LEACHFIELD REMEDIATION

Many communities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are engaged in wastewater management planning. This process is often extended in coastal communities because multiyear environmental assessments are required to adequately determine treatment needs. Extended planning periods often result in the needless expenditures of funds to replace septic systems where more centralized options are likely. In order to provide tools to avoid these expenditures, the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center with support under the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 319(b) Competitive Grants Program endeavored to develop and conduct a protocol to test products that purportedly extend the “life” of a soil absorption system and restore lost hydraulic function. By identifying such products/strategies, communities might allow individuals to forego more-expensive repair options in areas where the elimination of septic systems is imminent and preserve capital that might be used for alternative wastewater treatment options.