Septic Systems and Alternative Septic Systems

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Septic Systems and Alternative Septic Systems
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OUTLINE

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

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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 gtgtgt 1,500 in Five Years
• Traditional Septic System maintenance is about
  200 every 5 years (pumping the septic tank).

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Typical SEPTIC SYSTEM OVERVIEW
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Typical SEPTIC SYSTEM OVERVIEW
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Septic System Maintenance

• A septic system can last 50 years, but many in
  the US fail after 15-20 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
• Dont Drive on your septic field

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Indications of System Failure

• Sluggish drains
• Plumbing backups
• Seepage at ground surfaces

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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

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Septic Mound Systems
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Media Filtration Systems
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Aerobic Septic Systems
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Constructed Wetlands
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Constructed Wetlands
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Constructed Wetlands
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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.

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Questions?
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Acknowledgements

• A Guide to Septic Systems and Alternatives
  (Virginia Water Resources Research Center)
  http//www.vwrrc.vt.edu/publications/Septic20Syst
  ems20Guide.pdf
• InspectAPedia -- http//www.inspect-ny.com/septic
• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
  http//www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/gemare/gemar
  e_009.cfm
• University of Minnesota --http//www.extension.umn
  .edu/distribution/naturalresources/components/6583
  f03.html
• King County (Washington State) Public Health
  http//www.metrokc.gov/health/wastewater/owners/ty
  pes.htmsand
• TOOLBASE -- http//www.toolbase.org/Technology-Inv
  entory/Plumbing/aerobic-wastewater-treatment
• Wikipedia -- http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Construc
  ted_wetland