The requested URL /reviews/category_display.php?CatID=104 was not found on this server.Extension > Environment > Housing Technology > Moisture Management > Choosing an alternative septic system for a homesite with a high water table Why did the homeowners choose an RSF system? Homeowners in Lino Lakes wanted to remodel their house by adding bedrooms and a bath, and increase the square footage of their living space. During inspection for a building permit, they were informed that the existing on-site wastewater treatment system was not in compliance with the current standards. With only 18 inches of unsaturated soil to the water table beneath their backyard, wastewater from their home was not adequately treated by their existing system. The untreated sewage had the potential to affect groundwater and nearby wetlands (Figure 1) and could pose a serious risk to human health. The system needed to be replaced before they could get a permit for their remodeling project.Map of the site in Lino Lakes

Because of the high water table, just adding to the existing standard drainfield trenches wasn't an option. The homeowners could have constructed a mound system, but chose to install an alternative system. The City of Lino Lakes supported exploring alternative options for on-site treatment. used external fish tank filters for saleIf you are considering an alternative system, be sure to contact your local government unit (LGU) early in the process to get approval.4 feet fish tank price in india This household uses water supplied by the municipality, so the location of a well was not a criterion when the system or location was chosen. cheap tropical fish online uk

Minnesota requirements establish minimum distances, or setbacks, between septic systems and wells, buildings, shoreland, and property lines. Setback requirements should be considered before selecting a system or location. Because there was not enough separation distance between the bottom of the existing drainfield trenches and the water table to treat their household sewage, the homeowners needed a system that treated pathogens (disease-causing organisms) before the wastewater entered the drainfield trenches. custom fish tank builders scotlandMoreover, experimental studies have shown that a recirculating sand filter (RSF) is very effective at removing pathogens from wastewater.corner fish tank cover The homeowners in Lino Lakes chose an RSF because it provides excellent wastewater treatment and was a cost-effective solution to their problems.fish tank filter electric bill

"Certainly it's going to increase the value of the property and it sounds like it's a very simple system – so there shouldn't be a lot of upkeep." In addition, the RSF required only a small area of the lot, so the installation did not disturb much of their lawn, and the finished system left room for their garden and other backyard activities. An RSF was placed between the existing septic tank and trenches (Figure 1). Wastewater moves from the house into a septic tank where solids settle out and some organic matter is decomposed (Figure 2). Liquid effluent moves to the recirculation tank, and from there to the sand filter. The effluent is pumped repeatedly through the sand filter and then flows out via gravity overflow to the drainfield. The system is designed to recirculate effluent through the filter at least five times before it is discharged into the trenches for final treatment. When wastewater enters the system from the house, an equal amount is delivered into the trenches.

A gravity-overflow system ensures that the recirculating tank does not drain completely, which would reduce treatment efficiency and possibly allow the system to freeze during the winter.Specific system design using a recirculating sand filter To ensure the system is working properly, samples are collected from the recirculation tank. Sampling frequencies are determined by the LGU or permitting agency. Usually, homeowners contract with a professional to collect and analyze these samples. During the first six months samples are collected weekly. Samples are collected monthly for the next six months and, thereafter, samples are collected annually to ensure the system is working properly. RSFs require regular observation and maintenance to make sure the timer control is working correctly. If the timer control fails, the system will not treat wastewater, although there may be no obvious signs that untreated sewage is reaching the drainfield. Monthly monitoring is required at start-up, but monitoring frequency decreases as system performance is documented.

If you are considering an alternative system, it is extremely important to estimate typical flow rates from your household and make sure that the system is properly sized, designed, installed, inspected, and maintained. Installing an RSF in Lino Lakes minimally disturbed the homeowners' yard and family life. Installation took about two days and the system was operational immediately. It took several weeks for grass to regrow. The final cost of this system was $5,400, which included the new tank and RSF. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is the most widely used parameter to evaluate wastewater. It is a measurement of the dissolved oxygen used by micro-organisms in the oxidation of organic matter in sewage. Total suspended solids (TSS) is a measure of the organic and inorganic solids that remain in wastewater after separation occurs in the septic tank. There are many pathogenic organisms present in wastewater that are difficult to isolate and identify. The human intestinal tract contains many types of coliform bacteria that are passed with feces.

If coliform organisms (which are easy to test for) are present in wastewater, this is a warning that pathogenic organisms may also be present. The Lino Lakes system was installed as part of an experimental project to assess treatment efficacy, so the system is being monitored regularly during the first few years of service. Treatment goals for the newly installed RSF are to achieve 20 mg/L BOD, 20 mg/L of TSS, and fewer than 10,000 most probable number (MPN) of coliform bacteria per 100 mL in the waste-water. The system has performed well but has not reached the desired treatment goals. Currently, BOD is 15 mg/L, TSS is 23 mg/L, and there are 17,000 MPN coliform bacteria/100 mL of wastewater. However, a high level of treatment is being achieved in the RSF because 75-93 percent of the contaminants are being removed. In addition, 39 percent of the total nitrogen and 36 percent of the total phosphorus are also being removed. The recirculation rate was increased in an attempt to improve treatment.

If needed, an effluent filter may be placed on the septic tank to limit the amount of solids leaving the tank. To date, the Lino Lakes upgrade has been a success because the RSF and trenches have operated properly. Estimated treatment costs for various types of septic systems are given in table 1.Cost in dollars of treating sewage over 25 years for a typical homeowner using various treatment options* Unlike a more traditional septic tank and drainfield system, an RSF cannot be completely ignored between annual maintenance appointments. Initially, the RSF requires weekly inspections, which can be reduced to monthly inspections after a few weeks. In addition, an RSF requires regular attention to ensure the timer control is working and, just like a traditional system, the septic tank needs regular cleaning. The Septic System Owner's Guide will help you calculate how often your tank needs cleaning, based on how much water you use. The pump (costing $400-500) will probably need to be replaced in the next 20-30 years.