Guide to septic system drainfield restoration methods: this article provides opinion and a report of user experience with the AeroStream® septic drainfield rejuvenation process.

Are there some septic drainfield restoration systems that work without replacing the drainfield? Perhaps. Why don't we see expert, independent peer-reviewed research confirming their efficacy?

Aero-Stream: Another & Different Septic Rejuvenation System with Promise & Some Questions

OPINION: the following comments describe the results of a search for information about two approaches to "failed septic system rejuvenation" and comment on the level of independent technical study and research supporting the types of product under examination.

This is not the same aerobic septic tank system product described by the XYZ system we discuss at SEPTIC DRAINFIELD RESTORERS? though this approach uses similar principles to improve the level of wastewater treatment in the septic tank and intended to restore effluent flow through the drainfield.

Our search for XYZ Septic Drainfield Rejuvenators also turned up the system marketed by Aero-Stream® This is not the same aerobic septic tank system product described by the XYZ system we discussed above, though this approach uses similar principles to improve the level of wastewater treatment in the septic tank and intended to restore effluent flow through the drainfield.

Below we provide an example of some basic data gathering on the probable effectiveness of this septic drainfield restoration approach. Interesting information was available, though we'd have preferred to see a peer-reviewed journal article and absolutely independent research.

We don't see in the data how long the drainfield improvement will last, but the instructions and the warranty tell us what the vendor expects and will promise:

"If your system shows signs of sluggish flow- toilets that are slow to flush, sewage backing up in drains, foul smelling liquid above the septic system, or backflow from the septic field during pumping- you will want to install the Aero-Stream® System and run it for 12 to 18 months to remedy the situation.

Once your Aero-Stream® Restoration and Maintenance System is installed, you will find it helpful to run it periodically as a preventative measure to prevent septic problems in the future. As a minimum, we suggest running the Aero-Stream® System for nine months every three years to maintain the permeability of the bio-mat."

The need to keep aerating may be confirming what people have complained about with other septic rejuvenation plans: unless the process is repeated the septic drainfield rejuvenation effects are only temporary.

We estimate the operating costs for this system are not bad - electricity to run a pump, but the true installed cost was not obvious at the website. The purchase cost for the equipment is under $2000. The cost to install the system was not obvious. The system process (and we infer therefore it's promised effectiveness) is guaranteed for two years for the more costly version and one year for the less costly version.

The Aero-Stream® system components listed by the company include:

• Effluent filters (recommended to reduce the solid particle load on drainfields)
• Aero-Stream® Unit - an air pump designed for outdoor use
• Floats that connect to the air line to keep the air diffuser at the proper level in the septic tank
• A micro bubble air diffuser to be inserted into the septic tank
• Air line - plastic tubing to connect the air pump to the diffuser
• A GFCI adapter (ground fault circuit interrupter) - important safety feature on any outdoor electrical wiring
• Installation manual

Aero-Stream® refers readers to a Journal of Environmental Quality article that supports their product. Publishes research on various aspects of environmental quality in natural and agricultural ecosystems. In an article titled, Effects of Aeration on Water Quality from Septic System Leach fields the journal reported:

"A patented process for the rejuvenation of leachfields using aeration has been successful in restoring hydraulic function in more than 60 failed onsite wastewater treatment systems in the eastern United States"

The scientific study concludes that aeration has a strong effect on the speciation of nitrogen, and enhances significantly the removal of nitrogen, BOD5, and fecal coliforms and E.coli in leach and drain field.

These aerobic effects have implications for the functioning of existing conventional septic systems and offer an effective alternative to both prevent failure and rejuvenate septic system leach fields.

The Aero-Stream® design was the subject of a professional journal article:

The publishing journal The Journal of Environmental Quality is an established journal (since 1972) published by ASA [American Society of Agronomy], CSSA [Crop Science Society of America ?] , and SSSA [The Soil Science Society of America] .

Since 1994 it has been published bimonthly; before that (1972-1993) it was published quarterly. The JEQ editorial board consists of the editor; associate editors; the managing editor; the Headquarters associate or assistant editor or editors working on the journal; the editors-in-chief of ASA, CSSA, and SSSA; the executive vice president; and the director of publications.

Here is an important conclusion from the study:

We found that aeration has a strong effect on the speciation of nitrogen, and enhances significantly the removal of nitrogen, BOD5, and fecal coliforms and E. coli in leachfield lysimeters. Furthermore, this enhancement took place in the absence of a conventional biomat.

These effects have implications for the functioning of conventional septic systems.

Water managers and regulatory agencies are increasingly concerned with the effects of effluent from septic system leachfields on ground and surface water, especially in the case of failed or improperly constructed fields (USEPA, 2002).

The high costs and unpredictable outcome of leachfield replacement makes this an economically unattractive alternative for most homeowners. Aeration may be an effective alternative to both prevent failure and rejuvenate septic system leachfields.

You can see a PDF copy of this Journal article (local copy) or a copy provided in HTML at the Journal's website

We have not yet researched the authors for conflicts of interest, funding, nor questions about the total effective cost, nor durability of the system, but a quick look says the approach discussed in the JEQ has promise and may be important. Further study is warranted.

Watch out: see WHITE PAPERS SUPPORTING SEPTIC TREATMENTS: WARNINGS re JOURNAL ARTICLES

Question/Comment: Aero-Stream Didn't Work, Septic Genie trial; also We Got Questionable Advice about Using Bleach in the Septic Tank to Cure Odors

I read your comments regarding your comparisons of Septic Genie vs. Aero Stream. I would like you to know what I have found from my experience with the two. I purchased the Aero Stream unit in April of 2010, when our septic tank started backing up after 30 years. Our drain fields would no longer function causing us to pump out our septic tank regularly. I followed the instructions to a tee when installing the unit.

