Maintenance and Repair

Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Contract

• Plans for operation and maintenance, monitoring and testing must be submitted to the local Board of Health (and in some cases to MassDEP) for approval prior to start-up of the system. Inspection and sampling must be performed in accordance with the technology or system approval issued by the local Board of Health or DEP.
  
  
• Certified Operators must use the MassDEP-approved Inspection and O&M Form and technology-specific checklist to record inspection results. System owners are responsible for the form being submitted to their local Board of Health and in some cases to MassDEP.

Testing the Effluent

• Periodic testing of the system's effluent may also be required, and the system owner is responsible for the results being sent to the local Board of Health and MassDEP. All performance data collected under an approved testing plan must be submitted on the reports; it is a violation of Title 5 to omit or alter any results of testing done under an approved sampling plan.
  
  
• Analysis of the samples must be done by an approved testing laboratory unless otherwise allowed by the Board of Health or MassDEP. Your Certified Operator will have a list of approved testing laboratories, and typically will arrange for testing.
  
  
• Typically, I/A systems must be sampled quarterly for the following:
• • pH
  • Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
  • Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
  
  Systems located in nitrogen-sensitive areas may also require testing for Total Nitrogen (TN).
  
  
• If test results demonstrate adequate performance for a reasonable period of time, MassDEP allows system owners to request a reduction in sampling frequency.

Repairing an I/A System

• Repair or replace the component. In some instances, manufacturer warranties may apply.
• Replace the unit with another I/A technology.
• Install a tight tank.
• Replace with a conventional septic system, if feasible.