Full Answer
What is an aerobic treatment unit?
Aerobic treatment units, also called activated sludge tanks, are a common method of biological treatment used in municipal wastewater treatment facilities. According to Chapter 73 of the PA Rules and Regulations, traditional septic tanks can be replaced with aerobic treatment tanks.
What is a pre-treatment tank in an aerobic system?
Many aerobic systems have a pre-treatment tank before the aerobic unit or may have a pretreatment tank within the unit to allow solids and sludge to settle before the effluent wastewater enters the ATU.
What do I need to know about my aerobic treatment system?
Know your system’s capacity. This information should be on the permit or the control panel label for the aerobic treatment unit. If more wastewater enters the system than it was designed to handle, it will not operate as intended.
What are some examples of aerobic systems in Texas?
Basic information about aerobic systems is given in these Texas AgriLife Extension Service Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems series: Aerobic Treatment Unit Tablet Chlorination Liquid Chlorination Ultraviolet Light Disinfection Pump Tank Spray Distribution System
Which process is better aerobic treatment?
Using anaerobic and aerobic treatment together In general, using both technologies together results in more efficient treatment than if an aerobic system were used alone, as well as more complete contaminant removal than if anaerobic treatment were used alone.
What are the different types of aerobic septic systems?
The pre-treatment and effluent handling are similar for both types of systems, and the difference lies in the aeration stage.Fixed film systems. ... Continuous flow, suspended growth aerobic systems. ... Retrofit or portable aerobic systems. ... Composting toilets.
Are aerobic septic systems good?
Aerobic bacteria break down waste solids faster than their anaerobic counterparts. The treated water that flows out of an aerobic septic system is cleaner, making an aerobic system a good choice if your property has a higher water table or other environmental challenges.
What is aerobic treatment unit?
Aerobic Treatment Units (ATUs) are similar to standard septic systems in that they use natural processes to treat wastewater. But unlike conventional systems, ATUs also use oxygen to break down organic matter, much the same as municipal wastewater treatment systems, but in a scaled-down version.
What are the disadvantages of an aerobic septic system?
Increased cost: An aerobic septic system can cost up to three times as much as a traditional septic tank. The cost varies by design and location, but they are almost always more expensive than a traditional system. Property owners must weigh this cost with potential conveniences, such as space-saving measures.
How often should an aerobic septic system be pumped?
every three to five yearsHow Often Should My Aerobic System Be Pumped? There are many variables that affect how often your system needs to be pumped. This is determined by the usage of your system, and the number of people living in your home, we suggest that your system be pumped every three to five years.
Which septic system is best?
The best choice is a precast concrete septic tank. Precast septic tanks hold many advantages over plastic, steel, or fiberglass tanks. This is why so many cities and towns actually require the use of concrete septic tanks.
Can you use a garbage disposal with an aerobic septic system?
But is it wise to install a garbage disposal if you own a home with a septic system? From our perspective, the simple answer is no. We recommend that you avoid using a garbage disposal with a septic system for three reasons: It reduces the effectiveness of your septic system.
Which is better aerobic or anaerobic septic tank?
Even solid waste, which otherwise settles at the bottom in anaerobic septic system, is exposed to aerobic bacteria. Such a mechanism makes sure that the effluent is cleaner and easier to treat in the leach field. Aerobic systems are more efficient, but the installation process is more complicated, hence more expensive.
How much electricity does an aerobic septic system use?
Daily operating electrical usage: 86 Watts/Hr x 24 hrs/day = 2,064 Watt-hours/day.
How do you size an aerobic septic system?
Aerobic units should be large enough to allow enough time for the solids to settle and for the wastewater to be treated. The size of most units range from 300 to 1,500 gallons per day, but local regulations often require that the unit be at least large enough to handle 500 gallons of wastewater per day.
What is an ATU sewer system?
An ATU is a wastewater treatment system. ATUs treat all the wastewater from a residential home or commercial site. The treated wastewater can be used for irrigation in garden beds, orchards, etc or disposed of into leach drains, soakwells and aquasafe drains.
How to select an aerobic treatment unit?
To select an aerobic unit, first determine the amount of daily waste- water flow from the home or small business. Then choose a Class I aerobic treatment unit that can handle the amount of flow.
What are the components of aerobic treatment?
