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AEROBIC Septic Systems: Calcium Hypochlorite for Disinfections In Onsite Aerobic Waste Treatment Septic Systems
- POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about the proper disinfectant products to use in ATUs, Aerobic Treatment Units - Aerobic Septic Systems
What is the proper disinfectant to use in Aerobic Septic Systems?
Use of proper and approved septic effluent disinfectants (Calcium Hypochlorite) is required for aerobic septic systems. What problems ensue if we use the wrong type of disinfectant in an aerobic septic treatment system? This article, contributed by a company which produces aerobic septic system disinfectants, describes the issue and identifies the proper aerobic septic system disinfectant to be used.
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- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?
InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?
Use Calcium Hypochlorite for Disinfections In Onsite Aerobic Waste Treatment Septic Systems
A common concern of owners of onsite aerobic waste treatment septic
systems is why they should not use pool chlorine tablets for their
systems instead of the proper chemical, calcium hypochlorite.
There are three primary reasons pool chlorine tablets should
not be used for this purpose - legal requirements, safety issues, and
environmental issues.
Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) it is unlawful for anyone to use a registered pesticide (includes chlorine tablets) in a manner that is inconsistent with its labeling. For septic systems, enforcement of the law is primarily left with the states.
The Norweco Bio-Dynamic® dry chemical feeder or tablet feeder LF 4600 shown here is used with aerobic septic systems and is discussed separately
at DISINFECTION SYSTEMS, SEPTIC EFFLUENT
where we include contact information Norweco.
[Click to enlarge any image]
In Texas and some other states enforcement is passed on to the counties.
For onsite aerobic septic systems, use only calcium hypochlorite tablets that have been certified by the EPA for this use. In EPA regulated areas, if the container is not labeled as such, it cannot be used for this purpose.
In Texas, the use of swimming pool chlorine in aerobic septic systems carries a fine of about $500 for the first offence, and the fine increases for subsequent violations.
Use of Swimming Pool Chlorine Tablets in Aerobic Septic Systems
Besides legal, there are safety issues that need to be considered. Swimming pools tablets, such as Trichlor (trichloroisocyanuric acid or trichloro-s-triazinetrione), are designed for immersion in water. In an aerobic septic system feeder, the tablets are primarily above the water line. Under this condition the tablets will release nitrogen chloride, an explosive gas.
Under no circumstance should you allow Trichlor to come in contact with calcium hypochlorite or bleach. These chemicals react violently with each other. If you have been using Trichlor, completely remove the tablets from the chlorine feeder.
Next, using water, rinse the Trichlor residue completely from the feeder section of the waste treatment system. Only after doing so is it safe to fill the feeder with calcium hypochlorite tablets that are approved for use in domestic wastewater systems.
Never operate your system without the proper chlorine tablets such as the ClorMor brand of 2 5/8 inch chlorine tablets approved for use in onsite aerobic waste treatment septic systems.
If you have been using swimming pool tablets for a period of time, you have probably noticed a browning or dying of grass and other plants in the area where the sprinkler system sprays it.
The chlorine in pool tablets is stabilized so it doesn't readily breakdown by sunlight as does the chlorine in calcium hypochlorite that is approved for aerobic waste treatment systems. Over an extended period of time, the applications of stabilized chlorine will not only kill the vegetation, but it can kill the beneficial bacterium that is natural to the soil.
Proper aerobic septic system maintenance
Proper maintenance and care of your septic system is essential to keep the system working properly. If you need additional information, you can contact the manufacturer of your aerobic septic system, your local permitting authority, or you may contact the original author of this article.
Readers of this page should also
see AEROBIC SEPTIC DISINFECTANTS - Pool Chlorine for Septic Effluent Discharged from Aerobic Septic Systems.
See aerobic septic system designs, manuals suppliers
at AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEM SUPPLIERS
...
Continue reading at DISINFECTION SYSTEMS, SEPTIC EFFLUENT or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.
Or see these
Aerobic Septic System Articles
- AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEMS, ATUs - home
- AEROBIC ATU SEPTIC FAILURE RATES, COSTS
- AEROBIC ATU SEPTIC MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
- AEROBIC ATU SEPTIC PROBLEMS
- AEROBIC ATU SEPTIC TANK SIZES
- AEROBIC SEPTIC AERATOR PUMPS
- AEROBIC SEPTIC AERATOR PUMP SOURCES
- AEROBIC SEPTIC ALARM SYSTEMS
- AEROBIC SEPTIC ATU CERTIFICATIONS
- AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEM ATU SUPPLIERS & MANUALS
- AEROBIC SEPTIC CONTINUOUS FLOW, Suspended Growth
- AEROBIC SEPTIC DISINFECTANTS - Calcium Hypochlorite
- AEROBIC SEPTIC DISINFECTANTS - Pool Chlorine
- AEROBIC SEPTIC EFFLUENT SPRAY HEAD REPAIR
- AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEM ATU SUPPLIERS & MANUALS
- AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEM MAINTENANCE COSTS
- AEROBIC ATU SEPTIC OPERATING COSTS
- AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEM MAINTENANCE: Clearstream ATUs
- BAT MEDIA SEPTIC PLANTS
- COMMERCIAL SEPTIC DESIGN
- CONVERT to AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEM
- DISINFECTION SYSTEMS, SEPTIC EFFLUENT
- SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS, RESIDENTIAL
Suggested citation for this web page
AEROBIC SEPTIC DISINFECTANTS - Calcium Hypochlorite at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.
Or see this
INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to SEPTIC SYSTEMS
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Citations & References
In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.
- Original Author: sales@aerobicchlorine.com
Maurice Davis, Product Line Manager
Water Utility Chemicals, Inc.
Aerobic Chlorine Division
PO Box 1057
Caldwell, TX 77836
979-567-7960Maurice Davis maurice@wucinc.com - Contribution via web 6/13/2006, edited by Daniel Friedman 8/23/06 © 2010 All Rights Reserved (C)DJF copyright trap
- AEROBIC Septic System Disinfection with Calcium Hypochlorite - Use of calcium hypochlorite tablets for aerobic septic systems
- AEROBIC Septic System Disinfection with Chlorine Tablets - US EPA declares use of swimming pool chlorine tablets illegal for septic system disinfection
- AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEMS, ATUs - A Design Alternative for Difficult Sites
- 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.
- 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)
- Eco John® Innovative Toilet Solutions, Global Inventive Industries, Fountain Valley CA, PDF, product brochure
- "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, 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. (DF volunteers to serve as indexer if Burks/Minnis re-publish this very useful volume.)While it contains some material more technical than needed by homeowners, Burks/Minnis book on onsite wastewatre treatment systems a very useful reference for both property owners and septic system designers. We refer to it often. While Minnis says the best place to buty this book is at Amazon
- Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain, 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
- SEPTIC STANDARDS
- SEPTIC MAGAZINES
- 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 priceO 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.
- 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.
- 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 - In addition to citations & references found in this article, see the research citations given at the end of the related articles found at our suggested
CONTINUE READING or RECOMMENDED ARTICLES.
- Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. Tel: (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 Email: info@carsondunlop.com. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The HOME REFERENCE BOOK - the Encyclopedia of Homes and to use illustrations from The ILLUSTRATED HOME .
Carson Dunlop Associates provides extensive home inspection education and report writing material. In gratitude we provide links to tsome Carson Dunlop Associates products and services.
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