Septic Aeration

Septic aeration has been around for nearly a century, with the first documentation of using diffusers to release oxygen to break down sewage dating clear back to 1916.

In approximately 1946 ATU's (aerobic treatment units) were being used on a limited basis as septic aeration moved from municipal wastewater treatment into household systems. These first ATU’s were expensive alternatives to conventional septic system used to replace failing systems or required or forced on home owners when soil conditions or lot size prohibited conventional system. Today, in many states, if your current system fails there is a strong possibility you will be forced into a permanent aerobic system. Depending on engineering costs these ATU’s can reach over $30,000.

The Discovery of a Phenomenon

The first discovery of the phenomenon that septic aeration shrinks the bio mat slime and restores function to a failing drain field is hard to pin point. Extensive research shows strong evidence that it happened somewhat simultaneously in a number of locations around the world in the late 1960’s.


The Retrofit Septic Aeration Industry is Born

The 70’s and early 80’s would see a number of different companies enter the market that offered septic aerators designed to install into existing conventional septic systems. 1985 would see one the first official government and industry monitored study. Today the universities, government, and industry studies number in the dozens. All reporting what countless home owners already knew……..If your Septic System is Failing…… Septic Aeration Restores it!

The Journal of Environmental Quality Reported: "Using aeration has been successful in restoring hydraulic function in more than 60 failed onsite wastewater treatment systems in the eastern United States."

Purdue University Department of Agronomy and Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering in Doc HENV-14-W States: "Retrofit aerobic treatment devices have been found to restore the original functioning of drain fields in a matter of months."  the study concludes with:
Drain fields that become too thick due to excess organic matter or water can reduce the system’s effectiveness and result in system failure. Normally, there are three options for reducing the organic matter load on the soil absorption field and correcting this problem:
1. Construct an additional soil absorption field
2. Rest the absorption field for an extended period
3. Install a septic aeration unit

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Septic Tank Aeration Systems

Advantage and Disadvantage
An aeration system is very similar to a septic system. They both hold waste that comes from bathroom facilities, break it down and send it out into the ground. However an aeration system is more expensive to purchase, costs the owners more in electricity and needs attention more often from service technicians. Because power is needed to run part of the system, power outages that last a great length of time can cause build up that might cause back up, pumping or at the least a service call. Even with these disadvantages, the system is a better set up with cleaner water coming out the other end.

Basics
The system itself is made up of a large tank with three compartments within. Each compartment has an opening near the top of the tank for the water to flow to the next chamber. There is a filter in place that keeps large solids from going through to other sections. An aerator is in the middle chamber powered by electricity. There is an access area above ground to get to the workings of the aerator in case it needs maintenance. The third chamber has a sloping floor at the bottom that leans back toward the second chamber and an opening at the bottom connecting it to the second chamber.

Operation
The waste water flows into the first chamber, which is called a settling camber. Large solid waste settles to the bottom. Natural bacteria from the body reside in the waste and break it down into smaller pieces. This waste water flows through a filtered opening near the top of the tank into the second chamber. In the second chamber the aeration system mixes up the waste water forcing air into the water. Bacteria from the air enter the water and further break down waste. The water then flows through a second opening near the top of the tank into a third chamber. In this chamber any solids or bacteria that might have made it through, settle to the bottom while water flows out of the tank. The particles that settle to the bottom, fall onto a sloped floor that sends them sliding toward an opening at the bottom and back into the second compartment for more treatment.

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