Drainfield Rejuvenation - "Un-Clogging," or "Repair"

Arcan®, BioCycle®, Hydrogen Peroxide, Hydrojetting, Porox®, TerraLift®

Reviews, opinions, comments about Arcan®, BioCycle®, Hydrogen Peroxide, Hydrojetting, Porox®, TerraLift® and similar septic system drainfield restoration methods:

Are there some septic drainfield restoration systems that work without replacing the drainfield? Why don't we see expert, independent peer-reviewed research confirming their efficacy? Our page top photograph shows a collection of septic system additives, chemicals, cleaners, root killers, etc. for sale at a building supply store. We do not have specific information about these individual products and we make no specific representation about the efficacy of any individual product shown above.

Other Drainfield Repair or Restoration Approaches: Arcan, BioCycle, Hydrogen Peroxide, Hydrojetting, Porox, TerraLift

Our sketch (left) of a typical drainfield pipe layout is courtesy USDA.

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.

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?

Other Septic Rejuvenation Systems are discussed at SEPTIC TREATMENTS & CHEMICALS including the two cited below:

• Arcan Enterprises, Scotch Plains NJ, septic field hydrogen peroxide treatment system. Arcan reports that their system can be applied by homeowners. 888-35ARCAN 908-322-0468 in New Jersey. E-mail: arcan@worldnet.net
• [Check with your local health department for advice and any local regulations before using this or any other septic system cleaner or additive.]
• Biocycle Wastewater Treatment a BioCycle Unit, Tertiary Polishing Filter and Monitoring System.- Ireland
• Terralift: soil aeration and styrofoam injection to improve soil drainage. Terralift, Stockbridge MA, USA, Tel: 413-298-4272, Website: www.terraliftinternational.com
  See TERRALIFT QUERY below.
• Product Research Submissions Are Invited - for septic system maintenance and repair or alternative septic system products to be considered for listing, please include supporting research and product literature. There is no listing fee. Contact Us - please use email.

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Comments and suggestions for content addition, accuracy, references, white papers, technical studies on these or other septic system improvement and repair products are welcome. Citation of this article by reference to this web site and brief quotation for the sole purpose of review are permitted. Use of this information at other web sites, in books or pamphlets for sale is reserved to the author.

Question/Comment: Hydrojetting the drainfield lines and adding an aerator seemed to work ... but no biomat rejuvenation occurred and the drainfield failure continued

We have six children and began having problems with our septic in year 40 of its life. I had the tank pumped and the lines hydrojetted. I found and cleaned out the D-boxes too. I then made a home made septic genie and installed it on my failing septic system. It converted it into a nicer smelling system that seemed to work for a while. With the D-boxes uncovered the totally clear effluent could be seen entering each D-box.

This effluent was basically odorless with the aerobic unit installed. It seemed though that the effluent was not draining in the leach lines and that no "biomat rejuvenation" was taking place. I even ran airlines 4-5 feet into each leach line to be sure the aerobic bacteria could continue thriving.

I purchased and dumped the "special" bacteria directly into the D-boxes too. I even pumped the top 3 feet of effluent once a week out of the tank and into the the backyard beyond the leach field. 24 hours later the septic tank was always filled to overflowing.

Week after week. I finally took a loan and had a sewer pipe installed. $14,000 for the permit, $4,000 for the work, tons of work restoring my front and back lawns. Now I pay $38/month (~5000 gal/month) for sewer service and don't look out the window after work and shake my head like I used to for month after month. I have good black dirt with clay, but I think 40 years of washing machine lint has taken its toll on the leach field gravel section and totally plugged it up.

Bacteria does not break synthetics down, I think, so I was waging an un-winnable battle. Interesting note, my new effluent smelled just like the local creek did when I was a kid. It makes me wonder what was being dumped into that creek because there are plenty of municipal sewage treatment plants discharging into that same creek. - Anon. Dec 6, 2011

Reply:

Thanks for this important field experience report. We've posted it for the benefit of other readers.

Reader Question: using hydrogen peroxide in the leach field or using calcium polysulphide as a drainfield restorer?

