Print this pageOperations and Maintenance of Gravity On-Site Systems
Jim Newton, P.E., DEE
Course Outline
This two hour course provides valuable information for those individuals who design, install and operate an onsite wastewater treatment system that uses a gravity soil absorption field. Completion of this course will provide the student the necessary information and testing to meet the continuing education requirements in order to renew their onsite designer and installer licenses required by most states. It was designed by an instructor who has developed and implemented numerous similar training courses.
This course requires the completion of a multiple-choice quiz at its conclusion in order to obtain the necessary certification for the individuals who are seeking to renew their license to design and install OWTSs.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Understand what an onsite wastewater treatment system is;
- Understand how to record specific system component properties;
- Understand how to read and record a septic tank permit;
- Understand how to record system components and descriptions;
- Undertand how to record monitoring and maintenance information;
- Understand the do’s of operating and maintaining a gravity system;
- Understand the don’t of operating and maintaining a gravity system;
- Understand basic onsite system components;
- Understand the basic operation for a gravity system;
- Understand how to monitor a gravity system;
- Understand key maintenance aspects of a gravity system;
- Understand optional features for a gravity system;
- Understand basic improvement options for a gravity system;
- Understand source plumbing features;
- Understand septic tanks;
- Understand effluent piping issues;
- Understand gravity distribution systems;
- Understand the basics of a gravity drainfield;
- Understand monitoring issues;
- Understand seepage pit issues;
- Understand pump operations;
- Understand the basic water use cycle;
- Understand recreational vehicle dump facility issues;
- Understand emergency operation issues; and
- Understand emergency operations due to power outages.
Intended Audience
The intended audience for this course is any professional who is involved in the design, regulation, installation, operation or maintenance of onsite wastewater treatment systems, as well as any homeowner who has such a system and must operate and maintain it.
Benefit to Attendees
Attendees of this course will understand how to operate and maintain an onsite wastewater treatment system with a gravity drainage system. This program will greatly reduce the learning curve for any professional interested in an OWTS.
Course Introduction
Over 50% of all U.S. homes are not on sewers. The primary treatment systems for these homes are on-site wastewater treatment systems (OSWT). OSWTs are commonly referred to as septic tank systems. OWTS’s consist of three components: the septic tank, the distribution box, and the drain field. Each component plays an important part in achieving adequate wastewater treatment. This course provides details on how to choose, design, install and operate an OWTS. The course is based upon the State of Washington document, “Homeowner’s Manual for the Operation and Maintenance of a Gravity On-site Sewage Treatment and Disposal System.”
Course Content
The associated course materials are contained in an Adobe Acrobat copy of the State of Washington document, “Homeowner’s Manual for the Operation and Maintenance of a Gravity On-site Sewage Treatment and Disposal System.”
Operations and Maintenance of Gravity On-Site Systems
Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Course Summary
This course discusses the elements of operating and maintaining an OWTS management system using a gravity soil adsorption system.
Related Links
For additional information related to this subject, please visit the following websites or web pages:
US Environmental Protection Agency
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
