HomeMy WebLinkAboutAlternative Technologies Decision Pressure Dist
4300 Cherry Creek Drive S., Denver, CO 80246-1530 P 303-692-3500 http://www.colorado.gov/cdphe/wqcd
Jared Polis, Governor | Jill Hunsaker Ryan, MPH, Executive Director
February 19, 2020
Jason Henderson
Geomatrix Systems, LLC
114 Mill Rock Road East
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
Subject: Geomatrix Systems, LLC, Proprietary Distribution Product – Pressure Distribution;
Acceptance for Use in Colorado On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems
Dear Mr. Henderson:
Subsequent to your recent request to modify the Division’s acceptance of Geomatrix Systems, GeoMatTM
product, the Water Quality Control Division (Division) is providing the following updated acceptance for your
proprietary distribution product subject to the design criteria in Table 1. Note that this correspondence is
specific to the GeoMatTM used with pressure distribution. This acceptance is not intended as an endorsement
or third-party certification of the technology.
Pursuant to section 43.13 of the On-site Wastewater Treatment System Regulation 5 CCR 1002-43
(Regulation 43), the Division has reviewed drawings and specifications for the Geomatrix Systems, GeoMatTM
proprietary distribution products noted below.
This acceptance addresses the following models:
• GeoMatTM 600 for pressure distribution
• GeoMatTM 1200 for pressure distribution
• GeoMatTM 3900 for pressure distribution
This acceptance applies only to OWTS with design capacity less than or equal to 2,000 gallons per day (gpd).
Review and approval for the design of any OWTS proposing to use this technology will be reviewed by
the local public health agency. As individual local public health agency regulations may be more stringent
than Regulation 43, the Division cannot ensure the acceptance of a treatment technology within any given
jurisdiction.
Any modifications to the physical attributes or characteristics of this treatment technology must be
submitted to this office for review and acceptance by the Division prior to sale in Colorado. The Division will
review modifications, any additional third party verification reports and issue a revised acceptance letter,
or denial, as appropriate.
Jason Henderson, Geomatrix Systems, LLC February 19, 2020
On-site Wastewater Treatment System Treatment Technology Acceptance Page 2 of 3
Table 1. Design Criteria for Geomatrix Systems, GeoMatTM as a Pressure Distribution Product:
Design Criteria
1. A septic tank consistent with section 43.9(A) and 43.9(B) must precede the distribution media. An
effluent screen consistent with section 43.3(50) and 43.9(J) installed on the septic tank outlet is
required. Pretreatment for non-residential kitchens must include components capable of producing
TL1 effluent or better prior to dispersing into the distribution media.
2. The design of an OWTS utilizing the GeoMatTM for pressure distribution shall adhere to the following
criteria:
a. The required design flow shall be determined based on daily flow requirements defined in
local OWTS regulations consistent with section 43.6(A) of Regulation 43.
b. The total soil treatment area square footage required shall be determined consistent with the
requirements of section 43.10(C) of Regulation 43. This requirement is applicable to both
trench and bed configurations.
1) Where the GeoMatTM is placed directly on the in-situ soil, the multiplier noted in
Table 10-3 (Category 2) of Regulation 43 for “other manufactured media” (0.9) may
be applied for calculating the minimum soil treatment area requirement.
2) Where the GeoMatTM is placed on 6” of ASTM C33 sand, the multiplier noted in Table
10-3 of Regulation 43 (Category 3) for “enhanced manufactured media” (0.7) may be
applied for calculating the minimum soil treatment area requirement.
c. All systems utilizing the GeoMatTM with pressure distribution must be designed by a
professional engineer and be consistent with section 43.10.E.3 of Regulation 43.
d. End-sweeps/cleanouts shall be provided on the terminal end of each lateral line. These can
be used for annual cleaning or flushing the laterals and for distal head pressure
measurements.
e. In a bed installation, the GeoMatTM may be installed with spacing between the edges of
adjacent GeoMatTM panels or may be butted edge to edge. However, in either case, the total
square footage of GeoMatTM shall comply with 43.10.C and cover at least 90% of the bed
excavation, (43.13.E.1.d).
