Biofilter Replacement For Seasonal Homes

Problem: Two summer homes on a 100,000-square-foot island in Lake George, N.Y., had defective onsite systems. A barge pump serviced the septic tanks every three to four weeks. With 18 inches of soil over solid rock, the only answer was an alternative pretreatment system.

Solution: The designer specified seven 150 gpd Puraflo peat biofilter modules from Anua, one per bedroom. Duplex pumps time-dose the systems, sending effluent to a distribution grid at the top of each unit. Purification occurs as the liquid percolates through the media over 36 to 48 hours. The peat also suppresses odors. Effluent discharges through a gravel pad beneath the modules. “When the house is vacant during winter, the microorganisms survive on the media,” says Chris Ray, executive account manager for Anua. “Once the homeowners return, the peat system reactivates to optimal performance.” The media has a projected life span of 15 years.

Result: The systems produce effluent with BOD and TSS less than 10 mg/l, ammonia nitrogen less than 5 mg/l, and fecal coliform less than 1,000 per 100 ml. 800/787-2356; www.anua-us.com.

Fusion Units End Ponding

Problem: Effluent ponded in the outdated drainfield of a 44-unit mobile home park in Allegan, Mich., and raw sewage flowed into a swamp forest draining into Swan Lake. The owner called maintenance provider Rod Carroll of Wray’s Septic Tank Co. in Allegan to pump the 20,000-gallon septic tank twice a year until health officials gave him the ultimatum to replace the system in three months.

Solution: Carroll worked with Randy Rapp, P.E., of Exxel Engineering, to design the system using a Fusion purification tank from Clarus Environmental, a division of Zoeller Co. The 5,000-gpd system used the existing septic tank fitted with a Clarus WW4 effluent filter. Carroll installed two 2,400-gpd ZFL Fusion treatment units in parallel, dividing influent evenly with a Tru-Flo splitter box. Two Zoeller N153 pumps send effluent from the 1,500-gallon dose tank to two 32- by 78-foot low-pressure drainfields in six zones.

Result: The system performs as designed and effluent meets secondary treatment standards of 30 mg/l BOD and TSS. Maintenance is twice per year. 877/244-9340; www.clarusenvironmental.com.

Mound Treatment Remedy

Problem: Effluent leaked from the corner of a homeowner’s sand mound. The estimated replacement cost was $10,000. He called Dave Estopare of Drainfield Restoration Services in Bend, Ore.

Solution: Estopare first fractured the mound with a Terralift pneumatic hammer. Two months later, the leak returned. He then poured BioSpan and BioCell from DRS Environmental into the septic tank. BioSpan, a blend of 57 microbial strains with 10 billion microbes per gram, degrades waste. BioCell is a natural stimulant.

Result: After two applications in one month, the mound returned to normal. The owner uses the microbial solution weekly and both products once a year. 541/388-4546; www.drsenviro.com.

Aerobic Treatment Upgrade

Problem: Wastewater ponding in the yard of a three-bedroom home on a lake near Fortville, Ind., alerted owners to their second onsite system failure in two years. Keith Abernathy of A & M Excavating evaluated the soil as fill was removed from the lake bed.

Solution: Abernathy installed a RetroFAST 0.375 enhancement unit from Bio-Microbics in the 1,000-gallon septic tank, then added a dosing tank and 50 more feet of laterals to the drainfield. The fixed activated sludge treatment (FAST) system combines attached and suspended growth in an aerobic packed-bed bioreactor. Nitrification and denitrification occur in the 41- by 24- by 33.5-inch module. An aerating blower, the only moving part, oxygenates the effluent before delivery to the drainfield, where aerobic bacteria digest the biomat.

Result: The property is dry and the system operates as designed. 913/422-0707; www.biomicrobics.com.

High-Strength Aerobic Digester

Problem: Six months after a couple moved into their retirement home on Puget Sound in Washington, effluent surfaced on the drainfield. A laboratory report confirmed BOD5 at 700 mg/l. After they exhausted conventional repair options, the King County Health Department referred them to Aqua Test.

Solution: Aqua Test performed a site evaluation, and the homeowner provided information on daily operational practices. The evidence showed the probable cause of surfacing effluent was extremely high BOD5 loading compounded by chemotherapy medicines. Aqua Test recommended installing two Nibbler CBP (Cylinder Back-flush Pod) units to reduce the BOD5 and neutralize the pH while maintaining high dissolved oxygen.

Result: Additional samples were taken after the Nibbler units were installed. Analytical data revealed the BOD5 levels were reduced to an average of 16.77 mg/l, pH 7.15, and dissolved oxygen 4.1 mg/l. Today, the system is in compliance with state regulatory requirements. 800/221-3159; www.aquatestinc.com.

Effluent Flow Restored

Problem: After the recent purchase of a 20-year-old, three-bedroom, two-bath home with sloping landscape, the owner noticed blackwater surfacing in two areas over the pipe and gravel leach field. The red clay soil around the field area was wet and spongy. Excessive biofilm/clogging biological mat has built up, decreasing effluent flow into the soil.

Solution: In February 2011, REX-BAC-T Technologies assisted the homeowner in installing a new cleanout on the effluent discharge pipe from the 1,000-gallon concrete septic tank, providing access to directly treat the field lines. Septic Leach Field Shock Kit rejuvenation product was introduced directly into the leach field and septic tank for a period of four weeks.

Result: After introducing BioMat-X shock treatment and PurGreen Bio-XL formulation for two weeks, the wet spots disappeared and the surrounding area became less spongy. After four weeks, the ground was firm and effluent flow to the soil increased. 888/886-1461; www.rex-bac-t.com.