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AEROBIC Septic System Maintenance Procedures
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InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
Aerobic septic system maintenance and cleaning procedures: maintenance Guide for Fine bubble aeration septic systems. This ATU system article series provides designs and products for aerobic septic treatment units (ATUs) for onsite waste disposal, also called fine bubble aeration systems.
We address aerobic septic system design, features, inspection, repair, and maintenance. Product sources are also listed.
Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
AEROBIC Septic System Maintenance Procedures & Products
 Homeowners can reduce the operating cost of any septic system by conserving water use. An aerobic system retrofit may
also extend the life of a drainfield - but be sure to read the caveats described in the next section on using an ATU
to extend drainfield life.
Maintenance of Aerobic Septic Systems - How to Care for An ATU
You can reduce problems with your ATU and extend the system life by performing basic maintenance. Also see ATU Suppliers.
- Disinfection of septic effluent: use the proper disinfection tablets and use them on the schedule
recommended by your system designer.
Disinfectants are discussed just above. Typically the disinfection\
tablets are added to the system through a PVC pipe that extends above ground level and which has
a removable cap. Depending on the design of your system, several tablets may be placed into a
tube located inside this pipe. Don't put in more tablets than the instructions say, since
doing so may cause them to break down prematurely and thus not to be dispensed at
the proper rate - you'll actually end up wasting tablets and money.
Check the condition of your aerobic septic system disinfection tablets monthly.
- Proper Tablets Use only the proper type of aerobic or aeration septic system disinfection tablets
in order to avoid contaminating the environment (the system may discharge insufficiently treated septic effluent and thus
pathogens into the soil and groundwater) and to avoid violation of federal law.
See AEROBIC Septic System Disinfection with Calcium Hypochlorite
and AEROBIC Septic System Disinfection with Chlorine Tablets
for details.
- Aerobic Treatment Unit Pumps Inspect the aerobic aeration pump monthly when you're checking the disinfectant
tablets. If the pump motor is making a strange noise (or worse, has stopped working) you need repair service promptly.
If your aerobic system uses a timer for pump control, make sure that device is working and has power before attacking
a pump that's "not working".
- Protect from Insect Damage In some areas (such as parts of Texas) insects can damage the aerator system and void your warranty.
Dulworth Septic Systems in Texas recommends putting ant poison around the aerator compartment.
- Protect from Vehicle Damage Do not drive over the septic system nor any of its components - you may damage or destroy the
system. Keep grass mowed to avoid blocking or jamming components or interfering with evaporation from the absorption system.
- Aerobic Treatment Maintenance Contracts Use and maintain an aerobic treatment unit maintenance service if you are not able to reliably and properly care for your system.
Studies (West Virginia) demonstrated that a high failure rate for aerobic treatment systems was due to lack of proper maintenance.
- Watch out: Check the safety of the septic system access covers: to prevent someone, adult or child, from falling into the septic tank, the covers of all of the tank's access ports must be securely fixed such that they cannot be opened by children. At SEPTIC TANK ACCIDENT REPORTS we report decades of very serious events where septic system covers have not been secure.
http://www.ahc.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=815 Adelaide Hills Council, Australia
Using an Aerobic System to Extend the Life of a Drainfield
An aerobic system might be retrofitted
to a conventional septic system in an attempt to extend the life of a conventional drainfield. Also, adding aeration or oxygen to a
septic system may boost aerobic bacterial action in the biomat, improving the drainfield function.
But it's not quite that simple.
We would look closely at any proposals
to make this "improvement" to a conventional septic system. One reader wrote that their installer wanted to simply install an aerator
in the original one-compartment septic tank. Our opinion was that unless a settlement chamber or tank outlet filter were installed the
result of aeration and agitation in the primary single-chamber septic tank would be to push suspended solids out into the drain field where it would
be clogged quite rapidly.
While there are a number of interesting pre-packaged advanced wastewater treatment systems on the market, a web search
(in 2005 and again in 2006) does not turn up much on installation, operating, or repair costs. The manufacturers argue that
each site is unique so installation costs vary. OPINION: we suspect that as with any costly but necessary product, some vendors just don't
want to give the bad news up front.
When we collect more explicit septic system failure and maintenance cost data we will post it at this website.
Example Aerobic Treatment Unit ATU Maintenance Tasks & Schedule
Below we quote an adapted version of Clearstream Wastewater System Inc.s List of Aerobic Treatment Unit ATU Maintenance Requirements & Schedule, rearranged to list items in order of frequency.
