WELLS & SEPTIC SYSTEMS
Wells
There are two types of wells, deep (drilled through bedrock)
and shallow (dug to 20 - 30 feet). The deep wells yield
water supplies via fissures in the rock and are less susceptible
to storm water pollution. Shallow wells are usually in an
aquifer that receives
water from watersheds and percolates through the ground
to the aquifer. These wells are very susceptible to pollutants
and can be affected by septic system effluent.
Septic Systems
Most of the homes and businesses are served with systems
consisting of a septic tank, distribution box and a leaching
field. These systems carry the water, solids, grease, cleaning
chemicals, bacteria from the homes and treat the wastes
by settling out the solids and grease in the septic tank
and distributing the liquid effluent through a distribution
box to the leaching field.
The solids that settle in the tank are reduced in volume
by digestion from what is known as anerobic bacteria; that
is bacteria that can live without oxygen. The leaching field
discharges the effluent into the ground and provides the
only treatment.
The soil at the bottom of the leaching trench contains bacteria
which feeds off the organic substances in the effluent.
Other homes are served by a cesspool consisting of a pit
lined with fieldstone and provide very little treatment
of household wastes. Solids settle to the bottom of the
pit and the effluent seeps through the joints in the stone
to the surrounding soil.
Do's for Well Water
Conserve water in the house with water saving shower heads,
low volume water closets for toilets, and gaskets for faucets
to prevents leaking.
Leaking water is bad for your septic system.
Conserve water outside the house by watering gardens and
lawns in the early morning or late afternoon.
Have your water tested for bacteria once a year and have
chemical analyses made every three years.
Don'ts for Well Water
Don't use chemical fertilizers, chemical herbicides or
chemical pesticides on your lawns and gardens. There are
organic, non- toxic substitutes for fertilizers, herbicides
and pesticides.
Fertilizers are carried by rainfall runoff to streams, ponds
and wetlands causing excessive algae growth. This leads
to what is called eutrification; ponds become overgrown
with trees and brush and eventually fills in to become a
swamp.
Do's for Septic Systems
Have your septic tank pumped out at least every two years.
Get rid of your garbage disposal and compost your kitchen
garbage. Repair all household leaks.
Make a plan showing the location of your system.
Don'ts for Septic Systems
Don't pour cleaning chemicals, chlorine products, solvents,
and other toxics down your sinks or toilets. These materials
kill the bacteria in your system that are treating the wastes
from your home.
Don't use advertised cleaning products that are supposed
to help your system. These products are of no use whatsoever
and in fact are prohibited by the Massachusetts Department
of Environmental Protection.
Don't plant anything but grass over your leaching field.
Tree and shrub roots will clog the leaching lines.
Keep rainfall runoff away from the leaching field.
Prepared by the Dover Engineering Department and The
Dover Board of Health
