lagoons

[Highbeam]

You know the old saying with civil engineers.... Poo is my bread and butter.

Funny thing is I can deal with huge basins of rolling sludge being digested, or lifting a sewer manhole lid and having the blast of hot steamy air fog up my glasses just fine but I don't like guts too much, especially bird guts.

 

[Toiyabe]

A lagoon is a crappy pond. I think these threads should be merged.

 

[Chuck52]

Open septic lagoons are common in Missouri. Properly sized and maintained they seldom emit objectionable odors, though Spring and Fall they sometimes "turn over" and stink for a short while. A of mine friend had his within 50 feet of his house and never had any problems at all, and though it was fencedin it looked like a plain old pond. I have a septic tank, but if it ever failed I might consider putting in a lagoon instead of replacing it as I have a perfect place for such a lagoon which could easily be shielded from our house. Aside from cost, the main reason I'd consider doing that is that there is a possibility a country sewer system may be built in my area due to the increasing density of houses, and with my luck I'd pay $20K for a new septic tank about three days before the new district sewer system was announced.

BTW, Missouri also has one of the largest lagoons in the world. We call it Lake of the Ozarks to disguise the fact that many of the houses along its banks basically use it as part of their septic systems. It doesn't stink too bad....yet.

Chuck

 

[MarkV]

As far as I know lagoons are not allowed in our area yet I am still interested in how they work. Is there more to it than digging a hole and sending the house hold waste down a pipe? Do you fill a new lagoon with water before it is put into service? What if any yearly maintenance is involved?

MarkV

 

[shaley]

I made this up... but it sounds pretty convincing.
A lagoon septic system is a type of alternative septic system. Lagoon septic systems consist of one or more lagoons/ponds designed to receive, hold and treat wastewater.

Advantages
Lagoon septic systems can be very cost effective, particularly in rural areas where the cost of land is low.
They can handle intermittent and very large, sudden loads better than most other types of system, making them ideal for seasonal places such as campgrounds & resorts.
They are normally fairly simple to operate and maintain
They are very effective at treating wastewater

Disadvantages
Lagoon septic systems require more land than other systems
They don't work as well in cold climates
Odors can be a problem, particularly at certain times of the year or if not properly maintained
Some wastewater requires additional treatment to meet local regulations

Types of Lagoon Septic Systems
The most common types of lagoon septic systems are:
Aerobic Lagoons
Aerobic lagoons tend to be shallower than other types of lagoons, allowing air and sunlight access to more of the wastewater (and increasing its oxygen content).

Anaerobic Lagoons
Anaerobic lagoons are deeper, allowing the solids to separate as they would in a traditional septic tank.

Aerated Lagoons
Aerated lagoons utilize a system which actively mixes oxygen into the wastewater.

Facultative Lagoons
Facultative lagoons are the most common type of lagoon system in use today. They contain 3 layers: the aerobic zone, the facultative zone, and the anaerobic zone. Treatment occurs in all three layers. The top layer is called the aerobic zone, which contains the majority of the oxygen. The aerobic zone also serves as a barrier, which prevents the gases from the lower layers from escaping into the air. The anaerobic zone, or bottom layer, contains bacteria and other organisms which thrive in an anaerobic (oxygen-free) environment.

 

[MarkV]

Shaley you made that up very well. So I assume that with different types of lagoon systems they need to be designed and approved for a given location like a conventional septic system in my area.

Thanks,
MarkV

 

[shaley]

Basically , the only place I see lagoons permitted is in arid areas with a long history of low rainfall. We get way too much water in the East for lagoons. Also, I think Mid Atlantic soil is very conducive to in ground treatment.

 

[Toiyabe]

I made this up... but it sounds pretty convincing..

That is copied from Lagoon Septic System.

The University of Missouri Extension has some more helpfull information at
WQ402 Residential Sewage Lagoon Systems: A Homeowner's Guide to Installation and Maintenance, MU Extension

 

[shaley]

No. No. That guy and I just think alike. I still claim mine is totally fictitious and made up. Sir, I have upstanding credentials, I am a licensed fisherman.

 

[Grrrr]

I know nothing about lagoons, nor do I want to but at our old house our neighbours had an old septic tank that was broken. It used to flow everywhere and pool at the bottom of a field. That was about 3/4 of a mile away. It stank like **** at our house in the summer when it was breezy. I would never want a pond full of toilet waste anywhere near my house