 |
InspectAPedia® |
InspectAPedia
|
Free Encyclopedia of Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair | Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia |
 Mobile ViewSEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR SEPTIC SYSTEM BASICS Septic Guide for Home Buyers or Owners Septic or Sewer Connection? Septic System Design Septic System Designs Master List Septic Inspection Testing Septic Maintenance Repair Septic Component & Product Suppliers Septic Videos ADDITIVES / TREATMENTS for SEPTIC SYSTEMS AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEMS ALTERNATING BED SEPTIC SYSTEMS BACKUP PREVENTION, SEPTIC BACKUP PREVENTION, SEWER LINE BACKWATER VALVES, SEWER LINE BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS BOOKS, RECOMMENDED SEPTIC BOOKSTORE, SEPTIC SYSTEMS CESSPOOLS CESSPOOL SAFETY WARNINGS CHECK VALVES, WATER SUPPLY CHEMICALS & TREATMENTS for SEPTICS CHLORAMINE / CHLORINE Tests CHLORINE IN DRINKING WATER CHLORINE IN SEPTIC WASTEWATER CISTERNS CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR D BOX TROUBLESHOOTING DEFINITIONS OF SEPTIC SYSTEM TERMS DIFFICULT SEPTIC SITES DRAINFIELD FAILURE DIAGNOSIS DRIVING or PARKING OVER SEPTIC DRYWELL DESIGN & USES EFFLUENT RETENTION TIME FILTERS SEPTIC & GREYWATER FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP FLOODED SEPTIC SYSTEMS, REPAIR GARBAGE DISPOSAL vs SEPTICS GRAVELLESS SEPTIC SYSTEMS GRAVITY/SIPHON DOSING SYSTEMS GREYWATER SYSTEMS HOME BUYERS GUIDE to SEPTIC SYSTEMS HOME SELLERS GUIDE TO SEPTIC INSPECT LAGOON SEPTIC SYSTEMS LEACHFIELD FAILURE DIAGNOSIS MEDIA FILTER SEPTIC SYSTEMS MOUND SEPTIC SYSTEMS NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE ODOR DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST ODORLESS CHEMICALS / GASES: CHECK FOR? ODORS, PLUMBING SYSTEM ODORS, SEPTIC or SEWER ODORS, SULPHUR SMELL SOURCES OUTHOUSES & LATRINES PLANTS & TREES OVER SEPTIC SYSTEMS PRESSURE DOSING SEPTIC SYSTEMS RAISED BED SEPTIC SYSTEMS SAND BED SEPTIC SYSTEMS SEEPAGE PITS SEPTIC & CESSPOOL SAFETY SEPTIC AUTHORITIES, DESIGN REGS SEPTIC BACKUP PREVENTION SEPTIC BACKUP REPAIR SEPTIC BOOK, FREE ONLINE SEPTIC BOOKSTORE SEPTIC BIOMATS SEPTIC CARE INSTRUCTIONS SEPTIC CLEARANCE DISTANCES SEPTIC CODES & REFERENCES SEPTIC CONSULTANTS SEPTIC D-BOX INSPECTION SEPTIC DRAINFIELD FAILURE DIAGNOSIS SEPTIC DRAINFIELD INSPECTION & TEST SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LIFE SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LOCATION SEPTIC DRAINFIELD RESTORERS? SEPTIC DRAINFIELD SIZE SEPTIC DRAINFIELD SHAPE SEPTIC DRAWINGS SEPTIC DYE TEST PROCEDURE SEPTIC FAILURE LAWSUIT SEPTIC FAILURE SIGNS SEPTIC FIELD INSPECTION SEPTIC FILTERS SEPTIC FLOOD RESPONSE SEPTIC HOLDING TANKS SEPTIC INSPECTION & TEST GUIDE SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION CLASS SEPTIC LIFE EXPECTANCY SEPTIC LIFE MAXIMIZING STEPS SEPTIC METHANE GAS SEPTIC ODORS SEPTIC PUMPS SEPTIC PUMPING REPAIR SEPTIC REFERENCES SEPTIC & CESSPOOL SAFETY SEPTIC SUPPLIES & PARTS SEPTIC SYSTEM DEFINITIONS SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN ALTERNATIVES Master List of Septic System Types ALTERNATIVE SEPTIC DESIGNERS ALTERNATIVE SEPTIC PRODUCTS AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEMS ALTERNATING BED SEPTIC SYSTEMS BIOGAS PRODUCTION & USE CESSPOOLS DISINFECTION SYSTEMS, SEPTIC EFFLUENT DRYWELL DESIGN & USES EVAPORATION-TRANSPIRATION SEPTIC SYSTEMS FILTERS SEPTIC & GREYWATER FIXED-FILM PROCESS SEPTIC SYSTEMS GRAVELLESS SEPTIC SYSTEMS GRAVITY/SIPHON DOSING SYSTEMS GREYWATER SYSTEMS HOLDING TANK SEPTIC SYSTEMS LAGOON SEPTIC SYSTEMS MEDIA FILTER SEPTIC SYSTEMS MOUND SEPTIC SYSTEMS What is a Septic Mound When are Septic Mounds Needed Septic Mound Problems Trees over Septic Mounds Septic Mound Costs Mound Septic Codes Mound Septic System Design Septic Mound Soil Tests Mound Septic Construction Septic Mound Site Smoothing OUTHOUSES & LATRINES PEAT FILTER SEPTICS PRESSURE DOSING SEPTIC SYSTEMS RAISED BED SEPTIC SYSTEMS