Septic Systems - Aerobic vs. Conventional

[jinman]

The spray systems are really nice. Except for cost and upkeep. :laughing: When I was checking on prices a decade ago one of these systems would cost $30K. I remember when Bird mentioned that his system cost $5K I about had a heart attack.

Now way can I see how these systems cost $30K to build. There is not that much to them.

Later,
Dan

Dan, I remember your posting about the cost there, and I found it unbelievable. I can assure you that at $6000, there was lots of money made off of my system. I saw everything that went into my system and could not figure out why it was $6k. A conventional system would have cost me less than $2k at that time and the leach field by itself would have more complexity than my aerobic system. I continue to think that aerobic installers/servicers are so expensive only because the state has to give them a certification and manufacturers charge big dollars to the authorized dealers for training and exclusive service areas. In an open competitive market, the excavation would cost about $500 and the controller, tanks, filter, and pump would run about $2k.

 

[Whitnel]

Something to think about would be power outages. If you plan to run a well off generator etc. you would also need to run this pump and thus need a way to get genny power to it. Might be easier to wire that in when installing.

The grinder pump would be wired to the house. I was just wondering how the ground up waste would do in a septic tank vs. regular solid waste. If there was a bigger risk of stuff clogging up.

 

[Bird]

Don't want to hijack but have a question about spetic systems. I have some property that will have a septic system. The site that perks is across a ditch / valley between where i want to build the house so i can not run a gravity line to it. Will there be a problem with pumping the waste to the system? I plan to put a grinder pump at the bottom of the hill that runs to the tank.

One of my wife's brothers used to live near Manassas, VA, in a house that was lower than the hill where his septic system was, so the sewage was pumped up there, but I don't know the details of his system.

Bit earlier, I mentioned my brother putting in the aerobic system for $5,000. Later, our other brother moved onto the property in his motorhome so they contacted the same installer about putting in another system and he told them it would be a lot cheaper to put in a 50 gallon tank with a mascerator pump and run a 2" PVC line to the first brother's aerobic system, and that's what they did.

I don't know what it would cost, but you wouldn't doing anything new.

 

[jdjdjd]

I don't see any mention here of the Low Pressure Dosing System. I have had this system for over 10 years now and it works great.

This system is similar to a standard type except that the leach field is larger and it uses a pump inside the tank. The leach lines are relatively shallow and are smaller in diameter than standard.

Other than a small leak at a tank connection I have had no other maintenance issues.

Much less expensive than an aerobic system also.

 

[marimus]

I have just finished re-wiring my aerobic system. It previously had a computer control which was always malfunctioning and required constant vigilance to ensure the computer was running the system right.

Now it has a simple timer for the aerator, with an ac contactor so theres no load on the timer itself, and a couple of float switches, one for the pumpout and one for a high water alarm. So simple I can't believe they ever put a computer in there :confused2:

On an unrelated issue, the original installer just quoted us $1500/year service contract for the system. We managed to find a qualified guy locally that will do the same thing for $240/year.

 

[Bird]

I have just finished re-wiring my aerobic system. It previously had a computer control which was always malfunctioning and required constant vigilance to ensure the computer was running the system right.

Now it has a simple timer for the aerator, with an ac contactor so theres no load on the timer itself, and a couple of float switches, one for the pumpout and one for a high water alarm. So simple I can't believe they ever put a computer in there :confused2:

On an unrelated issue, the original installer just quoted us $1500/year service contract for the system. We managed to find a qualified guy locally that will do the same thing for $240/year.

Mine had no timer; the air pump ran continuously, but otherwise, the float switches as you said. And of course I had mine from 1997 to 2002 and the annual service contract cost me $200 a year.

