Septic Types

 

Conventional Standard Gravity System
This system is what most people are familiar with. It starts with a two Chambered Septic tank (size depending on the number of bedrooms) and the gravity feeds from the tank to the drainfield. Depending on the soil, the drainfield will vary in length from 40-100 feet per bedroom. The drainlines will be a minimum of 6" to a maximum of 3 ft into the ground. The maximum depth of the drainfield is determined by soil type, structure, and the location of the ground water indicated by Mottling. Standard Gravity systems require a minimum of 3 feet of good soil (no water table) below the bottom of the trench.. The installed cost will run anywhere from $5,000 to $7,000 depending on site conditions.

 

Pressure Distribution System (pumped)
This system is similar to the Standard Gravity but it has a pump that pumps equally to all the drainlines across the entire length. The system consists of the two Chamber Septic tank and one Pump Chamber. The pump has a control box that pumps to the drainfield in equal amounts eight times per day (our design) over a 24 hour period. If too much effluent is coming from the house, a high water audio alarm will go off letting the owners know there is a problem. State requirements are a maximum of 120 gallons per bedroom per day. Many times this high water alarm will be from a leaking toilet or saving many loads of laundry for the one particular day of the week. Pressure Distribution systems require a minimum of 2 feet of good soil (no water table) below the bottom of the trench. The installed cost will run anywhere from $7,000 to $10,000 depending on the site conditions.

 

Sand Mound Systems
This system is above ground and requires a pump. The system is similar with a Pressure Distribution System but it pumps into a rock bed and the gravity feeds into special Sand. These systems vary in size and height from 70' x 50' and 3 feet tall. These systems can be mowed over the top with a light weight lawn mower. If you have a property on a slope (less than 20%) Sand Mounds can be filled on the uphill side to look more like a tarest landscape feature and not a large bump in the property. Sand Mounds systems require a minimum of 1.5 feet of good soil (no water table) below the surface of the ground where the sand is to be applied. The installed cost will run from $12,000 to $18,000 depending on the site conditions.

 

Intermittent Sand Filter Systems
This system is below ground and requires two pumps. It is similar to the Pressure Distribution system but it has a Sand Filter in the ground that is usually 40' x 12' consisting of Sand and rock. Once the effluent is pumped into the Sand Filter it gravity feeds to a sump where a pump sends it to the drainfield. Sand Filters require a minimum of 12" of good soil (no water table) below the drainline trenches. The installed cost will run anywhere from $14,000- $20,000.

Proprietary Pretreatment followed with a Pressure Distribution System
These systems are the same as the Intermittent Sand Filter Systems but replace the Sand Filter with a smaller unit. These systems require a Professional inspector (O&M) to inspect your system yearly. They have some definite advantages but can be more costly in upfront costs. These systems are Advantex, White Water, Biorobix, FAST, and many others.

 

Subsurface Drip Systems
This system requires much smaller area than most other designs and are underground. It consists of tubes with very small orifices (emitters) that drip effluent into the ground every foot. Subsurface Drip systems require at least 1.5' of good soil (no water table) from the surface ground. The tubes are usually placed under the ground 6" deep. These systems require a Professional inspector (O&M) to inspect your system yearly. The installed cost will run from $18,000 to $25,000.

 

Glendon BioFilter
This system is above ground using Sand and Rock. Special grass seed and shallow root plants can be planted on this unit. The Glendon BioFilter requires only 12" of good soil (no water table) from the surface ground. This system require a Professional inspector (O&M) to inspect your system yearly. Usually only a few approved Contractors can install these systems. The installed cost will run from $12,000 to $18,000.