Clearstream ATU Maintenance Schedule [1] |
| Maintenance Task |
Schedule
in order of frequency |
Typical cost [2][3] |
Comments |
Sand filter & other ATUs in Australia
Check blowers, contact media, pipework, valves, diffusers, effluent clarity, sludge return, removal of excess scum, pump operation, supply of chlorine tablets |
Every 3 months |
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or as recommended by the manufacturer's service manyal [3]
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| Check surge control weir |
Every 6 months |
Varies by state.
Florida:$200./yr maintenance + $50./yr permit |
Free from the manufacturer for the first two years of operation [2]. |
| Clean aerator filters |
Every 6 months to 2 years |
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In our OPINION, new ATU owners should first perform maintenance on the earliest recommended schedule.
Depending on observations made at that time and provided that system usage level does not change, you may be able to extend out the service interval to longer periods. |
| Break up clarifier scum |
Every 6 months to 2 years |
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| Clean aeration diffuser |
Annually |
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| Pump sludge from aeration tank |
Every 2 - 5 years |
$250.+./ per pumpout; |
Some readers report pumpout required every 6-months.
Australia government recommends tank pumpout every 4 years or more often depending on the permit's specifications. |
| Pump sludge from trash trap |
Every 2 - 5 years |
$535. ? |
Reporterd by FL reader to clear clogs & system backup |
| Repair or replace aerator |
Every 2 - 10 years |
$350. - $750. + labor, depending on pump model & components |
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| AEROBIC SEPTIC DISINFECTANTS - Calcium Hypochlorite |
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separte article |
| AEROBIC EFFLUENT SPRAY Head Maintenance |
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Separate article |
[1] Clearstream ATU website, retrieved 3/21/2013, original source: http://www.clearstreamsystems.com/service.asp . The company includes this important ATU maintenance notice:
[2] For the first two years form the date of purchase, your local installer, from whom you purchased your Clearstream System, will inspect your system on a routine basis for operational problems. Service on Clearstream electrical and mechanical components will be performed at no charge, if such components are found to be defective. After the termination of the guaranteed service period, your local installer will make available a service policy for a nominal fee.
[3] Costs for ATU maintenance tasks are gleaned from reader email. See specifics also detailed in the FAQs at ATU FAILURE RATES, COSTS |
...
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about maintaining an aerobic septic system.
...
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Questions & answers or comments about how to maintain aerobic septi systems or ATUs.
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Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
- AEROBIC Septic System Disinfection with Calcium Hypochlorite - Use of calcium hypochlorite tablets for aerobic septic systems
- [2] Clearstream Wastewater Systems, Inc. ,
4899 US Hwy 69 South,
Lumberton, Texas 77657, Tel: 800-586-3656, Website: http://www.clearstreamsystems.com. Quoting the company's warranty retrieved 3/21/2013:
The Clearstream System has a two-year limited warranty against defects in material and workmanship from the date of purchase. The system and/or its components will be repaired or replaced with new or rebuilt equals to the original equipment, if all installation, operation and maintenance instructions of the manufacturer have been adhered to.
- [3] "Maintenance of aerobic wastewater systems", Wastewater Management, Public Health SA System, 1st Floor, Citi Centre Building, 11 Hindmarsh Sq., Adelaide SA 5000, PO BOx 6, Adelaide SA 5000, Email: public.health@health.sa.gov.au, Web: www.health.sa.gov.au/pehs/environ- health-index.htm [copy on file as Aerobic_Septic_Maintenance-Australia.pdf]
- AEROBIC Septic System Disinfection with Chlorine Tablets - US EPA declares use of swimming pool chlorine tablets illegal for septic system disinfection
- AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEMS - A Design Alternative for Difficult Sites
- Design Alternatives for Septic Systems: Alternate Onsite Wastewater Disposal Designs for Septic Systems - design engineers, consultants, products, books for special problem situations, difficult soils, old system repairs.
Aerobic septic systems, chemical, composting, incinerating & waterless toilets, Evaporation-Transpiration (ET) Septic Systems, septic media filters, greywater systems, holding tank septic systems, mound septics, raised bed septics, pressure dosing septic systems,
sand bed filters, peat beds, constructed wetlands, septic disinfection systems.
Septic SystemReferences & Books
- "International Private Sewage Disposal Code," 1995, BOCA-708-799-2300, ICBO-310-699-0541, SBCCI 205-591-1853, available from those code associations.