f. The maximum width of a bed installation for a GeoMatTM accepting TL1 effluent shall be 12
feet to comply with Section 43.10(F)(2) of Regulation 43.
g. In a trench installation, the width of the GeoMatTM must cover at least 90% of the trench
bottom in order to receive credit for the entire width of the trench. In certain instances
where the 39” GeoMatTM is installed in a 36” trench, the GeoMatTM may travel up the sidewall
of the trench not more than 2”. The total square footage of GeoMatTM shall comply with item
“b” above.
h. Trench designs shall provide for the required 4 feet of undisturbed soil between adjacent
trenches, sidewall to sidewall, as defined in Section 43.10(F)(1)(b) of Regulation 43.
i. Bed designs shall provide for the required 6 feet of undisturbed soil between adjacent
excavations, sidewall to sidewall, as defined in Section 43.10(F)(2)(b) of Regulation 43.
j. While preparing the base for the GeoMatTM installation, the bottom of the excavation shall be
raked and all cobble-sized (>2.5”) rocks should be removed. Cobble-sized or greater rocks
shall also be removed from the material used for the final cover over the top of the
GeoMatTM.
k. Geotextile fabric provided by Geomatrix shall be placed around the entire perimeter of the
GeoMatTM in accordance with manufacturer requirements. This fabric is specific to this
product. Only the fabric provided by Geomatrix may be used.
l. A final soil cover over the GeoMatTM of 10” – 18” of a Soil Type 1 or Soil Type 2 material is
recommended, crowned to promote surface runoff.
Jason Henderson, Geomatrix Systems, LLC February 19, 2020
On-site Wastewater Treatment System Treatment Technology Acceptance Page 3 of 3
m. Vertical separation distances to a limiting layer for the soil treatment area as defined in
Table 7-2 of Regulation 43 shall be measured from the bottom of GeoMatTM when placed
directly on in-situ soil. Where GeoMatTM is placed on 6 inches of ASTM C33 sand, vertical
separation distances to a limiting layer from the infiltrative surface, as defined in Table 7-2
of Regulation 43, shall be measured from the bottom of the 6- inch sand layer underlying the
GeoMatTM. Horizontal separation distances for the soil treatment area as defined in section
43.7 of Regulation 43 shall be measured from the nearest sidewall of the bed or trench
excavation.
3. In addition to these design criteria, other provisions of Regulation 43 and local regulations also apply
to a specific design as well as good OWTS design practice. The Division does not approve
manufacturer design manuals. Manufacturer provisions shall not be applicable if those provisions are
not consistent with Regulation 43, these design criteria, and the regulations adopted by the local
board of health for the design location. Local public health agencies will review proposed designs to
confirm consistency with Regulation 43, these design criteria, the local board of health regulations
adopted pursuant to Regulation 43, and good OWTS design practice.
4. Reductions in soil treatment area size shall be as described in section 43.10(C)(4) of Regulation 43.
Use of the distribution product in a design claiming a higher level treatment designation is dependent
on a separate treatment product prior to the distribution product, or a separate higher level
treatment acceptance by the Division for this product, and the rating identified in the acceptance for
the treatment product. Reductions in soil treatment area size or separation distances based on higher
level treatment may not be applied unless the local public health agency has a maintenance oversight
program in place as described in section 43.14.D of Regulation 43. In locations where the local public
health agency has not adopted a maintenance oversight program, the distribution system may be used
but only with soil treatment area size and separation distances consistent with treatment level TL1
requirements.
5. Design flow for single-family residential designs may vary based on the regulations adopted by the
local board of health for the design location. Design flow values and strengths for multi-family and
commercial systems shall be consistent with section 43.6(A)(4). Therefore, all design criteria in this
acceptance are based on total gallons per day and the assumption of residential strength wastewater.
6. Design shall provide access at grade to any components as described in section 43.9(F) and in addition
to any additional access ports as provided for in the engineered drawings.
The owner of the OWTS is responsible for arranging proper design, operation, and maintenance of the OWTS
facility.
If you have any questions regarding the Division’s review or findings, please contact me at (303) 692-2366 or
chuck.cousino@state.co.us.
Sincerely,
Charles J. Cousino, REHS
On-site Wastewater Treatment System Coordinator
Engineering Section
Water Quality Control Division
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
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