AEROBIC SYSTEMS

WHAT ARE THEY ?
Aerobic treatment systems are on-site sewage disposal systems that use aeration to treat wastewater and surface application to dispose of the treated wastewater. Since aerobic systems do not rely on subsurface absorption, they may be used in any type of soil. They can also be used to replace subsurface systems that are failing due to high groundwater and/or poor soil.

HOW DO THEY WORK?
Aerobic treatment systems consist of: an equalization tank, an aeration chamber, a disaffection chamber and surface application. The equalization tank, which may be built into the unit or may be a separate tank, acts like a septic tank and separates the solids from the liquids (effluent) before the liquids flow into the aeration chamber. Treatment occurs in the aeration chamber when air is injected into the wastewater, which causes the natural bacteria to begin to break down and digest the organic material found in the wastewater. After being treated in the aeration chamber, the treated effluent is disinfected in the pump tank with chlorine or ultraviolet (UV) irradiation.

Once disinfected, the effluent is suitable for surface application and the pump tank pumps the disinfected effluent to a distribution system that uses a sprinkler system for surface application. The sprinkler system is timed to automatically spray effluent at night (1 am–6am) over a large vegetated area. (Only effluent that has been properly treated and disinfected, such as that produced by aerobic treatment unit or constructed for surface application.) Most of the water evaporates and the rest is absorbed and utilized by the vegetation.

Generally, aerobic systems require less land area than other on-site sewage disposal systems. However, there has to be sufficient land area available to allow the treated effluent to evaporate and/or be absorbed without creating and accumulation or runoff. The surface application area must support vegetative cover of grasses, shrubs or trees, and must be maintained at all times.

Estimated or actual water usage and the net evaporation rate for the area are used to determine the actual size of a particular system.

For information or to schedule an appointment please contact Jason England at 918-299-4421 or jasone@randwcontractors.com