Our septic system designers are highly experienced and skilled in designing modern-day treatment systems. They will assess your site to find the optimal septic system design, down to local regulations and possible risks. We facilitate all of the necessary permits so that you can get started on construction ASAP.
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If you’re considering a septic tank or onsite wastewater treatment system in the Utah Area, there are two things that you should know. First, it is illegal to install a septic tank without obtaining a permit from the local health department. Second, installing and maintaining your system can be expensive if poorly designed.
The main reason you need a septic system is that you cannot connect to a municipal sewer system. This is due to the high cost of installing pipes and providing services to homes far from municipal sewage systems.
The process for getting a permit for a septic tank for your house or onsite wastewater treatment system varies by county. The Utah Department of Health has this information on its website, but the typical process is as follows:
The cost to design and permit a conventional system in Utah ranges between $2,000 and $6,000. The range is dependent on the following components:
Utah septic tank design and onsite wastewater treatment systems are required to be designed by professionals certified by the Utah Department of Environmental Quality – Water Quality in the following categories:
A new traditional anaerobic septic system costs $2,000 to $10,000 for most tanks and systems. Aerobic systems cost $8,000 to $20,000. You might pay more for alternative, specialized drain or leach field, depending on your property size, soil composition and water table depth. A septic system contains three main parts: a septic tank, piping, and the drain/leach field.
A conventional septic tank is a container that could be made of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene. It sits below the house elevation near the drain field and stores wastewater to an absorption area from the residence. Septic tanks are often dark in color because they’re in direct contact with (and brightening) substance.
A septic drain field is the part of a septic system where wastewater flows out through perforations in the pile and into a layer of coarse sand, aggregate, or gravel.
For a house in Utah, the standard size of a septic tank is between 500 and 1,500 gallons.
There are a lot of factors to consider when designing a septic system. Factors include effluent flows per day, soil type, the soil absorption rate of wastewater, available land for a drainfield, and cost.
A septic system is a sewage treatment system that relies on the natural decomposition of organic matter. It consists of three main parts: a tank, pipes, and a drainage field. These systems are designed to keep untreated waste material from entering groundwater or nearby surface water supplies by using an aerobic or anaerobic process to break down solids into sludge and liquid effluent.
A properly functioning system contains natural organisms to digest and treat waste. We recommend you only flush wastewater and toilet paper. Do not put:
Check the tank regularly for any waste accumulation. If you find that it has been backed up due to a clog, properly clean the drain field and remove all blockages as needed. Pump out the septic tank as needed depending on how much your household generates. Have a professional service the tank every three-to-five years or more as needed.
One of the main indications that your septic system isn’t working properly is when you notice a sewage backup or a decrease in flushing ability. Many places from the drain to the drain field can become clogged, affecting the system’s performance.
Septic systems and tanks are a huge benefit because they allow you to be independent of the municipal sewer system. They also allow for house construction in rural areas that would otherwise not be possible.
Yes, installing a septic tank is regulated by any local ordinance so they are not legal to install without a permit. Septic tanks are a great way to manage wastewater and sewage in the home. They can be a cost-effective system for homeowners, especially if they live in rural areas. But there are some things you should know about installing septic tanks before you get started. One of them is that it’s regulated by local ordinances so make sure you have everything covered with your permit before installation starts.
Yes, but you’ll need to check your region’s regulations.
As long as your septic tank is in a safe location and does not endanger the natural resources of the area it’s installed, it can be installed in an alpine environment. You must find a suitable location for the septic system before installation begins to avoid or minimize damage.
A septic system can be expected to last 15-20 years before it needs to be replaced.
There are many different options for the life expectancy of a septic system. The specific age depends on what type of components you chose and if you’re living in an area that is environmentally stable or not. One thing is certain, though, regardless of when the backup occurs, the sewage will eventually flow out, giving homeowners some time. That being said, it’s best to have periodic inspections and maintenance checks done because this will help prevent costly repairs down the line, which are often required due to a clog or concrete lining failure over time. A failure here means you may need at least $5k+ in labor hours spent removing and replacing the septic tank, which can be very costly.
A concrete septic system uses a thin layer of cement (concrete) to line the inside of the tank for two purposes: 1- To strengthen the walls so that they don’t crack or collapse, and 2- To keep contaminants from entering the groundwater.
The necessary components of a septic tank system include a pipeline from the building for the effluent flows, a septic tank, and a leach field for further treatment. In conventional septic systems, the septic tank must have an inlet and outlet to allow the effluent to enter the tank, and then the wastewater exits the tank through the outlet pipe into drainfield. The sewage flows through the drainfield that contains a bed of gravel, sand or crushed rock. This allows water to infiltrate into the soil and safely release the waste matter into the environment without contaminating groundwater. If high groundwater is apparent, a conventional wastewater treatment system of a septic tank may not be an option, and an alternative system may be required.
It depends on the age of the septic tank and what type you have – it ranges from 2-5 years.
The frequency for inspections and service varies by age, several toilets, amount of water used per day, size of the septic system, and other contributing factors. A good rule is to have your tank inspected once every two to five years until servicing.
Regular maintenance is required for septic tanks for many reasons. Maintenance inspections often reveal any weaknesses in the tank or deterioration that needs to be addressed before it can result in system failure. This includes an annual inspection, at least one substantive inspection every five years, and additional inspections when problems are detected during an excavation process on a leach field. The inspection may find cracks below the ground surface which might only need maintenance hole access covers installed to prevent groundwater contamination or leaks from sewage pipes contaminating soil near the leach fields if discovered early enough.
Bleach will be broken down by bacteria in the septic tank and result in two very harmful concerns: 1- The liquid bleach may wash into drainfield, resulting in bacteria growth throughout the system, which is not desirable; 2- The bleach that does stay within the tank will react with any residual sludge leftover from previous tanks. This can result in hydrogen sulfide gas which is toxic even if only moderately exposed.
No. Unless you meet the certification requirements for the Utah Department of Environmental Quality – Water Quality. To design a septic system, you need to be at a minimum a Level 2 Onsite Professional.
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