Questions and answers about the differen types of septic systems: onsite waste disposal system types.

This septic system design article series lists and describes all of the types of septic systems, including both conventional septic tank and drainfield systems and alternative septic system designs.

FAQs on Definitions of Septic System Types & Onsite Wastewater Treatment Designs

These questions and answers about the different types of septic systems were posted originally

at SEPTIC SYSTEM TYPES - master list. Be sure to review that article.

Is a modad Septic required in Jackson Oo. Ms.near Vancleave, Ms?

Is a modad required in Jackson co. Ms.near Vancleave, Ms? On 2019-06-17 by Mildred - I

Reply by (mod) - Is a modad required ? Are Aerbic Septic Systems Required in Jackson Co MS?

Perhaps you're asking about a" Mo-Dad Class 1 Advanced Wastewater Treatment System" typically a 500 gallon per day capacity aerovic treatment system produced by

Acquired Wastewater Technologies P.O. Box 96 Denham Springs, LA 70727-0096 USA Tel: Local (225) 665-2949 Toll Free (800) 999-0615 http://www.acquiredwt.com

Mo-Dad is an aerobic septic system - described below. If that's your question, then the answer is "not necessarily" - depending on local site conditions, size, soil properties, and local building official inspection.

There are multiple types of septic systems permitted in your area of Mississippi, as you can see in this

WASTEWATER DISPOSAL REGULATIONS JACKSON MS [PDF] Mississippi State Department of Health Post Office Box 1700 Jackson, Mississippi 39215-1700 original source: http://sos.ms.gov/ACProposed/00012764B.pdf

Here is the

MO-DAD I & II INSTALLATION & OWNER'S MANUAL [PDF] retrieved 2019/08/31 original source: http://www.acquiredwt.com/homeowner/assets/MDOM.pdf
Manual excerpt:

The MO-DAD 1, INC. Wastewater Treatment System is an economical alternative for use in treating domestic wastewater generated by normal household activities.

The process is based on a single-tank, dual-chamber, extended aeration activated sludge system which is capable of producing an effluent which meets applicable state discharge standards.

This system has been successfully tested in accordance with National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Standard 40-2000.

Acquired Wastewater also produces the CajunAire Advanced Septic system

Here is the

CAJUN-AIRE SEPTIC SYSTEM OWNERS MANUAL [PDF] retrieved 2019/08/31 original source: http://www.acquiredwt.com/homeowner/assets/CAOM.pdf
Manual Excerpt:

The process the CajunAire Advanced uses to treat common household wastewater is an extended-aeration activated-sludge process. In your aerobic aeration system, air is introduced into the sewage through diffusion.

When this air is diffused into the untreated wastewater, it promotes the growth of aerobic bacteria and other microorganisms that break down the organic material found in regular household sewage. Sewage is first initiated into the system through the pretreatment chamber after which it flows into the aeration chamber.

The liquid inside of the aeration chamber should be a light brown color. This color is caused by the return of activated sludge from the clarifier. As the wastewater leaves the aeration chamber, it enters this clarifier which is also known as the “quiet zone”.

No mixing occurs inside the quiet zone. In the clarifier, the solids separate from the liquid and settle to the sloped-bottom of the clarifier; this quasi-solid and settling material is called activated sludge.

Activated sludge contains dissolved oxygen and bacteria that are supported by oxygen.

The activated sludge is returned to the aeration chamber through a gap in the base of the clarifier wall. In the aeration chamber, the aeration chamber’s bubbling, rolling action feeds this activated sludge into the aeration process once again until the solids are adequately removed creating a solid-free stream.

The solid-free stream that flows into the clarifier exits the system as a high quality, treated stream that is ready to be re-introduced into the environment.

- Daniel Friedman, Massachusetts Title 5 Licensed Septic System Inspector, & New York State H.I. License # 16000005303 (inception to 2008).

Who can design an alternate septic system?

Who can I contact to Engineer an alternative system? On 2019-04-25 by Phyllis -

Reply by (mod) -

SEPTIC CONSULTANTS, DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS https://inspectapedia.com/septic/Septic-Expert-Consultants-Directory.php

has some suggestions

My property has no room for a septic system so we just have a holding tank: what can we do so it's not necessary to pump it often?

I have a property that has a holding tank system assuming because we could not put drainfield is there another alternative so it does not have to be pumping regularly. - On 2018-12-19 by Jim

Reply by (mod):

Provided that septic holding tank systems are legal (permitted) where your property is located (they are not permitted in most jurisdictions except in special circumsdtances),

your septic engineer will calulate your anticipated daily or monthly wastewater volume. That data will guide selection of a larger septic holding tank that in turn will reduce its pumping frequerncy.

The other key step for you to take is to reduce the wastewater volume at your property to an absolute minimum

Take a look at WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES 

Also take a look at ALTERNATIVE & WATERLESS TOILETS for water saving toilets & accessories.

How do I find the price and permit codes for a BAT septic system in Pennsylvania?

I am looking for prices for a BAT septic system and if it can be used in Allegheny County, Pa. On 2018-05-29 by Richard Laird -

Reply by (mod) -

Richard

Take a look at BAT MEDIA SEPTIC PLANTS at https://inspectapedia.com/septic/BAT_Septic_Media_Systems.php where there are some sources and citations in the article and in the article's REFERENCES section.

Typical additional costs for a BAT media septic plant start at around $10,000 to $15,000 above a conventional septic system that fits your site.

