Septic Waste
In Colts Neck, with the exception of one small private treatment plant, all sewage wastes go to underground septic tank sewage systems. These systems are efficient and quite satisfactory, except under the following conditions:
1. Adverse lithology of the soil surrounding the septic field.
2. High ground water table.
3. Faulty construction or maintenance.
4. Development spacing too close.
Before a site plan approval is granted for new construction, percolation tests are performed and the results are carefully reviewed to insure that neither adverse lithology nor high water table will interfere with the proper functioning of the proposed septic systems.
As long as our zoning ordinances are properly enforced, septic systems should continue to adequately serve our Township in the future.
A septic system consists of two parts:
1. a septic tank in which the raw sewage is collected,
and 2. a drainage field where the effluent discharged from the septic tank is absorbed by the soil beneath the ground surface and receives final treatment by microorganisms before becoming diluted in the groundwater.
The purpose of the septic tank is twofold:
1. to capture most of the solids, and also fats/grease from household sewage, inside a water tight receptacle underground. The sewage residues can be pumped-out when they accumulate to the extent that they threaten to flow out of the tank into the drainage field where they can cause clogging.
and 2. to hold the liquid sewage so that there will be sufficient time for organic matter to be digested before being carried out of the tank into the drainage field where it can clog the field.
The septic tank's basic objective is to separate solids from liquids and hold solids so that the liquid leaving the tank will be clearer and will not clog the drainage field. The heavier material sinks to the bottom, and is called sludge. The lighter material floats on the surface of the liquid and is called the scum layer. The liquid in the middle contains soluble or suspended organic matter.
When the partially treated liquid leaves the septic tank, it is carried by a solid pipe to the "drainage field", a series of perforated pipes laid in trenches in the soil. The liquid seeps out of the holes in the pipes, and is absorbed by the soil. A layer of gravel surrounding the drain pipe facilitates the uniform spreading of the effluent over the entire absorption area.
In a properly functioning septic system, microorganisms such as bacteria and protozoa (single-celled animals) are found in all parts of the tank and in the soil absorption field.
In the septic tank, the primary role of the microorganisms is digestion of organic matter suspended or dissolved in the liquid so that the clearest possible effluent can be discharged into the soil disposal field to minimize soil clogging and "back-up." The microorganisms' secondary role is to digest some of the heavy solids (sludge) and some of the light solids (scum). Without the work of these microbes, the storage capacity of septic tanks would soon be exhausted. In the soil, bacteria and other microbes complete the digestion of organic matter. Various physical, chemical and biological processes in the soil also renovate effluents.
If a septic system is properly designed, constructed and maintained, (i.e., inspected and pumped out periodically) the millions of microorganisms will digest the sewage and return its chemical components to the earth to be used over and over again.
Solid Waste
---------------------------------------------------------
References:
1. Manual of Septic Tank Practice , Public Health Service Publication - No. 526, US Dept of Health, Education and Welfare, 1967, copies available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20201.
2. T.B. Shelton and F.B. Fowler, "Septic Tank Systems: Design and Practice", Extension Bulletin 415, 1975, Cooperative Extension Service, Cook College, Rutgers-The State University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903.
The average resident of New Jersey is exposed to approximately 125 millirems per year of "background" ionizing radiation1. (A "rem" is a unit of ionizing radiation exposure, a "millirem" is one-one thousandth of a rem.) Of this, about 50 millirems per year is due to cosmic rays, the balance is from trace amounts of naturally occurring radioactive elements in the soil, building materials, air and food. There are no known unusual naturally occurring sources of radioactivity within Colts Neck Township.
Man-made sources, such as dental and medical X-rays, can typically contribute about another 90 millirems per person per year. The nearest nuclear power plant, Oyster Creek, is 30 miles South of Colts Neck. During normal operation, nuclear power plants emit an amount of radiation that is negligible compared to background radiation. In case of a serious accident at Oyster Creek, however, the release of radiation could present a significant threat to the population of Colts Neck. (A number of other nuclear power plants in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania could also become a threat if, after a serious accident, Colts Neck was downwind from the accident site.) Whether or not nuclear weapons exist at Naval Weapons Station Earle is not known publicly.