 

[dmccarty]

Dan, I remember your posting about the cost there, and I found it unbelievable. I can assure you that at $6000, there was lots of money made off of my system. I saw everything that went into my system and could not figure out why it was $6k. A conventional system would have cost me less than $2k at that time and the leach field by itself would have more complexity than my aerobic system. I continue to think that aerobic installers/servicers are so expensive only because the state has to give them a certification and manufacturers charge big dollars to the authorized dealers for training and exclusive service areas. In an open competitive market, the excavation would cost about $500 and the controller, tanks, filter, and pump would run about $2k.

My guess was that the land is, well, maybe was, so expensive especially if they were in the right location, that people would just pay for the systems. Land that will perc for conventional systems has pretty much been developed especially for land that has location, Location, LOCATION. :laughing:

At the time in NC, a septic system installation did not require a licensed installer. I do not think this has changed. The lot we were going to build on required an LPP system which has to be designed by an engineer. We paid for the design and I looked at it. Not exactly rocket science not even model rocket science. :laughing: I figured I could do the install myself. I could mess up the installation a couple of times and still be ahead money wise. One guy told me $12K for the LPP. Seems like I heard $16K as well.

I have heard the prices have dropped since then. I hope they have dropped like a rock in a dry well.

Later,
Dan

 

[kenmac]

Info. about adding bacteria to your septic system



Septic Systems - Bacteria and Enzymes


http://www.discountportablerestrooms.com/SEPTIC%20TANK.pdf

 

[Pettrix]

End result, a conventional system would be about 10-12k for a 4-BR, the alternative is almost 50k, and the hassles of yearly inspections.

$50k?? :confused2:

Wow, out here in Arizona I was quoted $8k for a standard septic and the engineered Orenco would be $15k. It was double but not 5x higher.

The grinder pump would be wired to the house. I was just wondering how the ground up waste would do in a septic tank vs. regular solid waste. If there was a bigger risk of stuff clogging up.

I never heard of a grinder pump. I could see it getting clogged and needing maintenance but it would do a better job decomposing in the septic than regular solid waste would.

 

[Pettrix]

Pettrix, you really need to tell us where you are located or at least the state. The only info I can give you is that I've had an aerobic system for 12 years and NEVER had a problem with the absorbtion field because I don't have one. My effluent is completely odor free and clear. It's pumped to two sprinkler heads just like a lawn sprinkler system. The water sprays on top of the ground and evaporates or soaks in.

Whatever system you use, I strongly suggest you DO NOT run your laundry water through the system. Laundry water is not sewage, it's grey water.

After 12 years of use, I've had to replace my aerobic's aerator pump one time ($395) and several sprinkler heads (around $20 each). My system gets inspected once each 4 months. My inspectors always tell me that my system is clean and trouble free. My neighbor has the same system and runs laundry drains through his. His is a nightmare of grey sludge and clogged filters.

This would be for northern AZ - Prescott area. The perc test showed an "absorption rate of .32"

We use to live in an area that had a conventional septic, it caused us problems. It was a 1,250 gallon tank with a lift station. It probably was undersized for our usage and it got full in just 1 year. Here is what the septic pumping company said in their report:

"Pumped septic tank, overfull. Solids got on water side & plugged effluent filter. A couple of the inspection pipes have signs of grease in them.
Scum layer = 8" / Sludge layer = 6" There are no vent holes in inspection pipe caps. Will pump tank since it was so full, some carried over to pump st."


What did they mean by, "solids got on water side"?

Long story short, we moved away and went back to the city and now have city sewers, 5+ years with ZERO problems with the city sewer. Now we are considering moving to a rural area again but we DO NOT want the septic problems again. This can be a deal breaker for us.

So if we do decide to move back to a rural area and back to a septic. I want to engineer a better system. First, I want a larger septic tank as 1,250 gallons was too small for us. I would probably go 2,000 gallons or more. Second, I am researching if an aerobic system would do better than just a conventional setup? That is why this system has caught my attention:

http://www.orenco.com/pdfs/AdvanTexBro_NewCov_2001107.pdf

Any advice or comments would be appreciated! Even if it means we should remain "city folk" :laughing: