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SKETCH of a typical aerobic treatment unit tank, aerator, chamber AEROBIC Septic System Certifications
State & Provincial ATU Certification Lists, Procedures, Laws

  • POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about how to obtain local building department or health department authority approval for aerobic septic system designs

This article discusses Aerobic Septic System Certifications (Aeration Septic System Certifications) - Fine bubble septic tank aeration septic systems to meet local building or health department requirements and regulations.

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Obtaining Approval & Certification of Aerobic Treatment Units

SKETCH of an aspirated mixer aerobic treatment unit tank, aerator, chamberHere are designs and products for aerobic septic treatment units (ATUs) for onsite waste disposal, also called fine bubble aeration systems. We address aerobic septic system design, features, inspection, repair, and maintenance.

Aerobic septic system equipment & product sources are also listed.

You will want to obtain documentation of the certification and specifications of your aerobic septic system to provide to local authorities during the process of code approval.

[Click to enlarge any image]

Sketch courtesy US EPA.

AEROBIC Septic system treatment units (ATUs) are tested and certified by the National Sanitation Foundation which in turn uses the ANSI/NSF Standard 40 Class I effluent limits as the functional target for the treatment system.

Before buying and installing an aerobic or aeration treatment system you should ask for and review the documentation about the particular product to confirm that it has been properly specified and is certified as meeting the necessary standards.

Of course, even systems that are designed to meet ANSI/NSF Standard 40 Class I effluent limits will not continue to do so unless they are properly installed and properly maintained.

The single most common reason cited for failure of aerobic or aeration septic systems in one major study was lack of proper maintenance.

See AEROBIC ATU SEPTIC FAILURE RATES, COSTS for details.

The sketch shown just above is of an aspirated mixer aerobic system (click for larger image).

Florida Aerobic Septic System Certifications & Regulations

In Florida state law requires proper and regular maintenance of an ATU or Aerobic Septic Treatment Unit. The homeowner requirements are summarized by the Florida Department of health from which we except below.

Maintaining Your Florida ATU - What are the requirements?

The homeowner must maintain a current operating permit for the life of the system. The operating permit must be renewed every two years. and costs $175.00 payable to the Department of Health.

The homeowner must maintain a valid maintenance contract with an approved maintenance entity for the life of the system. The maintenance contract on new construction will initially be good for two years. Subsequent renewals must be good for at least a one-year term for the life of the system. Prices vary depending on the maintenance entity selected and type of system.

Maintenance entity is required to inspect/service the ATU at least two times per year. Inspection reports must be submitted to the Department of Health in Lee County.

The Department of Health must inspect the maintenance and performance of the ATU at least once per year. - source: Florida A4robi Treatment Units, Lee County Department of Health, retrieved 2021/11/16 original source: http://lee.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/environmental-health/onsite-sewage-disposal/permits/aerobic-treatment-units.html

In Florida the construction, maintenance, and operation of aerobic septic treatment units or ATUs are regulated by the Florida Department of Health, Environmental Health Section, and by Florida's Administrative Code Section R. 64E-6.012 whose text we provide below as a downloadable PDF.

Florida septic system installers or maintenance companies are required to be registered and approved by the state and must renew that license each year. The state provides training to meet the licensing requirements.

Florida Aerobic Septic Code

Fla. Admin. Code R. 64E-6.012 - Standards for the Construction, Operation, and Maintenance of Aerobic Treatment Units

Excerpt: When Florida aerobic treatment units are used for treating domestic and commercial sewage waste, each unit shall be installed, operated and maintained in conformance with the provisions cited immediately below:

Also see

Florida Onsite Sewage System Training Programs

Texas Aerobic Septic System Certifications & Regulations

Question: Texas USA limits on aerobic septic system chamber types?

(Mar 10, 2014) ANDY HANCOCK said:

In TEXAS under the 2012 International Plumbing Code, are there limitations/restrictions for Aerobic 3/4 chamber septic systems? and can the non potable water from these systems be used for plants and food plant irrigation - we only have 18ft above sea level of elevation so these would seem toi be a viable option

Reply:

Andy,

In Texas a common aerobic design permits disposal of effluent by surface spraying as both an evaporative disposal method AND as a surface watering method for lawns; I'm more doubtful about using it for food-plant irrigation;

although some aerobic output is treated to a very high level, perhaps higher than surrounding surface runoff, the history of system maintenance is nothing to brag about - so a poorly-maintained system might end up contaminating food plants. In my OPINION.

 




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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2021-11-16 4 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator (mod)

@Robbie,

We've added the contact information you need, now found on the page above in the section titled

Florida Onsite Sewage System Training Programs

You may need to refresh your browser or clear your browser cache to see the updated page

On 2021-11-15 by Robbie

How to get certified for robux systems in fort Myers Florida

On 2020-10-0 by (mod)

Yes Roberto. Check with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality department of occupational licensing at https://www.tceq.texas.gov/licensing

TCEQ
P.O. Box 13087
Austin, TX 78711-3087

Tel: 512-239-1000

On 2020-10-06 by Roberto Cumento

Can I get a certification for the state of TEXAS ?

On 2019-05-23 by (mod) - effects of Aero-Stream aeration on septic systems

Thank you Mark for the comment - and we very much welcome criticism and correction, as fairness and accuracy in reporting are our chief concern.

But I'm a little confused. The article expressly states that it is describing a product **marketed** by Aero-Stream. The original citation is in the References Section of this page. That citation describes the product being marketed.

It was AreoStream who referred us to this study as one supporting their product.

That said, help me out if you can by suggesting any clarifications on this topic.

On 2019-05-23 by Mark Callahan

I believe it is misleading to state that the Aero-Stream design is the subject of the Journal of Environmental Quality article referenced above. Nowhere does the article refer to the Aero-Stream product, and apparently it is actually an aerobic system designed by one of the article's authors that was tested.

On 2018-08-30 by (mod)

Commendable, Terry, I don't blame you for avoiding people who are unpleasant.
It's not just the unpleasantness it's that you can expect poor workmanship and resistance to any requests you might have.

You'd start by identifying the brand of aerobic system you have installed,

continue by obtaining all of the installation, operation, and maintenance information that the manufacturer has for that system,

and after reading that, you might discuss training with the manufacturer if they're open to that.

Watch out: some septic system chores involve extremely-dangerous steps that should not be taken without training and that can never be performed alone - for example entering or falling into a septic tank, even just leaning over an open septic tank can mean a quick ugly death.

On 2018-08-30 7 by Terry rossell

I would like to learn to install and maintain these systems as there is only one guy here and he's a pain on the butt

On 2017-12-14 b (mod) - How do I obtain self certification for my aerobic system?

Jim,

The procedure will depend on the country and state or province where you live. So I'd start with the local health department.

In general, your state or province licenses septic system installers and maintenance technicians, and your state or province also maintains a list of aerobic septic system providers whose septic system has met the state's acceptance and certification criteria. Examples of those are above on this page.

Frankly in our OPINION it's not likely that a single private individual would find it feasible nor cost-reasonable to build her own home-made aerobic treatment septic system and then obtain a state certification for that one-off design.

On 2017-12-13 by Jim Avery

How do I obtain self certification for my aerobic system?


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