
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.
Where can I get a copy of my aerobic system?
Typically in Texas, aerobic systems are permitted through the county so you can usually obtain a copy from them. Or, you could try calling the installer if you know who that was.
How do I maintain an aerobic onsite wastewater treatment system properly?
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. Obtain the manufacturer’s literature describing system components and the particular maintenance practices from the company’s Web site.
What is an aerobic treatment unit?
Aerobic treatment units can remove substantial amounts of contaminants that are not eliminated by the simple sedimentation that occurs in a septic tank. The aerobic process also breaks down dissolved solids and ammonia and reduces the number of pathogens in the waste. Aerobic system processes

What do you put in an aerobic septic system?
1:066:35How to Maintain Your Aerobic Septic System - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThere are certain toilet papers you want you do not want to use such as quilted northern and CharminMoreThere are certain toilet papers you want you do not want to use such as quilted northern and Charmin thick tool paper's like that you want to use a septic safe toilet paper like angel soft.
What is aerobic treatment process?
Aerobic treatment of wastewater is a biological process that uses oxygen to break down organic contaminants and other pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorous. Oxygen is continuously mixed into the wastewater or sewage by a mechanical aeration device, such as an air blower or compressor.
Where do you put chlorine tablets in an aerobic septic system?
0:191:14Mullin Putting chlorine in your aerobic system - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn the yard adding the tablets is pretty simple all you've got to do is slide them down into theMoreIn the yard adding the tablets is pretty simple all you've got to do is slide them down into the sleeve. And you can add as many as you want you can completely fill the sleeve up.
How do you service an aerobic system?
8 Dos and Don'ts for Aerobic System MaintenanceRegularly Inspect Your Septic System. ... Pump Out Whenever Necessary. ... Be Water-wise. ... Use Licensed, Certified Companies. ... Flush Solids Down the Drains. ... Pour Harsh Chemicals in Your Toilets. ... Park Cars or Trucks on Your Drainfield or Reserve Area. ... Add Septic Tank Additives.
How do aerobic wastewater treatment systems work?
The aerobic treatment uses oxygen to break down the effluent and remove the different pollutants such as phosphorus and nitrogen. In this process, oxygen is required to form air. This air is forced via blower or compressor to mix with the wastewater. It converts the sludge into new biomass.
What is aerobic and anaerobic treatment system?
Aerobic wastewater treatment is a biological wastewater treatment process which uses an oxygen rich environment. Anaerobic wastewater treatment is a process where anaerobic organisms break down organic material in an oxygen absent environment. Bacteria. Bacteria involved the aerobic wastewater treatment are aerobes.
Where do I put chlorine tablets in my pool?
1:502:46How to Add CHLORINE TABLETS to Your POOL | Swim UniversityYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDirectly to your skimmer basket. Water is constantly. Moving over your skimmer basket as long asMoreDirectly to your skimmer basket. Water is constantly. Moving over your skimmer basket as long as your pump and filter are running and that is dissolving the chlorine much faster.
How often should you put chlorine in your aerobic septic system?
every 2-3 monthsIt is designed to hold up to 6 gallons of regualar household bleach. Pour a gallon or two in every 2-3 months and be done!
How many chlorine tablets do I put in my septic system?
The instructions on most chlorine tablet products recommend one to two tablets inserted into the wastewater tank each month for every person living in the household. If your household is especially busy one month, be careful not to clog the chlorination tube by only inserting five tablets at a time.
What to put in septic tank to break down solids?
Here are a few things you can do to help you break down the solid waste in your septic tank:Active Yeast. Add ¼ to ½ cup of active dry yeast to your toilet bowl and flush it down your toilet. ... Rotten Tomatoes. ... Hydrogen Peroxide. ... Inorganic Acids. ... Chemicals. ... Pumping.
How do you pump an aerobic septic system?
