Dean and Joan Hanson had always imagined building their dream house on their lot on Lake Andrew in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota. It is ideally elevated for a view of the lake. For nearly 10 years, they spent the summers in a travel trailer parked on their lot. When their family outgrew the camper, they made plans to build.
They discovered, however, that the lot was too small to fit both their house plans and a “standard” septic system. The depth to the seasonal high-water table was less than 4 feet below grade and would require an above-ground mound system to adequately protect the groundwater from sewage contamination. The footprint of the mound system would be more than 2000 square feet.
Unless someone could come up with an acceptable alternative to an above-grade mound system, the Hansons would not be able to build their dream home on the lake. Luckily for them, their builder knew Jeff Johnson, an excavator with knowledge and experience in designing and installing alternative septic systems on difficult lots like theirs. Rather than downsizing their dream home or installing an undersized mound system, Johnson proposed the installation of an AdvanTex treatment system manufactured by Orenco.
The local unit of government understood that the high level of treatment provided by the AdvanTex system would allow for a reduced vertical separation distance to the seasonal high-water table while still protecting the groundwater and nearby wells. An AdvanTex treatment system with an aesthetically pleasing 780-square-foot below-grade drainfield was installed.
“It was so easy,” Dean Hanson says. “Jeff explained the AdvanTex treatment system and how it would work. He installed the system, and we knew it would be done right. We were thankful to eliminate a huge mound, which would detract from the curb appeal. We also appreciate the VeriComm monitoring technology. Having the system monitored means we don’t have to worry about it.”
This project is another example of how an AdvanTex treatment system can be used to provide wastewater treatment at a difficult site.
For more information, visit Orenco.com or call 800-348-9843.