The base cost that you have to add to those numbers vary so considerably by country and city or province or state that I'm reluctant to promise a more-specific estimate when we know nothing about your specific site.

Using a cesspool at house that backs up to the lake on a steep rocky embankment.

Hi, I have a house that backs up to the lake on a steep rocky embankment.

There is two septic containers behind the house made of concrete block. The second container is partially above ground. It is starting to deteriorate and leak.

There is no leach lines. Can you give me ideals on replacement or should I just tear old down and build a new container. On 2018-04-24 by Charles Perkins

Reply by (mod) -

What you are describing sounds to me like a cesspool uphill from and possibly too close to a body of water. Before rebuilding anyting I would check with the local health and building departments about what you permitted to install in that location.

Otherwise you could find you've wasted your repair money.

See CESSPOOLS for articles describing that component how it works what is limitations are and why it would be a really bad idea to have a cesspool close to a lake.

What's the required slope on a sewer pipe?

Hi
Please call my about slope of sewer line pipe or how much slope for sewer line pipe On 2017-10-12 by fahim -
thanks

Reply by (mod) -

Fahim

Most model building codes want to see a 2% slope in drain lines, or we use a rule of thumb that we want to see between 1/8" (1% slope) and 1/4" (2% slope) of slope per foot of run.

Using the metric system that's a minimum of about 2 cm / meter (a 2% slope)

Building a septic system in rural Columbia - choices?

Hello,

I'm building a house in rural Colombia and trying to determine the best septic system to implement.

In my research, I'd like to try and create an anaerobic system with an aerated third tank before the effulent is ultimately deposited in to a series of small botanical cells.

Would something like this work or am I overlooking something? Any insight would be greatly appreciated, thank you. On 2017-02-28 by Dane

Reply by (mod) - "green cell" septic system

I am not a septic engineer but from what I've read you're on a reasonable track, Dane. Much depends on

- the total available space to dispose of effluent

- the soil properties - for example wet soils won't treat effluent

Our septic system failed and can't be repaired - built on clay soil; what do we do? What if the land is all rock?

We have a septic system that has failed. We currently have a septic tank & leech lines, but no sand filter.

We've been told that only half of our leech field is working. We have also been told that our system cannot be repaired; that our tank has to be pumped out,crushed, & filled in; & we have to replace it with an EPA discharging system.

Our house sits on a lot that is between 2/3rds & 3/4ths of an acre & the soil is clay.I would like to know how many different types of mechanical discharging systems there are,how they work,which would work best for our situation while meeting the EPA's standards, & at the best cost. - On 2016-08-24 by june

What if your land is all rock. Is there an alternative to septic tanks? - On 2016-08-07 by Anonymous

Reply by (mod) -

June and Anon:

I'd start by being clear on who the authority was who told you what you report.

If you are referring to local health or code officials then their word is law of course.

In that case I'd continue by asking what local septic design authority they'll accept: such as a local septic design engineer.
Then I'd continue by hiring such a designer.

That's because the choice of what type of system will work for your situation is very situation dependent, including depending on:

1. local septic regulations where you live

2. what designs and systems are approved or can be approved where you live

3. your specific site conditions: space, soil type, percolation rate, proximity to bodies of water, other terrain conditions, property setback rules.

You may understand that otherwise, just recommending lists of septic designs risks wasting your time and money by barking up the wrong tree - or flushing down the wrong design.

Typically on clay soil we install a raised septic mound system; other options that in my OPINION have a shorter life include raised peat bed septics.

See SEPTIC MOUND DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS 

Anonymous:

All septic system designs need some sort of tank to receive and treat sewage; Your site might work with a packaged small-capacity sewage treatment system that can in many climates reside completely above ground;

Or people bring in fill: constructing a raised bed septic design or a mound septic system.

I want a dual tank septic system that doesn't have a leach field - is that legal in New Jersey?

I have a very high water table and my septic is leaching. In Mexico they have a fiberglass dual tank system that does not have a leach field. Is this system used in New Jersey, summerset county? On 2015-12-25 by Anonymous

Reply by (mod) -

There are no septic tank systems that work without a drainfield; the effluent has to go somewhere.

And your local inspector is not likely to approve a holding tank system alone - that's not likely to be legal nor practical for a normal homeowner.

DEHC will allow a septic system without a pump: what does that mean?

Any helpful input would be appreciated. I am looking at a lot that is in a neighborhood. It did not perc for septic.

The builder said DHEC would allow a septic with a pump? Anybody know which type he may be referring too? Are alternative systems like this common? Are these a money pit? Or with proper care can these last as long as a normal septic tank? On 2015-11-25 by Brady

Reply by (mod) -

I think your DHEC is referring to a mound or raised-bed septic to which effluent is pumped. Properly designed such septic systems work and are acceptable and durable.

Search InspectApedia for


SEPTIC MOUND SYSTEMS

and

RAISED BED SEPTIC SYSTEMS

to see details.

If your site permits draining septic effluent out of the septic tank and into the mound by gravity that wouldn't need a pump.

...

Continue reading  at SEPTIC SYSTEM TYPES - home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN BASICS
• SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN ALTERNATIVES - home - list of alternative septic system design types
• SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN BASICS - home - list of basic septic system design types
• SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR - home
• SEPTIC SYSTEM TYPES - home

Suggested citation for this web page

SEPTIC SYSTEM TYPES FAQs 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

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