MikeNC
New member
Re:
CRJCaptain:
About the spray system... Like I mentioned before, everything about my spray system, from design, to cost, to maintainance, and permits is completely dictated by the local powers, so your experience may be alot different.
I've only lived with the system for 3 months, but here's what I know so far...
Our design is to gravity flow into a standard 3000 gal septic, then gravity flow into a 3000 gallon holding tank. That tank is alarmed and pumped to a pair of sand filters. The sand filters are made from the bottom halves of 3000 gal tanks. Then through a chlorinator and into another alarmed 3000 gallon holding tank. Then pumped out to be sprayed about once a day over a 1/2 acre spray field.
Count up that large number of tanks, pumps, alarms and labor, and you see why the cost is so high. And I looked over the design documents for our system, and it is EXTREMELY overengineered. The county is covering their behinds, and what do they care, it's my money...
These systems are relatively new, but there's probably a hundred or so installed around here. And I'm on the fringes of the suburbs, so due to lack of land, most of the remaining lots have some sort of non-conventional septic, and it appear to be becoming the most approved non-convential.
Our spray field is in a pine stand, so I need to keep the undergrowth clear, but the standing pines keep the floor covered with needles, so erosion is not a problem. We are absolutely NOT allowed to irrigate with it.
I was told by a nieghbor that the only smell can come from the sand filters, and only when the pump is running. So I had the sand filters located as far away as I could physically do it, about 300 feet from the house. I've yet to notice a smell, maybe because its so far away?
The chlorine kills any smell after that. The "approved" chlorine tablets do not last long, and are expensive also. However the inspector told me go ahead and use pool chlorine tabs, so next time I run out, I'll try that.
Our inspector wields the ultimate septic tank authority, and can make your lot worthless in a second, so play by his rules. A good conversation with the inspector and neighbors may help you out alot.
Overall, I suspect it will work out OK. Some neighbors have had them for 5 yrs or so with no problems. And after the sticker shock wears off, I'd rather have this than a poorly designed system that save a few dollars.
Mike
CRJCaptain:
About the spray system... Like I mentioned before, everything about my spray system, from design, to cost, to maintainance, and permits is completely dictated by the local powers, so your experience may be alot different.
I've only lived with the system for 3 months, but here's what I know so far...
Our design is to gravity flow into a standard 3000 gal septic, then gravity flow into a 3000 gallon holding tank. That tank is alarmed and pumped to a pair of sand filters. The sand filters are made from the bottom halves of 3000 gal tanks. Then through a chlorinator and into another alarmed 3000 gallon holding tank. Then pumped out to be sprayed about once a day over a 1/2 acre spray field.
Count up that large number of tanks, pumps, alarms and labor, and you see why the cost is so high. And I looked over the design documents for our system, and it is EXTREMELY overengineered. The county is covering their behinds, and what do they care, it's my money...
These systems are relatively new, but there's probably a hundred or so installed around here. And I'm on the fringes of the suburbs, so due to lack of land, most of the remaining lots have some sort of non-conventional septic, and it appear to be becoming the most approved non-convential.
Our spray field is in a pine stand, so I need to keep the undergrowth clear, but the standing pines keep the floor covered with needles, so erosion is not a problem. We are absolutely NOT allowed to irrigate with it.
I was told by a nieghbor that the only smell can come from the sand filters, and only when the pump is running. So I had the sand filters located as far away as I could physically do it, about 300 feet from the house. I've yet to notice a smell, maybe because its so far away?
The chlorine kills any smell after that. The "approved" chlorine tablets do not last long, and are expensive also. However the inspector told me go ahead and use pool chlorine tabs, so next time I run out, I'll try that.
Our inspector wields the ultimate septic tank authority, and can make your lot worthless in a second, so play by his rules. A good conversation with the inspector and neighbors may help you out alot.
Overall, I suspect it will work out OK. Some neighbors have had them for 5 yrs or so with no problems. And after the sticker shock wears off, I'd rather have this than a poorly designed system that save a few dollars.
Mike
