Toilets, Composting Toilets, Biological Toilets, No-water/Low water toilets, Waterless toilets, Chemical Toilets, Incinerating Toilets and related products list
Septic Tanks - sources and types of septic tanks for new or replacement use
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Here is our Directory List of Alternative Septic System Products, for wet sites, steep sites, rocky sites, limited space, and other difficult site conditions. Readers should also see our Septic Component & Product Suppliers for basic septic system compnents like septic tanks and pumps. This chapter provides information about alternative septic system products such as aerobic septic systems, septic filters, gravelless septic systems and other products for onsite, wastewater management.
Alternative onsite wastewater disposal system products can reduce the soil absorption area or leach field size requirement
substantially and can in fact in some cases reduce the needed area to zero.
ALTERNATIVE SEPTIC PRODUCTS - Alternative Onsite Waste Disposal (Septic System) Materials & Products
Some of these alternative septic system products can produce effluent which is more sanitary than the groundwater in the
area where the effluent is being discharged. For problem sites where space or soil conditions make it difficult to install a conventional leach field these designs are very important alternatives. Qualified product or service providers may be listed at this website at no fee.
AEROBIC Septic System ATU SUPPLIERS
A list of suppliers of aerobic septic system equipment is maintained at Aerobic Treatment Unit Suppliers for a list of aerobic septic system treatment unit suppliers. Aerobic Septic Systems - Aerobic Treatment Units or ATUs are discussed in detail at AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEMS A Design Alternative for Difficult Sites
Advanced Septic Treatment Systems, Inc, Sedro Woolley, WA Tel: 360-856-0550 , email: SalesTeam-at-trd1000.com - TRD-1000 aerobic treatment system unit. Quoting: The TRD-1000 revolutionized the concept of a Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) for small flow wastewater treatment installations.
The drop-in packaged treatment plant is easily installed in less than a day and produces a quality effulent that exceeds NSF Treatment Standard 40.Certified in 1998 by NSF International to meet all requirements of the Standard 40 testing protocol, ten years later (2008) the TRD-1000 was retested and certified to Standard 40. The system continues to surpass NSF Standard 40 and all other ATU's in it's effulent quality.
Cajunaire Wastewater Treatment Systems, 500 gpd to 1000 gpd ATU systems, aerobic sprinkler systems, wastewater pumps, wastewater disinfection systems including chlorination and UV light: from H. E. McGrew, Louisiana
Clivus Multrum wastewater treatment/disposal systems include their composting toilet and greywater irrigation systems
Consolidated Treatment Systems including suspended media treatment systems, aerobic wastewater treatment systems, and reactor vessel wastewater treatment systems.
Delta Environmental low pressure sewer systems (for example to pump and treat wastewater up and away from lakefront properties) offers grinder pump systems and related products
Ecological Tanks manufactures four-chamber (Pretreatment, Aeration, Clarifier, Pumping) Aqua Aire Aerobic Wastewater Treatment Units and Aqua Safe Aerobic Treatment Plants in both fiberglass and concrete to NSF 40 Standards
Environment One grinder pump sewer systems for difficult sites and capable of pumping against high head pressures.
Hoot Aerobic Systems including ATUs, blowers, controls, disinfection systems, and wastewater treatment monitoring systems. Louisiana.
MicroSepTec offers the "EnviroServer" which, depending on the
system size, treats 600 to 2500 gpd. of sewage. This is a a packaged wastewater treatment system comprised of a "hybrid fixed film-suspended growth extended aeration wastewater treatment system with a two stage biological process to optimize denitrification"
Check out their animated explanation of how this system works.
Norweco: Singulair aerobic systems, Modulair packaged wastewater treatment systems, total nitrogen treatment systems, wastewater treatment controls, wastewater and graywater filter systems,effluent pumps, pumping stations, dechlorination tablets, disinfection systems, other products
Piranha septic systems use an aerobic bacterial generator placed directly into the septic tank and a patented bacterial culture. [I question the claim by this company that septic tank pumping is eliminated.]
Pro Flo Areobic septic systems says that their system is "capable of turning regular household sewage into a clear odorless liquid within 24 hours"
South Texas Environmental sells various types of septic pumps including aerobic air pumps for aerobic septic systems, other pumps, aerators, diffusers, control panels, and compressors.
Pond Expo Alita brand aeration pumps for ponds and other aeration systems
NSF International, The Public Health and Safety Company, a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization, maintains a list of wastewater treatment unit manufacturers and may offer other products and advice for ATU's and other onsite wastewater treatment methods.
