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Whilst the building lot I would like to purchase has a great flat area to build the house, where the septic system would go is seriously downhill. The building code wants at least two drain fields.
Anyone out there know of package wastewater systems, anaerobic or aerobic, but with a tertiary water output suitable for landscape irrigation? (Please no composting toilets!!)
Many thanks
Replies
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Whilst the building lot I would like to purchase has a great flat area to build the house, where the septic system would go is seriously downhill. The building code wants at least two drain fields.
Anyone out there know of package wastewater systems, anaerobic or aerobic, but with a tertiary water output suitable for landscape irrigation? (Please no composting toilets!!)
Many thanks
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Barry,
Does your code require 2 drain fields or a primary and alternate site?
If you have not done so already, you need to discuss your situation with a septic system or "perk test" contractor (where I am at - Arkansas, the perk test is conducted by a certified individual who also designs the system and submits to the health department for approval). You may be surprised to find a conventional system can be installed on your lot.
Aeration systems are a solution in some difficult situations. The big question is are they accepted in your juristiction and if so, is surface discharge allowed?
I lived for a time in Illinois just east of St Louis. Aeration systems are quite common there. Our system was about 15 years old and worked very well. The only problem was a pump failure caused by ingestion of a non-biodegradeable component of a femine hygene product. I understand the newer systems do not have this problem.
In more recent installations the health department was requiring a drain field. However, unlike septic fields, the aerobic field could vent an overflow to daylight. As I understand it, this came about because people were neglegent in clorinating the ouput and there were odor complaints (aerobic systems have a final chamber in which swimminmg pool clorine "pills" are placed on schedule and other periodic maintenance is required).
Most aeration tanks look like septic tanks with some extra accesses and vent pipes. They are cast in the market area and fitted with a propritary aeration pump "package". Some are fiberglass modules. In our area, the leading vendor was Jet Aerobics Inc., (618) 632-3593). They may be able to give you the name of a vendor that services your area or tell you how to find one.
Finally, I would not hesitate to discuss this with the health department. A fifteen minute conversation with the inspector now can save a lot of grief later. Even if aeration systems are approved for your area the local authorities may not have any experience with them.
Your building lot may be a steal because others have found it unbuildable. The joke is on them if an aeration system will work for you. Knowledge is power.