Aerobic Septic Tank Sewage Level FAQs

Wastewater level in septic tank Q&A

Aerobic Septic System ATU Sewage Level Problem FAQs

Diagnose and Fix the Abnormally high sewage level in our WhiteWater DF50 Aerobic Treatment Unit

I have a three-tank system that is giving me absolute FITS when we have a rain event (and lately we've had far too many).

My system is comprised of the original concrete septic tank (1000 gallon), which discharges into a WhiteWater DF50 Aerobic Treatment Unit, which in turn gravity feeds into another 1000 gallon dosing tank.

Last weekend I thought I had resolved the continuing high water alarms in the dosing tank as I found and fixed three infiltration sites (inlet and outlet of the original septic, now the collection tank), and at a joint in the riser to the dosing tank.

After I had sealed these water intrusion spots, the effluent pump managed to actually pump the level down where the on/off float actually turned the pump off (first time that's happened in all the time I've lived here (7 months).

However, we had in excess of an inch of rain today, and when I got home from work, we had another HWA.

The level in the dosing tank was not overly high (tank about 2/3 full), but the collection tank was COMPLETELY full (up to the rim), and the cone in the ATU had a significantly higher amount of floating solids and smelled worse than it normally does.

My concerns, in order:

1. Why wouldn't the collection tank continue to drain into the ATU, which should lower the level in the tank,

2. Is the ATU becoming overloaded and that's why there is more than normal amount of smell and floating solids?, and

3. What's stopping the ATU from draining into the dosing tank? It's almost like the excess groundwater is stopping the system from flowing like it should.

The elevation of the drains in the house is about 6" higher than the elevation of the top of the collection tank, but I'm concerned that given we are expecting two more days of rain, I may wind up with sewage in the house.

I've attached three photos, working through the system.

First is the collection tank, showing where the water level is (very high), [Shown at the top of this page]

Second photo is second is the ATU cone, showing excessive floating solids, shown above,

and below, my third phtoso shows the ATU dosing tank.

Please provide some pointers!! Thanks On 2020-02-19 by Joel Weeks

Answer by (mod) - WhiteWater DF50 Aerobic Treatment Unit flooding problem diagnosis & cure

I agree that if your collection tank level is above the outlet into the aerator unit; so there must be a clog in that location.

I thought at first that perhaps the ATU you had also been flooded which caused the collection tank to flood and then subsequently the ATU pump was able to get ahead.

But that wouldn't explain why the collection tank wouldn't drain down to a normal level into the ATU unless salads are floating scum are blocking the outlet.

Regardless we need to find the rest of the surface water leaks into those tanks and fix them. In addition to ceiling the obvious leak points you need to direct surface runoff away from that area.

Is it possible to add send little water from the house to your septic tank?

We have a grey water system in addition to the septic tank. Is it possible to add too little water to your septic tank since it only gets water from the toilets and kitchen sink/ dishwasher? On 2020-01-08 1 by Joe

Answer by (mod) -

Consider that an older toilet sends about 3.6 gallons of water into the septic tank along with urine or any solid waste at each toilet flush, and that even a new low-flush toilet sends 1.6 gallons of water along, that'd normally be enough.

Just have your septic tank service company open the tank and check its sewage level and check the scum and sludge thickness levels.

As long as the tank has adequate net free area (not-solid, not scum) then it can work properly; the fact that you discharge less clarified effluent into the drainfield lightens the load on that component.

So needing more water in the septic tank would be unusual.

But yes, it's possible that if a building directs all of its graywater to a separate disposal well and that the building uses low-flush or water conserving toilets, so little water may enter the septic tank that it may be overloaded with solids and may not process sewage effectively.

When your septic tank is pumped ask the contractor to tell you what conditions were found in the tank - that can answer the question; or you may need to increase the septic tank pumping frequency to avoid a sewage backup or drainfield failure.

Can an unusually large volume of toilet paper clog up the septic tank?

I had my septic tanks replaced 1.5 years ago.