4:059:04ACE Enterprise Septic Service Presents: Aerobic System Tutorial ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt goes through the chlorinating device and and then it this is the pump tank you'll see severalMoreIt goes through the chlorinating device and and then it this is the pump tank you'll see several floats in there the water level rises toggles a float and it pumps out if the water.
How do you add bacteria to an aerobic septic system?
What Can You Do to Promote Septic Tank Bacteria Growth? Bacteria will grow naturally in your septic tank. You promote growth of bacteria by flushing more solid waste down into the tank all the time.
How does an Aerobic Septic System Work?
An aerobic system applies mechanical components to treat the sewage and drive the treated sewage towards the absorption area. It utilizes aerobic bacteria that need to be pumped air to prevent them from dying.
Process
Disinfection: The wastewater leaving the aerobic treatment unit will undergo an extra step in this phase. One may apply chlorine or UV light to fulfill this phase. Disinfection processes such as chlorine, bleach, UV light, and others can enhance the wastewater treatment before being directed to the pump tank.
Components of an Aerobic Treatment System
An aerobic septic system typically comprises a trash tank, an absorption field, an aerobic treatment unit, a disinfection chamber, and a pump tank. Below are the details of these components.
Trash Tank
A trash tank’s approach is similar to a conventional septic system’s general septic tank. After collecting the sewage, the trash tank divides it into three layers: lower mud layer, central liquid sewage layer, and scum layer on top. The wastewater follows a T-shaped pattern as it moves towards an aerobic treatment unit.
Aerobic Treatment Unit (ATU)
ATU is integrated into an aerobic treatment system that treats wastewater with aerobic bacteria. In this process, the aerobic bacteria can thrive because of the constant supply of an oxygen-rich atmosphere caused by air pumping. The flourishing of aerobic bacteria then removes unwanted pathogens in the wastewater.
Disinfection Chamber
The disinfectant chamber becomes the next stage for the wastewater from the aerobic treatment unit. Disinfection materials and processes such as chlorine, bleach, and UV light further treat the wastewater before driving towards the pump tank.
Pump Tank
The pump tank typically functions with a series of floats to regulate the period at which wastewater has to drain. An alarm will sound to inform you that an inspection is entailed when the sewage level rises. The nozzle in the drainage areas becomes the channel through which the wastewater is generally distributed.
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 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.
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.
Is wastewater part of the hydrologic cycle?
All water, including wastewater, is part of the hydrologic cycle (Fig. 2). After the effluent is dispersed from a wastewater system, it eventually joins ground or surface water, both of which are used as sources of drinking water. Because of this cycle, the water must be treated properly to protect human and environmental health.
Where are aerobic treatment systems used?
These systems are commonly found in rural areas where public sewers are not available, and may be used for a single residence or for a small group of homes. Unlike the traditional septic system, the aerobic treatment system produces a high quality secondary effluent, which can be sterilized and used for surface irrigation.
What is a small scale aerobic system?
Small scale aerobic systems generally use one of two designs, fixed-film systems, or continuous flow, suspended growth aerobic systems (CFSGAS). The pre-treatment and effluent handling are similar for both types of systems, and the difference lies in the aeration stage.
What is the difference between a septic system and an aerobic system?
Comparison to traditional septic systems. The aeration stage and the disinfecting stage are the primary differences from a traditional septic system; in fact, an aerobic treatment system can be used as a secondary treatment for septic tank effluent. These stages increase the initial cost of the aerobic system, and also the maintenance requirements ...
What is an ATS system?
Jump to navigation Jump to search. A small scale sewage treatment system which uses an aerobic process for digestion. An aerobic treatment system ( ATS ), often called an aerobic septic system, is a small scale sewage treatment system similar to a septic tank system, but which uses an aerobic process for digestion rather than just ...
Does aerobic treatment require electricity?
Unlike many other biofilters, aerobic treatment systems require a constant supply of electricity to drive the air pump increasing overall system costs.
Is aerobic septic or septic?
