The operation of an onsite Septic System can be affected by several exterior factors. Some of them like family’s lifestyle or drain-field’s soil we already discussed in a series of articles dedicated to onsite septic systems. The important, although often underestimated factor is the ambient temperature (in a wider sense – the climate zone). Winter …
Impact of Temperature on the Onsite Septic System Read More »
Raised Drain-fields Raised drain-fields are made of extra, above-the-ground layers of soils suitable for the treatment of effluent. In contrast to “as-it-is” native soil in traditional drain-fields, raised drain-fields are “engineered” for best effluent absorption and processing properties, to make up for limitations of the native land. They are used in the following cases: a. …
All Effluent Disposal Systems consist of Distribution Systems and Absorption Systems. The Distribution Systems receive partially treated effluent from the Septic Tank(s), then convey it and distribute (spread) over the Absorption System. They may function based on forces of gravity or by the use of sewage pumps. Gravity-based systems are the least expensive and so …
Leaching Beds (Drain-fields) The Drain-field is a crucial element of the onsite Septic System. It’s not just an area used for the disposal of partially purified wastewater (effluent). It is the final stage of the Wastewater Treatment System, the last one between the still “dirty” outflow from the Septic Tank and the protected, hopefully pristine-clear, …
As mentioned earlier, household-generated wastewater is a mixture of grey, dark, and blackwater. The disposal of blackwater, as potentially the most harmful part of wastewater for human health, and the environment is strongly controlled by legislative measures and as a result – most demanding. One way to solve these problems at locations without municipal services …
In the previous section of this cycle of articles dedicated to on-site Sewage Disposal Systems, we addressed issues related to Septic Tanks as individual components of such systems. You will find descriptions of their functionality, typical construction materials, crucial elements to meet environmental requirements, preferred location, issues related to maintenance and service, etc…. Septic Systems …
For many reasons, it may be beneficial to keep greywater separated from the remaining sources of wastewater (blackwater and dark water). Technically speaking, it will require separated plumbing throughout the house (what practically means – adding an independent greywater line pipe). While it may be a demanding task in houses with already existing plumbing, in …
The on-site Septic System must prevent the contamination of the environment (especially groundwater) by waste products. The raw sewage is composed of water (about 99%), organic matter (human feces, toilet paper, food leftovers, etc..), chemicals (detergents, soaps, cleaners, etc..) as well as invisible, but potentially harmful toxins, microorganisms, pathogens, parasites…. Due to environmental and health …
Most local authorities will define the household’s size by either number of bedrooms or the number of permanent inhabitants. Whatever stipulates the law, it all comes down to the daily volume of generated wastewater (sewage) that must be stored, processed, and subsequently discharged over a leaching bed. Typically, even municipal utility services do not measure …
For most of us, an “off-grid location” is associated with the lack of access to the municipal electrical system. However, in a wider sense, the “off-grid” location also means no access to Municipal Utility Facilities of which the most important are Water and Sewer Systems. The solutions for electricity and water at off-grid locations were …