SAND BED SEPTIC SYSTEMS SEEPAGE PITS SEPTIC SYSTEM PUMPS SEQUENCING BATCH SEPTIC SYSTEMS SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEMS STEEP SLOPE SEPTIC DESIGNS TOILET ALTERNATIVES TOILET TYPES Toilet Types, Flush Methods TOILETS, DON'T FLUSH LIST TRAPS on PLUMBING FIXTURES VEGETATED SUBMERGED SEPTIC BEDS Wastewater Treatment Levels Wastewater Dispersal Methods WETLAND SEPTIC SYSTEMS SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN BASICS DRYWELL DESIGN & USES FILTERS SEPTIC & GREYWATER SEEPAGE PITS SEPTIC CLEARANCES SEPTIC SOIL & PERC TESTS SEPTIC TANK SIZE SEPTIC TANK DEPTH SEPTIC TANK TEES SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LOCATION SEPTIC DRAINFIELD SIZE SEPTIC DRAINFIELD SHAPE SEPTIC TANK PUMPING FREQUENCY SEPTIC TANK PUMPING PROCEDURE SEPTIC SYSTEM PUMPS SEPTIC TREATMENTS & CHEMICALS STEEP SLOPE SEPTIC DESIGNS SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN MANUAL - Online SEPTIC DRAINFIELD FAILURE DIAGNOSIS SEPTIC DRAINFIELD INSPECTION & TEST SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LIFE SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LOCATION SEPTIC DRAINFIELD RESTORERS? SEPTIC DRAINFIELD SIZE SEPTIC DRAINFIELD SHAPE SEPTIC DRAWINGS SEPTIC DYE TEST PROCEDURE SEPTIC FAILURE LAWSUIT SEPTIC FAILURE SIGNS SEPTIC FIELD INSPECTION SEPTIC FILTERS SEPTIC FLOOD RESPONSE SEPTIC HOLDING TANKS SEPTIC INSPECTION & TEST GUIDE SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION CLASS SEPTIC LIFE EXPECTANCY SEPTIC LIFE MAXIMIZING STEPS SEPTIC METHANE GAS SEPTIC ODORS SEPTIC PUMPS SEPTIC PUMPING REPAIR SEPTIC REFERENCES SEPTIC & CESSPOOL SAFETY SEPTIC SUPPLIES & PARTS SEPTIC SYSTEM, HOME BUYERS GUIDE SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION & TEST GUIDE SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION CLASS SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION LEVELS SEPTIC SYSTEM ODORS SEPTIC SYSTEM SAFETY WARNINGS SEPTIC SYSTEM TYPES, MASTER LIST SEPTIC TANKS SEPTIC TANK BAFFLES SEPTIC TANK COVERS SEPTIC TANK, HOW TO FIND SEPTIC TANK GRASS or SNOWMELT SEPTIC TANK, HOME BUYERS GUIDE SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE SEPTIC TANK LEAKS SEPTIC TANK LEVELS of SEWAGE SEPTIC TANK PUMPING PROCEDURE SEPTIC TANK PUMPING REASONS SEPTIC TANK PUMPING SCHEDULE SEPTIC TANK SAFETY SEPTIC TANK SIZE SEPTIC TANK TEES SEPTIC TESTS: DYE & LOADING TESTS SEPTIC TREATMENTS & CHEMICALS SEPTIC VIDEOS SEWAGE & SEPTIC CONTAMINANTS SEWAGE BACKUP, WHAT TO DO SEWAGE BACKUP TEST & CLEANUP SEWAGE BACKUP PREVENTION SEWAGE CONTAMINATION in buildings SEWAGE CONTAMINANTS in FRUIT / VEGETABLES SEWAGE EJECTOR / GRINDER PUMPS SEWAGE LEVELS in SEPTIC TANKS SEWAGE NITROGEN CONTAMINANTS SEWAGE PATHOGENS in SEPTIC SLUDGE SEWAGE PUMPS SEWER BACKUP PREVENTION SEWER GAS ODORS SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT SINKHOLES, WARNING SIGNS SMELL PATCH TEST to Track Down Odors SOAKAWAY BED FAILURE DIAGNOSIS SULPHUR & SEWER GAS SMELL SOURCES SUMP PUMPS TOILETS, INSPECT, INSTALL, REPAIR TOILET ALTERNATIVES TOILET FLUSHOMETER VALVES TOILET INSTALLATION PROCEDURE TOILET OVERFLOW EMERGENCY TOILET PLUGS, SEWER BACKUP TOILET REPAIR GUIDE TOILET TYPES Toilet Types, Flush Methods TOILETS, DON'T FLUSH LIST TRAPS on PLUMBING FIXTURES TREATMENTS & CHEMICALS, SEPTIC VIDEO GUIDES: Septic Videos WASHING MACHINES & SEPTIC SYSTEMS WATER SOFTENERS & CONDITIONERS WATER SUPPLY & DRAIN PIPING CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR WASTEWATER TREATMENT BASICS WATER, WELLS, WATER TANKS: TESTING GUIDE WATER PURIFIERS WATER QUALITY TESTS, CONTAMINANTS, TREATMENT WATER QUANTITY IMPROVEMENT WATER QUANTITY USAGE GUIDE WATER, WELLS, WATER TANKS: TESTING GUIDE WETLAND SEPTIC SYSTEMS WINTERIZE A BUILDING More Information |
