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Types of Septic Systems

The document describes 10 common types of septic systems: 1) Septic tank, 2) Conventional system, 3) Chamber system, 4) Drip distribution system, 5) Aerobic treatment unit, 6) Mound systems, 7) Recirculating sand filter system, 8) Evapotranspiration system, 9) Constructed wetland system, and 10) Cluster/community system. Each system varies in design and suitability depending on factors like soil type, lot size, and local regulations.

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81 views

Types of Septic Systems

The document describes 10 common types of septic systems: 1) Septic tank, 2) Conventional system, 3) Chamber system, 4) Drip distribution system, 5) Aerobic treatment unit, 6) Mound systems, 7) Recirculating sand filter system, 8) Evapotranspiration system, 9) Constructed wetland system, and 10) Cluster/community system. Each system varies in design and suitability depending on factors like soil type, lot size, and local regulations.

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Types of Septic Systems

Septic system design and size can vary widely, from within your neighborhood
to across the country, due to a combination of factors. These factors
include household size, soil type, site slope, lot size, proximity to sensitive water
bodies, weather conditions, or even local regulations. Below are ten of the most
common types of septic systems used. The list is not all-inclusive; there are
many other types of septic systems.

Septic Tank
A buried, watertight tank designated and constructed to receive and partially treat
raw domestic sanitary wastewater. Heavy solids settle to the bottom of the tank
while greases and lighter solids float to the top. The solids stay in the tank while
the wastewater is discharged to the drainfield for further treatment and dispersal.

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Conventional System
A decentralized wastewater treatment system consisting of a septic tank and a
trench or bed subsurface wastewater infiltration system (drainfield). A
conventional septic system is typically installed at a single-family home or small
business.

The gravel/stone drainfield is a design that has existed for decades. The name
refers to the construction of the drainfield. With this design, effluent is piped from
the septic tank to a shallow underground trench of stone or gravel. A geofabric or
similar material is then placed on top of the trench so sand, dirt, and other
contaminants do not enter the clean stone.

Effluent filters through the stone and is then further treated by microbes once it
reaches the soil below the gravel/stone trench.

Gravel/stone systems are relatively large in overall footprint and may not be
suitable for all residential sites or conditions.
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Chamber System
Gravelless drainfields have been widely used for over 30 years in many states
and have become a conventional technology replacing gravel systems. They
take many forms, including open-bottom chambers, fabric-wrapped pipe, and
synthetic materials such as expanded polystyrene media. The gravelless
systems can be manufactured with recycled materials and offer a significant
savings in carbon footprint.

An example of a gravelless system is the chamber system. The chamber system


serves as an alternative design to the gravel/stone system. The primary
advantage of the chamber system is increased ease of delivery and construction.
They are also well suited to areas with high groundwater tables, where the
volume of influent to the septic system is variable (e.g., at a vacation home or
seasonal inn), in an area where gravel is scarce, or in areas where other
technologies such as plastic chambers are readily available.

This type of system consists of a series of connected chambers. The area


around and above the chambers is filled with soil. Pipes carry wastewater from
the septic tank to the chambers. In the chambers, the wastewater comes into
contact with the soil. Microbes on or near the soil treat the effluent.
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Drip Distribution System


The drip distribution system is a type of effluent dispersal that can be used in
many types of drainfields. The main advantage of the drip distribution system is
that no large mound of soil is needed as the drip laterals are inserted into the top
6 to 12 inches of soil. The disadvantage of the drip distribution system is that it
requires a large dose tank after the septic tank to accommodate the timed dose
delivery of wastewater to the drip absorption area. Additional components, such
as electrical power, are necessary for this system, requiring an added expense
and increased maintenance.

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Aerobic Treatment Unit


Aerobic Treatment Units (ATUs) use many of the same processes as a municipal
sewage plant, but on a smaller scale. An aerobic system injects oxygen into the
treatment tank. The additional oxygen increases natural bacterial activity within
the system that then provides additional treatment for nutrients in the effluent.
Some aerobic systems may also have a pretreatment tank and a final treatment
tank including disinfection to further reduce pathogen levels.

The benefits of this system are that it can be used in homes with smaller lots,
inadequate soil conditions, in areas where the water table is too high, or for
homes close to a surface water body sensitive to contamination by nutrients
contained in wastewater effluent. Regular life-time maintenance should be
expected for ATUs.

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Mound Systems
Mound systems are an option in areas of shallow soil depth, high groundwater, or
shallow bedrock. The constructed sand mound contains a drainfield trench.
Effluent from the septic tank flows to a pump chamber where it is pumped to the
mound in prescribed doses. Treatment of the effluent occurs as it discharges to
the trench and filters through the sand, and then disperses into the native soil.

While mound systems can be a good solution for certain soil conditions, they
require a substantial amount of space and periodic maintenance.

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Recirculating Sand Filter System


Sand filter systems can be constructed above or below ground. Effluent flows
from the septic tank to a pump chamber. It is then pumped to the sand filter. The
sand filter is often PVC-lined or a concrete box filled with a sand material.
Effluent is pumped under low pressure through the pipes at the top of the filter.
The effluent leaves the pipes and is treated as it filters through the sand. The
treated wastewater is then discharged to the drainfield.

Sand filters provide a high level of treatment for nutrients and are good for sites
with high water tables or that are close to water bodies, but they are more
expensive than a conventional septic system.

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Evapotranspiration System
Evapotranspiration systems have unique drainfields. The base of the
evapotranspiration system drainfield is lined with a watertight material. After the
effluent enters the drainfield, it evaporates into the air. Unlike other septic system
designs, the effluent never filters to the soil and never reaches groundwater.

Evapotranspiration systems are only useful in specific environmental conditions.


The climate must be arid and have adequate heat and sunlight. These systems
work well in shallow soil; however, they are at risk of failure if it rains or snows
too much.

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Constructed Wetland System


A constructed wetland mimics the treatment processes that occur in natural
wetlands. Wastewater flows from the septic tank and enters the wetland cell. The
wastewater then passes through the media and is treated by microbes, plants,
and other media that remove pathogens and nutrients. The wetland cell typically
consists of an impermeable liner, and gravel and sand fill, along with the
appropriate wetland plants, which must be able to survive in a perpetually
saturated environment.

A wetland system can work via either gravity flow or pressure distribution. As
wastewater flows through the wetland, it may exit the wetland and flow into a
drainfield for further wastewater treatment into the soil.
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Cluster / Community System


A decentralized wastewater treatment system under some form of common
ownership that collects wastewater from two or more dwellings or buildings and
conveys it to a treatment and dispersal system located on a suitable site near the
dwellings or buildings. It is common to find cluster systems in places like rural
subdivisions.

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