After startup the Aero Stream caused a real bad odor to be emitted from our roof stack. It didn’t smell at all before the installation. The smell became increasingly bad a the days after installation went by. I called the staff at Aero Stream and they told me that it would take a little longer before the smell went away.

After about a month went by I called again. To complain about the smell and I was told to dump 2 gallons of beach into the toilet and flush.

The smell went away for a couple of days and then returned again. Well this went on from April to August of 2010 and each time I called they recommended 2 more gallons of bleach. Mean time the scum layer at the top of the tank got thicker and thicker and caused a back up into the house at which time we pumped the tank again. I decided at this point that the Aero Stream was a joke and returned it for a refund.

In late August 2010 I decided to give the Septic Genie a try. Again I installed the unit as per the instructions.

The Genie unit was a large 30 inch high unit with a width of a foot or more, compared to the little air stone hanging on the end of a ½ inch plastic tubing, used by Aero Stream.

Anyway I fired up the Septic Genie and within 24 hours the smell was gone from my septic tank and within a couple of days the scum layer was gone. The pump unit was much more quite than Aero Stream and it has been running flawlessly ever since. We went thru the wettest year on record last year in CT and we didn’t have any backups. We are in the process of ordering a new type of bacteria (In hockey Puck form) from Septic Genie to keep our tank healthy.

When I mentioned putting bleach in my septic system as recommended by the “Engineers” at Aero Stream, to other septic engineers, they could not believe these guys are even in the business of septic remediation, as bleach kill all bacteria good and bad in the tank and is a no no. So I thought I would give you my first had do it yourself experience. Not sure where you received your information regarding these two product, but it is dead wrong, if I interpreted correctly.

Sincerely, J.R.

Reply: We do not recommend septic system treatments as a cure for failed drainfields, we do not recommend pouring bleach into the septic system, increasing septic wastewater treatment level is smart but won't quickly restore a failed drainfield

A competent onsite inspection by an expert usually finds additional clues that help accurately diagnose a problem with a septic system, but frankly, having reviewed expert information from the strongest authoritative sources, in no case does anyone recommend pouring bleach into a septic system, nor are septic additives and treatments recommended

- in fact they are illegal in many jurisdictions because some (not all) risk contaminating the environment as well as being ineffective. Details and citations are

at ADDITIVES / TREATMENTS for SEPTIC SYSTEMS.

We are interested following installation of two different versions of a septic tank add-on aerator system that you report a cessation of odors with the second but not with the first product.

And we agree that converting a conventional septic system to an aerobic design would be expected to improve the level of treatment of the wastewater and thus could reduce odors.

But it's important to keep a few warnings in mind:

1. a properly working septic system should not be making the site or building smelly in the first place, and often curing odors alone is not curing a more significant underlying problem such as a saturated drainfield, improper plumbing venting, or a damaged septic tank.

2. While improving the treatment level of wastewater is a great idea and will reduce the work having to be done by the drainfield, it is not likely that such a step will be capable of restoring a failed drainfield, certainly not in days, weeks nor likely even months.

3. And by no means have we recommended any septic system rejuvenation or treatment chemical or additive or system.

We have extended an open invitation to vendors to provide independent authoritative research supporting claims that such treatments actually work - but to date we have not received other than marketing presentations and similar "white papers".

That said, I am concerned that you might have read our article as an endorsement of one of these approaches, and to help make matters clear to readers I will post your remarks and our reply.

Watch out: aerobic systems and add-on septic tank aerators keep the contents of a septic tank agitated.

That's why an aerobic design uses a multi-compartment septic tank. A retrofit aeration system added into a conventional septic tank risks further damage to the drainfield if the design pushes these agitated, suspended solids out of the septic tank.

Make sure that the septic tank baffles are intact, that an appropriate septic filter was included in the design, or best, consult the product manufacturer and a septic engineer for exact guidance on how to assure that the whole system is working properly and meets local sanitation codes.

To be clear, we do not endorse specific septic system products or services. InspectAPedia is an independent publisher of building, environmental, and forensic inspection, diagnosis, and repair information provided free to the public - we have no business nor financial connection with any manufacturer or service provider discussed at our website. 

Should you add septic treatment chemicals, nutrients, cleaners, bacteria, yeast, root killers, septic drainfield decloggers to septic systems? Generally, no. Why not? What causes septic system failures? What do experts say about septic chemicals and septic treatments? Why do people use them?

...

Continue reading  at OTHER DRAINFIELD RESTORE APPROACHES - separate article: Septic field restoration projects and products: Porox™, BioCycle® , hydrogen peroxide, acids, enzymes, pressurized aeration, TerraLift®, resting the drainfield, as attempts to rejuvenate a drainfield: do they work? are they legal? - or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Also see these

Drainfield Repair Articles

• AERO-STREAM SEPTIC REJUVENATION
• BLOCKED DRAIN REPAIR METHODS
• CHEMICALS & TREATMENTS for SEPTICS
• CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
• DRAIN DRAINFIELD DIAGNOSTIC TABLE
• SEWER BACKUP PREVENTION
• SEPTIC BIOMATS
• SEPTIC DRAINFIELD RESTORERS?

Suggested citation for this web page

AERO-STREAM SEPTIC REJUVENATION 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.

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