This document discusses the use of septic mound systems as an alternative septic system design. A septic mound is an engineered system involving fill to create a soil absorption system for the disposal of septic effluent. Septic mound systems are used where local soils are not suitable for effluent disposal. In the sketch shown here, effluent is discharged to the septic mound by a pumping chamber. (Source: US EPA) Alternatively a septic mound, if suitably located, may be supplied effluent by gravity feed. Citation of this article by reference to this website and brief quotation for the sole purpose of review are permitted. Use of this information at other websites, in books or pamphlets for sale is reserved to the author. Technical review by industry experts has been performed and is ongoing - reviewers welcomed and are listed at References. © Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website. What is a Septic Mound System?Mound Septic Systems are a wastewater absorption trench system which has been constructed using "suitable soil-fill material" which has been placed on top of the natural soil on a building lot. Mound systems are often confused with "raised septic bed systems" but have different design requirements, are generally smaller in total size, and depend on the fill material for successful wastewater treatment. Raised bed septic systems are constructed in fill over soil which can accept septic effluent below the fill. Mound septic systems are constructed in fill over soil which does not acceptably treat septic effluent below the fill - all of treatment occurs in the mound. Other requirements differ as well, as described, for example, in the New York standard for mound systems Appendix 75-A.9 reproduced below. When are Septic Mound Systems Needed?Site conditions such as sandy (permeable) soil with high groundwater levels, soils with poor percolation rate, and very rocky sites preclude installation of a conventional septic leach field as they lack adequate depth of proper soil in which effluent treatment could occur. For these conditions, additional fill is brought to the site and installed in an area and depth sufficient that all of the effluent treatment occurs in the mound. Effluent may enter the mound by gravity if site slopes permit, or effluent may have to be pumped up into the mound from a pumping station. In this latter case the pumping station would usually be in a second septic tank which receives clarified effluent from the primary tank. Mound systems were developed by the North Dakota Agricultural College in the 1940's [Kahn, Allen, Jones cited at "More Information" below] with further studies of effective mound designs in the 1970's. Common Septic Mound System ProblemsSeptic Mound Design ErrorsInspecting mound systems in New York State I have often seen improperly constructed mounds including efforts by the builder to save on fill cost by using the "mound" as a place to first pile up all of the trees and tree stumps which needed to be cleared from the site, covering this mess with a too-thin layer of fill soil in which the septic absorption trenches are installed. The result is a mound system with a short life. If you see trees poking out from the perimeter of your mound further investigation may be in order. Also watch for effluent breakout around the bottom edges of the mound. Improper mound siting is found at some properties where the builder fails to consider site runoff or natural groundwater paths. One mound system was constructed using too little fill and placed over what had been a stream bed. My septic dye test very quickly produced red-dyed effluent at the low end of the mound where a seasonal stream continued to run under the mound in wet weather. Placing a mound septic system on a steep slope, over a stream bed, over a natural drainage swale (photo of this defect), specifying an under-sized mound for the anticipated usage level, and poorly installed piping which does not slope properly or which becomes disconnected, and finally, use of improper soil which lacks the proper percolation rate all result in a costly installation with a too-short life. What Will Cause Septic Mound or other Drain Field DamageTraffic: As with