About your Aerobic Septic System
In residential use,
aerobic treatment units (ATUs) are pre-packaged septic treatment systems, which
are in essence a mini-wastewater treatment plant for home use. Aerobic
treatment, which can produce very high quality treated effluent, is used at
sites where a conventional septic drain field simply wont' work, perhaps because
of wet soils or very rocky conditions.
1. Sludge tank - All household waste water enters into the sludge tank from the homes plumbing system the majority of bulk solids settle in this tank they must be periodically removed by a septic pumping company. (ATUs require more frequent septic tank pumping than a conventional septic system.) The ATU tank works like a septic tank but can be smaller because the system does not depend on a long "settlement time" to remove solids and grease as occurs in a conventional septic tank.
2. Aerobic chamber - Septic effluent moves out of the "sludge tank" to a separate aeration chamber. The aeration chamber is where the sewage treatment takes place by air (oxygen) being pumped into the system it comes from the small compressor, which is located in most cases under a concrete or fiberglass cover next to your home. The added level of oxygen permits a variety of microbial life forms (aerobic bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and others) to oxidize or otherwise process pathogens and nitrogen compounds in the discharged septic effluent. This biological process is what treats the wastewater, therefore it is imperative that the compressor is working properly and left running at all times. Without the oxygen provided by the compressor the aerobic bacteria cannot survive and you will have untreated effluent with potentially harmful bacteria being distributed from the ATUs sprinkler system.
3. Clarification chamber - After having been aerated and mixed in the
aeration chamber, the effluent flows to a clarification chamber. Any small
partials still remaining settle out and return to the aerobic chamber the
remaining treated effluent then pass through a tube and over aerobic chlorine
tables in the chlorinator to kill all remaining bacteria.
4. Pump Tank -
The final compartment is called the pump tank and will hold between 500-750
gallons of treated water on a typical 500 gallon per day system. Consisting of a submersible pump and two
floats. The system works on demand meaning when the bottom float is raised to a
certain level it activates the pump and the treated water is dispersed out
through sprinkler heads. If the bottom float fails, when water reaches the
second float a high water alarm is sounded.
1. Keep aerobic chlorine tablets in the septic system. Chlorine kills all bacteria in the treated wastewater before it is dispersed trough the irrigation system. The State requires chlorine be kept in the system at all times. Tablets should be placed in the chlorinator, which is located inside the 4 inch PVC pipe with a screw on cap that is protruding from the ground where your septic system is located.
2. Put out ant poison around blower box. (Warranty will not cover any blower that has been ruined due to fire ants.)
3. Keep grass mowed around sprinkler heads.
4. Do not drive anything directly over the sprinkler heads
and nothing heavier than a riding lawn mower over your septic
tanks.
5. Have your septic cleaned out every 3 years or if solids appear
in the pump tank which ever occurs first. If solids are observed in the pump
take during one of our scheduled inspections a note will be made on the
inspection report and pumping recommended.
6.
Keep an aerobic monitoring contract on your system.
The State mandates all ATUs must be monitored by a licensed inspector installed in Texas. This is to make sure it is working properly and that aerobic chlorine tablets are being kept in the system. This is to ensure that the system is not posing a public health threat to your family or neighbors. A copy of the current monitoring agreement is kept on file at the Public Works office to verify a licensed inspector is looking after your aerobic system. All ATUs come with a 2-year maintenance contract and warranty. (This starts from the day your system was installed.) Systems monitored by our company are inspected three times per year a copy of the report is left at the home. (Typically on the front door) This will let you know an inspection has been done and the condition your system. The original copy of the report will be filed with the Public Works office. After the initial two years the maintenance contract is renewed yearly at additional cost.
1. Blower is checked to make sure it is working properly.
2. Check to make sure aerobic chlorine tablets are being kept in the system.
3. Pump is activated to make sure it and the sprinkler heads are working properly
4. Verify high water alarm is working
If the problem is simple like no chlorine or ants in the blower box, we will make a note of it on the service report so you are aware you need to fix the problem. If the problem is something covered under the warranty, we will go ahead and take care of it. If the problem is not covered under warranty and will consist of additional cost we will contact you. (We will never fix any problem that will require payment without first getting your approval.)
1. Blower
2. Pump
3. Floats
4. Control box (breakers and alarm)
5. Sprinklers heads (Due to manufactures defects only)
1. Blower that has been damaged by fire ants, water, power surges or low voltage.
3. Sprinkler heads that have been broke from being ran over.
A properly working aerobic septic system will give off a musky odor that may be noticed while irrigation system is activated. There will be no mistaking the normal musky odor and the smell of raw sewage. You should only put household waste in your system. Toilet paper is the only paper that should be put in system no baby wipes, sanitary napkins, etc…
1. Aerobic bacteria must be present for the system to work so if you smell a strong sewage odor first check and make sure your compressor is running. Your compressor is located under the concrete box next to your home. You should be able to here it or feel a slight vibration when it is touched. Without air being supplied to the aerobic tank the aerobic bacteria will die and your system will not work. If your compressor is not working call us to check the system.
2. The bacteria has been killed by something that has been put in tank. Bleach in cleaning agents will kill bacteria so use as little as possible. Never clean out paint brushes in your sink the chemicals from paint and thinners can cause permit damage to your system.
3. Over loading the system with organic matter. Vegetable
and food scraps can prevent the bacteria from keeping up with the organic
demand. This is done by over using the garbage disposal; try to limit your
use.
4. Applying to much
wastewater to your system. A typical system is designed to handle up to 500
gallons of household waste water per day. If more than this is applied to system
the waste water passes trough the system to quickly and does not have time to
be treated properly. This is typically the result of doing to much laundry on a
given day. Try to spread your washing out over the course of the week rather
than all in one day. The symptoms should be temporary and the foul odors should
subside in a couple of days.