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List of Types Septic Media Filters for Alternative Septic Systems InspectAPedia®  -

• List of Types Septic Media Filters as Components of Alternative Septic Systems
• Septic filter product sources

This document provides a List of Types Septic Media Filters as Components of Alternative Septic Systems. Media filter septic systems use a conventional septic tank followed by any of several methods to further filter and treat septic effluent before it is discharged to the soil, soil surface, or waterway.

These different septic media filter types are explained here. We include a list of product sources for various types of septic filters.

Citation of this article by reference to this website and brief quotation for the sole purpose of review are permitted. Use of this information at other websites, in books or pamphlets for sale is reserved to the author. Technical review by industry experts has been performed and is ongoing - reviewers welcomed and are listed at "References."

© Copyright 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

Types of Septic Media Filter Materials

The illustration shows a gravel media filter as implemented by Boxerwood Gardens, an arboretum and nature center in Lexington Virginia. While two gravel-containing structures are shown in this illustration the gravel media filter uses only one. The second and empty gray container was included to show the (otherwise hidden) drain lines that exit from the bottom of the gravel media filter system. [Click image for larger view. Image courtesy of Boxerwood Gardens - link to their site at References below.]

Jantrania/Gross's text. lists the types of septic media filters outlined below. Additional pages of this article describe each of these types of septic media filters in more detail.

Types of Natural Fiber Filter Media

• Sand filter beds
• Gravel septic systems
• Shale filter septic systems
• Cinder filter septic systems
• Limestone septic systems
• Activated carbon septic filters
• Peat filters or peat fiber filter septic systems

Manufactured Septic Filter Media Products

• Textile and fabric septic system filter media
• Open cell foam cubes as septic filter media
• Hard plastic fragments as septic filter and treatment media
• Crushed glass septic system filter media
• Tire chips as septic filter and treatment media
• Processed slag septic system media filters

These natural and manufactured septic filter media systems are discussed in detail below.

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My text draws heavily on Dr. Jantrania &Gross's work and on New York State Water Treatment Standards.

New York State Wastewater Treatment Standards - Individual Household Systems, Appendix 75-A (1990), Public Health Law 201(1)(1).

New York State Alternative Septic System Design Regulations, Wastewater Treatment Standards - Individual Household Systems, Appendix 75-A, of Public Health Law 201(1)(1) 1990.

Anish Jantrania, Ph.D., P.E., M.B.A., Consulting Engineer, Mechanicsville VA, 804-550-0389
NOTE: be sure to examine Dr. Jantrania's new (2006) book,
Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies which can be
ordered from his publisher.

The Septic System Owners's Manual, Lloyd Kahn, Blair Allen, Julie Jones, Shelter Publications, 2000. IS N 0-936070-20-X

Onsite wastewater treatment systems, Bennette D. Burks & Mary Margaret Minnis. Textbook and reference manual on all aspects of onsite treatment. This is one of the best books we've reviewed on the subject, with an excellent balance of clear simple explanation and solid engineering. Topics: Soil & Site Selection, Hydraulics, System Selection & Design, Wastewater Biology, History & Mythology of Onsite Wastewater Treatment. $49.95, Hogarth House, Ltd, 800-993-2665 x327 to order *800 -993-2665 x327 (Univ. Wisc. Bookstore)

Boxerwood Gardens is an arboretum and nature center in Lexington VA, and the generous contributor of the illustration of a gravel-bed natural septic media filter system discussed above.

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• Septic Filters & Graywater Filters in-tank septic filters or graywater filters to keep solids out of the absorption system


• The Septic System Information Website home page for this topic
• Septic Systems Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance- online textbook. Detailed how to inspect, maintain, repair information
• The Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems
• Septic Tank Pumping Guide: When, Why, How to pump the septic tank
• 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
• 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
• Table of Required Septic & Well Clearances: Distances Between Septic System & Wells, Streams, Trees, etc.

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