(Feb 24, 2014) Brett said:

I have a gray water system only (a separate sewage tank for the toilets)that is only 30 feet long and has an arch type system laid in native soil. Due to local laws my system is grandfathered to be allowed, but I cannot increase the size of my field or improve it. When we moved in, trucks ran over the field and harmed it. Two years ago I dug it up left the arch in place but added 2-4 inch gravel three feet wide and two feet deep on either side and lay water permeable ground cloth over the gravel and covered with soil. (I did this all by hand and I do NOT want to have to do this again!) Last year the system started to slow way down.

Based on what the internet had to suggest I used 4 litres of 17% hydrogen peroxide to clear the inlet line as it was plugged. That improved the flow immediately. I also used approximately 12 litres of calcium polysulphide that I brewed myself and added surfactant to.

From what I read I will need to continue to add this lime sulphur solution every six months. Sure enough my system is slowing down again and the ground is still very frozen with a good 3 feet of snow burying my fire pit, so I was going to buy a lime sulphur product like Septic Seep to use. I was also considering infusing my leach field with Hydrogen peroxide again.

Please not that there is NO SEPTIC TANK nor a distribution box. The line from my house goes directly to the leach field. My question is: Am I wasting my money buying Calcium Polysulphide? And should I use hydrogen peroxide to clear my lines to let the lime sulphur get into the leach field?

Reply:

Brett I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if I have the right idea of what you have installed, you've built a huge horizontal cesspool or seepage pit. Not only are chemical treatments unlikely to be effective, they're likely to be illegal and are not recommended by any septic authority I've found. IMO you are pouring labor and good money down the toilet.

It MIGHT be the case that with such a ... how should I put it ... special septic system "design", there could be a blockage early in the system layout, solids preventing effluent from flowing past, and it might be possible to scope the system to look for evidence of that.

But ultimately you need a septic tank and drainfield.

Reader Question: is it possible to restore a Drainfield?

(Apr 5, 2014) Al said: [originally posted at SEPTIC BIOMATS]

Can a drain field be partially restored. I have 2 visible drain field lines that are clogged at the bottom of a very steep slope. If I install a complete new drain field it would be almost financially impossible for us as we are retired. Also what do you think about the new types of drain field pipe on the market such as the "rock less" pipe. Are soil has a very highly red clay composition. Thank you.

Reply:

Al,
I don't agree with the term "restored" drainfield if someone means treating with chemicals or injections - which generally don't work, waste money, contaminate the environment and in many areas are illegal.

But certainly I do agree that one could excavate and repair or replace just part of an existing drainfield.

Watch out though: if the contractor, in the course of digging up and replacing say two drain field trenches drives his backhoe all over the rest of the drainfield he's probably going to destroy it - which then converts the job into a complete replacement.

The "no-rock" drainfield systems can work perfectly fine, IF the soil conditions give adequate percolation; chances are you'll find that you need wider trenches, possibly longer trench length in at least some soil areas.

Reader Question: Is a drainfield shock treatment worth trying?

5/3/2014 Nathan said: [originally posted at SEPTIC BIOMATS]

I have begun researching a product called BioMat-X which is described as a "drain field shock treatment". It claims to provide "trillions" of enzymes into the drain field to absorb the thick biomat layer preventing adequate water absorption. It also claims to be beneficial to the environment as it reduces the runoff of untreated sewage. Is there any scientific basis for this claim? The $185 per gallon cost surely compares favorably with the cost of field replacement. Is it worth the risk to try it?

Reply:

Nathan,

If you want to try the product and if it is not prohibited by your local or state health department (as many septic treatments and additives are indeed prohibited), I can't object.

The appeal for a magic bullet we could pour into drains, a d-box, septic tank, or drainfield line is very great considering the cost of replacing a failed drainfield.

If we eschew for a moment the illegal, toxic or harmful chemicals used in some processes and just address benign treatments, I remain disappointed that after decades of working in this area and of inviting product marketers to allow us to see independent third party research that shows that the products actually work that invitation has gone un-satisfied.

I've yet to receive supporting data. We have received some reader reports of having used septic field treatment products that did *not* work, leaving me a bit skeptical about online testimonials and white papers produced by product manufacturers or marketing companies.

