Dear West Milford Resident:

As you may be aware, the Township recently enacted a Septic Management Ordinance. This ordinance was developed due to mandates placed on the municipality by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

The ordinance requires property owners in the Township of West Milford to obtain a permit to operate their septic system. The initial permit will be valid for a period of (3) years. Permits will be given to the homeowner after said pumping takes place by the Septic Sludge Pumper, who is licensed by the Township. In order to renew the permit after their initial (3) year period, property owners must either have their septic systems pumped or provide valid documentation that the system is not in need of pumping.

Included with a letter that will be sent out to all homeowners at specific times during the year will be some information pertaining to septic systems and their maintenance. Copies of your septic system and other information pertaining to your property may be available in the Health Department files.

All that is required at this time is for you to contact a septic pumper by the permitting date listed for your area. There is no fee for this permit.

In the event, if you have had your septic pumped already, please send a copy of the receipt with your date of pumping and your name and addressed with telephone number clearly visible. Your original receipt will become your permit until your time as come to pump once again.

William J. Wallace, Health Officer

In 2008 The Township of West Milford passed Ordinance No. 2008-050, the septic system pumping ordinance.

This ordinance requires existing, new and proposed individual and nonindividual

subsurface sewage disposal systems to be pumped out at least once every three (3) years in order to minimize future malfunctions of such systems. The system must be pumped out by a septic system pumper that is registered in West Milford.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS FROM THE WEST MILFORD AIM ACTION NEWS AUGUST 27, 2009 EDITION.

Septic cleaners

The township recently enacted a septic management ordinance. The ordinance requires property owners in the township of West Milford to obtain a permit to operate their septic system.

This ordinance was developed in accordance with the provisions set forth in N.J.A.C. 7:9A-1.1 and for the purpose of regulating the management of such systems to protect the public against system failures and resultant pollution.

Registered septic sludge removers have permits provided to them by the Health Department for West Milford residents.

The following is a list of septic sludge removal operators with the township: Accurate Waste Systems, 973-663-6600; All Drains, 973-296-0004; Anderson Septic Service, 973-728-8802; Beachstone Septic, 973-427-1888; Coppola Services, 973-962-1890; David Zuidema, Inc., 201-445-3188; Earth Care - 800-428-6166; Harris Sanitation, 973-697-3399; Lakeland Septic Company - 973-838-0438; M&B Trucking, 973-838-5840; Morris Septic/Norther Ridge Ent., 973-332-6614; P& W Excavating, 973-728-1155; Rich Kimble & Sons, 973-664-9171; and R&D Trucking, 973-492-5006

For further questions, call the Health Department or visit the township’s Web site, westmilford.org.

SEPTIC SYSTEM INFORMATION

Be kind to your septic system.

Septic System DO’S

Practice water conservation.
Try to distribute dishwashing and laundry throughout the week, rather than doing it all at once in one or two days.
Avoid showering and bathing at times when dishwashers or laundry are in use.
Family members should spread showers out throughout the day.
Fix all leaking faucets and toilets.

Septic System DON”TS

Don't overload the septic system by doing many laundry washes in a single day.
Don't overload the system by taking many showers in a day.
Don’t discharge floor drains or sump pumps into septic system.
Don’t pour cooking oils, fats or grease into the kitchen sink. These items congeal in either the house plumbing system or the septic tank.
Don’t add a garbage grinder to a home with an existing septic system.

· Don’t flush inert or non-biodegradable items down sinks or toilets. Items such as disposable diapers, cat litter, cigarette filters, sanitary napkins, paper towels, or similar items may result in clogging of the plumbing.

· Don’t flush toxic substances down sinks or toilets. This includes items such as waste motor oil, oil based or acrylic paints, varnishes, photographic solutions, pesticides, insecticides, paint thinners, organic solvents and degreasers.

Don’t park vehicles on top of your system.
Don’t plant vegetation with a deep root structure near the system.
Don’t divert surface water runoff over the system.
Don’t construct driveways, parking lots, buildings, decks or patios over the system.

SEPTIC SYSTEM MAINTENANCE

Keep a diagram of the location of your septic tank and septic field.

Pump your septic tank. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protections recommends that septic tanks be pumped out completely at least once every 3 years, more often with increased use.