Septic Systems

Foster Survey Company – Experienced and Professional Residential & Commercial Septic System Designers

Septic Systems, or Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS), includes any system of piping, tanks, dispersal areas, alternative toilets or other facilities designed to work as a unit to convey, store, treat or disperse wastewater by means other than discharge into a public sewer system.

Soil Evaluations 

A Soil Evaluator determines the depth to the seasonal high water table, soil types and restrictive materials, such as ledge. We can conduct Soil Evaluation testing at any time throughout the year.

Repair Septic Systems OWTS 

Repair Septic System OWTS designs are for the repair of existing septic systems only. Repair Septic System OWTS designs do not propose:

• Any construction, building renovation, change of use of a structure.
• Any increase in the original design flow of the system.
• Does not authorize any building renovation of any structure.

Alteration Septic Systems OWTS 

Alteration Septic System OWTS designs are for alterating existing sewage disposal systems. Alteration Septic System OWTS designs are proper when:

• Proposed change in the size of an existing Septic System OWTS.
• Modification of an existing Septic system OWTS.
• A building renovation or change of use of any structure discharging sewage into the Septic System.

A “change in size” of an existing Septic system means any physical alteration to your Septic System which will allow the system to accommodate:

1. In the case of a residence, the extra sewage flow resulting from adding not more than one bedroom; or
2. In all other cases, an increased flow of sewage in an amount less than or equal to twenty-five
   percent (25%) of the design flow.

Changes in size which will accommodate increased sewage flows resulting from more than one
bedroom or in an amount greater than twenty-five percent (25%) of the design flow (approved) must get a permit as a New Construction Septic Systems OWTS (see below).

New Construction Septic Systems OWTS 

New Construction Septic Systems OWTS design includes undeveloped land (un-sewered areas) and are not designs considered Repair Septic Systems OWTS or Alteration Septic Systems OWTS. Most typically, we would design a New Construction Septic System OWTS when:

• You build a new house.
• You add more than one bedroom to your existing home.

In addition to our designing a New Construction Septic System you will first need to have Soil Evaluation testing done, before any design, and Designers Supervision services when you construct and install the New Construction Septic System.

Variance Septic System Application 

A Variance Septic System OWTS application is necessary if you can’t meet some of the rules and regulations set forth by the Rhode Island Department of Environment.

There are too many reasons to list here for a Variance Septic System OWTS design, but the following list outlines a few of the most common reasons for needing a Variance Septic System OWTS design:

• High water table.
• Shallow depth to impervious materials, such as ledge.
• Existing or proposed wells are too close to the Septic System OWTS. This is usually due to small-sized lots and/or site constraints that limit separation.
• Existing or proposed Septic System OWTS are too close to environmental constraints such as; ponds, rivers and streams, wetland areas including swamps and marshes, or to surface drinking water supplies including tributaries that flow to them.

Designers Supervision 

Once we have designed a Septic System OWTS for you and you then install the system, we will do Designers Supervision and upon completion submit a Designers Certificate of Construction.

Septic System OWTS Designer Information:

Eric D. Colburn, PLS, is a Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM)  licensed Class 2 Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Designer (OWTS) designer and a Certified Bottomless Sand Filter (BSF) Septic System Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) designer and can design:

• Residential Septic Systems and Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) up to 2000 gallons per day. Most residential septic systems/Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) are designed between 345 to 575 gallons per day.
• Commercial design septic system Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) up to 900 gallons per day.
• Bottomless Sand Filter (BSF) Septic System Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS). Botttomless Sand Filter (BSF) systems are often used in areas of high water tables, shallow depth to impervious materials such as ledge, or on land with site constraints and limited building area. Bottomless Sand filters (BSF) improve wastewater treatment when compared to conventional Septic System OWTS and often cut the need for significant fill materials.