The first thing you will need to do is reference my Indiana Septic System Procedure Guide. A minimum of three feet of good soil is needed to separate waste from saturated soil. We are amazed at the massive amount of misinformation that exists in the on-lot septic industry. The bacteria in your septic system efficiently breaks down solids and slows the accumulation of sludge so long as a properly balanced environment is maintained. Any concerns about the septage issues in Wisconsin, should be forwarded to: The Wisconsin DNR Central Office. Mound System. (i) There is at least one foot of original soil with a faster than 60 minutes percolation rate, above any impermeable soil layer or bedrock, but not more than two feet. The first is conventional and the second is, almost predictably, alternative. (ii) The maximum high groundwater level must be at least one foot below the original ground surface. The distribution network is created by drilling equally spaced holes in pipe. A mound septic system has an average cost between $10,000 and $20,000, but may cost more for exceptionally large systems. Jan 9, 2009. Fresh Clean Septic is a team of highly qualified licensed technicians and inspectors who have many years of experience in inspecting, maintaining, and repairing various types of septic systems, including the Mound Septic System. If the soil has good percolation conditionsit's comparatively sandy and waste water seeps down with little resistancefigure a seepage field of 4,500 square feet (say 100 feet long and 45 feet wide) for a three-bedroom house with normal waste output. The main purpose of a mound system is to provide sufficient treatment to the natural environment to produce an effluent equivalent to, or better than, a conventional onsite disposal system. An alternative septic system that features an intermediary filtration system can help address problems associated with a high water table. A clogged, backed up, or damaged septic system can lead to serious . It has to do with avoiding items that can literally clog or impede the flow of waste from your home into your septic tank or from the septic tank to the septic drainage field. The mound system contains distribution pipes set within the gravel level, along with a pump chamber that collects the wastewater emerging from the tank. Why do I need to avoid flushing my septic tank? 1. The main steps are: 1 - The On-site Evaluation . Conventional septic tank systems, on the other hand, are very affordable, ranging from $2900 to $15,000. For larger homes, up to 30 feet in length per bedroom is added to a mound system. The mound must have 12 inches of sand to get 3 feet of separation. Why do you need an alternative septic system? A mound system is a type of absorption field, so are trenches, beds, trench chambers, and drip irrigation. Each septic system is designed to overcome certain environmental, soil or water problems where a conventional septic system is not preferred or does not meet local standards. This pump chamber sends the wastewater into the drain field and should include an alarm system notifying the landowner or a maintenance company if there is a pumping problem. Placing simple restrictions on the amount of water that can be used monthly will help prevent the system from being overburdened. These systems require the use of a pump to get effluent up to the higher levels of the drain field. Waste water enters the septic tank after it leaves the house. Learn how to operate, monitor and maintain your on-site mound septic system. Whether you need your current septic system repaired or you need a new one installed, the professionals at Doc's in Big Bend, WI . Proper ventilation is vitally important with any septic systems. The wastewater is partly treated as it makes its way through the mounded sand. In September, stop mowing in the tank area and allow the grass to grow longer, which will help insulate the soil. First, the wastewater from your sewer pipes flows from your home into your septic tank. Add insulation. Screening or filtering the septic tank effluent provides an effective way of preventing solids from clogging the pump and pipes. The location of . Cabin Fever. The Two Big Categories of Septic Systems. If your septic system is more than 25 to 30 years old, start planning for an upgrade before you are in an emergency situation. 101 S Webster Street. You need the distribution box to organize your mound septic system. We'll give you all the information you need to make a good decision. For a three-bedroom home, a mound system can be as long as 200 feet, depending on soil and site conditions. Unfortunately, almost every homeowner has at some point smelled the "rotten egg" odor associated with the seeping septic gases that result from improper ventilation. The water table has to be maintained, and a damaged septic tank is a quick way to contaminate it. Often a sand mound septic system is required when there are limiting conditions in the ground. Such an inspection should include assessing the suitability of . Often high water or clay, bedrock or other restrictive challenges mean that the septic system's drain field needs to have more distance from those restrictions. Slope of land does not allow for a conventional septic system Soil percolation rates are too fast or too slow Proximity to wells The absorption bed consists of stone, pipe, and synthetic