Long term exposure to low frequency electromagnetic radiation from high-voltage, high-current power lines has been reported to cause health problems [Paul Brodeur, Currents of Death, Simon & Schuster, Inc., 1989.]. The subject of whether or not the danger due to such non-ionizing radiation is significant is controversial, and is being studied by various researchers. Since there do exist some high-voltage power lines in Colts Neck, it may be prudent for Colts Neck officials (and residents living or working close to such power lines) to monitor the course of these studies.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas [A Citizen's Guide to Radon - What It Is And What To Do About It, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publication no. OPA-86-004, August 1986.] [Radon Reduction Techniques for Detached Houses, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publication no. EPA/625/5-86/019, 1986.]. It is a byproduct of the decay of radium, which in turn comes from the decay of uranium in soil and rock. Uranium is ubiquitous (in low concentrations) in the earth's crust. Outdoors, radon dissipates harmlessly. When it seeps into a house, however, it can collect in hazardous concentrations. The radioactive byproducts of radon cling to minute dust particles in the air. These particles can lodge in the small passages of the lung and, thereby, increase the risk of lung cancer.
Although a great deal remains to be learned about the effects of exposure to low levels of radon, a National Academy of Sciences report in 1987 confirmed previous estimates that about 13,000 lung cancer deaths per year are due to exposure to radon. The risk increases with the amount of gas present, the length of exposure, the age of the person, and smoking. Radon is a particular risk for cigarette smokers because it dramatically multiplies an already increased chance of lung cancer.
The NJ and federal government recommendation is that remedial action be taken if the radon concentration exceeds 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) tests indicate an average indoor concentration, statewide, of 5.4 pCi/L. The concentrations were highest in Northern NJ (as high as 11.8 pCi/L in Warren County); Monmouth County's average was 2.7 pCi/L. The only way to determine what the risk might be in any given Colts Neck home is to test the home. The levels can vary from home to home, depending on the soil, the amount of openings into the basement (e.g., cracks, loose fitting pipes, sump pump, etc.), and the construction (uncoated hollow-core concrete blocks are permeable to radon and other toxic gases ["Toxic Gases Can Penetrate Concrete Blocks", Science News, Vol. 136, p. 391, December 16, 1989.]).
For the 99 radon tests that had been performed on various Colts Neck homes as of January 1990, 56 of the results were below the action level of 4 pCi/l, and 38 homes were above ["Radon Report", Colts Neck Township Committee Report, February, 1990.]. Of the latter group, 17 were greater than or equal to 8 pCi/l, and one home was in the category of greater than or equal to 20 pCi/l. Based on the analysis of these results by the State, Colts Neck was reclassified as a "Tier I Community", which means that the recommendation is to test for radon "as soon as possible". (For the previous Tier II designation, the recommendation was to "test within one year".)
The DEP has established a toll-free Radon Information Hotline, 1-800-648-0394. The DEP and the Colts Neck Health Department (462-5470) provide free information packets that includes a listing of companies offering radon testing and radon remediation services. The American Lung Association of NJ offers a "do it yourself", three-month radon testing kit for $20- (1989 price; Amer. Lung Assoc. of NJ, 1600 Rt. 22 East, Union, NJ 07083; 201-687-9340). Since the concentrations can vary greatly from week to week, short term tests should be avoided. The testing should be done during the winter months, when the house is "buttoned up".
If a test result exceeds 4 pCi/l, the Radon Hotline can be called to request a free confirmatory test by DEP. The results should also be reported to the Colts Neck Health Department, at 462-5470. Simple remedial actions, such as the closing of entry points and ventilation, and painting hollow-core concrete block basement walls with a liberal coating of latex paint ["Toxic Gases Can Penetrate Concrete Blocks", Science News, Vol. 136, p. 391, December 16, 1989.], can usually correct a radon problem.
----------------------------------------------------------
References:
1. ["Nuclear Energy - Questions and Answers", P.S.E.& G., Newark, NJ 1979.]
2. [Paul Brodeur, Currents of Death, Simon & Schuster, Inc., 1989.]
3. [A Citizen's Guide to Radon - What It Is And What To Do About It, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publication no. OPA-86-004, August 1986.]
4. [Radon Reduction Techniques for Detached Houses, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publication no. EPA/625/5-86/019, 1986.]
5. ["Toxic Gases Can Penetrate Concrete Blocks", Science News, Vol. 136, p. 391, December 16, 1989.]
6. ["Radon Report", Colts Neck Township Committee Report, February, 1990.]
Go on to Chapter 14