Interested in Systems/ATUs?
Get Systems/ATUs articles, news and videos right in your inbox! Sign up now.
Systems/ATUs + Get AlertsCombination system reduces footprint
Problem
The drainfield had failed on the onsite system serving a three-bedroom home in Juneau, Alaska. The lot was too small for a replacement drainfield, and direct discharge was not an option.
Solution
Sloan Swendsen, co-owner of Juneau Septic Services, installed a Platinum submerged aerated filter for secondary treatment with Puraflo peat fiber biofilters from Anua. The aerated filter has a pump package in the clarifier, eliminating the pump tank and reducing the footprint. The two biofilters, on an in-ground gravel dispersal bed, further reduced the footprint.
Result
Effluent averages 5 mg/L BOD and 5 mg/L TSS with 95 percent fecal coliform reduction and no pathogens. 336/547-9338; www.anua-us.com.
Decentralized design benefits a country club
Problem
The design engineer for Keene Manor Estates, a country club development in Nicholasville, Ky., needed wastewater treatment options. The initial plan of drainfields in every backyard failed to meet the aesthetic quality sought by the owners.
Solution
The engineer turned to Clarus Environmental to provide decentralized collection using filtered septic tank effluent pumping (STEP) systems, a recirculating gravel filter, and drip distribution that irrigated portions of the golf course. Clarus helped the engineer with force main design, treatment system sizing, and drip field zoning and layout.
Result
The system, operational and trouble-free since 2007, led to more consistent, professional, and effective wastewater management. 800/928-7867; www.clarusenvironmental.com.
Aerobic treatment unit saves a home
Problem
A failed onsite system on lakefront property in Kendallville, Ind., had to be repaired or the county would condemn the home. Poor soil conditions and the small lot ruled out a replacement drainfield.
Solution
Hydro-Action donated an advanced aerobic treatment unit to treat the wastewater and remediate the soil. The county approved the solution, and the failed drainfield was removed.
Result
Effluent sampling averaged 9 mg/L CBOD, 15 mg/L TSS, and 7.1 to 8.3 pH. 800/370-3749; www.hydro-action.com.
Package plant brings a school into compliance
Problem
For more than five years, the 3,700 gpd (design) suspended growth-extended aeration treatment plant at the Brisbane Public School in Erin, Ont., failed to meet effluent limits of 10 mg/L CBOD5, 10 mg/L TSS, 2 mg/L total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), 4 mg/L TKN, and 4 mg/L nitrate.
Solution
Facing fines, the school board turned to Waterloo Biofilter Systems. Waterloo engineers replaced the original system with a Biofilter absorbent filtration unit and WaterNOx nitrogen removal system, both in a 40-foot SC-40 shipping container. Installation was completed during summer vacation, and the plant was ready for the first day of school in 2009.
Result
The system attains medians of 6 mg/L CBOD5, 7 mg/L TSS, 0.3 mg/L TAN, 1.6 mg/L TKN, and 4.9 mg/L nitrate. It reduced energy consumption by 78 percent and cut operation and maintenance costs by 46 percent, saving the school $5,900 per year. 519/856-0757; www.waterloo-biofilter.com.