We will soon be required by our state health dept. to install recirculating sand filters on new septic systems in our area (northern Indiana). This is to reduce nitrate pollution. I have never had one of these filters installed and have lots of questions. Are other states requiring sand filters? How well do they work? How much should they cost? What kind of maintenance is required? How long do they last?
I have been building for 30 years and am nervous about this because its new to our area. Indiana only has a few systems like this and they are “experimental”. We will be doing about 600 of these a year in our county and nobody seems to know much about them.
Any advice or experiences you could share would be appreciated.
Replies
Terry:
You have got to be kidding! Short answers to your question: expensive ($30K +), high maintenance (as on-site alternatives go), and as to longevity in residential applications: to be determined. Are they really initiating a blanket requirement for these systems, or are they only mandated in nitrate sensitive areas (e.g.: open water sources, near Zone Is of wells). Here in Massachusetts they are authorized, but usually only used in the most challenging of retrofits...Will respond later with more info, but truly interested in more details about this policy...
Regards,
Rework
Hey Rework,
Thanks for the response. Its not a blanket policy but is based on soil type. In excessively well-drained soils, which have always been considered great for building and for septics in our area, they will require RSF for secondary treatment. In our county that will be about 600 systems next year. Seems expensive and troublesome for a relatively minor benefit in terms of nitrate reduction.
Terry