanks, pumps, alarms and other components. Call 800-322-8642 for more details. <br />Written record provided to homeowner after each visit. <br />Plum ing/Source of Wastewater <br />• Review the Water Use Appliance Chart on Page 5 with homeowner. Discuss any changes in <br />water use and the impact those changes may have on the septic system. <br />• Review water usage rates (if available) with homeowner. <br />Septic Tank/Pump Tanks <br />Manhole lid. A riser is recommended if the lid is not accessible from the ground surface. Insulate <br />the riser cover for frost protection. <br />• Liquid level. Check to make sure the tank is not leaking. The liquid level should be level with the <br />bottom of the outlet pipe. (If the water level is below the bottom of the outlet pipe, the tank may <br />not be watertight. If the water level is higher than the bottom of the outlet pipe of the tank, the <br />effluent screen may need cleaning, or there may be ponding in the drainfield.) <br />• Inspection pipes. Replace damaged caps. <br />Baffles. Check to make sure they are in place and attached, and that inlet/outlet baffles are clear <br />of buildup or obstructions. <br />• Effluent screen. Check to make sure it is in place; clean per manufacturer recommendation. <br />Recommend retrofitted installation if one is not present. <br />• Alarm. Verify that the alauu works. <br />• Scum and sludge. Measure scum and sludge in each compartment of each septic and pump tank, <br />pump if needed. <br />Pump <br />• Pump and controls. Check to make sure the pump and controls are operating correctly. <br />• Pump vault. Check to make sure it is in place; clean per manufacturer recommendations. <br />• <br />• <br />Alarm. Verify that the alarm works. <br />Drainback. Check to make sure it is operating properly. <br />Event counter or run time. Check to see if there is an event counter or run time log for the pump. <br />If there is one, calculate the water usage rate and compare to the anticipated average daily flow <br />listed on Page 2. <br />Soil reatment Area <br />• Inspection pipes. Check to make sure they are properly capped. Replace caps that are damaged. <br />• Surfacing of effluent. Check for surfaced effluent or other signs of problems. <br />• Gravity trenches and beds. Check the number of gravity trenches with ponded effluent. Identify <br />the percentage of the system in use. Determine if action is needed. <br />Pressure trenches and beds - Lateral flushing. Check lateral distribution; if cleanouts exist, flush <br />and clean as needed. <br />All other components — inspect as listed here: <br />-4- <br />