Alternative septic systems in difficult places (2023)

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If the party fails the PERC test, some municipalities may allow you to create an alternatively constructed system. Optional systems may also be required for waterfront properties and other environmentally serviced areas to protect water source protection.

If the problem is too densely, too low, too low above the basic rock or hardpan or the water table is too high, a "Haug" system is often the first choice because it works as good as a standard system, only lifted the outlet fieldthe natural character.

Alternative systems cost more because they have more moving parts and electrical components (pumps, screens, alarms) and greater complexity. They require a stronger is unfamiliar with the technology used, it may not be able to act as intended.

There is no unit solution that suits everyone.The design of a system depends on the type of soil, the location conditions and the level of use.Make sure that both your planner and your installer have been shown to have experience with the specific system you use.

Some states and municipalities only accept system types that are certified in their area of responsibility, and may require the owner to conclude a service contract with an approved provider.The proper maintenance is crucial for the success of alternative systems.

High systems

Hauges uses a series of small distribution pipes, which is typically one to two meters deep in a layer of gravel.Topp and sides are covered with floors (see illustration). Haug system has an additional component, a dosing chamber (also called a pumping chamber), which collects wastewater that comes from the sewage mine.


With the help of a pump and a swimmer system, the dosing chamber pump promotes wastewater at a controlled speed for an even distribution in the field.Most have an alarm system that alerts the owner or the maintenance company when the pump fails or the water in the waste water is too high. Observation pipes are also recommended that enable a simple inspection of the tank without digging the access opening.Surveillance fountains are often also installed to monitor the conditions in and around the fluence field.

The greatest costs arise from the additional equipment as well as the earthworks and additional materials that are required to build the pile.Depending on the system design and the local costs for sand and gravel, a pile system can increase the cost of a congress system by $ 10,000 or more-which often costs over $ 20,000 in somearesa.


Tall systems also require more frequent pumps and more monitoring and maintenance due to the added complexity. Annual maintenance costs can be as high as $500.

Other alternative septic tank systems

There are a large number of alternative septic systems on the market and new ones are arriving all the time. Some are more geared toward social systems that serve more homes and are usually professionally overseen and maintained by a service shop.


Some alternative systems are suitable for individual houses, but costs, complexity and maintenance of these systems must be carefully weighed.Most use electrical pumps or siphons as well as filters that all need moreMonitoring and maintenancethan a traditional system.

Some larger community systems use a mini version of a wastewater treatment plant before it reaches the outlet field.However, most single -family house systems are based on the insertion of natural or manufactured materials that require less surface for leaving the outlet than the poorly draining domestic soil.Many variations and combinations of systems and components are used, including:

  • Dosage of the pressure: This uses a team tank and a pump to force the wastewater, although the distribution line is even more uniform and in controlled doses, which improves the performance of the outlet field.It can be used to rehabilitate Haug system, sand filter, plastic wash fields or drip irrigation.
  • Plastic chamber -golf: This is a standard septic system with an alternative leach field that can be reduced in some jurisdictions making it well suited for small building sites. The semi-pipet plastic chambers create the gap for the waste water flow so no gravel is needed.Infiltrator -System, has been in service for over 20 years and according to the company can support live loads with as little as 12 inches of compressed cover. The additional cost of the plastic components is partially offset by savings on gravel and smaller drainage field size.
  • Sandfilter:This is a large box filled with sand with a depth of 2 to 4 feet and a waterproof lining made of concrete or PVC.The sand is used to pretit the wastewater by filtering and aerobic bacteria before it is disposed of on the laying field.The boxes are usually partially or completely sunk in the ground, but can also lie above the class if necessary.In the most common configuration, a pump and controls are used to evenly dose the waste water on the top of the filter, although in some cases gravity is possible.The treated wastewater is collected below, where it is pumped or complained with the drainage field.Some sand filters circulate the wastewater back into the tank several times before it is distributed to the drainage field.Most sand filters serve the preliminary explanation, but they can also be designed as a preliminary explanation.One then speaks of a "bottomless sand filter" because the wastewater gets directly into the ground below the filter (see photo above).Sand filter You must be well planned and constructed and properly waited to avoid frequently clogging of the sand.Read more about sand filters.
  • Aerobes treatment system:These systems use an aerobic process for wastewater treatment, typically using a concrete container placed underground with several chambers.The most complex systems contain four chambers for collecting, ventilating, cleaning and pumping the wastewater.The first chamber acts as a smaller version of a conventional system of sewage pit.In the second "preparation tank", air is constantly injected into the waste water with an air pump.The air supports the growth of aerobic bacteria that are processed more efficiently than the anaerobic bacteria in a typical sewage system.In some cases, systems, a third and fourth chamber for further clarification and pumping the cleaned water.So-called "fixed film" systems also use a synthetic media filter to improve the bacterial process.If maintenance is properly maintained, aerobic systems can generate a higher waste quality than conventional systems and can contain additional disinfectant before initiating the treated wastewater.The introduction can be carried out in a drainage field of smaller size or sprayed over a large area in rural areas.Technically speaking, this is the case of these mini sewage systems are not sewage treatment plants that are mainly based on anaerber treatment.They are often referred to as Atus (aerobic treatment units) or BATS (best available technology units).These systems are expensive in installation and maintenance and are therefore mainly used if high -quality treatment is required in a limited area or in the event of poor soil.They are becoming more and more common on land on the water.Read more about aerobic treatment systems.
  • Drype distribution/Iror:The wastewater is distributed to a series of flat drops using a pump via a filter device, which are distributed over a large area.A preliminary preparation unit is usually required to supply the system with relatively clean water.The water can be used to irrigate a lawn or not edible plants that remove the nitrogen from the wastewater.This type of system can be used for low floors, clay floors and on steep slopes.Since the pipes are near the surface, freezing in cold climates can be a problem.As with other alternative systems, you have to expect high installation costs as well as additional surveillance and maintenance.
  • Built wetlands.For the ecologically thinking people who want to play an active role in the recycling of their wastewater, they can work in almost any kind of soil.The system uses a flat pond produced by humans, which is filled with stones, cover or other media.Media supply is a habitat for special plants that treat wastewater and offer a comfortable environment.Wastewater from the sewage pit is distributed through a perforated pipe over the media bed in which plant roots, bacteria and other microorganisms reduce pollutants.Another pipe on the back of the wet area collects the treated water.Must plan to spend time to plant, link and hatch the wetland.

Related links:National Small Strows Clearinghouse Inspectapedia.com

See also:
Who should I set for a Perc test?
Are alternative septic systems allowed?

How long do septic systems last?
How much penchant for the sewage line?
Inspector of a sewage mine
Perc test: best time of the year?
Sand filter for existing sewage pit system?

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