To White Knight or not White Knight...that is the Question? The White Knight Septic
preservation system is an alternative to an OWTS (onsite wastewater treatment system), formerly known as an ISDS, and has been in effect in the state of RI and approved by the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) for the past two years. It is a remediation system that inoculates the septic system with aerobic bacteria that will 'eat' the biomat and keep the septic flowing and healthy (this is a short and sweet version of what it does). Thereby not needing an OWTS replacement being installed. This is huge change and for homeowners in RI and other states. It is also a consideration when you are looking for homes for sale in North Kingstown and all of South County RI.
In what is considered the 'critical resource' areas (CRA) of RI, from Westerly to North Kingstown RI, the homes in these areas must have alternative septic systems done for failed systems or cesspools. Now the critical resource areas go far beyond the 200 feet from the waterfront and it has a lot to do with a water flow to the coast and preserving what does Not go into our coastal waters. The time frames for this deadline for approximately 3000 homeowners is 2013. However, since the sand filtration has been the best alternative OWTS up to this point for these coastal homeowners this White Knight septic preservation system cost comes into play here as a very attractive septic fix alternative. Cost approximately $5200-$6300 for the installation of the White Knight system which is a cheaper alternative to the $30,000 sand filtration system.
RI cesspools within 200 feet of a water area have to be replaced, as well as they should be, since they are just a hole in the ground filled with rocks which the sewage goes into. Some of the coastal and waterfront homes have no land, other then what the home stands on, to put a new OWTS system in. I am very curious as to how the RI DEM will deal with this one. Since I live along the Narragansett Bay coastal area, I see neighbors that have very little square feet of usable land - so what do they do?
Homeowners ask me when the septic system fails the inspection test ...What should I do?...should I put a White Knight septic preservation system in with little disruption to my land or do i do a new leach field, cut down trees, etc.? I do not have a solid answer and I have done considerable research on it. Comparative speaking the cost difference is not much. I have asked some of the best minds in RI and still get varying answers. I do not give advice in an area I am no expert in, and this is one of them, but I do like to give some direction for information that will be helpful to homeowners.
So if you have knowledge in this septic preservation and OWTS area, I would love to hear your take on it since many other states have been using the White Knight system for years. To White Knight or not White Knight... that is the Question?
original post: To White Knight or not White Knight?
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This blog © and its contents is original to Ginny Lacey Gorman
Ginny L. Gorman a purveyor of Fine Waterfront RI Real Estate
Specializing in waterfront, ocean front, vacation, coastal and luxury homes for sale in North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Narragansett, Jamestown, Charlestown, East Greenwich, Exeter, West Greenwich, Westerly RI and beyond ... I sell dreams! because there is no place like home...the RI Realtor in the Sparkly Red Shoes.
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