OUTLINESEPTIC SYSTEM BASICS

ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS – A PRIMER

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

JR SINGS HIS COLLEGE FIGHT SONG

SEPTIC SYSTEM VS PUBLIC SEWERAverage 4 Person Family pays $50-$80 per month for public water/Sewer in Stafford County.

Half of that is for public sewerAt $25/month >>> $1,500 in Five Years

Traditional Septic System maintenance is about $200 every 5 years (pumping the septic tank).

Typical SEPTIC SYSTEM OVERVIEW

Typical SEPTIC SYSTEM OVERVIEW

Septic System MaintenanceA septic system can last 50 years, but many

in the US fail after 15-20 yearsAvoid putting the following in your septic

system: Coffee grounds, dental floss, disposable diapers, cat-box litter, sanitary napkins, tampons, cigarette butts, plastics, facial tissues, paper towels, fat, grease, or oil and household hazardous wastes

Pump your septic tank every 3-5 yearsDon’t Drive on your septic field

Indications of System FailureSluggish drains

Plumbing backups

Seepage at ground surfaces

Alternative Treatment SystemsRaised Bed and Septic Mound systems

Advanced Material Media Filtration systems

Aerobic Septic Systems

Wetlands and Constructed Wetlands

Waterless and Low-Water and Greywater-Separation systems

Septic Mound Systems

Media Filtration Systems

Aerobic Septic Systems

Constructed Wetlands

Constructed Wetlands

Constructed Wetlands

Waterless and Low-WaterThink of a modern

outhouse in the house. Yes, it works, but you probably need a “granola” client to accept it.

The home will also need a means to handle gray water (dishwater, shower water, etc)

Many designs, but basically it composts and the “dirt” is removed at the end of the composting period.

AcknowledgementsA Guide to Septic Systems and Alternatives (Virginia Water

Resources Research Center) http://www.vwrrc.vt.edu/publications/Septic%20Systems%20Guide.pdf

InspectAPedia -- http://www.inspect-ny.com/septicCanada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/gemare/gemare_009.cfm

University of Minnesota --http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/naturalresources/components/6583[f03].html

King County (Washington State) Public Health http://www.metrokc.gov/health/wastewater/owners/types.htm#sand

TOOLBASE -- http://www.toolbase.org/Technology-Inventory/Plumbing/aerobic-wastewater-treatment

Wikipedia -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructed_wetland