leech field

[Highbeam]

The anaerobic decomposition takes place in the septic tank and the aerobic decomposition takes place within the soil matrix as the effluent soaks into the ground.

The septic tank also provides the primary treatment in that it allows residence time for the sludge to sink and the scum to rise.

DKinWA, I though about my above comment about you being a designer and what I was getting at is that you and I could get some work done together if we were both looking for more.

 

[HomeBrew2]

THANKS for the link! I too spent time yesterday trying to find support docs. I think I remember the EPA guide from some years ago but couldn't find it. For those that would like a PDF here's a link to the directory that you can download chapters, etc of the multi-MB doc: PDF file directory
Cheers!

 

[HomeBrew2]

Oh, this seems to be the complete doc ... 20MB download

 

[HomeBrew2]

Cool!, got it downloaded ... 1.5 hours on dialup ... I'm single and don't answer the phone anyway so who cares /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I browsed Ch. 4 and read Sec. 4.4. I found other sections in Ch. 4, mostly regarding interface with the ground water, to give references and be specific as to consequences if certain guidelines were not followed. In Sec. 4.4, I found only the word "should", with no references, applied to the maximum cover. Sec. 4.4[.0] indicates "<2'" of cover "should be used; Sec. 4.4.3 indicates "3' to 4'" "should" be the maxium cover. Again, no scientific references are cited, however, soil conditions are cited as a variable.
Just curious ... are the above references worthy of advising someone that he may be endangering the health of himself or his neighbors by adding some fill over a portion of his leach field to add to his lawn area, which is a preferred, oxygen enhancing, use above a leach field.
Again, thanks for the link to the document. I certainly appreciate having it in my library. Cheers!

 

[8561]

Guys - I'm not qualified and am not trying to say what will and won't work. What I can tell you is they exist, and I can certainly tell you that the septic system inspection process around here is exhaustive to say the least. I know first hand how difficult they can be inspecting residential systems, I can only assume they are tougher in a commercial application. I've built a couple of houses and my father has done several more so I have seen the pre-approvals, and the interim and final inspections our state completes. Beyond that, I don't know what to tell you.

I am curious about the well comment. If a well is constructed so that the steel well casing is pounded and sealed into bedrock (in my case about 65 feet down), how can septic effluent, filtered that far down, damage my well. That in combination with the fact that a well has a radius around it of 75' into which the septic system cannot be constructed, it seems unlikely anything of this nature would adversely impact a well. I'm not picking a fight, I just don't understand (honest question).

 

[Egon]

Your well draws water from an aquifer. This aquifer is recharged from surface water. Some one many miles away can affect your water quality just given time.

Egon

 

[Egon]

10

Anerobic = no oxygen

areobic = oxygen

Each section of the septic system uses a different system.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[DKinWA]

I'm looking to quit my day job and go full time with the dirt work, but I'm going to wait till we finish our house. With a little luck, I hope to be in it by April of 06'. Once that's done, I'll definitely be looking for more work and tag teaming some projects might work quite well. There's so much development going on in your area it's unbelievable. I was in your neck of the woods a few months ago and even Orting is growing like crazy!

Here's one more link you might find interesting WOSSA

 

[8561]

And this is all made good if the leach field is close enough to the surface so as to allow some breathing?

I was under the impression that the sand in the field as well as the earth the water passes through act a filtering device as it heads for the aquifer. How does adding some access to air near the surface change the make-up of this material? It would seem like 10 inches of sand cover and 6 or 8 inches of topsoil would severely limit the air access to or from the field. Mine has no "candy cane" breathing pipe by design.

 

[DKinWA]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ... 1.5 hours on dialup ... )</font> Ouch!!

Here's another site with some good information Washington Dept. of Health
I'll try to find some of the scientific literature you're after, but I probably won't have time till this weekend. I'm a biologist first and contractor second, and I know I've got some of the info you're after somewhere /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif