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Septic components located in a flood zone (C) Daniel FriedmanFlood-Damage Resistant Septic Systems Design
Design recommendations & products for septic tanks, pumps, soakbeds or drainfields located in flood zones

Septic system designs for flood zones:

This article includes suggestions for septic tanks, pumps, electrical components, and absorption systems, soakbeds, or leachfields located in areas prone to flooding.

Research on flood-resistant septic systems, septic system impact on flood zone contamination, and effects of rising tide levels and water tables on future decentralized septic system operation, design, and maintenance or repair.

Page top photo: flooding along Wappingers Creek in New York - an area where septic soakbeds or drainfields and some septic tanks are located in a flood-prone zone.

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- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?

Suggestions for Designing a Flood-zone Damage Resistant Septic System

Septic distribution box inspection - US EPAThe following suggestions are adapted and paraphrased from similar recommendations offered by Water Technology Engineering Ltd., a U.K. firm cited below.

  1. Above-ground septic treatment tank: If a site is at risk of flooding and becoming water logged the septic tank must be above ground.

    Below ground septic tanks: should not be used in areas that are likely to be flooded because the tank will be submerged in floodwaters both adding to area contamination and precluding acceptance of building sewage.
  2. Pumped wastewater input: recognizing that the main sewer line of most existing buildings will exit below ground, the aboveground sewage treatment system must be designed to accept pumped wastewater from a lift pump or sewage ejector pump.

    Design features include both adequate strength and a treatment design that is not impacted by the turbulence associated with pumped wastewater.
  3. Electrical equipment protection: air blowers, aerators, or other equipment not designed for submersion must be located where they will be above floodwater level.

    [Note: in times of area flooding or other natural disasters it is likely that electrical power will be lost for a time. In that circumstance flooded area septic systems that do not include a gravity-drained wastewater acceptance system above flood level will thus not be functional.- Ed.]
  4. Above-ground sewage effluent disposal: for sites likely to be flooded or where the groundwater level will rise too close to the bottom of a conventional effluent disposal system such as a soakbed or drainfield, an above-ground mound system or raised-bed septic system should be used.
  5. Additional wastewater disinfection: may be required for systems that will discharge effluent to the environment during flooding. Examples are UV disinfection or chlorine injection systems.
  6. Code compliance: amendment or replacement of septic systems requires a building permit and design acceptance before beginning work in most jurisdictions around the world.

- "Sewage Solutions for Flood Risk / Waterlogged Sites", - retrieved 10/12/2014 original source: www.wte-ltd.co.uk/sewage_treatment_flood_risk.html

Flooded Septic System Repair & Damage Prevention References & Research


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Septic System Flooding Diagnosis & Repair Articles

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SEPTIC DESIGN for FLOOD DAMAGE RESISTANCE at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


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Citations & References

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