How Your Aerobic Septic System Works...

This system is a mechanical, aerobic, wastewater treatment plant that will process your household sewage into a clear odorless fluid within a 24 hour time frame.

The process the system uses to treat common household wastewater is an extended aeration (use of air introduced into the sewage through diffusion), activated sludge process. When air is introduced to the wastewater, it promotes growth of aerobic bacteria and other microorganisms that break down the organic material found in regular household sewage.

Inside this aeration chamber, this water should appear to be brown in color. This is caused by the return of sludge from the clarifier. As the wastewater leaves the aeration chamber, it enters the clarifier better known as the "quiet zone". No mixing should occur inside the quiet zone.

In the clarifier, the solids separate from the liquid and settle to the bottom of the clarifier; the solid material is called sludge. Sludge contains dissolved oxygen and the bacteria it contains are activated by oxygen. This activated sludge is returned to the aeration chamber to be mixed and digested again. The sludge wastewater, and dissolved oxygen is referred as mixed liquor, the mixed liquor flows back into the clarifier, the solids separate and return once again to the aeration chamber, this never ending cycle produces high quality effluent that is ready to be released into the environment. It is at that point the effluent leaves the clarifier and flows through the chlorinator and into the pump tank. Once in the pump tank the effluent is then pumped out into your irrigation system.

In order for your system to maintain its biological stability and give you years of outstanding performance, there are a some things you should know about your unit.

As good as the unit performs in treating common household sewage, it cannot however treat anything flushed from the house, Some, but not all of these items are - rubber products, plastic products, feminine products, large paper products (paper towels, diapers, baby wipes, bags, etc ... ), harsh detergents and bacteria killing agents (bleach, liquid fabric softeners, grease, oils, heavy metals, etc ... ).

Common cleaners may be used with the wastewater treatment system as long as you follow the manufacturers instructions on the labels of the products. You will also want to monitor your frequency of washing clothes and dishes as this could complicate the treatment process. We recommend using mild detergents such as (Purex, Arm and Hammer, etc...), do not use Tide Detergent.

Your unit can treat most any type of household wastewater you put in it. This includes showers and baths, clothes and dishes, and toilet water. However, there are also some items that you should try to keep from going down the drains. These items include but not limited to grease (in any amount), hair, and the use of garbage disposals in heavy volumes.