Does anyone know how a lagoon works and do you need a septic with a lagoon. We are looking at home with a lagoon but no septic. I did notice that the lagoon water level is evaporating. I know this can be a problem. What is your advice?
lagoons
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Jimbrown
Veteran Member
If i understand your question you are dumping your waste water grey and black into an open pond/lagoon with no treatment of any kind and letting it evaporate. You would be in jail here in Arizona.
midmodan
New member
Well I'm not sure how they work but I was amazed when I moved to this state and the use of lagoons. I have lived here 12 years. No septic system other than the lagoon. I have yet to have a problem. We hate it and have inquired about a different system. I am constantly told with the clay in the area, a normal septic system will not work. I'm not going to try something different. I don't know a sole in this area that uses anything but this out in the country. Good luck with your purchase.
MarkV
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Mechanic, in this area the public health department is the one who issues permits for septic systems. I would see if it is the same in your area and ask what to look for when buying property with an existing lagoon. It sounds like septic systems do not work where you are so you want to make sure the lagoon meets local standards. It is hard for me to understand how odors would not be a problem with a lagoon full of untreated waste.
MarkV
MarkV
450EXC
Gold Member
You could put a tank between the house and lagoon. Then there would just be effluent going to the lagoon, a little bit cleaner. Having the tank pumped might be costly if there are not a lot of pumper companys around.
If its clay you could put a raised bed leach field in.
If local codes allow just a cheap lagoon then probably nobody spends the money on tanks and raised beds. More fun to buy new tractor attachments.
If its clay you could put a raised bed leach field in.
If local codes allow just a cheap lagoon then probably nobody spends the money on tanks and raised beds. More fun to buy new tractor attachments.
GaryM
Veteran Member
I'm in Warren County Missouri, and lagoons are allowed, but I don't have one.
The Health Department person in your county should be able to provide information on what's alloed and depending on when your system was installed, may be able to tell you exactly what's installed. The folks in my county have always been very helpful.
The Health Department person in your county should be able to provide information on what's alloed and depending on when your system was installed, may be able to tell you exactly what's installed. The folks in my county have always been very helpful.
lampfarm
New member
Hi mechanic
We have a lagoon here in Kansas as do most of my neighbors and its the best choice for us. The lagoon is the entire septic system, all water/etc goes in there. As an aside, we almost never use the garbage disposal, there are better ways to get rid of that than sending it to the lagoon. If no one is living in the house, I would expect the lagoon level to drop. Perhaps some questions to the owners would give you more information on the lagoon.
The lagoon should be sized for the number of persons. The lagoon process has an aerobic layer over an anaerobic layer, the bad smelling layer is the anaerobic layer and it is not exposed to the air. Our lagoon is 150ft from our house and we never have any problem with odors. Good luck
We have a lagoon here in Kansas as do most of my neighbors and its the best choice for us. The lagoon is the entire septic system, all water/etc goes in there. As an aside, we almost never use the garbage disposal, there are better ways to get rid of that than sending it to the lagoon. If no one is living in the house, I would expect the lagoon level to drop. Perhaps some questions to the owners would give you more information on the lagoon.
The lagoon should be sized for the number of persons. The lagoon process has an aerobic layer over an anaerobic layer, the bad smelling layer is the anaerobic layer and it is not exposed to the air. Our lagoon is 150ft from our house and we never have any problem with odors. Good luck
KaiB
Silver Member
The 2007 Clean Water Reconstruction Act will consider these to be "Constructed Wetlands" and thus the EPA and Corps of Engineers will be all over your property.
Highbeam
Super Member
Come on now. A lagoon is just an outhouse with a seperated pit and head. It will certainly work, it will certainly smell if you are right on top of it, and it will certainly be a hazard if you jumped in. Many of these were built during the transition to sewage collection systems in city's. Many had floors above them and many folks died when said floors collapsed.
Be sure that the neighbor's lagoon, aka cesspool, is not uphill from your house. Or close enough to smell. Think about overflow and surface runoff.
Where does your drinking water come from?
Be sure that the neighbor's lagoon, aka cesspool, is not uphill from your house. Or close enough to smell. Think about overflow and surface runoff.
Where does your drinking water come from?
3RRL
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I am going to puke after reading this thread.
Highbeam
Super Member
You know the old saying with civil engineers.... Poo is my bread and butter.
Funny thing is I can deal with huge basins of rolling sludge being digested, or lifting a sewer manhole lid and having the blast of hot steamy air fog up my glasses just fine but I don't like guts too much, especially bird guts.
Funny thing is I can deal with huge basins of rolling sludge being digested, or lifting a sewer manhole lid and having the blast of hot steamy air fog up my glasses just fine but I don't like guts too much, especially bird guts.
Toiyabe
Silver Member
A lagoon is a crappy pond. I think these threads should be merged.
Chuck52
Veteran Member
Open septic lagoons are common in Missouri. Properly sized and maintained they seldom emit objectionable odors, though Spring and Fall they sometimes "turn over" and stink for a short while. A of mine friend had his within 50 feet of his house and never had any problems at all, and though it was fencedin it looked like a plain old pond. I have a septic tank, but if it ever failed I might consider putting in a lagoon instead of replacing it as I have a perfect place for such a lagoon which could easily be shielded from our house. Aside from cost, the main reason I'd consider doing that is that there is a possibility a country sewer system may be built in my area due to the increasing density of houses, and with my luck I'd pay $20K for a new septic tank about three days before the new district sewer system was announced.
