OUTLINE SEPTIC SYSTEM BASICS ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS – A PRIMER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS JR SINGS HIS COLLEGE FIGHT SONG

SEPTIC SYSTEM VS PUBLIC SEWER Average 4 Person Family pays $50-$80 per month for public water/Sewer in Stafford County. Half of that is for public sewer At $25/month >>> $1,500 in Five Years Traditional Septic System maintenance is about $200 every 5 years (pumping the septic tank).

Typical SEPTIC SYSTEM OVERVIEW

Septic System Maintenance A septic system can last 50 years, but many in the US fail after years Avoid putting the following in your septic system: Coffee grounds, dental floss, disposable diapers, cat-box litter, sanitary napkins, tampons, cigarette butts, plastics, facial tissues, paper towels, fat, grease, or oil and household hazardous wastes Pump your septic tank every 3-5 years Don’t Drive on your septic field

Indications of System Failure Sluggish drains Plumbing backups Seepage at ground surfaces

Alternative Treatment Systems Raised Bed and Septic Mound systems Advanced Material Media Filtration systems Aerobic Septic Systems Wetlands and Constructed Wetlands Waterless and Low-Water and Greywater- Separation systems

Septic Mound Systems

Media Filtration Systems

Aerobic Septic Systems

Constructed Wetlands

Waterless and Low-Water Think of a modern outhouse in the house. Yes, it works, but you probably need a “granola” client to accept it. The home will also need a means to handle gray water (dishwater, shower water, etc) Many designs, but basically it composts and the “dirt” is removed at the end of the composting period.

Acknowledgements A Guide to Septic Systems and Alternatives (Virginia Water Resources Research Center) df df InspectAPedia -- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/gemare/gemare_009.cfm schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/gemare/gemare_009.cfm University of Minnesota -- nents/6583[f03].html nents/6583[f03].html King County (Washington State) Public Health TOOLBASE -- Inventory/Plumbing/aerobic-wastewater-treatmenthttp:// Inventory/Plumbing/aerobic-wastewater-treatment Wikipedia --