33 Water Issues 2016 (0ry drainage
..'.
= system(green
1
Autumn Dr & Fairway Dr
Water Issues
0 35 70
140 Feet
City of Northampton Mail- Re: Fairway Drive and Autumn Drive wat... Mips://mail.google.cam/mail/u/0/?ui-2&ik-7e49254t2c&view-pt&se_.
Merridith O'Leary<moleary®northamptonma.gov>
Re: Fairway Drive and Autumn Drive water issues
1 message
Doug McDonald <dmcdonald @northamptonma.gov> Mon, Mar 26, 2016 at 10:44 AM
To: Daniel Wasiuk <dwasiuk @northamptonma.gov>
Cc: James Laurila <jlaurila @northamptonma.gov>, Merridith O'Leary <moleary@northamptonma.gov>
Hi Dan-
Thank you for looking into this area. I understand that the general soil and groundwater conditions may appear
favorable for subsurface wastewater treatment systems. But recent resident complaints about new occurrences
of water in basements may indicate a change in water table elevations that may be impacting the function of
septic systems in that area. We wanted to make the Health Department aware of this issue.
Cfr
It appears that at least two
ounded septic systems as I had commum tth 33
mn a r-see attached map). Do you have records of when these mounded systems were constructed
and any other information?
The neighborhood was constructed in the 1970s with private perforated subdrain systems (approx 10 feet deep)
on each property presumably to lower groundwater levels and to convey groundwater from the properties. This
is an unusual system constructed so close to leach fields. Since the subdrains are private the DPW does not
maintain them although they do connect to the City's drain system. The perforated subdrains may be failing due
to lack of maintenance by the property owners. In addition, historic surface water drainage patterns have been
altered or completely interrupted by mounded leach field(s)causing an increase in ponded water and
groundwater levels. These appear to be resulting in higher groundwater levels, seeps to the roadway, flooding
basements and possible impact to septic systems. At least two properties have flooded basements that
previously have not flooded in the 40 years the residents have lived there. Residents have complained of
constant seeping water to Autumn Drive that has caused ice problems and roadway deterioration. It is not a
particularly wet year, so it appears that some other condition has changed.
One resident claimed that the mounded septic system at 57 Autumn Dr has resulted in flooding on his property
and in his basement as well as flooding in other adjacent basements.
Because of the possibility of increasing groundwater levels we wanted to make the Health Department aware of
this condition, since it may be impacting the proper function of leach fields. Possible adverse impacts could be
the general physical leaching ability of these systems, reduction in treatment because of lack of separation to the
groundwater, or unacceptable surface seeps from the leach fields.
The DPW is currently inspecting the City's drainage system in Autumn and Fairway Drives and will repair any
problems that are found.We will be communicating what we find in a memo to Councilor LaBarge and the
residents Keep us posted on any actions that the Health Department will be taking as a result of this situation.
Thanks,
Doug
I of 2 3/29/2016 2:38 PM