Septic Sewer Systems

Cheryl Thiel, the minimum design requirements for individual on-site sewage treatment systems are codified in the local health department regulations. Unfortunately, many of the minimum design standards, described in most local regulations, produce systems that are destined to fail.

When you do employ a septic system designer for your system, insist that the design produces a system that is easy to operate and maintain. If your specific site allows a standard, gravity flow, septic tank/soil absorption system, be sure that the design includes risers to the ground surface, and that these risers are fitted with gas-tight, locking lids.

I recommend the installation of a septic tank effluent filter in the outlet tee of the tank. I also recommend alternating leach fields with the effluent flow being applied to half of the required leach field area, and then alternating the flow to the other half on an annual basis. Monitoring and ventilation ports should be installed in each separate field.

If certain site constraints, such as a high ground water table, or slow percolation rates of the soil on the site exist, then an engineered design may be required.

The “Singulair” system is an aerobic treatment system, and is very effective if regular maintenance is performed. These types of systems require a substantial amount of energy to function properly, and the maintenance costs and electrical costs are typically high.

A good source of information for alternative on-site systems is the National Small Flows Clearinghouse (NSFC), in Morgantown, West Virginia. The web site address for the NSFC is:
http://www.estd.wvu.edu/nsfc/nsfc_homepage.html

If you would like more specific recommendations for your system send me an e-mail message at [email protected]

JWA