Apr/May - MOWA

Page 10 Little Digger
MPCA News Round-Up
More anecdotal evidence on causes, solutions to freezing septics
by Gretchen Sabel, MPCA
Lots of late winter snow and warmer temperatures have
helped lessen the chances of septic systems freezing;
however, the potential for freezing exists throughout the
winter season. Two examples prove this point, as well as
the point that it can happen to anyone.
The new MPCA SSTS Section Manager Jim Ziegler
recently experienced his septic system backing up. Since
his tank had been pumped recently, he knew the problem
had to be in the pipe between the house and septic tank.
He was able to clear the frozen pipe himself by opening a
cleanout plug and running a hose and hot water into the
pipe until it eventually cleared, a process that took about
three hours. He said the area between the house and septic
tank usually blows clear of snow and so he will work on
keeping that area better insulated throughout the late fall
and winter season.
MPCA SSTS staffer Gretchen Sabel was cross-country
skiing recently when she started chatting with another
skier on the trail. When she told the other skier what she
did for a living, he told her, “Well, you’re just the person I
Minor corrections being made
to SSTS Rules
The MPCA is starting a “housekeeping” rulemaking to only
make clarifying changes and correct errors in its rules. A
number of minor errors have been identified in Minn. R.
chs. 7080, 7081, 7082 and 7082 that will be fixed through
this rulemaking. A Request for Comments published in the
State Register on April 29th asks for help in identifying
additional corrections that are needed and also encourages
people interested in the rulemaking to register to receive
future notices about these changes.
Contact Carol Nankivel at carol.nankivel@state.mn.us to
identify errors in any of the MPCA’s rules. To receive future
notices about the rule, register at Govdelivery
A draft of the changes is being developed and when it is
available for review, notices will be sent to everyone who
has registered their interest at the Govdelivery site.
Minnesota Onsite Wastewater Association
need to talk to,” He had returned from a trip to find that his
drainfield was frozen. Sabel said the family’s absence and
lack of hot water going into the system contributed to the
problem. In addition, there had been little snow or other
insulation over the drainfield.
Regular daily use of hot water during the winter (making
sure to run a warm load of laundry or using the dishwasher
each day) will help prevent freeze-ups, as will keeping the
area over the entire septic system insulated. That can be
achieved by letting the grass grow at the end of the summer
or applying straw, mulch or other insulating material in the
fall before temperatures start to plummet. It’s also important
to avoid any type of traffic—even foot traffic—over septic
pipes and the drainfield all year long. Compaction allows
frost to move deeper and faster through the soil.
Plugged pipes can sometimes be cleared using steam or
hot water, such as Ziegler used. The only cure for frozen
drainfields, however, is springtime. In such cases, the
septic tank becomes a holding tank that must be pumped
until the spring thaw.
MPCA partners with SE MN Wastewater
Initiative: nominated for award
The MPCA works with local partners throughout the state to
protect and restore water resources. The agency is proud
to be a partner with the Southeast Minnesota Waste Water
Initiative, which is a finalist for the 2013 Environmental
Initiative Awards.
Since 2002, the Southeast Minnesota Wastewater Initiative
has worked with small communities in 13 counties to
address the need for sewage treatment. Over the last ten
years, with the assistance of the Wastewater Initiative, 19
small communities have upgraded their sewer systems,
eliminating about 91 million gallons per year of untreated
sewage from entering the rivers and streams of Southeast
Minnesota, with more projects in the works.
Read more about this nominee on the Environmental
Initiative website at www.environmental-initiative.org.
While the Initiative is a partnership of the Southeast
Minnesota Water Resources Board, Cannon River
Watershed Partnership and MPCA, the members have
found that partnering with citizens, city councils, township
boards and other local entities is the key to their success.