Septic Systems - Aerobic vs. Conventional

[Pettrix]

I am researching septic systems for a home I would like to build in a rural area. Currently I am in the city and on a city sewer. Years ago we had a septic system when we lived in a different area and it was a nightmare. The leach field failed and we had nothing but problems.

From what I have read, aerobic systems cost more but they do a better job of cleaning out the effluent BEFORE it gets to the leach field. Conventional or anaerobic systems allow dirtier effluent to reach the leach field which in turn can clog the lines and make the system fail.

I found this setup:

Orenco Systems, Inc.: Advanced Treatment Systems

Has anyone here used this setup?

Is it true that aerobic systems do a better job of preventing leach field failures?

 

[Kaw]

Man I dont know much about that set up, but for over 30 years I have had our conventional septic tank and leach field, without any problems.. We have tank pumped every few years and thats all. I hope to keep problem free for many many more years. If its built right you should not have issues.

 

[jdonovan]

Around my area these aerobic systems are used for getting septic installed on land that won't accept a conventional system. Some of the designs have been very marginal and the county is now dealing with 100's of failed systems that current engineering practice says don't even try to put a septic system on that land.

The technology got ahead of the health department... So now they require annual inspections of any alternative system. New alternative systems are required to be grossly over designed to reduce the possibility of failure.

End result, a conventional system would be about 10-12k for a 4-BR, the alternative is almost 50k, and the hassles of yearly inspections.

The traditional system installed on acceptable ground, and maintained properly will last you a lifetime. Abuse it, fail to maintain it, or install it on the wrong soils and you'll have a lifetime of problems.

 

[Redneck in training]

I my place the county selects septic type proven for the particular soil condition. It has to be installed by approved contractor. My soil doesn't percolate so the discharge comes to the surface. Looks like it works well. My dog drinks the discharge. I have to take a sample every year and send it to the lab. To save money I took the course and exam so I can take the sample by myself. The course is free and takes about an hour at the county office.
When I built my house I needed only two permits. Building and septic.

 

[Bird]

I never even heard of that Orenco system before, but in 1996 my brother had an aerobic system installed, in 1997 I had mine installed, and in 1998 a brother-in-law had one installed. But all of us moved from those homes by the Fall of 2002, so I can't say for the long term, but we were very happy with them. But back then my brother and I only paid $5,000 for each of ours installed. Brother-in-law used a different installer and paid $5,100.

 

[300UGUY]

I don't know where you are at, but here in Michigan, it's gotten pretty expensive to put new septics in. I doubt that you can get one installed now for less than 12 to 15K. And if the perk is marginal, it could be a lot more.

 

[joemd11]

I don't know where you are at, but here in Michigan, it's gotten pretty expensive to put new septics in. I doubt that you can get one installed now for less than 12 to 15K. And if the perk is marginal, it could be a lot more.

x2 what 300guy said. Check your state and local regs. Here in PA I don't think you can even put in a standard septic system. I think it has to be the sand mound type and they run around 15k. We have a small septic tank (500 gal) and I don't even know if we have a leach field or if it works. The house was built in the 50's. I just get the tank pumped every two years and have not had a problem yet. I hope to get by until the local municipality installs a sewer system.

 

[MF1652]

I have never seen or heard of an aerobic system being used in NH. Everyone around here uses a conventional septic system with a tank and leach field. The conventional systems are pretty fool proof but like anything they require maintenance and care to make them last.

When we had our leach field installed ten years ago the contractor told me to take a packet of bread yeast, mix it in a glass of hot water and dump it down the drain a few times a year to put good bacteria in the system. I've done this every year and never had a problem. Eight years into the system I had it pumped out(state recomends pumping the tank every 3 years) and the guy doing it said it didn't look like it even needed to be pumped out.

 

[oldnslo]

Not sure where the OP is located but I suspect county code will dictate what type of system is required. Yes the mound type systems are expensive.

 

[s219]

We're planning a septic system for some new property and talking to installers. In my opinion as an engineer, improper design, installation, or maintenance is the main problem with *any* system.

If the soil and location supports a traditional gravity feed system and it's installed and maintained properly, it should give you at least 30-40 years of trouble free service (and likely more).

The main motivation to go with an alternative system would be in marginal soils or install locations where a traditional system won't work well or fit in the available space. It's generally not done for reliability, as these systems have more complexity, not less. That said, the alternative systems I have spec'd out seem pretty simple and I wouldn't worry about them myself. In some cases, they have less rigorous cleanout/inspection schedules simply because they provide better control over the whole process.

To me, it should come down to site requirements and cost. Try to go with the least expensive and most reliable system that will satisfy the requirements. Look at it as a binary choice -- either a certain type of system will do the job, or it won't.