If we were going to perform a test of a drainfield treatment chemical that was safe to use (as enzymes may well be) I'd like to see the a sound experimental design that allowed examination of the soil in cross section, visually and chemically as well as for percolation rate changes. It's a difficult thing to test considering that there are many variables: soil conditions, septic use, weather, and disturbance of the soil just to look at it.

My OPINION is that the products generally are not effective.

If you'd like to give it a try, why not purchase a single gallon and obtain the seller's advice on how to use it in a single small drainfield area that you might then be able to monitor for changes in the soil percolation rate?

I'm confused by your phrase indicating that the septic drainfield shock treatment is going " to absorb the thick biomat layer "

I agree that the biomat eventually clogs the drainfield and slows or stops soil absorption of effluent from the soakaway bed or drainfield trench. That clogging material is a combination of soil organisms (hence the "bio" in "biomat" combined with grease, sludge, solids, sometimes salts, and whatever else has flowed into the drainfield trench. In cross section of a trench it shows up as a distinctive black band around the trench perimeter and extending inches into the surrounding soil.

I can imagine the break-down of the biomat by soil organisms over time (a long time, years) if a field is taken out of service to allow it to recover, or partial breakdown by use of harsh, (usually illegal) chemical treatments, but I am unclear about how enzymes would "absorb" the biomat.

Enzymes are agents that produce chemical changes that help break down or "digest" a biological material.

Enzymes are not substances that "absorb" other biological materials.

They are "any of various proteins, as pepsin, originating from living cells and capable of producing certain chemical changes in organic substances by catalytic action, as in digestion. " - Webster's

I understand that marketing material may be written not for scientists but for consumers but my opinion is that "absorbing the biomat" is a phrase that itself makes me nervous that the claim is at best confusing.

Reader Question:

(June 12, 2014) Bob said:

The introduction of air to destroy the biomat may produce mega pollution of the aquifers. A biomat is a vital part in keeping virus, pathogens, heavy metals etc. from entering the groundwater. Restoring systems that are severely clogged would likely release very harmful wastewater components. Field test results of groundwater at actual installations are not available.

Reply:

Thanks, Bob. Can you help us out with article citations or research references? That's how we sort opinion from authoritative research.

Reader Question:

11/2/2014 Anonymous said:

Our septic system contractor said the sludge in our septic system was not breaking down well. He poured Ox-AID and CCLS into the tank, which are Mass DEP title V approved for contractor use chemicals. Are these directly applied chemicals any more effective than the ineffective chemicals sold to the homeowner. We would like to know if we are unnecessarily pouring money into our septic services pocket?

Reply:

Anon, one wonders how the septic marketeer determined the sludge breakdown rate. Normally bacteria occurring naturally in the septic tank partly digest the solid sewage. Clarified effluent flows to the drainfield. Grease coagulates in the floating scum layer at tank top. Solids settle as sludge to tank bottom and should be removed during tank pumping, not treated with chemicals.

Additives and treatments are not recommended by any independent authority we've found.

At least what you added should do no harm.

In unusual cases septic tank bacteria may be harmed, e.g. By dumping chemicals down drains or at a nursing facility where antibiotics are in high use.

In a residential septic even if you dumped something unusual into drains damaging tank and drainfield bacteria the tank will immediately be corrected if it is pumped and cleaned - provided you don't continue the offense. No inoculation is needed beyond normal use.

Soil Aeration Processes for Septic Drainfield Rejuvenation: TerraLift® Type air injection

Reader Question: sinkholes after terralift treatment of septic drainfield

12/19/2014 Anita said:

I had my leach bed Terra lifted a few months ago. Now i have sink holes in my yard

Reply:

Anita,

The Terralift procedure is described as improving problems traced to soil compaction, saturation, and improper drainage (the company's process description is at - www.terraliftinternational.com/terralift/index.html ).

The procedure is a combination of a probe driven into the soil by a pneumatic hammer, air injection into the soil (also see our articles on well flow rate rejuvenation by fracturing), and the insertion of styrofoam pellets into the fractures, all intended to improve soil drainage - at least within the area or soil layer that was treated.

