Exploring The Possibilities For Your New Residential Wastewater Treatment System

By Brent Hardbass, PE


Residential wastewater treatment is a concern to many homeowners these days. If you are thinking of building a house, you may wonder if a traditional septic system is the best choice. Moreover, there are several alternatives to consider, and some of them are very efficient. Here is a look at some of the options that you have.

Most residential wastewater systems make use of a septic tank. Yet, once effluent leaves the tank, it can filter into the ground by several different ways. Effluent is the liquid waste that is left after solids break down inside of the tank. This liquid waste cannot simply pass into the ground, but must be filtered in some manner before it is let back into the ecosystem.

In a standard or traditional septic system, the effluent gradually flows into drain fields. However, they may first pass through a distribution block. Standard drain fields are made by digging ditches into the ground and filling them with gravel. Effluent flows through perforated pipes and seeps through the gravel, filtering the effluent in the process.

A dry well system incorporates a septic tank. However, it is not necessary to have a large drain field. This is important for people that do not have very large yards. The tank lies within a gravel filled pit. Solid waste stays in the bottom of the tank, and gradually rises as it decomposes. As a result, liquid waste comes to the top. The top area of the tank has holes for the liquid to flow into the pit.

Some people may choose to deal with their solid waste issues with compost toilets. These systems require very little water to operate. There is usually no need for them to be attached to a septic tank. These toilets have limitations, but are a far cry from the old-fashioned outdoor toilets. They use an aerobic system to break down and compost waste. However, they do not address the issue of grey water from other plumbing sources.

Aerobic septic systems work differently than a standard tank. There are several types, but all of them work to inject oxygen into the system. Air enters the system and is pumped throughout the tank. A power source is needed for pumps, and therefore this system can be more expensive to use. It also will need some kind of regular maintenance.

An aerobic septic system provides important advantages to homeowners. In areas, where soil is not appropriate for standard septic systems, they are perfect. You may live in an area where the ground level is high, and a standard drain field cannot be used. Aerobic systems also take up very little space, so not much land is needed.

In conclusion, if you are thinking about new home construction, you may need to invest in a good residential wastewater treatment system. In some cases, a traditional septic system with drain fields may be sufficient. However, your land area could be limited, and you may wish to use a compost toilet or invest in an aerobic septic system. However, an aerobic system may cost more to operate and may require periodic maintenance. Dry well septic tank systems also work well for those with limited space.




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