Tafgard soil based wastewater treatment systems - developed in Japan by Taisei Kogyo Co., Ltd., this system uses a combination of a five-chamber waste treating septic tank designed by Taisei, effluent disposed-of by an evaporation-transpiration system through aerated soil (effluent spread horizontally and upwards from distribution piping).
Geoflow subsurface drip systems offer uniform effluent distribution and piping clog resistance for placing clarified effluent into an absorption system.
Tafgard soil based wastewater treatment systems - developed in Japan by Taisei Kogyo Co., Ltd., this system uses a combination of a five-chamber waste treating septic tank designed by Taisei, effluent disposed-of by an evaporation-transpiration system through aerated soil (effluent spread horizontally and upwards from distribution piping).
RV Holding Tank & Toilet Deodorants, Treatments, Cleaners
Elsan Limited, Bellbrook Park, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 1QF, England. Telephone: +44 (0) 1825 748200. The company produces chemical toilet sanitation and hygiene products for caravanning, camping and boating. Quoting from the company's website: web search 08/27/2010, original source http://www.elsan.co.uk/about-elsan.html While Elsan Blue toilet
fluid exceeds British and European Standards
BS:EN 2893:2005, no other brand even claims
to comply with them. ... because it is biodegradable and free from
harsh chemicals, [Elsan organic toilet fluid] can be safely emptied into a
septic tank.
Technical data requested by email to Elsan: 8/27/2010 - DF
Marykate Heads Up holding tank deodorant [MSDS], web search 08/27/2010, original source for the Marykate Heads Up deodorant MSDS
http://www.crcindustries.com/marine/content/prod_detail_print.aspx?PN=MK4532
Marykate products appear to be produced by CRC Industries,
Thetford Corporation, 7101 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, Tel: 1-800-543-1219, Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1285, Ann Arbor, MI 48106 web search 08/27/2010, original source: http://www.thetford.com/Home/Products/ChemicalsCleanersHome
/AquaKemLiquidTossInsandDri/tabid/122/Default.aspx Quoting from the company's website: [Aqua-Kem Products are] 100% biodegradable liquid and environmentally safe when disposed of properly
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Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.
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MicroSepTec advanced residential/light-commercial onsite wastewater treatment, pre-engineered, cost effective, environmentally friendly. Meets requirements of owners, designers, health departments. Replacement for failed septic systems. Free consult. 949-855-3500 949-855-3515 fax. E-mail: dvana@microseptec.com
Septic Tank Heaters In some places it may be necessary to keep a septic tank warm to work properly. HST has a new low voltage heater that is attached to the outside of the tank. [Thanks to Neil Grosz for this tip.]
Tipton Environmental International developed a high efficient wastewater treatment system that will produce the quality of effluent our environment requires. This effluent can then be used for garden water, irrigation, gray water systems or many other applications.
Toilets, Composting Toilets, Biological Toilets, No-water/Low water toilets, Waterless toilets, Chemical Toilets, Inicnerating Toilets and related products list
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies, Anish R. Jantrania, Mark A. Gross. Anish Jantrania, Ph.D., P.E., M.B.A., is a Consulting Engineer, in Mechanicsville VA, 804-550-0389 (2006). Outstanding technical reference especially on alternative septic system design alternatives. Written for designers and engineers, this book is not at all easy going for homeowners but is a text I recommend for professionals--DF.
Builder's Guide to Wells and Septic Systems, Woodson, R. Dodge: $ 24.95; MCGRAW HILL B; TP;
Quoting from Amazon's description: For the homebuilder, one mistake in estimating or installing wells and septic systems can cost thousands of dollars. This comprehensive guide filled with case studies can prevent that. Master plumber R. Dodge Woodson packs this reader-friendly guide with guidance and information, including details on new techniques and materials that can economize and expedite jobs and advice on how to avoid mistakes in both estimating and construction. Chapters cover virtually every aspect of wells and septic systems, including on-site evaluations; site limitations; bidding; soil studies, septic designs, and code-related issues; drilled and dug wells, gravel and pipe, chamber-type, and gravity septic systems; pump stations; common problems with well installation; and remedies for poor septic situations. Woodson also discusses ways to increase profits by avoiding cost overruns.
Country Plumbing: Living with a Septic System, Hartigan, Gerry: $ 9.95; ALAN C HOOD & TP;
Quoting an Amazon reviewer's comment, with which we agree--DF:This book is informative as far as it goes and might be most useful for someone with an older system. But it was written in the early 1980s. A lot has changed since then. In particular, the book doesn't cover any of the newer systems that are used more and more nowadays in some parts of the country -- sand mounds, aeration systems, lagoons, etc.