any septic absorption system, heavy traffic over the mound can compress soil or break pipes, rendering the system inoperative and requiring costly repairs. At a recent inspection I found that the septic mound had been placed over a roadway connecting two properties owned by the same family. Family members continued to drive back and forth between homes right over the septic mound. Its future life was rather doubtful. Driving vehicles over the septic mound or other drainfield, even for a single project such as construction of a nearby structure or performing other site work, is likely to damage the system and lead to need for costly repairs. Kahn et als. also advise keeping grazing animals, horses, cows, etc. off of mound systems. Structures, Paving, Patios: Covering a septic mound, such as by installation of paving, a patio, or weed-blocking solid plastic, will damage the mound and prevent proper operation by blocking both oxygen intake into the soil and also evaporation of effluent from the soil top. Blocking or sealing the ground surface will be a problem over just about any septic effluent absorption field. Don't build anything over a septic mound, no building, no fish pond, no patio, no tennis court, no parking area, no playground (compacts the soil). Quick Guide to Planting Trees, Shrubs, and Ground Cover over Septic Mound SystemsGrasses, weeds, flower are OK: Many people have written to ask me what can be planted over a septic field. The best answer is grass or native grasses and weeds. Flowers are ok so long as they are not varieties which send down deep roots. Basically, any shallow-rooting planting will be ok over the surface of a septic mound or over most other septic drainfields. Stay away from trees or shrubs which are likely to put down deep roots. The roots will quickly invade and clog the buried effluent lines and may also cause them to move, break, or become disconnected. Some experts (Kahn, Allen, Jones) also point out that if you're planting on the edges and lower toe of a septic mound, those plants need to be able to tolerate the higher moisture levels found in those parts of the mound system. Trees are not OK: Kahn, Allen, Jones (book cited below) that trees such as bamboo, willow, eucalyptus, cypress, Monterey pine, pepper, and walnut have particularly aggressive and deep roots. Keep such trees at least 100 feet from the septic field. Ivy, Pachysandra, Similar Ground Covers are not OK: because these plants will reduce effluent evaporation from the mound soils and because their roots often invade and clog effluent distribution piping. Septic Mound System Installation CostsIn New York State a septic mound over rocky soil may cost double a conventional leach field even where a pumping station is not required. (Perhaps $15,000 to $20,000). Septic mounds require a larger area than leach fields in good soil. If a pump station is required, some additional monitoring and maintenance is required, and of course if there is no electric power to run the pump, the size of the effluent holding tank will determine how many days of system operation are available in event of a power failure. The following detailed specification for installation of a septic mound system is from: New York Appendix 75-A.9 Alternative Septic System Designs section 9.c Mound Septic Systems Section 75-A.9 Alternative Septic Systems - © Mound Septic Systems Design CriteriaTitle: Appendix 75-A.9 - Alternative Septic Systems [Regulation and System Design Criteria for Raised Septic Systems,
Septic Mound Systems, Intermittent Sand Filter Bed Systems, Evaporation-Transpiration Septic Systems,
