My Septic System Experiment

[mapper]

Aerobic systems are required to have sterilization devices in my county. They are required to be maintained by a licensed professional, at a cost of $1200 per year. Maintenance consists of changing a uv bulb annually. Needed the sterilization to eliminate fecal coliform bacteria ( in a rural area surrounded by farm animal pastures).
I found this out when trying to find solutions to fix our failing county required and approved sand filter system.

 

[ultrarunner]

Aerobic systems are required to have sterilization devices in my county. They are required to be maintained by a licensed professional, at a cost of $1200 per year. Maintenance consists of changing a uv bulb annually. Needed the sterilization to eliminate fecal coliform bacteria ( in a rural area surrounded by farm animal pastures).
I found this out when trying to find solutions to fix our failing county required and approved sand filter system.

I'm not sure how this will eventually play out... some areas will never have public sewer service and no longer would be granted a septic permit due to restrictions or conditions.

Often wondered if the day will come when non-compliant systems will spell the end of rural living...

 

[mapper]

I'm not sure how this will eventually play out... some areas will never have public sewer service and no longer would be granted a septic permit due to restrictions or conditions.

Often wondered if the day will come when non-compliant systems will spell the end of rural living...

So far they are still permitting them, but the prices for engineered systems is getting outrageous. Ours cost about $30k twenty two years ago.

 

[pmsmechanic]

So far they are still permitting them, but the prices for engineered systems is getting outrageous. Ours cost about $30k twenty two years ago.

Our municipality was having the same problem. Finally we elected some counselors in that could think. Now you can use someone else's engineering if the soil types are similar. That reduced costs by about half.

 

[fried1765]

I'm not sure how this will eventually play out... some areas will never have public sewer service and no longer would be granted a septic permit due to restrictions or conditions.

Often wondered if the day will come when non-compliant systems will spell the end of rural living...

The gubuermint will prohibit the disposal of rural ****?

 

[check]

We used to have an aerobic system, but instead of a leech field, it ran out to two sprinkler heads so it watered a fair sized part of the yard. That worked well for us but might not be as good in colder climates up north. Of course you never knew when the sprinklers would come on, it just depended on when the level of water reached a certain point in the last tank. And you never knew which way the water was going to start when it came on, but they were sprinkler heads that gradually rotated. Only once, when I was on my way to the barn, did it come one and catch me full broadside.:laughing: But at least in appearance and smell, it was just clean water.

Yes, I was wondering about up North, where it was 41 below with the wind chill a couple of days ago. If you just need to run an air hose into the tank, I suppose the temperature at the surface doesn't mean much. And if I just use it in my conventional system, the effluent could still go out to the buried eptic field.

This sounds like a great idea. Will have to check into it more.

 

[ultrarunner]

So far they are still permitting them, but the prices for engineered systems is getting outrageous. Ours cost about $30k twenty two years ago.

Some of the most expensive systems I have heard of are beach communities along the California coast and in Washington State...

I have a 1200 gallon concrete tank circa 1978... neighbors had similar and needed to upgrade... they said it will be pushing 60k when it is all said and done plus ongoing electricity and maintenance engineering...

 

[MacLawn]

If septic systems ever get that expensive in my area, I'm done for. As would be about everybody in my county! Mine was installed in 1975, 1,000 gallon concrete tank, distribution box, three 100' drain lines with a 4'x4' gravel filled hole in middle of each line that my installer just did for me free. A great man and business. Cost back then was $1,800. Only been pumped one time in all those years and man said it didn't even need it. I know I could never move to some of your states!! Way too expensive.

 

[ultrarunner]

Mandatory pumping/inspection is soon becoming the norm... also, areas deemed sensitive have more stringent requirements...

I have been told that my home wouldn't be permitted today due to neighboring lands deemed to be wetlands... they had been forested but the neighbors converted to pasture land about 80 years back... now they are wetlands and even grazing is highly restricted... Thurston County.

Had a nice conversation a few years back with the man that installed the system in my home... he said just be careful because should I need to upgrade it will be costly and time consuming.

It does give me pause for concern as my home is currently rented... and tenants have been either wonderful or awful when it comes to septic...

 

[the old grind]

I'll come in from another direction but hope to arrive on topic. I wanted to aerate 3-4 ac of enclosed shallow water (6' avg depth) to offset creeping fertility in what was excavated below groundwater level decades ago. (was a sand pit) I went to a prominent local pond supplier asking if a windmill or two would be OK for <$2k per to set up. A friend has had good luck for 15 yrs with his. The first thing I was told is that "a little bit is worse than nothing at all". Can you say 'Red Flag'?

I was show a $4k aerobic setup to use 4 or more diffusers and with $30/mo electric cost to properly aerate. I'd be fine then ... as long as I bought the TWO setups needed for my puddle. So much for pond aeration and sellers of systems. :thumbdown:

My home here is like my last one 1/2 mi down the road. It's rare to see a green spot over any septic near here as on high ground our sandy soil perks so well. My last house has 1000 gal septic, and I live there from '89 to '01. After sitting empty for 6 yrs I sold it to a family of five who sold it in 7 yrs to a family of six who sold it to a family of five early last year. I suggest that like my septic here there are systems that operate aerobically due to extremely porous 'bedding' ground. No such event as a pump-out in either house since I've been associated.

As to Aerobic septic add-on systems go back to my first paragraph and grab a grain of salt when you seek information. Dealers might not give the balance of info you get from a consensus of opinions herein.

Of course I'd become interested in Aerobic septic for neighbors I keep digging out or helping the septic guy they call every 5 yrs or so. These folks prefer to use powerful chemical instead of soaking or scrubbing, and pour bleach and down drains daily. One had a slow drain and I suggested he pour in a RV digester and pointed to what I'd use sitting on a shelf. W/o even checking the puny 750 gal tank he grabbed a quart of lye the next day and poured it into a cleanout we'd just added between tank and field.

Aerobic is what's best, (how a system/field should work when possible) and if you're lucky your septic might work that way on high ground with loose soil. My favorite aerobic system/brand, and thus far with no hint of being needed here in 16 yrs after all, is Aero Stream (TM) but there may be others as promising. I don't think this kind of help should cost what I was quoted for a pond, or too much, and I think that some IS better than none. Read all this below FYI or don't wonder.
Aero-Stream - Septic Tank Problems & Solutions