fabric. (Do not use a single- bottom moldboard plow because the trace wheel will compact the soil at the bottom of each furrow). Its job is to link the septic tank to the drain field in the mound. Economical In order to understand this, you must first understand how the groundwater works here in Florida and how a septic system works with the soil and the ground water. The pro is if you get tons of rain the system still works. The alternative category alone includes 20 different system models that one can . A mound septic tank system can cost anywhere between $9000 and $20,100. Older systems may need to be upgraded so they are safe and effective, or they may need to be abandoned and replaced with a new septic system. Each septic system is rated for a certain number of bedrooms. Effluent from the septic tank enters the dosing tank and at a specific height and turns on the pump by lifting the pump "on"float switch. Inadequate sand to treat sewage pollutants preceding to native soils (toes) Excess water impedes the solid wastes from breaking down before the increased water level in the tank forces them to pass out of the tank and into the distribution lines that are built to handle liquids, effectively blocking the lines or pipes. A Mound Septic System is an Engineered Drainfield that uses Biofiltration to Clean and Purify wastewater. This controls the pumping cycle and alarms in the event of a power failure or a clog in the system. It is likely your system is close to its useful lifespan. A sand mound can help deal with several of the issues a septic system may face. Typical repairs include: Listed below are some advantages and disadvantages of mound systems when compared to other alternative onsite systems. The liquid wastewater then flows into a distribution box (or d-box), which is connected to the gravity drainfield area. This layer of sludge needs to be pumped out of your system every 2-4 years. The water table has to be maintained, and a damaged septic tank is a quick way to contaminate it. There is no waste container and it uses sand to dispose of the waste where the ground absorbs the waste. Wastewater is pumped to the mound throughout the day through a series of four "doses" of about 70 gallons each when . Almost all septic systems fall in one of two groupings. Keep adding water to maintain about 12 inches of water in the hole for at least 4 hours. So if you have a four bedroom home the septic system would accommodate 440 gallons of . Inspections also occur every three years, less frequently than mound systems. You can get a lot of useful info from your local health unit website, as they're the ones that inspect septic systems, in conjunction with your local twp building inspector. The mound is built above ground with layers of Topsoil, Sand and Rock. Up and out A Mound Septic System is all about the layers. Here in Florida, we have water flowing through the s oil beneath our feet. After sitting in cat litter, cat poop petrifies. CALL NOW FOR SERVICE: 1 (855) 925-0760. You will learn how to conserve water not to overflow your system, and your water bills will be lower by having a septic system. Installing the system can be cheaper than connecting to the city system. The purpose of a mound septic system is to keep the waste product away from the water table. Some septic systems, such as sand mounds, can be complicated installations even for seasoned excavator. . Cost Efficiency. First, 6 inches of stone is laid down on a flat sand bed. Becoming solid, cement-like as it works it's way through your septic system, the bacteria in your septic tank will be hard-pressed to . The regulation is found in 310 CMR 15.203. The mound septic system does a great job of protecting the water table and sometimes more so than other septic tank measures. Anyway, if so, the mound-type of septic systems is now required in most places, iirc. The float switch ensures the pump only comes on when the float is in position. Cesspools. A mound septic system is one of several different types of septic systems. Some of the most common reasons include: High water table Not enough space to install a conventional leach field (or a desire to use less space for aesthetic reasons). Power Issues: Another reason septic tank alarms go off is a power failure. One of the most common questions people ask about septic tank maintenance involves the usage of septic treatment products like Rid-X. Systems are designed based on usage of 110 gallons per day per bedroom. Given the way the mound septic system is configured, getting the effluent to the drain field is not always easy. It is important to regularly maintain the septic system, with annual maintenance and pumping having an average cost of $500. Why do I need a mound septic system? Thus a pump is required to lift the wastewater from the septic tank up to the sand mound. This is important because your Mound Septic System would not be able to clean the effluent properly if it arrived all at once. However, if you thought the choice was easy enough to pick one or the other, surprise. The benefits of this system are that it can be used in homes with smaller lots, inadequate soil conditions, in areas where the water table is too high, or for homes close to a surface water body sensitive to contamination by nutrients contained in wastewater effluent. Regular life-time maintenance should be expected for ATUs. Generally the average cost of a septic system falls between $3,000 and $5,000, but may be much less depending on the nature of the repairs. This usually raises the elevation of the distribution system above the outlet elevation of the septic tank. A mound system is used when the ground is not suitable for a regular septic tank and drainfield, and there are a couple of possible reasons why: The water table is high under the property, with not enough soil depth to absorb and filter the wastewater from the drainfield before it reaches the groundwater below and contaminates nearby wells. Conventional septic systems are preferred because they cost less to install. Since the perc test is meant to simulate the actual conditions in a working septic system, the soil is then "pre-soaked" for several hours to saturate the soil. Without a functioning pump, the sewage level continues to rise and the alarm lets you know the waste isn't being removed from the tank. A sand mound septic system includes a pump chamber that houses a submersible pump. Many people wonder why they need a mound when they get a septic system installed, repaired or replaced. One of our technicians will wire the float switch to an alarm panel that sounds if the pump fails. Sand Mounds. Two alternatives to a mound that you may consider: Drip irrigation: A drip tube is buried along an area of your property that allows treated wastewater to release underground. Nice rolling land, which means it is a little easier to disguise a septic mound. The pump is used to lift the sewage effluent from the septic tank to the leach field. There are a few different aspects of the system you should know about. A mound septic system is a specially constructed drain fill for purifying wastewater. Older septic systems were . The cost of septic system repairs varies and depends on your specific system, the size of your home, your house's age, and a variety of other factors. Mound Systems A septic mound is an engineered system involving fill to create a soil absorption system for the disposal of septic effluent. hy do some septic systems have mounds? Tel: (608) 266-2621. Water usage should be your primary concern when managing a mound system (or really any septic system). With our old system when there were several days of heavy rain it seemed the drain/leech system would work in reverse and fill the tank. The sand will help to remove any impurities, making . The purpose of a mound septic system is to keep the waste product away from the water table. McCarthy's system is designed to treat 300 gallons of wastewater each day to the mound via a supply pipe (pictured above). The water table has to be maintained, and a damaged septic tank is a quick way to contaminate it. A great way to avoid unnecessary septic tank cleanouts is to have a septic tank pump alarm installed. Mound Septic System problems The common problems of the mound septic systems are given below: 1) Failure due to poor design or siting The mound is positioned on the soil with a minimum of 1-foot soil above the intermittently saturated soils. (iii) Slopes shall not exceed 15%. Clogging: The first issue has a lot of overlap with more traditional public sewer plumbing and systems. The solid waste settles to the bottom of the tank, just like a regular septic system. These extreme climates have no negative effect of our septic aeration systems. Septic Regulations in Alabama. The distribution network is laid on top of the stone. The condition of the soil is a biggie. Once inside the tank, the waste remains for quite some time until solids and liquids have been separated. When you'd drain water you could hear gurgling in several of the other drains. A licensed electrician will ensure all of the septic system . First, the natural soil depth above the limiting layer is determined (minimum of 12 . Mound septic systems are also known as sand mound or above ground septic systems. The Septic System Savers septic aeration systems are installed all over North America from Arizona to Alaska and Canada where temperatures reach -40 F and have feet of snow cover all winter. sand mound septic system Contact us immediately at 570-828-7444 Additional Septic Services include: Septic System Alarm Response and Emergencies Septic System Installations Why would I need a mound septic system? The trenches are dug with a small backhoe and the tubes are flexible enough to snake around trees. If you have a septic system, there is no need to pay monthly fees for using the city sewage system. The mound septic system does a great job of protecting the water table and sometimes more so than other septic tank measures. But if the soil has poor percolationit's . Excessive or wasteful water usage forces your septic tank to hold more water than it is built for. One of the simplest reasons why a system leaks or fails is that too much water is being used by the home or facility. Septic Regulations in Arizona. Wastewater passes through a sand filter after the septic tank discharges it. PO Box 7921. The drain field treats the wastewater and then drains it. Again, if your backyard requires a mound system, the . Madison WI 53707-7921. The controls including the septic float switch trigger the pump to activate when the water reaches a certain depth. The purpose of a mound septic system is to keep the waste product away from the water table. It is