- "Manual of Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines for Onsite Sewage Systems," Ontario Reg. 374/81, Part VII of the Environmental
Protection Act (Canada), ISBN 0-7743-7303-2, Ministry of the Environment,135 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto Ontario M4V 1P5 Canada $24. CDN.
- Manual of Septic Tank Practice, US Public Health Service's 1959
- The Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems
- Home & Outdoor Living Water Requirements
- Septic Tank Capacity vs Usage in Daily Gallons of Wastewater Flow, calculating required septic tank size, calculating septic tank volume from size measurements
- Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf.
- How Big Should the Leach Field Be? - table of soil percolation rate vs. field size
- Septic System Drainfield Absorption System Biomat Formation - what leads to drain field clogging and expensive drainfield repairs
- Septic Tank Pumping Guide: When, Why, How to pump the septic tank
- Table of Required Septic & Well Clearances: Distances Between Septic System & Wells, Streams, Trees, etc.
- Ten Steps to Keeping a Septic System Working, suggestions from the U.S. EPA, edits and additions by DJF
- What is a Septic System An Engineer's View & Septic System FAQ's
- Pennsylvania State Fact Sheets relating to domestic wastewater treatment systems include:
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-161, Septic System Failure: Diagnosis and Treatment
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-162, The Soil Media and the Percolation Test
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-l64, Mound Systems for Wastewater Treatment
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-165, Septic Tank-Soil Absorption Systems
- Document Sources used for this web page include but are not limited to: Agricultural Fact Sheet #SW-161 "Septic Tank Pumping," by Paul D. Robillard and
Kelli S. Martin. Penn State College of Agriculture - Cooperative Extension, edited and annotated by
Dan Friedman (Thanks: to Bob Mackey for proofreading the original source material.)
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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- Inspecting Septic Systems: Online Book, Inspection, Test, Diagnosis, Repair, & Maintenance: our Online Septic Book: Septic Testing, Loading & Dye Tests, Septic Tank Pumping, Clearances, details of onsite waste disposal system inspection, testing, repair procedures.
- Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies, Anish R. Jantrania, Mark A. Gross. Anish Jantrania, Ph.D., P.E., M.B.A., is a Consulting Engineer, in Mechanicsville VA, 804-550-0389 (2006). Outstanding technical reference especially on alternative septic system design alternatives. Written for designers and engineers, this book is not at all easy going for homeowners but is a text I recommend for professionals--DF.
- Builder's Guide to Wells and Septic Systems, Woodson, R. Dodge: $ 24.95; MCGRAW HILL B; TP;
Quoting from Amazon's description: For the homebuilder, one mistake in estimating or installing wells and septic systems can cost thousands of dollars. This comprehensive guide filled with case studies can prevent that. Master plumber R. Dodge Woodson packs this reader-friendly guide with guidance and information, including details on new techniques and materials that can economize and expedite jobs and advice on how to avoid mistakes in both estimating and construction. Chapters cover virtually every aspect of wells and septic systems, including on-site evaluations; site limitations; bidding; soil studies, septic designs, and code-related issues; drilled and dug wells, gravel and pipe, chamber-type, and gravity septic systems; pump stations; common problems with well installation; and remedies for poor septic situations. Woodson also discusses ways to increase profits by avoiding cost overruns.
- Country Plumbing: Living with a Septic System, Hartigan, Gerry: $ 9.95; ALAN C HOOD & TP;
Quoting an Amazon reviewer's comment, with which we agree--DF:This book is informative as far as it goes and might be most useful for someone with an older system. But it was written in the early 1980s. A lot has changed since then. In particular, the book doesn't cover any of the newer systems that are used more and more nowadays in some parts of the country -- sand mounds, aeration systems, lagoons, etc.
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US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual [online copy, free] Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm Onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems,
Richard J Otis, published by the US EPA. Although it's more than 20 years old, this book remains a useful reference for septic system designers.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Program Operations; Office of Research and Development, Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory; (1980)
- Eco John® Innovative Toilet Solutions, Global Inventive Industries, Fountain Valley CA, PDF, product brochure
- "International Private Sewage Disposal Code," 1995, BOCA-708-799-2300, ICBO-310-699-0541, SBCCI 205-591-1853, available from those code associations.
- "Manual of Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines for Onsite Sewage Systems," Ontario Reg. 374/81, Part VII of the Environmental
Protection Act (Canada), ISBN 0-7743-7303-2, Ministry of the Environment,135 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto Ontario M4V 1P5 Canada $24. CDN.
- Manual of Septic Tank Practice, US Public Health Service's 1959.
- Onsite Wastewater Disposal, R. J. Perkins;
Quoting from Amazon: This practical book, co-published with the National Environmental Health Association,
describes the step-by-step procedures needed to avoid common pitfalls in septic system technology.
Valuable in matching the septic system to the site-specific conditions, this useful book will help you install a reliable system in
both suitable and difficult environments. Septic tank installers, planners, state and local regulators, civil and sanitary engineers,
consulting engineers, architects, homeowners, academics, and land developers will find this publication valuable.
- Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Bennette D. Burks, Mary Margaret Minnis, Hogarth House 1994 - one of the best septic system books around, suffering a bit from small fonts and a weak index. (DF volunteers to serve as indexer if Burks/Minnis re-publish this very useful volume.)While it contains some material more technical than needed by homeowners, Burks/Minnis book on onsite wastewatre treatment systems a very useful reference
for both property owners and septic system designers. We refer to it often.
While Minnis says the best place to buty this book is at Amazon (our link at left), you can also see this book at Minnis' website at http://web page .pace.edu/MMinnisbook
- Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf
- Soil Percolation Tests soil perc testing guide and instructions
- Percolation Testing Manual, CNMI Division of Environmental Quality, PO Box 501304, Saipan, MP 96950
- Planting Over Septic System Component", Daniel Friedman (author/editor, InspectAPedia.com), The Innovator, Winter/Spring 2008, BCOSSA, British Columbia OnSite Sewage Association, 201-3542 Blansard St., Victoria BC V8X 1W3 Canada
- Save the Septic System - Do Not Flush These Items Down the Toilet, Daniel Friedman, InspectAPedia.com - PDF document, printable
- SEPTIC STANDARDS
- SEPTIC MAGAZINES
- Septic System Owner's Manual, Lloyd Kahn, Blair Allen, Julie Jones, Shelter Publications, 2000 $14.95 U.S. - easy to understand, well illustrated, one of the best practical references around on septic design basics including some advanced systems; a little short on safety and maintenance. Both new and used (low priceO copies are available, and we think the authors are working on an updated edition--DF.
Quoting from one of several Amazon reviews: The basics of septic systems, from underground systems and failures to what the owner can do to promote and maintain a healthy system, is revealed in an excellent guide essential for any who reside on a septic system. Rural residents receive a primer on not only the basics; but how to conduct period inspections and what to do when things go wrong. History also figures into the fine coverage.
- Test Pit Preparation for Onsite Sewage Evaluations, State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Portland OR, 800 452-4011. PDF document. We recommend this excellent document that offers detail about soil perc tests, deep hole tests, safety, and septic design. Readers should also see Soil Percolation Tests and for testing an existing septic system, also see Dye Tests
- Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank, Bombeck, Erma: $ 5.99; FAWCETT; MM;
This septic system classic whose title helps avoid intimidating readers new to septic systems, is available new or used at very low prices.
It's more entertainment than a serious "how to" book on septic systems design, maintenance, or repair. Not recommended -- DF.
- US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm
- Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook, R. Dodge Woodson. This book is in the upper price range, but is worth the cost for serious septic installers and designers.
Quoting Amazon: Each year, thousands upon thousands of Americans install water wells and septic systems on their properties. But with a maze of codes governing their use along with a host of design requirements that ensure their functionality where can someone turn for comprehensive, one-stop guidance? Enter the Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook from McGraw-Hill.
Written in language any property owner can understand yet detailed enough for professionals and technical students this easy-to-use volume delivers the latest techniques and code requirements for designing, building, rehabilitating, and maintaining private water wells and septic systems. Bolstered by a wealth of informative charts, tables, and illustrations, this book delivers:
* Current construction, maintenance, and repair methods
* New International Private Sewage Disposal Code
* Up-to-date standards from the American Water Works Association
- Wells and Septic Systems, Alth, Max and Charlet, Rev. by S. Blackwell Duncan, $ 18.95; Tab Books 1992. We have found this text very useful for conventional well and septic systems design and maintenance --DF.
Quoting an Amazon description:Here's all the information you need to build a well or septic system yourself - and save a lot of time, money, and frustration. S. Blackwell Duncan has thoroughly revised and updated this second edition of Wells and Septic Systems to conform to current codes and requirements. He also has expanded this national bestseller to include new material on well and septic installation, water storage and distribution, water treatment, ecological considerations, and septic systems for problem building sites.
- The NSFC Products List has an excellent list of design manuals/modules available from their website or by telephone 800-624-8301
- Submissions welcome. send us a suggested document link or request an exchange of website links
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