Recently the toilets have been backing up so I checked the tank closest to the house. It has a scum layer that is actually about 3 inches of toilet paper. The baffle seems to be working. I called the contractor, he has never seen anything like this. Once the toilet paper layer was broken up, my toilets started working.

Oddly, the lid to the tank does not let you view the inlet area like my old system.
Have you ever heard of this? Toilet paper layer blocking things up ? Same tp We used for 20 years with the old system and no problems.

I don’t believe it is normal or safe according to the health department to have to stir my tanks free of this weird build up of toilet paper.
Any thoughts? On 2019-10-22 by Sam

Opinion by (mod) - the tank baffles are critical to protect the drainfield

Sam

Well it's true that some building occupants may send an unusual amount of toilet tissue down the drains; but as long as the tank baffles are properly sized, installed, undamaged, they should protect the system from ruin by keeping the solids, including paper, in the tank rather than letting it go out to clog the drainfield or back-up to clog the sewage inlet pipe from the house.

Stirring up the tank is a terrible idea as that increases the risk of sending solids out into the drainfield. The ONLY time it makes sense to stir up the solids, scum, sludge, floating crud in a septic tank is during the actual process of pumping the tank out. At that time the pumper breaks up those solids so that they're removed from the tank during pumping.

Septic tank level stayed high during tank pumping: backflow from drainfield

I am trying to understand how the outlet filter affects the tank level. Guy pumping the tank said the level should have dropped when he removed the filter to clean, and this indicates a possible problem in the drain field.

Does the filter offer resistance to the sewage level, and when it is removed, the level reaches some sort of equilibrium? On 2019-07-05 by jhammit

Answer by (mod) -

JH

The filter on a septic tank outlet tee ought not affect the waste level in the septic tank one iota unless the filter is clogged. The top of the liquid level in the septic tank, if the outlet and fields are not clogged, ought to be the same as the bottom of the outlet pipe.

Watch out: your septic tank pumping contractor is warning you that the drainfield is flooded and flowing "backwards" into the septic tank when the tank is being pumped out.

That's an indicator of drainfield failure.

RE: Low effluent levels in the septic tank

IF the tank was very recently pumped out
OR
IF the tank was pumped and the building's plumbing system has remained out of use since then

THEN the waste effluent level in the tank could be below the bottom of the outlet pipe.

OTHERWISE
a low level in the tank sounds like there's a leak in the tank - it's damaged; as your tank is concrete there might be a crack.

That's a separate issue from the condition of the drainfield.

We pumped our septic tank when we bought the house and 4 months later the tank is full again. What's wrong?

We just purchased a house with septic system and it is our first experience living with Septic T. It was emptied just before we bought it in September and I fear it might already be full. Considering it is only 4 months passed, is that even possible?

We are family of 4. 2 adults and 2 kids. Had 2 guests over for couple of months. The reason why I suspect the septic T might be full is because there is a small drain pipe opening in my house near HVAC unit, and it has started giving foul smell.

Also, I have been using normal bleach containing toilet cleaners, bathroom cleaners etc, could they have damaged the septic system bad enough to quit working? what are some recommended brands of cleaners for a house with septic system? On 2019-01-09 by Deeps

Explanation by (mod) - septic tanks are normally alwasy full, sending effluent on into the drainfield.

Deeps

Thanks for asking about a condition that confuses lots of people who are new to septic systems.

If you have a conventional septic tank and drainfield, it is normal for the septic tank to be full, right up to the bottom of the tank outlet pipe.

When you flush a toilet the volume of wastewater entering the septic tank at its inlet end pushes an equal volume of effluent water out of the tank's other end and into the drainfield.

In the article SEPTIC TANK LEVELS of SEWAGE you'll see more details about normal vs abnormal waste levels in the septic tank.

Be sure to read SEPTIC TANK PUMPING SCHEDULE  to see how often you should be having your septic tank pumped out.

Usage of household cleaners at normal levels ought not harm the septic tank as they're diluted into the much larger total wastewater volume.

See TOILETS, DON'T FLUSH LIST to understnad what stuff you ought never flush down drains.