BTW, Missouri also has one of the largest lagoons in the world. We call it Lake of the Ozarks to disguise the fact that many of the houses along its banks basically use it as part of their septic systems. It doesn't stink too bad....yet.
Chuck
BTW, Missouri also has one of the largest lagoons in the world. We call it Lake of the Ozarks to disguise the fact that many of the houses along its banks basically use it as part of their septic systems. It doesn't stink too bad....yet.
Chuck
MarkV
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As far as I know lagoons are not allowed in our area yet I am still interested in how they work. Is there more to it than digging a hole and sending the house hold waste down a pipe? Do you fill a new lagoon with water before it is put into service? What if any yearly maintenance is involved?
MarkV
MarkV
shaley
Platinum Member
I made this up... but it sounds pretty convincing.
A lagoon septic system is a type of alternative septic system. Lagoon septic systems consist of one or more lagoons/ponds designed to receive, hold and treat wastewater.
Advantages
Lagoon septic systems can be very cost effective, particularly in rural areas where the cost of land is low.
They can handle intermittent and very large, sudden loads better than most other types of system, making them ideal for seasonal places such as campgrounds & resorts.
They are normally fairly simple to operate and maintain
They are very effective at treating wastewater
Disadvantages
Lagoon septic systems require more land than other systems
They don't work as well in cold climates
Odors can be a problem, particularly at certain times of the year or if not properly maintained
Some wastewater requires additional treatment to meet local regulations
Types of Lagoon Septic Systems
The most common types of lagoon septic systems are:
Aerobic Lagoons
Aerobic lagoons tend to be shallower than other types of lagoons, allowing air and sunlight access to more of the wastewater (and increasing its oxygen content).
Anaerobic Lagoons
Anaerobic lagoons are deeper, allowing the solids to separate as they would in a traditional septic tank.
Aerated Lagoons
Aerated lagoons utilize a system which actively mixes oxygen into the wastewater.
Facultative Lagoons
Facultative lagoons are the most common type of lagoon system in use today. They contain 3 layers: the aerobic zone, the facultative zone, and the anaerobic zone. Treatment occurs in all three layers. The top layer is called the aerobic zone, which contains the majority of the oxygen. The aerobic zone also serves as a barrier, which prevents the gases from the lower layers from escaping into the air. The anaerobic zone, or bottom layer, contains bacteria and other organisms which thrive in an anaerobic (oxygen-free) environment.
A lagoon septic system is a type of alternative septic system. Lagoon septic systems consist of one or more lagoons/ponds designed to receive, hold and treat wastewater.
Advantages
Lagoon septic systems can be very cost effective, particularly in rural areas where the cost of land is low.
They can handle intermittent and very large, sudden loads better than most other types of system, making them ideal for seasonal places such as campgrounds & resorts.
They are normally fairly simple to operate and maintain
They are very effective at treating wastewater
Disadvantages
Lagoon septic systems require more land than other systems
They don't work as well in cold climates
Odors can be a problem, particularly at certain times of the year or if not properly maintained
Some wastewater requires additional treatment to meet local regulations
Types of Lagoon Septic Systems
The most common types of lagoon septic systems are:
Aerobic Lagoons
Aerobic lagoons tend to be shallower than other types of lagoons, allowing air and sunlight access to more of the wastewater (and increasing its oxygen content).
Anaerobic Lagoons
Anaerobic lagoons are deeper, allowing the solids to separate as they would in a traditional septic tank.
Aerated Lagoons
Aerated lagoons utilize a system which actively mixes oxygen into the wastewater.
Facultative Lagoons
Facultative lagoons are the most common type of lagoon system in use today. They contain 3 layers: the aerobic zone, the facultative zone, and the anaerobic zone. Treatment occurs in all three layers. The top layer is called the aerobic zone, which contains the majority of the oxygen. The aerobic zone also serves as a barrier, which prevents the gases from the lower layers from escaping into the air. The anaerobic zone, or bottom layer, contains bacteria and other organisms which thrive in an anaerobic (oxygen-free) environment.
MarkV
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Shaley you made that up very well. So I assume that with different types of lagoon systems they need to be designed and approved for a given location like a conventional septic system in my area.
Thanks,
MarkV
Thanks,
MarkV
shaley
Platinum Member
Basically , the only place I see lagoons permitted is in arid areas with a long history of low rainfall. We get way too much water in the East for lagoons. Also, I think Mid Atlantic soil is very conducive to in ground treatment.
Toiyabe
Silver Member
shaley said:
That is copied from Lagoon Septic System.
The University of Missouri Extension has some more helpfull information at
WQ402 Residential Sewage Lagoon Systems: A Homeowner's Guide to Installation and Maintenance, MU Extension
shaley
Platinum Member
No. No. That guy and I just think alike. I still claim mine is totally fictitious and made up. Sir, I have upstanding credentials, I am a licensed fisherman.
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I know nothing about lagoons, nor do I want to but at our old house our neighbours had an old septic tank that was broken. It used to flow everywhere and pool at the bottom of a field. That was about 3/4 of a mile away. It stank like **** at our house in the summer when it was breezy. I would never want a pond full of toilet waste anywhere near my house
