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bucklahoo
Member
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# Posted: 21 Jun 2021 09:23am
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Hello. I recently inherited a recreational cabin north of Tidioute in Watson Township, NWPA. it was built in the early 60s and had indoor plumbing provided by a spring located up the hill behind it and what i believe is a concrete septic “tankâ€. The water and therefore bathroom has not been used in over 10 years. I do not know much about septic systems or for the laws for that matter. There is a discharge pipe that runs from the drains and toilet of cabin to right outside the cabin into a buried tank in the ground, maybe a 8 X 8 foot area/mound. Ground around it is mostly rock/hard soil.
I’d like to eventually restore the cabin to its prior running condition. recently had a city official in the area who takes care of sewage situations asking about it.
Is this a gray water system? Could there be a leach bed set up or is this more than likely just a tank that gets treated with enzyme with an outflow?
Would a structure like this be grandfathered in with its septic system if proven it is in working conditions?
Do I need to dig up the ground and expose the septic structure?
If this system isn’t legal or operational what would be my next best move?
Thanks for any information, i’m still trying to educate myself on these matters.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 21 Jun 2021 04:57pm - Edited by: gcrank1
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Sorry to say, the info we could give you here would be speculation, barring a member that lives there, yet even that is iffy.
The info you seek is with the authority for where it is located. They are very specific and the ones you have to please.
And, since a 'city official, has already asked about it you are already on their radar.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 21 Jun 2021 09:23pm
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We would all be guessing whether or not you have a true septic system or a gray water system. You may need a septic expert to go onsite to evaluate what you have. It could be a true septic system that was originally installed according to whatever regulations were in place when it was installed or maybe something that was illegally installed and never met those older regulations.
There should be an inspection cover.
Chances are, I am guessing, it would be grandfathered in, IF it was a legally installed true septic system or a holding tank system and still functions. That is another guess.
The current regulations and requirements may be different from whatever rules were in place when it was installed. The chances are very good that if that system has problems that require much more than a simple pumpout, it will basically need replacing with a new system compliant with the current regulations. Maybe not, but that is another guess. Septic rules are often strictly enforced even in jurisdictions that may be quite lax on other aspects, and for good reasons.
As gcrank1 stated, ask the local or state agency that issues sanitary permits and does the enforcing.
What sort of questions was the oficial asking?
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 22 Jun 2021 06:04am
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For the septic I would remove the tank lid, have it pumped and inspected.
For how to deal with the town you need to find out of gray water systems are legal. I'm prety sure if the town asked about it they know it's illegal or else they would have records on it.
But just because you do all this dosnt mean the leach field isnt collapsed orangeberg pipe. The time it was built I dont believe they had pvc pipe. Orangeberg is a black pipe that basicly made of tar paper.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 22 Jun 2021 09:52am
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Around here anytime a property changes ownership the septic has to be approved. Ive seen one place where they had to install the 'new-up to code septic' and 7 years later when re-sold had to do another new one because the specs had changed some in-between.
I thought that was going too far.....
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PA_Bound
Member
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# Posted: 23 Jun 2021 10:58am
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Like others have indicated, we can only speculate on what you might have. So I think Brettny has it right- expose the top of the tank and have it inspected. But even if it is a septic system with leach field, which would be ideal, it is still likely to require a lot of repair just given its almost 60 year age.
But start with the inspection. Determine what you have and its condition, and the path forward from there will become more evident. And since you have already been visited, at some point you will have to deal with the permitting authorities. But wait to engage with them until you know the facts.
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BobW
Member
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# Posted: 23 Jun 2021 12:59pm
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Try an online search for information on PA waste water treatment requirements. Local jurisdiction may be more stringent than state but certainly not less. Armed with this knowledge approach the official and ask questions.
A new system can cost from around $3000.00 up.
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Irrigation Guy
Member
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# Posted: 23 Jun 2021 08:41pm
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Guy who built his own backs out slowly...
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 23 Jun 2021 08:54pm
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Just call me 'Luggable Loo'
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 24 Jun 2021 05:56am
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Quoting: Irrigation Guy Guy who built his own backs out slowly
That makes two of us backing out slowly.
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bucklahoo
Member
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# Posted: 27 Jun 2021 05:29pm
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thanks for the info and suggestions. i'll expose it and see what i am up against.
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