My septic tank filter clogs up too quickly

I am experiencing clogged filter on my septic system in less than 90 days. I just pulled and cleaned a fully clogged filter after 85 days.

This has been going on for a long time eg years, since the time the filter was installed 12 years ago. Frrequency of cleaning has shortened. Seems the scum level is flowing into the outlet directly? Your ideas. On 2018-11-11 by Jim Joyner

Suggestions by (mod) -

Jim,

If solids and grease from the floating scum layer are entering the septic T and the rapidly clogging a septic filter I suspect the scum layer is too thick. That happens if the septic tank is not being pumped at a sufficient frequency or if the pumping is not being correctly done such that the pumper is actually leaving the scum and solids in the tank.

That can happen if the pumping company is trying to clean the septic tank but only has a small access opening.

How much gravel goes in the leachfield trench around the pipe?

Hey wondering before you install your leach field pipe do you have to put in gravel six inches all the way around the pipe before filling in with dirt On 2017-09-17 01:57:47.804800 by Rancell

by (mod) - there are the numbers

Rancell,

Please see the detailed specifications for gravel trench septic beds at

SEPTIC DRAINFIELD SIZE https://inspectapedia.com/septic/Septic-Drainfield-Size.php

Where you will see specifications and sketches showing that gravel extends below, along the sides, and over the perforated pipe. Failure to respect those specifications for a conventional gravel-trench septic design means short life, early failure, big costs.

Excerpts from that article:

Septic drainfield gravel specification:

• Washed gravel, 3/4" to 2 1/2" (pretty big) gravel is placedfor a depth of 12" under the drain line piping ("septic drain tile" in some references).
• The pipe is then covered by additional gravel to a depth of at least 2" over the top of the septic drain line before backfill is added.
• Some septic installers place a geotextile over or around the gravel and pipe to reduce clogging by dirt infiltration from the septic trench backfill.
  
  Alternatively there are "gravelless" or "no-rock" or "no-gravel" septic designs that we discuss as well

at GRAVELESS SEPTIC DESIGN CRITERIA

I got a bacterial infection from an unsanitary toilet

I was living in a mobile home park I ended up catching h_polalria bactria infection because when you flushed the toilet it would settle in the top of the drain

I had major plumbers they told me that the drain has to be totally rebuilt the gave me an invitation noticed made me move and the still will not rent that spot out .

But I had to order this extra virgin pine nuts oil from South Africa because the anti biotics would not fix my problem

I ate the penasilin for three months and it was killing me my (feces) was black after dring one table spoon for one month it killed it immediately.

Thank God for the internet I could of died before the doctors found a cute I got on the net it gave me everything I needed so I told every pharmacy I go too now they all carry it. On 2017-09-17 by Randell

by (mod) - Research on "H. polaria" bacterial infection?

Randell,

Thank you for reporting a bacterial infection traced to unsanitary toilet operation and what sounds like open sewage where you lived. Other readers will note and take sewage exposure seriously.

However we do not agree that there are magic potions available via internet sale that are more effective than consulting with your doctor, and such self medication can be dangerous, even fatal, even though you feel it worked well for you.

I researched the medical effects of "extra virgin" oil made from pine nuts. (Extra virgin simply means oil from the first pressing of an oil source).

It is true that certain nut and olive oils are important sources of healthy fats and antixoidants. Pine nut oil is also considered to have other beneficial health effects. See the research I'll cite below.

Watch out: however. While any diet that improves general health is by definition good for us, and while improving general health might indeed help us fight off a bacterial infection, by no stretch of even the most active imagination would we expect a trained, qualified medical doctor to agree that pine nut oil from South Africa is an adequate substitute for a serious or even life-threatening bacterial infection.

I was unable to find any scholarly research citing a bacterial infection named "H Polaria" and would much appreciate if you can give us more specifics on that. Perhaps there's a spelling error?

