Over the past five or so years, the use of Alternative Waste Water Design, sometimes referred to as Enhanced Design, has become more and more widespread.

Our environment demands better treatment of sewage.

Whether it is at the public sewer treatment plant or in our own back yard, proper treatment is critical.

And some of our yards are not very large, are on steep slopes, have lots of rocks, have poor soil conditions or are too close to the lake.

The most popular use of an alternative type of septic system has been for the replacement or expansion of old systems too close to a lake.There are a number of other site conditions that make it impossible to comply with the state and local codes where an alternative / enhanced system can provide an excellent solution to an otherwise unsolvable problem.

Again, a typical example is the separation requirement to the mean high water mark of a lake to the closest part of the leach field.

The minimum separation is one hundred feet.

There can be other situations requiring even more than one hundred feet, one hundred is just the minimum.

In cooperation with the Adirondack Park Agency and the NYS Health Department, the Town of Webb Code Enforcement Office can issue permits for the replacement of lawfully existing, non-conforming residential waste water treatment systems… septic systems.

No special variances are required as long as the system is not closer to the lake, does not service an increased load and is designed better than whatever was there before.

Usually the old system is not much more than a hole in the ground, so providing a better system is not hard to do.

There are many different kinds of technologies and different manufacturers as well.

Different concepts may be more appropriate than others depending on the site conditions involved.

Some boast 98% potability when it leaves the system and is discharged into the ground.

Aeration, filtration, recirculation, timed dosing, chlorination, or different combinations thereof, are some of the basic techniques.

Just like any other septic system installation, before permits can be issued, site analysis and design details must be prepared by a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of New York.

If a specific manufacturer is specified in the design, switching for another would require the approval of the design engineer.

And just like anything else, the installation is key to the successful operation of the system.

The Code Office will often be asked about the cost of these alternative designs.

Since we do not buy or install them, nor do we own the heavy equipment to do the work, and are not paying the crew to do the work it is dangerous to try to answer those types of questions.

The best way to find out is ask your favorite contractor.

For sure, the cost of any septic system can vary greatly depending on many factors.

Site conditions, terrain, soil conditions, rock, ledge rock, drainage, access, time of year, size of the system and materials needed are some of the factors.

The easier it is to get to and work around the site is huge.

Travel distance to obtain the appropriate sand or gravel is a huge issue around here as well.

However, whatever the cost, the alternative design can provide an opportunity to vastly improve, enhance or otherwise make a property substantially more usable, and thus more attractive.

This coming April 18th, at View in Old Forge, there will be a one day seminar on Alternative Waste Water Design.

This special program is sponsored by the Adirondack Research Consortium [ARC], the Adirondack Park Agency [APA] and Eric Murdock of On-Site Engineering. It will be open to anyone, with priority given to engineers, designers, contractors, code enforcement personnel, town officials and planners.

Please feel free to call the Town of Webb Code Enforcement Office for more information. Education and awareness are powerful tools.