The Septic System

 

Proper Design & Installation Are Key To The Life Of The System

 

A septic system is an on site waste water treatment system that processes and purifies household waste (effluent). The effluent consists of black water (toilet waste) and grey water (kitchen sink, bathtub and laundry waste). A septic system consists of two components; a septic tank and a drainage system. Primary treatment occurs in the septic tank, where bacteria digest organic materials in the waste water. The effluent then flows into the drainage system for secondary treatment. Here bacteria complete the digestion and purification process as the waste water drains into the soils.

 

Some soils provide excellent waste water treatment; others do not. For this reason, the design of a drainage system is based on the results of soil analysis, water use, and usable soils. NY State requires four feet of usable soil above the water table to install a drainage system.

 

It is extremely important to properly diagnose the soil conditions and determine the amount of water used to insure the drainage system is properly sized.

 

If the soil is misdiagnosed and thought capable of handling any volume of waste water the results can be disastrous.

System Design

 

There are many different types of septic systems. A soil analysis determines which type of septic system is required. We install all systems within NY State codes and town regulations. Basic septic systems are called ‘conventional systems’. These systems are typically less expensive and can usually be installed with a standard permit. Some towns do require an engineer to design the layout of the system. In most cases a small test hole will be dug to evaluate soil quality and determine which type of system is required.

Modified Systems

 

Sometimes the proper amount of usable soils is not available. In these cases a modified conventional or a mound system will be used. Often a pump station is required to elevate the effluent to an area of better drainage. If fill sand is required to raise an area, proper site preparation must be performed prior to fill placement.

Why a Mound System?

 

Mounds were developed to overcome three natural conditions.

 

 1. Slow or non-permeable soils.
 2. Shallow soil cover over shale or bedrock.
 3. A high water table.
 
A site that has any one of these three conditions, or a combination of them, is not suited for a conventional septic system. Since acceptable soil conditions are not always found below the surface, the mound allows the conditions to be created above the surface.

 

The Wisconsin Mound

 

The Wisconsin Mound is a drainage system that is raised above the natural soil surface. The mound is composed of sand fill that has a gravel-filled bed inside with a network of small diameter pipes known as the distribution system. From the pump chamber, the effluent is pumped with controlled pressure doses so that uniform distribution is achieved throughout the bed. The effluent comes out of the pipes through small holes and trickles downward through the gravel bed and into the sand. Treatment occurs as the effluent moves through the sand and then into the natural soil.

 

Click here for further information in regards to septic systems:

HomeOwnersGuide.pdf

Appendix 75-A

 

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Odorless Sanitary Cleaners, Inc.
Address: PO BOX 1249
Ballston Lake, NY 12019

Phone: 

Charlton (518) 399-3482
Ballston Spa (518) 885-2421

Clifton Park (518) 371-6343

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 
24 hour Emergency Service Available
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