This feature in Pumper reports noteworthy conversations that take place at the Pumper Discussion Forum, an online forum for industry professionals found at www.pumper.com. Pumper Discussion enables exchange of information and ideas on septic and drainfield installation and maintenance, trucks and equipment, portable sanitation, chemical and additives and much more. Information and advice in “Overheard Online” is offered in good faith by industry professionals. However, readers should consult in depth with appropriate industry sources before applying such advice to a specific business situation.

Question:
I land-apply septage and have one neighbor who wants to complain to the health department. The health department has told him he has no legitimate complaint and that I am in compliance with all rules. Has anyone else had this problem and how did you address it? I don’t want him to go to the media and other neighbors and cause a big stink.

Answers:
I would have a water well installed between the application site and your neighbor, and tell him he can test the water anytime he wants. We did land disposal in Massachusetts for many years and never had a problem with the sewerage getting into the groundwater. Now I pay about $10,000 on a busy month for disposal. They want everything to be disposed of at a sewerage treatment [plant] in Massachusetts. I suspect they know that disposing septage in this manner is not a problem, and that the big concern is that someone may dispose of something hazardous. So they want it going to the treatment plant where every load is sampled. Oh yes, they also make some money on the disposal fees.

If you were spreading animal manure nothing would be said. As soon as people know you are applying human waste, they freak out. It is just the average person’s reaction.

Are you liming your septic waste before land-applying? This helps with pathogen requirements and reduces vector attraction. If done properly, it also takes care of smell complaints. Do you clean up all the garbage/feminine products/condoms, etc.? I have been using lime since 1994 with very few problems. Here is a link to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 503 rules on land application: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/wastetech/biosolids/503pe_index.cfm.