Septic media filter system operation: this document explains the how septic media filter systems work.

When using a septic media filter system, effluent treatment is by both actual filtration and ultimately by a biochemical process as the filter "matures" and includes its own biomass. Both natural media filter septic systems (such as sand, gravel, or peat) and synthetic media filter septic systems (foam cubes, glass, slag) are used, and both single-pass and effluent recycling systems may be employed.

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How do Septic System Media Filters for Septic Effluent Treatment Work?

Media filters are not a new idea, and have been in use in various forms for more than 100 years. An early form of media filtration used simple sand to filter drinking water, though the process used pressure and worked a bit differently from media filters used to treat septic effluent.

For septic effluent treatment purposes, the filter strains the effluent, trapping small solids and debris.The principal septic effluent treatment performed by the filter is biochemical, as a biomass or film of microbes attaches to the filter surface. (I discuss biomats in the context of a conventional drainfield at Biomat Formation.) In contrast with the relatively thick biomass of a drainfield (.5cm to 10cm), a thin biomass film forms on the entire surface area of the media filter.

So it's apparent that the term "media filter septic system" fails to make clear by its name that it's not just "filtering" septic effluent. Very important is the septic effluent and suspended solids treatment that takes place by microbes which form as a biomat on the surface of the filter media.

Effluent passing through the media filter comes into contact with the biomass where the biomat's microorganisms further process and sanitize the liquid effluent by removing pathogens, nitrogen, and viruses. (Treatment that occurs in a septic tank does not remove any appreciable portion of nitrogen from the effluent.)

The septic media filter, because of its porous nature, also supplies air (oxygen) to this process to assist the microbes in digestion of pathogens and organics in the wastewater effluent. The actual treatment process (slightly simplified) is a complex of filtering, adsorption, and oxidation by microbes in the biomat.

For the media filtration system to work, effluent has to be provided from the settlement tank to the media filter at a slow rate, perhaps 5 gallons per day per square foot of media surface. Septic effluent may be passed through the media filter only once - a single pass septic media filter system - or it may be recirculated through the media filter - a recirculating septic media filter system.

Septic media filters (discussed here) are an effluent treatment method. Other types of septic filters, such as greywater filters, washing machine filters, and filters at the effluent outlet of a conventional septic tank are all designed to protect the septic effluent absorption field or leach field.

These other septic filters are discussed at Septic & Graywater Filters or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

A combination of aerobic treatment and media filters to achieve higher wastewater treatment levels is discussed at BAT MEDIA SEPTIC PLANTS

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Continue reading  at SINGLE PASS vs RECIRCULATING SEPTIC MEDIA FILTER DESIGNS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Septic Media Filter Articles

• MEDIA FILTER SEPTIC SYSTEMS - home
  • BAT MEDIA SEPTIC PLANTS
  • DOSING CONTROL for SEPTIC MEDIA SYSTEMS
  • FOAM CUBE SEPTIC MEDIA FILTERS
  • PEAT SEPTIC MEDIA FILTERS
  • RUCK® SEPTIC MEDIA FILTER SYSTEMS
  • SAND SEPTIC MEDIA FILTERS
  • SANDY SOIL SEPTIC DESIGNS
  • SEPTIC MEDIA FILTER CAPACITY & MAINTENANCE
  • SEPTIC MEDIA FILTER SOURCE LIST
  • SEPTIC MEDIA FILTER SYSTEM OPERATION
  • SINGLE PASS vs RECIRCULATING SEPTIC MEDIA FILTER DESIGNS
  • TEXTILE SEPTIC MEDIA FILTERS
  • TYPES of SEPTIC MEDIA FILTER MATERIALS

Suggested citation for this web page

SEPTIC MEDIA FILTER SYSTEM OPERATION 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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