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Wastewater Characteristics <br />Blackwater will originate from toilets and graywater from showers, laundry, teeth brushing, <br />dishwashing and hand washing. Additional wastewater constituents may consist of other liquids to <br />the system, such as coffee, juices, etc. <br />The scientific literature cites nitrogen concentrations in domestic septic effluent typically ranging <br />from 17 mg N/L for basins, sinks, etc. to 140 mg N/L for toilet wastes. Therefore, taking a <br />composite of these values, a nitrogen concentration of 62 mg N/L within the septic effluent will be <br />used to calculate nitrate-nitrogen loading for this project (See Kaplan - Septic Systems Handbook, <br />Pg. 147). <br />B. CALCULATED NITRATE-NITROGEN LOADING <br />NLS§ 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6. The calculated nitrate-nitrogen impact to the soil and potentially to the <br />groundwater is difficult to determine due to the large number of variables involved and variables <br />unknown at this time. These include: 1.) Impact from upgradient agricultural and septic system <br />sources, 2.) Variability in wastewater flows, nitrogen concentrations and dilution effects from <br />stormwater recharge, 3.) Changes in groundwater directional flow and elevation, 4.) Denitrification <br />potential within the loam and clay soil fractions, and within confined and/or unconfined aquifers. <br />The Hantzsche/Finnemore Formula is used below to predict the average resultant concentration of <br />nitrate-nitrogen in effluent recharge water. As calculated below, the property has been assessed on a <br />total areal loading basis correlated with the total projected yearly wastewater flow volumes calculated <br />above. These two factors primarily estimate the average resultant concentration of nitrate-nitrogen in <br />the recharge water. This concentration should not exceed 10 ppm nitrate-nitrogen (45 ppm as nitrate). <br />Nitrate-nitrogen loading calculations: <br />INw (1 - + R Nb <br />Nr = (I+R) <br />Where: <br />Nr = Resultant average concentration of nitrate-nitrogen in recharge water - (ppm NO3-N) <br />I = Volume rate of wastewater entering the soil averaged over the gross developed area in ac-ft <br />Nw = Total nitrogen concentration of wastewater in mg N/L <br />d = Fraction (%) of nitrate-nitrogen combined loss in the high clay content soil due to: <br />1.) Prevention of nitrification and 2.) The denitrification of nitrate molecules that may form. <br />R = Estimated Annual Rainfall Recharge in ac-ft <br />Nb = Background nitrate-nitrogen concentration of rainfall recharge, exclusive of wastewater influences <br />(ppm NO3-N). <br />Page -5- <br />Chesney Consulting