Does anyone have any real-world experience with Infiltrator Systems chamber system leach field? I specifically want to know if these things work any better than a conventional field, what the cost differences may be, and if they work in “perk-challenged” areas. FWIW, their website, www.infiltratorsystems.com makes it sound like the solution to all your poop problems, but I can’t find anyone who has actually used the system.
Thanks,
=====Zippy=====
Replies
That is almost the only kind of system possible here in our marginal soils. They work finne when built to design. Any shortcuts make it a waste of money.
Typically you see the line from the septic tank diverting to four lines of chambers, length determined by the type of soils and anticipated flow rate. They are set over a bed of stone, leveled to elevation, covered with more gravel, and then topsoil and seeded in.
If you will be driving or parking occasionally, you need to use concrete chanbers in stead of these plastic ones
Excellence is its own reward!
Zippy,
The last house I owned I installed three 58' sections of the infiltraor system. Lived in the house for 8 years with no problems. The system came in 4 or 5' sections and were about $52.00 per section. The only thing I can say is the grass above the areas where the infiltraor were greener then any other areas on the lot ,in the summer I would have 3 green strips in the back yard.The system holds a large amount of waste water that then perks into the ground and also evaporates to the surface. The system is more money then a rock leech feild but less then a drip system. Somebody that is good with a back hoe and has installed pipe could install this type of system.
I've installed a few, they seem to work fine.
The only thing I'd add to Piffin's comments is that if your soils are really a problem you might be able to replace them in the immediate area of the infiltrator, use fewer infiltrators, and bring the cost way down.
We just did this, had to get an engineer's stamp, but it worked out well.
DRC