Design Manuals for Septic Systems
US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual [online copy, free] Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm Onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems,
Richard J Otis, published by the US EPA. Although it's more than 20 years old, this book remains a useful reference for septic system designers.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Program Operations; Office of Research and Development, Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory; (1980)
"International Private Sewage Disposal Code," 1995, BOCA-708-799-2300, ICBO-310-699-0541, SBCCI 205-591-1853, available from those code associations.
"Manual of Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines for Onsite Sewage Systems," Ontario Reg. 374/81, Part VII of the Environmental
Protection Act (Canada), ISBN 0-7743-7303-2, Ministry of the Environment,135 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto Ontario M4V 1P5 Canada $24. CDN.
Manual of Septic Tank Practice, US Public Health Service's 1959.
Onsite Wastewater Disposal Books
Onsite Wastewater Disposal, R. J. Perkins;
Quoting from Amazon: This practical book, co-published with the National Environmental Health Association,
describes the step-by-step procedures needed to avoid common pitfalls in septic system technology.
Valuable in matching the septic system to the site-specific conditions, this useful book will help you install a reliable system in
both suitable and difficult environments. Septic tank installers, planners, state and local regulators, civil and sanitary engineers,
consulting engineers, architects, homeowners, academics, and land developers will find this publication valuable.
Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Bennette D. Burks, Mary Margaret Minnis, Hogarth House 1994 - one of the best septic system books around, suffering a bit from small fonts and a weak index. While it contains some material more technical than needed by homeowners, Burks/Minnis book on onsite wastewater treatment systems a very useful reference for both property owners and septic system designers.
Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf
Planting Over Septic System Component", Daniel Friedman (author/editor, InspectAPedia.com), The Innovator, Winter/Spring 2008, BCOSSA, British Columbia OnSite Sewage Association, 201-3542 Blansard St., Victoria BC V8X 1W3 Canada
Septic System Owner's Manual, Lloyd Kahn, Blair Allen, Julie Jones, Shelter Publications, 2000 $14.95 U.S. - easy to understand, well illustrated, one of the best practical references around on septic design basics including some advanced systems; a little short on safety and maintenance. Both new and used (low priced copies are available, and we think the authors are working on an updated edition--DF.
Quoting from one of several Amazon reviews: The basics of septic systems, from underground systems and failures to what the owner can do to promote and maintain a healthy system, is revealed in an excellent guide essential for any who reside on a septic system. Rural residents receive a primer on not only the basics; but how to conduct period inspections and what to do when things go wrong. History also figures into the fine coverage.
Test Pit Preparation for Onsite Sewage Evaluations, State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Portland OR, 800 452-4011. PDF document. We recommend this excellent document that offers detail about soil perc tests, deep hole tests, safety, and septic design. Readers should also see Soil Percolation Tests and for testing an existing septic system, also see Dye Tests
Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank, Bombeck, Erma: $ 5.99; FAWCETT; MM;
This septic system classic whose title helps avoid intimidating readers new to septic systems, is available new or used at very low prices.
It's more entertainment than a serious "how to" book on septic systems design, maintenance, or repair. Not recommended -- DF.
US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm
Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook, R. Dodge Woodson. This book is in the upper price range, but is worth the cost for serious septic installers and designers.
Quoting Amazon: Each year, thousands upon thousands of Americans install water wells and septic systems on their properties. But with a maze of codes governing their use along with a host of design requirements that ensure their functionality where can someone turn for comprehensive, one-stop guidance? Enter the Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook from McGraw-Hill. Written in language any property owner can understand yet detailed enough for professionals and technical students this easy-to-use volume delivers the latest techniques and code requirements for designing, building, rehabilitating, and maintaining private water wells and septic systems. Bolstered by a wealth of informative charts, tables, and illustrations, this book delivers: * Current construction, maintenance, and repair methods
* New International Private Sewage Disposal Code
* Up-to-date standards from the American Water Works Association
Wells and Septic Systems, Alth, Max and Charlet, Rev. by S. Blackwell Duncan, $ 18.95; Tab Books 1992. We have found this text very useful for conventional well and septic systems design and maintenance --DF.
Quoting an Amazon description:Here's all the information you need to build a well or septic system yourself - and save a lot of time, money, and frustration. S. Blackwell Duncan has thoroughly revised and updated this second edition of Wells and Septic Systems to conform to current codes and requirements. He also has expanded this national bestseller to include new material on well and septic installation, water storage and distribution, water treatment, ecological considerations, and septic systems for problem building sites.
The NSFC Products List has an excellent list of design manuals/modules available from their website or by telephone 800-624-8301
Submissions welcome. send us a suggested document link or request an exchange of website links
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