• Adhikari, Prakash, Xue-Mei Zhu, Anupama Gautam, Jung-Ah Shin, Jiang-Ning Hu, Jeung-Hee Lee, Casimir C. Akoh, and Ki-Teak Lee. "Scaled-up production of zero-trans margarine fat using pine nut oil and palm stearin." Food chemistry 119, no. 4 (2010): 1332-1338.
• Bullo, Monica, Rosa Lamuela-Raventos, and Jordi Salas-Salvado. "Mediterranean diet and oxidation: nuts and olive oil as important sources of fat and antioxidants." Current topics in medicinal chemistry 11, no. 14 (2011): 1797-1810.
  Abstract:
  
  Oxidative stress has been involved in the aetiology of hypertension, insulin resistance, the metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions. Several epidemiological studies suggest that a diet rich in natural antioxidants is associated with protective effects against major diseases, especially cardiovascular disease.
  
  The Mediterranean diet is rich in fat and foods with important antioxidant properties, such as fruits and vegetables, olive oil, and nuts.
  
  In this review we focus on epidemiological evidence and clinical trials that relate the Mediterranean diet with oxidative stress markers. We focus our review on two important Mediterranean vegetable sources of potentially oxidized fat-olive oil and nuts.
• Oliveras-López, María-Jesús, José Joaquín Muros Molina, Marina Villalón Mir, Encarnación Fontao Rey, Francisco Martín, and Herminia López-García de la Serrana. "Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) consumption and antioxidant status in healthy institutionalized elderly humans." Archives of gerontology and geriatrics 57, no. 2 (2013): 234-242.
  
  

Landlord won't fix unsanitary septic - sewage on the ground surface

I live in Florida and have noticed something I figured I'd ask about.

The landlord recently had to get the septic pump replaced as the toilets were bubbling & gurgling, couldn't flush without them trying to overflow, etc.

It was explained to me we have a septic tank in the ground that drains into another large tank in the ground (that has a manhole cover on it) that holds the pump.

When the liquid level rises high enough the pump comes on and pushed the liquid into the drain field.
However here's the issue.

The drain field has its own probelm being when the pump runs you can see (and smell!) sewage water pumping to the surface of the ground. It isn't in one place but 5 or 6 places. They're all in line with each other. This sewage water only comes up when the septic tank pump runs.

As it's running and the water is being pumped above ground it's ending up back over by the manhole cover part and goes back in there. Endless cycle. Pump runs and pushed the liquid through the pipe, pipe pumps water above the ground (you can see it coming up almost like a a small fountain), it runs a across ground and ends up back in the system.

My electric bill has gone up 50-70$ minimum due to this happening.
Add in all the rain we have gotten recently and it's a huge problem.

Difficulty even flushing toilets much less doing laundry, showering, etc. We don't consume a lot of water on a daily basis (no more than average I'd say... No excessive consumption... Water bill averages 22$ a month).

My question is this... Isn't this a health hazard? I mean this is effluent and untreated water from a septic system being pumped through a presumably failed drain field line.
I rent and my landlord knows about it..

Her solution? Just don't let anyone in the back yard and keep kids away from the areas.
The smell alone is a dead giveaway there's a problem.
Add onto that the beep alarm noise from the pump due to the level of effluent water in the 2nd (manhole covered) tank.

This is a duplex unit with one unit being empty for the past couple months. A new tenant is due to move in (with the septic system being on that side of the yard).

I'm dreading what's gonna happen.

Basically all that is to ask....

Is this illegal with the landlord failing to repair it? Isn't this a health hazard with it ending up on the surface of the ground?

Is there anything that I as a rent-paying tenant can do? On 2017-08-31 by Jennifer

by (mod) - what to do if landlord is ignoring open sewage spills & leaks

Jennifer,

It should be pretty much without question that if sewage is showing up outside on the ground surface OR if a failing septic system or sewer system causes backup of sewage into the building, both of those are serious health hazards.

Furthermore, outside sewage on the surface is in most jurisdictions going to violate local health codes. If a landlord refuses to provide safe sanitary housing in response to written notice of those conditions you might have no choice but to ask your local health department for help.

At HEALTH DEPARTMENT HELP for RENTERS https://inspectapedia.com/sickhouse/Rental_Unit_Health_Safety.php we expand on this advice.

Keep me posted.