Background
Public health services are population-based, focusing
on improving the health status of the population, rather than simply
treating individuals. This responsibility is shared by the Department
of Health and 34 local public health jurisdictions serving Washington’s
39 counties. In conjunction with county health departments, the
Washington State Technical Review Committee for Wastewater Management
is in charge of maintaining standards for wastewater and solid
waste management.
Challenge
Seattle-King Count Department of Public Health estimated
in 1996 that there were 90,000 to 110,000 domestic septic systems
being used in King County. A large number of these systems being
built in expensive subdivisions throughout the state were failing.
Many were experimental mound systems, the best alternative for
seasonal high ground water and restrictive hardpan common in Seattle.
Mound systems have strict requirements for their successful operation
and life, but both installers and household owners were surprisingly
ignorant of such requirements. Failure of septic systems seriously
compromised public health by releasing biologic and chemical contaminants
into the environment.
Typical mound system
configuration 
The Washington State Technical Review Committee
for Wastewater Management therefore began reassessing and rewriting
septic code to ensure the integrity of all septic systems, including
mound systems. King County’s Wastewater Program Environmental
Department worked with this committee in its study.
Approach
Techstyle Group was called upon to investigate
the viability of domestic mound systems in Seattle area residential
neighborhoods. We
interviewed experts from the Wisconsin Health Department, which was a
pioneer in the development of the mound system; a world-renowned
expert
who oversaw the installation of over 40,000 septic systems internationally;
and professional engineers and installers in the state of Washington.
We received a multitude of recommendations and hazards involved
in installation and maintenance of mound  systems, including use
of septic tank construction materials, selection of appropriate
gravel size for sewage filtration,
depth of septic tank and pump system burial, landscaping for proper
mound aeration, depth of soil cap on mounds, use of dose cycling
tools, measurement of distributed oxygen (DO) as an indication
of ground water tank infiltration, and accommodation of sufficient
space around the mound for proper lateral water movement and replacement
area. We spoke with homeowners to
discover
their knowledge of hydraulic overload prevention and septic tank maintenance
and prevention of contamination.
Solution
After submitting our report to the Public
Health Departments of Washington and Seattle-King County, we were
asked
to serve on the code
revision board and to advise and contribute to homeowner maintenance
manuals. We also produced effective homeowner instructional
seminars
and
ensured that builders include information on septic system maintenance
to new home buyers.
Our efforts directly led to heightened awareness
of mound system issues and a drastic reduction of the number
of mound system failures in the Seattle area.
About Techstyle Group LLC
Techstyle Group LLC is a privately held company providing communication
and documentation services. It specializes in using plain language
to improve the clarity of content delivered to diverse audiences
in many formats. Techstyle is a nationally certified, woman-owned
business that has operated since 1986. For further information,
visit www.Techstyle.com,
contact Techstyle Group LLC through media.tsg @ techstyle.com,
or call toll-free at 866-661-6660.
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