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Mr. 3adi Sinh 5 February 11,2003 Page 2 Table 1. . MicroSepTec Information MicroSepTec Treatment Systems 23112 Alcalde Dr, Suite C, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Phone:(877)4SEPTIC , Fax: (949) 855-3515 Internet: www.microseptic.com E-Mail: microseptee4microseptec.com ' Nitrate Loading Analysis Because of the concern of nitrate leaching into ground water from the proposed project, a nitrate loading analysis was required by the EHD. The concern'is weather the proposed development will impact ground water quality. Nitrate sources considered for this project are treated effluent from an engineered septic system and nitrate in rain fall. The method utilized for the nitrate loading analysis is based on a simple mass balance formula which provides a convenient and.simplified method to estimate long-term ground-water nitrate_ impacts on an ,area-wide basis (Hantzshe and Finnemore, 1991). r Hantzsche and Finnemore(199 1) found that over a long period of tune, water quality in the upper ` saturated ground-water zone closely approximates the quality of percolating recharge waters. Hantzsche and Finnemore believe that the method is a good planning tool and.provides useful information to planners and local officials but has some real limitations. They mention the limitations include"..:the equation ignores dispersion, lateral flow, and mixing with groundwater flow from up-gradient areas. These processes would generally contribute to additional reduction of nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in ground water to the extent that the nitrate-nitrogen concentration of ground-water flow from up-gradient areas is lower." The Hantzsche and Fennemore(199 1)equation provides"...a conservative(worst case)first approximation of ground-water nitrate-nitrogenconcentration resulting from the combined effect of on- site sewage disposal systems and precipitation: This(the equation and approach) is for estimation of long-term effect(i.e., over years)on ground-water quality,and is not intended for prediction of seasonal changes." The method takes into account development area, soil denitrification factor, rainfall volume, rainfall nitrate concentration, the waste effluent quantity;.and waste effluent nitrate concentration. The formula, assumptions and calculations used.for the analysis are shown on Plates 1 and 2.The units of nitrate used in the mass balance equation are nitrate-N whose maximum contaminate level for drinking water is 10 mg/L. r - _ - .