On the positive side, an aerobic system produces a higher quality effluent than a septic tank, and thus the leach field can be smaller than that of a conventional septic system, and the output can be discharged in areas too environmentally sensitive for septic system output. Some aerobic systems recycle the effluent through a sprinkler system, ...
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.
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 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 often should aerobic systems be checked?
All aerobic systems are required to be checked every 4 months per TCEQ regulations, even if your county doesn’t require a maintenance company to perform the service (there’s a lot more to servicing your system than just adding chlorine, not to mention the health risk of coming into contact with wastewater).
How often should I pump out my aerobic tank?
(The average household will need to have the system pumped every 2-5 years).
Is aerobic pumping scary?
Aerobic system are not scary, but they do require more maintenance and expense just due to the nature of the system. I hope these links help. I have a clearstream system, a 500N. It has a high level float that turns the pump on if the water level in the pump tank should get too high, for whatever reason.
Where to store chlorine?
DON’T store chlorine in water heater closets or by water heaters. Keep away from gas and electrical. Chlorine needs to be stored in a cool, dry, ventilated area. DO use ant killer to kill ants if they start mounding by any part of the system. DON’T use swimming pool chlorine tablets for tablet chlorinators.
Do aerobic systems need maintenance?
Although aerobic systems are more sophisticated than standard ones, they still need routine maintenance in order to function at their peak. Here are some do’s and don’ts for maintaining your aerobic system ( tips on standard systems here ). DO hire a TCEQ licensed maintenance provider to service your system. All aerobic systems are required ...
What is aerobic septic system?
Aerobic septic systems inject oxygen into sewage waste, stimulating the growth of aerobic bacteria, which break down and filter the wastewater and solids. While conventional gravity-powered septic systems (whose holding tanks depend on anaerobic bacteria) are the most popular systems in use today, there are situations in which aerobic septic ...
Do all municipalities allow aerobic septic systems?
These are substantially more complicated systems than traditional gravity-powered systems, and as such, their ongoing maintenance costs are higher. Not all municipalities allow aerobic septic systems, so be sure to check with your town or city before completing a purchase.
Can aerobic systems be used in a septic system?
Aerobic systems can often be paired with a smaller leaching field than a similar conventional septic system. This can substantially reduce the space required, which can be useful in lots where a large drainage field is unacceptable.
How does the aerobic system work?
They use the food you eat, combined with the oxygen you breathe, to produce the energy you need to move. Although you may not realize it, your aerobic system is hard at work- powering the body forward as efficiently as possible.
What are some examples of aerobic exercise?
Running, cycling, swimming, and walking are a few classic examples. This article will explain how the aerobic system functions, adapts with exercise, and helps power your movement. Aerobic Exercise is broadly defined as “any type of exercise performed at moderate levels of intensity, for extended periods of time, ...
How does exercise affect the body?
When we exercise, our muscles become more efficient at consuming oxygen and converting it to useable energy. One of the body’s natural reactions to aerobic stimulation is an increase in oxygen-transporting enzymes, which carry oxygen out of the bloodstream and into the muscle.
How much air do you breathe when you exercise?
When you exercise, the body demands more oxygen than it would while resting. As a result, your breathing must increase to keep up with demand. At rest, adults typically inhale about 12 liters of air per minute. That number can jump to over 100 liters per minute when exercising.
Why is aerobic training important?
This is good news for folks that haven’t been as active as they’d like, but want to get moving again. Aerobic training increases the diameter and mass of the heart, allowing it to pump faster and more efficiently. As a result, there is an increase in the amount of blood that the heart pumps with each beat.
How does the heart work?
After the heart has used the oxygenated blood that it needs, it pushes that blood through the circulatory system, sending it to the muscles, tissues, and organs that need fresh fuel. Each time the heart beats (up to 100,000 times per day!) it sends blood circulating through the body.
Where does oxygen travel?
