aerobic septic system requirement?

[GON]

Why would an unimproved property list "aerobic septic system" as a requirement over a typical septic system?

Earlier today I came across a 3 acre unimproved water lot.

The property lists as a requirement an "aerobic septic system".

Hasty research on aerobic septic system returns:
An aerobic septic system, also known as an aerobic treatment system (ATS), is a type of on-site wastewater treatment system that utilizes oxygen to break down waste, similar to how a municipal sewage plant functions. Unlike traditional septic systems which rely on anaerobic bacteria (without oxygen), aerobic systems introduce oxygen into the wastewater, promoting the growth of aerobic bacteria that efficiently digest and treat the waste. This results in a cleaner effluent, allowing for greater flexibility in leach field placement and potentially reducing the required size of the leach field.

Any thoughts on why aerobic septic system is specifically listed as a requirement over other septic systems for this lot?

 

[ctechbob]

I'm going with local government requirement.

 

[Kira]

^^based on proximity to the body of water.

Years ago, I worked construction in the Nutmeg State.
There were homes near wetlands with aerobic systems. You could hear the air pumps running.

EX: The more posh regions could have an ~80 acre site with wet bog(s). The zoning was 2-acres/home.
~35 homes would be built. Room was left for the bogs but leach fields were close to them.

edit: Additionally, even with the elbow room afforded by "lot randomization", the lovely homes weren't even oriented to maximize insolation or shade effect.

 

[Nukeman7]

Here is an article that describes the differences and benefits/drawbacks of each system. My suspicion is that the soil conditions do not meet the percolation standards needed to sustain a conventional anaerobic septic system and/or wetlands issues.

 

[rstcso]

We had land and put a septic system on it. The first thing the installer had to do was a perc test. Basically a hole was dug meeting required specifications, it was filled with water, and the amount of water being absorbed was measured. If the time/measurement went above a certain number, an aerobic system was required. Our soil didn't require it, so our system was much less expensive.

 

[thastinger]

Why would an unimproved property list "aerobic septic system" as a requirement over a typical septic system?

Earlier today I came across a 3 acre unimproved water lot.

The property lists as a requirement an "aerobic septic system".

Hasty research on aerobic septic system returns:
An aerobic septic system, also known as an aerobic treatment system (ATS), is a type of on-site wastewater treatment system that utilizes oxygen to break down waste, similar to how a municipal sewage plant functions. Unlike traditional septic systems which rely on anaerobic bacteria (without oxygen), aerobic systems introduce oxygen into the wastewater, promoting the growth of aerobic bacteria that efficiently digest and treat the waste. This results in a cleaner effluent, allowing for greater flexibility in leach field placement and potentially reducing the required size of the leach field.

Any thoughts on why aerobic septic system is specifically listed as a requirement over other septic systems for this lot?

Because it is a waterfront lot. Look up a "clearstream 600" because that is most likely what you will end up with.

 

[SevenBizzos]

Likely a local requirement due to the type of lot it is.

I think most new installs have ATU's now. They make for a nice, more compact, and efficient system.

 

[thastinger]

I just went through all this building a retirement home on a waterfront lot which falls under the Chesapeake Bay Protection Act. Luckily I didn't need a raised drain field but there are people close to me who do have them. I started with a blank lot but, around here anyways, they spec the system capacity off of the number of bedrooms in the house...nothing matters but the number of bedrooms. It is 150 gal/day X the number of bedrooms. That was 600 gallons per day for me. 3500 for a soil survey, 400 for health department permitting and 22K for a clear stream 600 with primary drain field, which is a 3 tank system with the center tank having all the gadgetry in it. I didn't have to install my reserve drain field but I had to leave a blank spot for it on my plan of development and I can not build any permanent structures on that spot (like a detached garage etc).
It has a brain unit that take a 115 15A circuit and a 115 20A circuit, runs a bubbler pump and has the overflow alarms etc.

 

[loneryder]

Why would an unimproved property list "aerobic septic system" as a requirement over a typical septic system?

Earlier today I came across a 3 acre unimproved water lot.

The property lists as a requirement an "aerobic septic system".

Hasty research on aerobic septic system returns:
An aerobic septic system, also known as an aerobic treatment system (ATS), is a type of on-site wastewater treatment system that utilizes oxygen to break down waste, similar to how a municipal sewage plant functions. Unlike traditional septic systems which rely on anaerobic bacteria (without oxygen), aerobic systems introduce oxygen into the wastewater, promoting the growth of aerobic bacteria that efficiently digest and treat the waste. This results in a cleaner effluent, allowing for greater flexibility in leach field placement and potentially reducing the required size of the leach field.

Any thoughts on why aerobic septic system is specifically listed as a requirement over other septic systems for this lot?

It won't perc. You may have to have an open "pond" with air bubbling through it. Don't know why a pump out tank system wouldn't work.

 

[loneryder]

I just went through all this building a retirement home on a waterfront lot which falls under the Chesapeake Bay Protection Act. Luckily I didn't need a raised drain field but there are people close to me who do have them. I started with a blank lot but, around here anyways, they spec the system capacity off of the number of bedrooms in the house...nothing matters but the number of bedrooms. It is 150 gal/day X the number of bedrooms. That was 600 gallons per day for me. 3500 for a soil survey, 400 for health department permitting and 22K for a clear stream 600 with primary drain field, which is a 3 tank system with the center tank having all the gadgetry in it. I didn't have to install my reserve drain field but I had to leave a blank spot for it on my plan of development and I can not build any permanent structures on that spot (like a detached garage etc).
It has a brain unit that take a 115 15A circuit and a 115 20A circuit, runs a bubbler pump and has the overflow alarms etc.

Is the center tank vented?

 

[JTK]

Just to add to all the above, if your soil can't / won't pass a percolation test, or the property doesn't have the space for a traditional sand bed or leach field system, an aerobic system will likely be needed because they require less footprint.

 

[thastinger]

Is the center tank vented?

All 3 tanks have service lids.

 

[Donald]

Why would an unimproved property list "aerobic septic system" as a requirement over a typical septic system?

Earlier today I came across a 3 acre unimproved water lot.

The property lists as a requirement an "aerobic septic system".

Hasty research on aerobic septic system returns:
An aerobic septic system, also known as an aerobic treatment system (ATS), is a type of on-site wastewater treatment system that utilizes oxygen to break down waste, similar to how a municipal sewage plant functions. Unlike traditional septic systems which rely on anaerobic bacteria (without oxygen), aerobic systems introduce oxygen into the wastewater, promoting the growth of aerobic bacteria that efficiently digest and treat the waste. This results in a cleaner effluent, allowing for greater flexibility in leach field placement and potentially reducing the required size of the leach field.

Any thoughts on why aerobic septic system is specifically listed as a requirement over other septic systems for this lot?

Are you close to lake or ocean? The fancier septic systems do a better job of getting nitrogen out of the water. And into the air which is fine. Air is 80% nitrogen anyway. Trying to prevent algae blooms in lakes and ocean.

We have a system like you mention. I think it has a 3 section tank. One section has an air pump. One hour on (aerobic bacteria get to work) then one hour off (anaerobic bacteria get to work) 24 hours a day.

Required inspection 2X a year so we have service contract for that.