New Life

Formulations are designed to help worn-out drainfields recover

There are ways to treat a problem drainfield other than digging it up and replacing it. Manufacturers offer a variety of bacterial, enzyme and chemical treatments that can restore flow while attacking odors and retarding build-ups. These formulations are often tried before taking more drastic and costly measures. Here are the latest offerings.

Waste digestion

Bio-Clean from Statewide Supply is a combination of natural bacteria and enzymes that digests organic waste found in drainfields. The organic waste is metabolized to water and carbon dioxide, providing bacteria with energy to sustain life. The result is that the organic wastes are no longer present to produce odors or clogs. The formulation incorporates beneficial bacteria at concentrations up to one billion per gram. 800/553-5573; www.statewidesupply.com.

Oxygen-enhanced

One-Shot Plus from Lenzyme is an oxygen-enhanced drainfield rejuvenator. It is designed to be applied all at once, with selected strains of bacteria doing the work. Oxygen released into the system helps the bacteria consume organic material 20 times faster than they would naturally. No equipment is necessary for application. 800/223-3083.

Time-release oxygen

AfterShock from Cape Cod Biochemical Company is a soil absorptive that restores drainage to clogged and sluggish drainfields and eliminates odors. It contains a multi-strain bacillus spore-bearing bacteria blend with a bacteria-friendly, time-release oxygen source. It is a tan and white free-flowing powder. The product’s consortium of bacteria and oxidizer can be applied at the same time. 800/343-8007; www.capecodbiochemical.com.

Liquid bacteria

BioFORCE Liquid from Chempace Corporation is a liquid bacteria formulation that keeps drainfields flowing freely and eliminates odors. The product is non-toxic and non-caustic and reduces bottom solids and total suspended solids. 800/423-5350; www.chempace.com.

Once a year

Septic-Miracle from Organic Products of South Carolina is a once-a-year treatment botanical blend derived from GRAS-listed ingredients. It is non-toxic, non-hazardous, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly and is available in quarts, gallons, and 5-gallon pails. 866/842-1708; www.organicofsc.com.

Flow restoration

Septic-Scrub drainfield flow restorer from Arcan Enterprises Inc. is a chemical treatment that oxidizes sulfides and releases oxygen into the drainfield. It can be used to help restore flow to a slowed system and to help keep problems from developing. 888/352-7226; www.arcan.com.

Cure for hardpan

Septic Seep, invented in 1953 in the labs of Chevron-ORTHO, is designed to interact with elements in drainfields and cure hardpan conditions. The main ingredient is calcium polysulfide. It is not a bacteria or enzyme product. 877/220-5499; www.septicseep.com.

Multi-strain

Septic Saver from BioStim LLC is a multi-strain microbial formulation designed to digest organic material and promote the free flow of the system. It reduces or eliminates fats, oils and grease, odors, and organic buildup. It does not cause pass-through, requires only quarterly treatment, and is free of chemicals such as caustics and FOG emulsifiers. 800/338-8812; www.biostim.com.

Wet and dry

Microbe-Lift/IND Series from Ecological Laboratories Inc. includes both liquid and dry cultures. It contains specialized microorganisms selected and designed to speed the biological degradation of problem compounds. The cultures are designed to resist inhibitory concentrations of difficult-to-degrade constituents. 215/598-0563; www.microbelift.com.

Auto-dispensing

The BioOne auto-dispensing system from One Biotechnology releases live vegetative cultures in a programmed fashion. The formulation consumes unwanted compounds, converting them to harmless substances. It contains no emulsifiers, surfactants, or added enzymes. 800/951-4246; www.1biotechnology.com.

Concentrated bacteria

BioBug Green C from Bio-Systems International contains selected naturally occurring bacteria, concentrated and preserved, and blended with environmentally friendly high-potency nutrients, stimulants, surfactants and non-synthetic biological enhancers. The product is non-toxic, non-corrosive, and free of VOCs, phosphates, potassium hydroxide, and opacifiers. 800/232-2847; www.biobugs.com.



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