Most homes and businesses are connected to a septic or sewer system that collects waste and transports it to another location for processing. A small number of residences, however, have Small Flow Treatment Facilities (SFTF) that treat waste on site.
If your home has a Small Flow Treatment Facility, you’ll need to have it professionally maintained to Department of Environmental Services (DEP) comply with strict requirements. Tri-County Water Services is one of only a handful of companies that offers Small Flow Treatment Facility (SFTF) maintenance in PA.
What Is a Small Flow Treatment Facility (SFTF)?
A Small Flow Treatment Facility (SFTF) is a unique system that filters, treats, and disinfects sewage from a house right on the lot instead of transporting it to another site for processing. After a small flow treatment facility processes sewage, it’s safely returned to the environment.
Homeowners who have to operate a Small Flow Treatment Facility (SFTF) in Pennsylvania must receive a special permit from the state. There are currently only about 3,200 permitted Small Flow Treatment Facility (SFTF) sites in Pennsylvania.
What Should Homeowners Know about Small Flow Treatment Facility (SFTF) Maintenance and Reporting?
If your property has a Small Flow Treatment Facility (SFTF), you’ll have to follow strict maintenance guidelines. You’ll also be required to submit maintenance and samples reports each year.
If you fail to do so, you can be required to pay a fine. Under some circumstances, you might face additional consequences for not meeting DEP maintenance and reporting requirements.
What Types of Maintenance Are Required for a Small Flow Treatment Facility (SFTF)?
Routine maintenance involves having various parts of a Small Flow Treatment Facility (SFTF) tested, cleaned, and inspected on a annual basis. If you have an Small Flow Treatment Facility (SFTF), you will need to have sampling performed to check for TSS, BOD, Fecal, and pH. The sludge and scum in the treatment tank will be measured, pumping recommendations.
The controls will need to be inspected for amp draw, corrosion, and wiring, and the exterior splice boxes will have to be checked for water and corrosion (if applicable). The absorption area will need to be checked periodically for breakouts and any other signs that repairs are needed.
DEP require’s homeowners with Small Flow Treatment Facilities (SFTF) meet stringent reporting requirements. These reports must be submitted annually to the DEP, the township, and the manufacturer.
Who Can Handle Small Flow Treatment Facility (SFTF) Maintenance?
Property owners with Small Flow Treatment Facilities (SFTF) sites should consider partnering with professional service providers to be sure that they meet all the maintenance and reporting requirements.
There are only a small number of qualified service providers that provide Small Flow Treatment Facility (SFTF) maintenance in PA. Tri-County Water Services is one of those companies. Our team performs a wide range of routine maintenance services for Small Flow Treatment Facilities.
It’s essential to have qualified professionals perform testing to be certain that the results are accurate. Tri-County Water Services works with an Small Flow Treatment Facility (SFTF) licensed lab to ensure the accuracy of the test results that are then provided to the Department of Environmental Protection.
Our team also takes care of all necessary documentation. We compile reports, submit them to the required entities, and provide copies of reports to the owners of the properties where Small Flow Treatment Facilities (SFTF) sites are located.
Get Professional Help Maintaining Your Small Flow Treatment Facility (SFTF)
Trust Tri-County Water Services to handle your regular Small Flow Treatment Facility (SFTF) maintenance and reporting needs. We are not only licensed professionals with the knowledge and experience necessary to work with these unique systems, but we make the entire process hassle-free by submitting all necessary testing and paperwork for you. We service all of Pennsylvania – speak with one of our experts about which septic maintenance contract is right for you. Call us today at (610) 857-1740 to learn more.