One can SPECULATE that the disturbance of soils to improve drainage MIGHT happen to also open up drainage into a buried and collapsible site feature, but we don't know if water was draining into buried tree stumps, abandoned buried tanks, a limestone formation, or an actual sinkhole.

It would be reasonable to call Terralift to ask about their experience with sinkholes after terralift treatment and to ask their advice. You'll see from details we provide below and perhaps more specifically in your contract with and warranty from Terralift, the company asserts that the system won't damage lawns and it includes a three-year guarantee.

You might need a geotechnical engineer to make an accurate site assessment - for safety - but I can't guess as you don't describe the size of your sinkholes, nor where you live. Some areas such as much of Florida and other areas in the U.S. over extensive underground mining or drilling are more likely to include sinkhole risks.

The Terralift process, a patented procedure operated by Terralift International, is a septic drainfield rejuvenation process that in concept, breaks up, aerates, and opens compacted soils to improve drainfield absorption (soakbed absorption) of septic effluent.

Really? To the extent that the process indeed opens up compacted soil it will provide some improved effluent flow. But in our opinion, the success of a Terralift process depends significantly on the specific site and soil conditions. Clay soils and wet sites won't be rejuvenated by air injection into the soil. And what the Terralift process cannot do is remove the accumulated and thickened biomat that generally blocks substantial areas soils around the drainfield trench (other than flooding this is a primary cause of field failure) nor clogged soil areas all beneath a soakbed or leach field.

Smiley (1990) argues that GrowGun or Terralift processes do not significantly alter the bulk density of the treated soil. Rolf (1991) did not agree with Smiley if the soil was sandy but did agree with Smiley if the soil was clay. Hodge (1993) found no positive effect on trees.

Day (1994) points out that there is no universally successful technique for de-compacting soils. She continues:

"This is not surprising in that good soil and good soil structure are the result of countless years of naturally occurring physical and biological activity. We would not expect, then, that any quick fix could repair the damage done in soil compaction. ...

Many amelioration methods have focused on soil aeration. It now seems, however, that as long as drainage is adequate, aeration is most likely not the primary restricting factor resulting from soil compaction.

Techniques that physically reduce mechanical impedance and improve soil filth are approaches that merit further exploration." - Day (1990)

Contact the Terralift company at

• Terralift: soil aeration and styrofoam injection to improve soil drainage. Terralift, Stockbridge MA, USA, Tel: 413-298-4272, Terralift Website: www.terraliftinternational.com

Similar soil aeration and lifting or air injection processes or equipment for septic drainfield or soakbed rejuvenation include

• Grow Gun & Robin Dagger equipment.

Also see this Canadian document on drainfield rejuvenation

• New Ideas for Household Septic Systems on Difficult Sites, [PDF] retrieved 2016/06/26, original source: https://www.rrca.on.ca/_files/file/Septic%2520Smart%5B1%5D.pdf
  Discusses
  sand and wood-chip filters,
  effluent filters [also see FILTERS SEPTIC & GREYWATER ]
  ATUs (Aerobic Treatment Units), and
  Leaching Bed Remediation using the Terralift System [also see DRAINFIELD RESTORATION APPROACHES ]
  
  Excerpts Describing Terralift from this Canadian document:
  
  A patented system used to rejuvenate leaching beds without costly excavation.
  
  Description: Terralift uses a long, narrow probe and built-in pneumatic hammer to penetrate the soil or fill. Compressed air is injected to fracture the soil. Dry polystyrene pellets are injected into the cracks created, in order to maintain the passages for the percolation of liquids away from the leaching trenches. This process is best suited to soils that allow cracks (i.e., heavy clays).
  
  Intended Use: To prolong the life of an existing leaching bed.
  
  Details:
  The cracks created by the compressed air can extend to depths of 90 cm.
  
  The system causes no damage to lawns.
  A site evaluation by a licensed sewage installer with experience using the Terralift system is required.
  
  Estimated Cost: $3,500 for a three-year guaranteed system.

