Last month, we reviewed in general terms what is involved in a compliance inspection and what sets it apart from real estate inspections and those conducted to establish a comprehensive operation and maintenance plan or program for a system.

Compliance inspections of new or replacement systems determine if the system, as installed, meets all current code requirements. These inspections are conducted by agents of the permitting authority: the county, municipality, township, etc. Inspectors can be employees or contracted individuals or companies, but they are representatives of the permitting authority and not involved in any of the site evaluation, design or installation work.

It’s a good idea to take a closer look at elements needed for new-system inspections. Our thoughts here are based on our experiences in the development of the comprehensive program in Minnesota. We remind people that “we,” or the state, did not get to the current program overnight, but rather it was developed since passage in 1972 of a shoreline protection act. We won’t bore you with all the details of everything that has happened over that period of time. We mention this to explain that in all of our states, the rules and regulations have gone through and will go through constant revision, refinement and hopefully improvement. As professionals, we need to always be involved in the process and recognize that the process is never finished.

In our view, a compliance inspection begins the day a plan and design is filed with the permitting authority to construct a new system on the site in question. We can consider “new” to include not only the first system constructed on a property, but also replacement systems or expansions to existing systems.

STARTS IN THE FIELD

The inspection actually begins with fact checking and field checking information from the site evaluation used in the design of the system. This means all setback and easement requirements are verified. Location of all system components should be checked to see that there is adequate area and access to construct the system.

The soil information should be checked and verified in the location of the drainfield. Is the estimation of separation distance to the soil limiting layer correct based on the soil analysis, including color, structure and texture? Questions about the soil analysis and how the system design may be affected should be ironed out at this point. Once the information is checked and field-verified, a construction permit can be issued.

This is the point where installers obviously become more involved unless they also do site evaluation and design work. It is the installer’s responsibility to build the system according to the design specifications in a manner that ensures compliance with all applicable rules and regulations. This is why the installer needs to be familiar with and understand all the rule requirements.

Inspection of the construction is conducted by either an employee of the local permitting authority or their authorized representative or business. This employee or business ethically should not be involved in the initial siting or design of the system.

LOOK AT COMPONENTS

The inspection should include all components and aspects of the system. This is why the installer should stake out and check each of the component locations to verify they are within the setbacks. With clear markings, the inspector can readily see where everything fits. Again, if there are questions, now is the time to resolve them, rather than after the fact when a variance may be needed to obtain the certificate of compliance allowing the system to be put into use. A lot of the specifics then become commonsense items in terms of whether the right products or equipment are installed and in the proper location at the proper elevations.

Piping from the house to the septic tank should be checked for the proper grade to provide for flow through the pipe. Clean-outs should be checked and verified. The sewage tank or tanks should be inspected for correct size, as called for in the design and according to the regulation. Are those tanks installed at the correct elevations? Are the connections in and out of the tanks properly made so they are watertight? Is the piping between system components properly bedded and at the proper grade?

If there are pumps and controls in the system, the electrical connections should be checked against electrical code standards. At the time of inspection, the controls should be checked to make sure everything operates when turned on, including the high-water alarm.

In the drainfield or final dispersal portion of the system, the bottom of trenches should be checked for proper elevation and meeting required vertical separation distances. The piping in the trenches or bed should be checked for proper alignment, proper hole spacing and connections. This is especially important for pressure distribution laterals.

FINAL EVALUATION

The distribution media should be checked to determine if it meets the durability requirements and, if they are proprietary products, that they are correct according to the design specifications. In pressure distribution systems, water should be run through the system to determine the pressure in the laterals meets the design requirements and the pump is able to deliver the proper dose required.

Finally, when the system is covered the site should be inspected to determine there are not any low areas, that excess water is directed away from the drainfield and will not infiltrate into other system components, and the area is properly seeded and mulched. If everything is correct, the permit to operate the system can be issued. If there are any problems to be corrected, they are listed for the installer, who then makes the corrections before a final inspection to verify the project is completed satisfactorily and the permit is granted.