Inside the alveoli, Oxygen is diffused and begins to enter the bloodstream. The freshly-oxygenated blood travels to the heart, where some is used and the rest is sent along for reassignment. During exercise, our hearts increase the rate and volume at which blood is being circulated through the body.

The Trash Tank
- Trash tanks permitted for installation should meet requirements of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/NSF Standard 40. The trash tank must have a minimum liquid capacity of 300 gallons or the average daily flow, whichever is greater. The main function of the trash tan…
Aeration Tank/Aeration Chamber
- The aeration tank must meet the most current ANSI/NSF Standard 40 and accommodate the projected daily flow. It also must have an opening of sufficient size to allow for maintenance. Since atmospheric air is forced into the chamber by a compressor or aerator, a venting mechanism for proper airflow through the aeration tank is required. The main function of the aer…
Clarifier Or Settling Chamber
- Treated wastewater exiting the aeration chamber enters the clarifier or the settling chamber. For most systems in Oklahoma, the clarifier is in the same tank as the aeration chamber (see Figure 2). The effluent entering the clarifier contains suspended solids (cell masses and non-degradable materials). The solids must be removed to prevent clogging caused by carryover of the solids to …
Disinfection
- If spray irrigation is used as the mode of dispersal, then the effluent needs to be disinfected. If the effluent is dispersed by subsurface drip irrigation, disinfection is not required. Disinfection is performed after the effluent has gone through the clarifier, but before it is pumped for dispersal. The most common method of disinfection is by chlorination. Manufacturer instructions about c…
Dispersal
- Effluent from the clarifier flows into a pump tank, where it is channeled through subsurface lines and eventually land-applied by either surface spray or subsurface drip irrigation. No biological treatment process takes place in the pump tank. The pump tank should meet ANSI/NSF Standard 40 and have a minimum liquid capacity of 700 gallons or, for systems with an average flow capa…
Maintenance
- The aerobic treatment system has components requiring regular maintenance. Maintenance starts by following manufacturer’s guidelines. Take the following as suggestions to keep your system in working order: 1. Know your installer. Know your installer and request that you be oriented to the operation and maintenance of your system. If you bought a used house, determin…
References
- Consortium of Institutes for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment (CIDWT). 2009. Installation of Wastewater Treatment Systems. 1st Ed. 454 pp. Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). 2012. Individual and Small Public On-site Sewage Treatment Systems. Title 252: Oklahoma Admin Code Chapter 641. Lesikar, B. 2008. Aerobic Treatment Unit. Texas A & M AgriLife Extens…
Overview
An aerobic treatment system (ATS), often called an aerobic septic system, is a small scale sewage treatment system similar to a septic tank system, but which uses an aerobic process for digestion rather than just the anaerobic process used in septic systems. These systems are commonly found in rural areas where public sewers are not available, and may be used for a single residence or for a small group of homes.
Process
The ATS process generally consists of the following phases:
• Pre-treatment stage to remove large solids and other undesirable substances.
• Aeration stage, where aerobic bacteria digest biological wastes.
• Settling stage allows undigested solids to settle. This forms a sludge that must be periodically removed from the system.
Types of aerobic treatment systems
Small scale aerobic systems generally use one of two designs, fixed-film systems, or continuous flow, suspended growth aerobic systems (CFSGAS). The pre-treatment and effluent handling are similar for both types of systems, and the difference lies in the aeration stage.
Fixed film systems use a porous medium which provides a bed to support the biomass film that digests the waste material in the wastewater. Designs for fixed film systems vary widely, but fal…
Comparison to traditional septic systems
The aeration stage and the disinfecting stage are the primary differences from a traditional septic system; in fact, an aerobic treatment system can be used as a secondary treatment for septic tank effluent. These stages increase the initial cost of the aerobic system, and also the maintenance requirements over the passive septic system. Unlike many other biofilters, aerobic treatment systems require a constant supply of electricity to drive the air pump increasing overa…
See also
• List of waste-water treatment technologies
External links
• Aerobic Treatment Units at Northern Arizona University