Research on pneumatic subsoil loosening & treatments

• Day, Susan D., and Nina L. Bassuk. "A review of the effects of soil compaction and amelioration treatments on landscape trees." Journal of Arboriculture 20, no. 1 (1994): 9-17.
• Hähndel, Reinhardt, and Hans Prün. "Fertilizers, 3. Synthetic Soil Conditioners." Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry.
• Hascher, William, and Christina E. Wells. "Effects of soil decompaction and amendment on root growth and architecture in Red Maple (Acer rubrum)." Arboriculture and Urban Forestry 33, no. 6 (2007): 428.
• Hodge, S. J. "The effect of stem nutrient injection and compressed air soil injection on the performance of established amenity trees." Arboricultural Journal 17, no. 3 (1993): 287-300.
  Abstract:
  The response of mature street trees to nutrient injection into the stem, and compressed air injection into the soil in four experiments is reported. Nutrient injection resulted in no consistent tree response. Compressed air injection improved the shoot extension of birch on a compacted sandy loam site for the three years of assessment. No positive effect was detected in declining sweet chestnut on a compacted clay loam site.
  Sumario
  En cuatro experimentos se informa sobre la respuesta de árboles de calle maduros a la inyección de nutrimiento en el tronco y a la inyección de aire comprimido en el suelo. La inyección de nutrimiento resultaba en una respuesta del árbol inconsistente. La inyección de aire comprimido mejoraba la extensión de tallos en abedules en un lugar de marga y arena compactadas durante tres arios de valoración. No se detectó un efecto positivo en castaños viejos en un lugar de marga y arcilla compactadas.
• Iles, J. K. "The science and practice of stress reduction in managed landscapes." In XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Environmental Stress and Horticulture Crops 618, pp. 117-124. 2002., FR) (1988).
• Krieter, M. "Untersuchungen zur Waldduengung mit Dolomit-Pellets und der Terralift-Druckluftsonde." Allgemeine Forstzeitschrift (1988).
• Potts, David A. "Dewatering a leach field." U.S. Patent 6,969,464, issued November 29, 2005.
• Rolf, Kaj. "Recultivation of compacted soils in urban areas." Document-Swedish Council for Building Research (Sweden) (1994).
• Rolf, K. "A review of preventative and loosening measures to alleviate soil compaction in tree planting areas." Arboricultural Journal 18, no. 4 (1994): 431-448.
  Abstract:
  Where a soil has already been compacted, or where there is a risk that it will be compacted, it is essential to know how the condition can be alleviated or overcome. By using the right equipment and by not subjecting soft surfaces to high axle loads, compaction can be avoided. Where the soil is already compacted, the wise and sympathetic use of an excavator can assist in bringing the soils into a condition where it can support vegetation—grow shrubs and trees. This paper describes and discusses the use of mechanical equipment to improve the condition of soils which have been affected by construction practices.
• Rolf, Kaj. "Soil physical effects of pneumatic subsoil loosening using a Terralift soil aerator." Journal of Arboriculture 18 (1992): 235-235.
• Rolf, Kaj. "Soil improvement and increased growth response from subsoil cultivation." Journal of Arboriculture 17, no. 7 (1991): 200-204.
  Abstract . Subsoiling with an excavator , before planting , was used to reduce th e negative effects of soil compaction . Tw o soil types were used and resuls showed that soil bulk density wa s reduced an d por e volum e an d airfille d porosit y a t fiel d capacit y ha d increased . Penetratio n resistanc e wa s lowere d fo r bot h sites . Thre e year s afte r planting , plant s wer e highe r a t th e subsoiled sandy soil but not at th y soil , compare d wit h th e controls.
• Smiley, E. Thomas. "Terravent™: Soil fracture patterns and impact on bulk density." Journal of Arboriculture 27, no. 6 (2001): 326-330.
• Spring, Jonas, Doug Joustice, "UBC SEEDS Projevct: Macmillan Precinct Oak Management Plan." (2003).
• Suchecki Jr, Ronald J. "Method for introducing materials into a medium." U.S. Patent 5,810,514, issued September 22, 1998.
• Zinck, Eugen. "Process and device for loosening agriculturally used soil." U.S. Patent 4,660,480, issued April 28, 1987.
• Zinck, Eugen. "Compressed-air pile-driver." U.S. Patent 4,496,007, issued January 29, 1985.

...

Continue reading  at TRENCHLESS SEWER REPLACEMENT or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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?

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Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.