Evaporation-Transpiration Absorption Septic Systems, and Other Alternative Septic Systems] (1) General - Mound Septic SystemsA mound septic system (or septic mound system) is a soil absorption system that is elevated above the natural soil surface in a suitable fill material. It is a variation of the raised bed utilizing sandy fill material but not requiring a stabilization period prior to the construction of the absorption area. On sites with permeable soils of insufficient depth to groundwater or creviced or porous bedrock, the fill material in the mound provides the necessary treatment of wastewater. The overall size of the mound system will normally be substantially smaller than a raised bed. [DF: Note: while they are similar in design "mound septic systems" discussed here are not identical to "raised septic systems" discussed at Raised Septics which have different site requirements.] (2) Site Requirements for Mound Septic SystemsA mound system may be used where all the following conditions are found: (i) The maximum high groundwater level must be at least one foot below the original ground surface. (ii) Bedrock shall be at least two feet below the natural ground surface. (iii) The percolation rate of the naturally occurring soil shall be faster than 120 minutes/inch. (iv) The natural ground slopes shall not exceed 12%. (v) All minimum horizontal separation distances can be maintained as described in Table 2. (3) Design Criteria for Mound Septic Systems(i) The designer shall consult with the health unit having jurisdiction regarding the method for detailing the hydraulic design. (ii) The basal area of a mound system is defined differently than a raised bed. The basal area for a system on level ground includes all the area beneath the absorption trenches or bed and the area under the tapers. Example Septic Mound Specifications & Site Limitations - Ohio OSU Fact Sheet Recommendations
* Table 1. is derived from Septic Tank - Mound System, AEX-744, Karen Mancl, the Ohio State University Extgension Fact Sheet. We will add data to this table with examples of other septic mound system design specifications from other suggested sources. CONTACT us with suggestions. Guide to Septic mound design notes for steep sloped sitesOn a sloping site, the basal area includes only the area under the absorption trenches/bed and the lower or downhill taper. The basal area is designed upon the percolation of the naturally occurring soil. [Also see (iv) below for more steep slope design notes.] Guide to Septic mound design notes for soils with too-fast percolation ratesWhere the percolation rate is 60 min/in or faster, refer to Table 4B. For soils of 61 to 120 min/in, a rate of 0.2 gpd/sq. ft. shall be used for determining the minimum basal area required. How soil percolation rates are tested for septic mound systems(iii) Percolation tests for the [mound system] fill material shall be conducted at the borrow pit. Only soils with a percolation rate between five and 30 minutes per inch shall be used for the fill material. Sands with greater than 10% by weight finer than 0.05 mm material must be avoided. At least 25% of the material by weight shall be in the range of 0.50 mm to 2.0 mm. Less than 15% of the material by weight shall be larger than a half-inch sieve. A sieve analysis may be necessary to verify this requirement. The required absorption area is based upon the percolation rate of the fill material as determined from Table 4B. (iv) The [septic mound] system [effluent piping] shall be designed to run parallel with the contours of the site. The width of the system (up and down the slope) shall be kept to a minimum, but in no case shall the absorption area be wider than 20 feet. In a distribution network using a center pressure manifold, distribution lines shall have a maximum total length of 200 feet. In a network septic system mound drainage bed using an end manifold, distribution lines shall have a maximum length of 100 feet. (v) [Septic] Mound dimensions shall meet or exceed those required by the health unit having jurisdiction. (vi) A [septic effluent] pressure distribution network shall be required. (vii) A dual chamber septic tank or two tanks in series in addition to the dosing tank shall be provided [for network septic mound drainage bed or soakaway bed systems] A gas baffle or other outlet