ON-SITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS

ON-SITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS

WHY USE AN ON-SITE WASTEWATER SYSTEM? Normally rural homes, sub-divisions, and cottages outside of town or city boundaries rely on on-site treatment. It was also common to provide in small rural villages/hamlets with no municipal sewers to have properties on holding tanks or septic systems. In Ontario, it is estimated that there are approximately 1.2 million onsite septic systems. The most common type of on-site treatment system is the conventional septic system with a tank and a leaching bed.

Required Distances

Septic System Capacity Size of tank & leaching bed 2 x estimated daily wastewater production or 3,600 litres (which ever is greater) House size, # bedrooms, sinks, tubs, toilets, dishwashers, washing machine, other water-using appliances

THE SEPTIC TANK Inlet Pipe Water & Good Bacteria Compartments or Chambers Separation Wall Baffles Effluent Filter Outlet Pipe

Septic Tank Cross-Section Showing Access Risers and Effluent Filter

Interior of Septic Tank Partition Wall Inlet Baffle

Septic Tank Inlet Baffle

Septic Tank Outlet Baffle with Filter

Exterior of Septic Tank Outlet Pipe to Leaching Bed

Septic Tank with Effluent Filter & Leaching Bed

Distribution Pipes in Leaching Bed Prior to Back Filling

The Leaching Bed

Absorption Trench Cross Section

Stone Under Distribution Pipe

Leaching Bed Back-Filled with Stone

NEWER TECHNOLOGY & SMALL LOT SYSTEMS Area Beds Shallow Buried Trench Disposal Method Treatment Unit with Area Bed Disposal Method Aerobic Treatment Units Peat Filter System (Ecoflow)

Alternative Treatment Technology

Septic Tank Risers

Septic Tank Effluent Filters

SEPTIC SYSTEM ISSUES

Signs of System Problems sewage ponding in the leaching bed sewage back-up into the house sinks and toilets draining slowly sewage odours spongy or mushy ground in the leaching bed area lush green growth or uneven growth of grass on the leaching bed

Causes of Improperly Functioning Systems Improper construction and installation Undersized tank or leaching bed area (renovations & adding water-using devices such as dishwashers) Inadequate septic tank maintenance Leaching Bed Problems: Broken piping from septic tank Pumps not cycling properly Pump floats fouled with grease Excess water on bed (lawn watering or after heavy rainfall) Poor Maintenance: Overloading or abuse of system with solids or chemicals Compacted soils Saturated leaching bed Poisoning of good bacteria Usage patterns

Old Clay Tiles Plugged with Roots Steel Barrel Being used as a Septic Tank

Septic Tanks Requiring Pumping

Impact of Improperly Functioning Septic Systems Ground and surface water contamination (chemical & biological) Costly repairs or replacement Increased nutrient levels in the aquatic environment Loss of property values

Septic Tank Additives Also known as starters, feeders, cleaners. Septic system additives supposedly break down fats and solids in the septic tank. In practice, this just allows smaller particulates to pass through the septic filter where they re-unite in the leach field forming a dense bio-mat. At best, they will do no harm to your septic system or the environment, just waste your money. A properly designed septic system is going to operate just fine without additives. Avoid those "too good to be true" septic system additives on the market today. None of these septic cleaning and/or maintenance products have been proven effective.

Cleaning Products What is the best germ and bacteria killing substance in your house? Bleach - it kills bacteria. What thrives in a healthy septic tank to optimally process toilet waste? Bacteria. Recommended use of phosphate-free cleaning products.

Pumping Septic Tanks Pumped every 3-5 years (depends on size and load) When scum & sludge equal >1/3 of total tank volume Removes built up sludge & prevents solids from exiting tank into leaching bed Be present for pumping as pumper will point out maintenance problems

Care and Maintenance Checking system annually to ensure it is working properly; Having septic tank pumped every 3-5 years; Conserving water; Diverting water away from leaching bed ; and Keeping harmful material out of the system.

FINAL THOUGHTS Out of sight out of mind Nobody plans for the expense of having a septic system fail A septic system is like a car you need to provide regular maintenance It isn t a matter of IF your septic system WILL Fail, but WHEN will your septic system Fail

On-site Septic Systems that are not maintained IMPACT Environment & Public Health

REFERENCES

Questions?