The aerobic treatment unit components—pretreatment tank, aeration chamber, air pump, and settling chamber —work together to treat the water to a high quality. In the system, wastewater first enters the pretreatment tank or trash trap, which removes plastic objects and other solids that float or settle.
What is aerobic treatment?
Aerobic treatment units, which are certified as Class I aerobic systems, treat wastewater well enough to be used in conjunction with spray systems, which distribute treated wastewater over lawns. They are the most common way to treat wastewater for spray dispersal systems.
What is a pretreatment tank?
A pretreatment tank, generally referred to as the “trash tank” because it removes materials that microorganisms (microbes) cannot degrade. An aeration chamber, where aerobic microbes decompose waste in the water. An aeration system consists of an air pump, piping, and diffusers that force air into the aeration chamber.
What is aerobic wastewater treatment?
Aerobic treatment units treat wastewater for homes and small businesses using the same process, only scaled down, as our municipal wastewater treatment systems use. They remove 85 to 98 percent of the organic matter and solids from the wastewater, producing effluent as clean as that from municipal wastewater treatment plants, and cleaner than that from conventional septic tanks.
What is flow equalization tank?
A flow equalization tank can be used at facilities with variable waste- water flows or large water-using devices, or in homes where the residents do not want system to dictate their lifestyle.
Where is the air pump located in an aerobic tank?
The air pump, located near the aerobic tank , compresses air to flow into the aeration chamber. The diffuser forces the air into the water, dividing the air into bubbles that float to the surface. The oxygen in the air bubbles goes into the water for the microbes, while the rising bubbles mix the wastewater.
How do aerobic treatment units help the environment?
They actually do. By introducing helpful bacteria in the tank you can begin the breakdown and treatment well before the water in sent to your drainfield. This results in faster breakdown of the wastewater.
Can you use aerobic treatment units for septic systems?
Traditional or conventional septic systems may not fit on your property for many reasons. Or perhaps you want to build a larger house on ...
How big of a lot is needed for aerobic treatment in Oklahoma?
In Oklahoma, National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Standard 40 aerobic treatment systems may be installed in lot sizes of at least ¾ acre if drinking water is drawn from a private well onsite. If water is from a public water system, the minimum lot size requirement is ½ acre.
How long does an aerobic treatment system last in Oklahoma?
The installer of any aerobic treatment system in Oklahoma is required to maintain the system for a period of two years following the date of installation at no cost to the owner. During this mandatory two-year maintenance period, the installer shall be responsible for the following:
What is the function of an aeration tank?
The main function of the aeration tank is the removal of the organic matter and the reduction in activity of pathogenic microorganisms (microbes).
What is an ATU in a septic system?
A: A properly functioning aerobic treatment unit (ATU) will produce cleaner effluent than a traditional septic system, so these are becoming more common on waterfront properties where discharge from septic systems often faces tougher restrictions.
How long does it take for an aerobic system to fail?
Power is also needed for the alarm system, which alerts you to system malfunctions. A power failure of 24 hours or less usually isn’t a problem for aerobic systems, but longer outages can harm the bacteria that break down the effluent.
How many chambers are there in a prepackaged septic system?
Pre-packaged systems have up to four chambers for collecting, aerating, clarifying, and pumping the effluent. The first chamber is a smaller version of a conventional septic tank where solids are allowed to settle out, and the second “treatment” chamber is used to pump air into the effluent.
How to select an aerobic treatment unit?
To select an aerobic unit, first determine the amount of daily wastewater flow from your home or small business. The rate of daily wastewater flow is based on the home’s square footage or number of bedrooms, whichever is larger (Table 1). Then choose a Class I aerobic treatment unit that can handle that amount of flow.
How many gallons of wastewater is treated in an aerobic treatment unit?
Aerobic treatment units are available in a range of sizes, including those able to treat 500, 600, 750, 1,000, and 1,500 gallons per day.
How does aerobic treatment work?
Aerobic treatment systems consist of several processes that work together to provide a high-quality effluent: Removal of gross solids (trash): After the wastewater leaves the house through a pipe, it enters a trash or septic tank, where the solids in the wastewater settle to the bottom or float to the surface.
How to maintain aerobic wastewater treatment system?
To maintain an aerobic onsite wastewater treatment system properly, you must have extensive knowledge. This knowledge can help prevent injury to yourself, other people, the system components, and the environment.