modification that enhances solids retention is recommended [for septic mound pressure distribution systems] (4) Construction Procedures for Mound Septic Systems(i) Heavy construction equipment shall not be allowed within the basal area and area downslope of the system which will act as the dispersal area for the mound. (ii) The vegetation shall not be scraped away, roto-tilled, or compacted. Excess vegetation shall be removed with trees cut at the ground surface but stumps left in place. The area shall be plowed to a depth of seven or eight inches with a double bottomed blade/furrow plow and the furrow turned upslope. (iii) The fill material is placed from the upslope side of the system to the full depth required in the design and shall extend to the edge of the basal area at a slope not to exceed one vertical to three horizontal. (iv) The absorption area is then formed within the mound. A minimum of six inches of aggregate shall be placed beneath the distribution lines. (v) The pressure distribution lines are placed parallel to the contours of the slope and a minimum of two inches of aggregate is placed above the lines. (vi) A permeable geotextile is placed over the entire absorption area to prevent the infiltration of fines into the aggregate. (vii) On sloping sites a diversion ditch or curtain drain shall be installed uphill to prevent surface water runoff from reaching the absorption area. Curtain drains or intercept drains can protect septic drainfields in areas of wet soils or surface and subsurface groundwater (viii) A minimum of six inches of finer materials such as clayey loam is placed over the top of the absorption area, and the entire mound including the tapers is then covered with six inches of top soil and seeded to grass. Site Work: Integrating a Septic Mound Design onto an Existing Site: Getting Rid of the "Mound"Question: How do I Get Rid of the Unsightly Mound in my Yard?I built my home on low property which used to hold water. I had to have a mound system built per the local health department. My question is now that I have this beautiful home, how can I get rid of the unsightly mound in my backyard? Are there any alternatives to the mound system? - Tim Murray Answer: Bring in FillThere are many design alternative to septic mound systems, such as installing other advanced wastewater treatment systems, evaporation transpiration systems, and others. But these are costly and don't make sense if you already have a properly functioning, recently installed septic mound system. In general, a "septic mound" is a raised septic bed intended to get septic effluent processing and disposal high enough above the local water table that you are not contaminating the environment. In most septic mound designs nothing precludes bringing in still more fill so that the "mound" is more gracefully integrated into the rest of the site by adding fill around the mound perimeter, making the "mound" into a more gently sloped terrain feature. Watch out: if you decide to add tons more soil to beautify the site around the mound, do not under any circumstances let the equipment operators drive over the septic mound, or it will almost certainly be destroyed. Also, don't add more soil on top of the mound - you may interfere with its proper operation. Finally, while improving the contours of your home site, be sure that you make the final site grading design one that directs surface runoff and subsurface runoff away from the septic mound area. Directing groundwater onto the septic mound will prevent it from working and shorten its life. Questions & Answers regarding this article. Ask a Question or Search InspectAPediaHTML Comment Box is loading comments...
Recommend / Share this Article
... Technical Reviewers & References
Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website. SEPTIC SYSTEM DEFINITIONS
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Design Manuals for Septic Systems
Onsite Wastewater Disposal Books
| |||||||||||||||||
