Free classes explain septic basics for homeowners

MARGARETVILLE, April 3, 2009: The Catskill Watershed Corporation will conduct a free class in Windham Saturday, April 18 on septic system operation and maintenance.

"Your Septic System: What Every Homeowner Should Know" will be offered from 10 a.m. to Noon at the Windham Town Hall in Hensonville.

Pre-registration is not required. A free water saving kit will be provided for each household attending the class.

The class includes a short video and a slide program covering types of systems and how they work; basic biology and soil filtration concepts of wastewater treatment; health and environment effects that can result from failed septic systems; roles and responsibilities of homeowners, regulators, engineers and contractors; basic maintenance requirements of septic system components; how to protect against inflow and infiltration; the case against septic system additives and improper pharmaceuticals disposal, and troubleshooting when problems develop.

Residential septic systems, improperly operated or maintained, can be a significant source of pollution of both groundwater and surface streams or lakes. The CWC administers a program to help homeowners pay for repair or replacement of failed systems, and has addressed more than 2,800 systems over the past eleven years.

Homeowners who have benefited from this program, and those who would like to protect their residential investment, are encouraged to attend the class, since ongoing system maintenance is the homeowners’ responsibility and can extend the useful life of your costly system.

For more information, call the CWC at 845-586-1400. CWC programs and projects are explained on the corporation’s web site: www.cwconline.org