Operation & Maintenance of Sewage Treatment Systems
There are approximately 14,000 residential sewage treatment systems in Lake County that range in age and type from the most common with septic tanks and leaching trenches to the newest technology of mounds and drip distribution. Regardless of the type of system a homeowner has there are some basic operation and maintenance requirements that apply to all systems:
What you should do
- Have your septic tank pumped out & inspected every 2-5 years by a registered septage hauler
- Keep septic tank cover accessible with a water tight riser for ease of pumping
- Keep roof water, footer drain water, & surface drainage out of the septic tank and away from the soil absorption field
- Conserve water to avoid overloading septic system
- Learn the location of your septic system
and protect it from physical damage
- Wash your laundry over the course of the week, don’t overload your system by doing all of the laundry on one day
What you should not do
- Don’t drive or park over any part of the septic system
- Don’t use your toilet as a trash can; keep diapers, cigarette filters, cat litter, and feminine hygiene products out of your system
- Don’t put excessive chemicals down the drain-chemicals can kill the beneficial bacteria that treat your wastewater
- Don’t pour grease down your sink
- Don’t use septic tank additives; under normal operation conditions these products usually are not needed and some may even be harmful
For more information on the basics of sewage system maintenance click here:
A Homeowner's Guide to Maintaining Your Sewage Treatment System
For conventional septic system information click here: Septic Tanks
Conventional Leaching and Evapotranspiration Trenches
Operation and Maintenance by Type of Sewage Treatment System
Aerobic (Aeration) Treatment Systems
Aerobic treatment systems, commonly called “aeration” units are actually much smaller versions of municipal wastewater treatment plants. These systems function much differently than a septic system, since they use oxygen for wastewater treatment. Aeration units can also be used in place of septic tanks when followed by soil absorption components such as trenches, mound or drip tubing. These systems treat the wastewater by adding oxygen from either an aerator motor or an air compressor which mixes the sewage and uses bacteria needing the oxygen to break down the waste. Aerobic treatment systems usually contain some type of filtration mechanism and if they discharge to a watercourse they will have some form of disinfection unit.
The key maintenance requirements are as follows:
- Keep the aerator motor or air compressor properly operating at all times. The wastewater will not be treated if there is no oxygen.
- Aerobic treatment units do accumulate solids and need to be pumped at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer and/or the service provider
- Maintain an ongoing service contract with a service provider that has been trained and is qualified to maintain your type of system. Contact the Health District for a list of service providers registered in Lake County.
For more information on
aerobic treatment systems
For information on discharging aerobic treatment units with Ohio EPA
NPDES permits click here
Mounds
Mound sewage treatment systems are utilized in slowly permeable soils with limitations such as seasonal high water and shallow bedrock. Mounds are considered as a newer system option but they have been used in Lake County since 1988.
For more specific information on mounds view
Mound Sewage Treatment Systems
Drip Distribution
Drip distribution is a system utilized timed, pressurized micro dosing. This type of distribution of wastewater is a newer technology and is utilized on sites with limiting conditions such as seasonal high water tables, shallow bedrock and slowly permeable soils. Drip distribution is a zoned system that can be utilized on site with difficult topography as well. For more specific information on drip distribution please view the fact sheets on drip distribution and the various methods of installation below:
Drip Distribution Overview
Drip Distribution in a mound
Drip Distribution at grade
Drip Distribution below grade