Here in NJ it’s not at all uncommon for houses and places of business to be spaced apart from one another. When these spaces grow too large, it becomes impractical to connect these structures to a city sewage system. In these cases, a property owner will need to have a septic system installed.
If this is true of your property, it’s very important that you understand that your septic system is your responsibility. Whether you’re having a new septic system installed, are acquiring a property with an existing septic system or simply need to maintain an existing system, it’s up to you to ensure that the system complies with state and local laws and regulations.
In order to meet New Jersey septic codes, you must take the time to keep up with frequently changing laws and standards. This is especially true when it comes to the types of stone that can and should be used for establishing a healthy drainage field.
Do you know the current septic stone laws in NJ? If you can’t honestly answer ‘yes’ to this question, it’s high time that you brushed up on your knowledge. This post will walk you through the basics of selecting materials that meet NJ standards and the impact that doing so has upon you, those around you and the environment.
Why does the state regulate septic materials?
You may find yourself wondering why septic stone laws in NJ even exist. What do the state and local governments have to do with your private septic system? Why can’t you just make decisions about your septic systems based upon your own needs?
Although your system is, indeed, privately owned and maintained, it still has the capacity to impact the health and well-being of your family, neighbors, city and beyond. Septic systems operate by filtering waste water as it passes through perforated pipes, a septic tank and is finally introduced to a drain field.
The functionality of the drainage field is to slowly allow semi-filtered water to percolate back into the soil, further filtering the water before it is reintroduced to the groundwater supply. So what happens if the drain field isn’t able to effectively do its job?
Without septic stone laws in NJ, property owners might mistakenly select stones that aren’t ideally suited for the task of filtering and percolating water at the required speed and capacity. In this case, you could be in for a world of trouble.
When the drain field isn’t able to properly leach the effluent matter, waste will rise to the top of the drain field. As this waste settles, you may notice a foul or unpleasant odor throughout your property. The standing effluent also creates significant health hazards to your family, your neighbors and animals in your area.
These issues are obviously related to the inability of the septic stones and soil to adequately absorb and filter the wastewater. Here, the drain field has become over-saturated due to poorly selected septic stones. This can also lead to a backed up sewage system creating further health hazards and major messes within the home.
In other cases, the septic material blend may not be ideally suited to properly filter and purify effluent, resulting in contaminated water being allowed to penetrate the groundwater supply. Adhering to septic stone laws in NJ, then, is critical to maintaining a healthy home and environment.
What types of septic stones can be used in NJ?
The type of septic stone and fill that can be used for a septic system in NJ will vary based upon where your property is located. While statewide laws for installing and maintaining septic systems are in place, you will also need to pay close attention to the regulations within your county or city.
Sussex County, or instance, has established its own set of laws that mandate the strict usage of 1″ washed clean stone in septic drain fields. In the northern portions of the state, many areas require that property owners work with K5 or C33 concrete stone (formerly known as K4).
In addition to knowing which material is allowed for use by the state and county, we would also recommend that you find out which approved materials are most preferred by local inspectors to ensure that you pass inspection both now and in the future.
What steps should I take to ensure I’m adhering to septic stone laws in NJ?
As a home or business owner with a septic system, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your system is up to code and complies with state and local regulations. The first step to doing this is making sure that you’re up to speed with what’s going on with NJ septic system codes.
Be sure to do your homework and make sure that you understand which type or types of stone and other septic materials have been approved for use. It’s also wise to consult with an expert to determine which of these approved materials are most preferred for an efficient and effective system.
Once you know the letter of the law, you are required to take steps to ensure that you’re actually following it. For those who are planning on purchasing a property with an existing septic system, we strongly urge you to seek out an inspector to assess the condition of the system and to determine whether or not the stone being used has been approved by NJ, county or city codes and regulations.
If not, you’ll need to ask the current owner to make the changes or plan on spending the money to make corrections after the sale is finalized. If you’re building a brand new septic system, make sure that your engineer is familiar with the source of your materials from the very start.
Where can I buy septic stones in NJ?
If you’re looking for materials that comply with septic stone laws in NJ, be sure to visit Braen Stone. We’ve been in the industry for more than 110 years, and in that time we’ve established an unmatched reputation for high quality stone, excellent customer service and fair pricing.
We sell 1″ washed clean stone that is approved by NJ government agencies for use in and around septic systems. The stone is completely free of stone dust and other residue so you can rest assured that you won’t be faced with any compliance issues.
In addition to 1″ septic stone, we also sell reliable septic fill that is rated K4 or K5 on the percolation scale that’s approved by most NJ engineers and agencies. If you have any doubts about whether or not a specific material truly complies with septic stone laws in NJ, feel free to talk to one of our experts. We’re more than happy to help you select the right materials for your needs.
Regardless of the septic materials you select, you can always rest assured that you’ll be getting the very best septic materials and fill at the lowest, wholesale prices around. Our septic stone and fill can be picked up at your convenience or can be bulk delivered to locations throughout parts of NJ, NY, PA and CT.