Septic System - Infiltrator System

[dfkrug]

I'm not convinced that a gravity fed infiltrator system is any better than a standard 4" perf pipe distribution system and actually may not be as good. At least with 4" perf pipe the effluent discharges - basically- down the entire run of the pipe.

Wow, do you have any evidence?

Now that chambers like Infiltrator have been around for 30y or so, there is a lot of evidence to the contrary. Our
adjacent county prefers them now, as well as the whole state of Oregon, from what I have read.

My own county gave me special permission to install the first new Infiltrator pump-up system here, back
in 1997. It has worked well, with 4 leach lines 6' deep on a 40% slope.

Now the county recommends them.

 

[oosik]

dfkrug -

No, I actually have no evidence and could be completely "wet" in my opinion. Its just with all my years of experience I've seen so many new "magic" solutions not prove out over the long haul. So often the state or local health authority will be conned by the manufacturer by claims that simply are not true. Many agencies do not have the time nor funding to fully test new solutions and go with what the manufacturer claims.

I guess I'm just "old school" and should make room for new technology.

Another thing that is upsetting - most homeowners completely forget about the septic system once its covered. New technology requires routine monitoring, testing and maintenance.
What do you think will happen when a new state of the art septic system is installed in a homeowners back yard and he completely forgets the system once its covered.

 

[Pettrix]

I'm somewhat surprised at you Pettrix. In all my years of design/inspection/maintenance of on-site sewage disposal systems - I could count on my two hands the number of people who took such an interest in the installation of their system. This is a good thing. With your knowledge and interest - your system has a good chance to outlive you. There is no reason that a properly designed, installed & maintained system can't function properly for at least 100 years.

Thanks

I am a very belt & suspender approach type of person when it comes to these things. I have seen some pretty shoddy trade work in house construction, vehicle repair, etc. so I question everything and try to gain as much knowledge as I can before approaching the issue, design or repair.

I work hard for my money and when I spend it and give it to installers/tradesmen, I want to make sure they are doing it correctly.

Most people wouldn't even ask any questions with a septic system install but years later when the system fails or has problems, that is when it is too late to question the install methodology.

 

[TomSeller]

. Have a proper map and pics. of the system and you'll know where everything is if it's ever necessary to work in the area or have a repair.

Having moved recently I don't have anything but a crude sketch of my leach lines. And that sketch references trees that were there 30 years ago, but not today. The previous owners did not know anything since they bought the house as well. The good news is the lines seem effective and trouble free but I know how all good things must end. The system is pumped uphill to the leach lines. Is there technology to locate the lines?

 

[oosik]

"Is there technology to locate the lines" I would check with the Public Works Dept in your area or the local Health Dept. One or the other may know a company, locally, that has the necessary equipment. I also thought of the power or telephone companies but their equipment might only find metal wires.

For that matter - the local Health Dept may have a more accurate diagram of your drain field.

 

[Pettrix]

Is it OK to go with an 90 feet in length for each Infiltrator leach field line?

• 4 Infiltrator leach lines - 90 feet each
• Inspection ports on each end of leach field
• Concrete D-Box
• 2,000 GAL concrete tank with 4" compacted ABC and 2 green risers for each side of the tank
• Effluent Filter in tank at 2nd chamber exit line
• Geotextile on top of Infiltrator chambers before back filling with native soil
• 24" - 36" of native topsoil on top of chambers

One option is to go with a 2,500 GAL tank for another $700 more. Not needed but was given as option.

 

[oosik]

Pettrix,

The 90 foot length of each of four lines is fine. However, that specific amount of leach lines is not a feature that is established by mutual agreement between tractor owners. It must be what is required by local health codes. The local codes are based upon maximum expected daily effluent produced, soil conditions and to a degree - the type of disposal system that will be used. What local codes require - for sizing of the septic tank & drain field, are minimum requirements. Of course, you can increase both minimums - as long as you remain within normal design parameters.

Every jurisdiction has their own set of minimums for the design of on-site treatment/disposal systems - but, in general, they all follow the National Assoc. of Sanitarians field design handbook. The specs you have listed will be a fairly large treatment/disposal system - at least, for a single family dwelling.

 

[Billrog]

The tank size is based on water use calculated by the size of home and no. of bedrooms so you have a min. of 3 day retention in the tank. For example a home up to 1,885 sq, ft. and 3 bedrooms would require a 1,200 gal. tank for a min. design flow rate of 300 gal. per day. I was installing lines up to 90 but now here interior health would like us to to stay at 60' ft. length and add more runs to to accommodate the soil conditions.

 

[Pettrix]

Pettrix,

The 90 foot length of each of four lines is fine. However, that specific amount of leach lines is not a feature that is established by mutual agreement between tractor owners. It must be what is required by local health codes. The local codes are based upon maximum expected daily effluent produced, soil conditions and to a degree - the type of disposal system that will be used. What local codes require - for sizing of the septic tank & drain field, are minimum requirements. Of course, you can increase both minimums - as long as you remain within normal design parameters.

Every jurisdiction has their own set of minimums for the design of on-site treatment/disposal systems - but, in general, they all follow the National Assoc. of Sanitarians field design handbook. The specs you have listed will be a fairly large treatment/disposal system - at least, for a single family dwelling.

It's all been reviewed and OK'd by the local environmental county department.

 

[dfkrug]

No, I actually have no evidence and could be completely "wet" in my opinion. Its just with all my years of experience I've seen so many new "magic" solutions not prove out over the long haul. So often the state or local health authority will be conned by the manufacturer by claims that simply are not true. Many agencies do not have the time nor funding to fully test new solutions and go with what the manufacturer claims.

Nothing wrong with some healthy skepticism, OOSIK. Experience from those who work in the field is quite
valuable, along with data acquired from studies performed by those with nothing to gain either way.

I like to see evidence and data, and I looked into this in depth back in the 90s. In our county, the main
resistance by the Health Dept. was that using modern sewage systems might allow smaller drainfields,
which would allow some parcels to become developable. The anti-development efforts here are very
strong.

So, my own system uses four 75-ft leach lines, just as a conventional system would have. It takes
up about a half acre, and I had to purchase the adjacent 9 acre parcel to add to my original 10 acres.

You are surely right that most homeowners forget about what's underground. Until they have a problem
and can't ignore it.