usually installed in places where other system designs are impossible to build. Inspecting the filter and cleaning it when necessary is quick and easy, and prevents costly damage from solids entering the system. A mound septic system is perfect where a conventional septic system won't work due to higher water tables, shallow soil, or poor soil absorption. A mound is constructed in layers of predetermined depths (Figure 3). A mound is part of the structure responsible for treating the wastewater. The most common type of filtration system used is a sand filtration system. This works by building up a specialized mound with gravel and sand to allow more distance between the drain lines and bedrock or groundwater. For Homeowners If you've assumed that a sand mound is your only option, whether because of cost or regulation, think again. This is where a sand mound septic system is often used. One of the common reason septic tank alarms go off is because of heavy rainfall. You don't need deep soil to bury this tube if you combine it with a treatment system like the LandSaver MBR that removes all contaminants. For example, heavy rain around your drain field might block water from flowing out of your septic system, resulting in your alarm going off. Septic Regulations in Alaska. Two other types of "trench" systems that can be used in the woods is the EZflow system and drip irrigation systems. Economical If you need professional help for the Mound Septic System, you can contact our inspection and consultation team for . Since a home's septic system is buried underground, the only way to accurately assess its health is through an inspection. If your system is already in place, you can add insulation to the soil above the system. Like every other septic system, there are mound septic system pros and cons too. A control panel is also located in the pump chamber. The mound is a drainfield bed that is raised above the natural soil surface with a specific sand fill material, all covered by suitable cover soil. The Dosing tank has a pump in it that is used to pump the liquid effluent to the absorption field. The typical cost of a mound septic system is between $9000 and 20,000 dollars, although it can be more expensive, especially for big systems. Do I need any special tools to install one of your Septic Aeration Systems? The design flow of a septic system is based on projected usage based on bedrooms. In the sketch shown here, effluent is discharged to the septic mound by a pumping chamber. The effluent, or waste water is pumped to the mound. Where the problem is soil that is too dense, too shallow over bedrock or hardpan, or the water table is too high, a "mound" system is often the first choice as it works much the same as a standard system, only with the leach field raised above the natural grade. The distribution box helps keep the effluent moving in the right direction. Septic Emergency? Aside from the septic pump, the septic controls often need wiring of their own. A Septic Inspection is important to both your home and personal health because the septic system controls all waste that flows in and out of the home. Septic mound systems are used where local soils are not suitable for effluent disposal. This can cause ponding in the drainfield, surfacing of untreated wastewater, or backing up into the septic tank and into the plumbing in the house. The system consists of a septic tank, a dosing chamber and a mound. It consists of a Septic Tank, a Dosing Chamber, and a Mound. 2. Clay soils should soak for at least 12 hours to fully saturate. Step 4: Plow the area within the mound perimeter 7-8 inches deep, and parallel to the contour of the slope using a moldboard or chisel plow (Figure 4). But, cat waste is a different animal. 3. In this article, we will take a closer look at the product and review if Rid-x could be an option for you. The EZFlow system is essential packing peanuts surrounding a perforated flexible draintube. The mound septic system does a great job of protecting the water table and sometimes more so than other septic tank . Stake out the mound and install feedline. In a few cases the topography may allow the pump to be replaced with a siphon. Layers of mulch, hay, or leaves piled over the septic area at least 8 inches deep will also keep the soil warmer during the winter. Before you hire a company to install a new septic system (or attempt to do so yourself), you must assess your property or ideally have a professional NJ septic system inspector perform an inspection for you. How additives, like Rid-x, interfere with your septic system's eco-system Too much of a good thing can be bad. A Mound system is based on the Nodak disposal system developed in North Dakota. Whether you're running a mound system or a traditional septic tank setup, emergency situations can happen at any time - we are here to provide fast and reliable service! It's easy to see why people started flushing cat waste down the drain, after all, your septic system processes waste. McCarthy's septic tank is 1,000 gallons, which then flows into a 500 gallon pump tank or dose tank. Fortunately, NexGen Septics are here with some ventilation advice to help you avoid this discouraging situation. The first step in installing a septic system is to assess your property. Finally, the wastewater arrives in the mound, where it is fully treated and dispersed.