Anaerobic System Septic Cost
An anaerobic system is a traditional septic system that uses no oxygen and relies on microorganisms to digest solid waste. Anaerobic septic systems are a simple technology that uses microorganisms to break down sewage and other household wastes. The system is a simple design with a pipe leading to a tank and another pipe leading from the tank to the drain field. Low cost and easy to install, this system is prevalent. Anaerobic systems are the most popular type of septic system in use today.
The size of the system depends on the gallons per day of effluent (wastewater) needing treatment.
Aerobic Septic Tank System Cost
An anaerobic system is similar to an anaerobic system, but it relies on oxygen inside the septic tank to break down tank effluent (wastewater). Like an anaerobic tank, aerobic systems use microorganisms with oxygen and varying temperatures to break down solids from liquids.
Although this type of system is more expensive than an anaerobic system, it has some distinct advantages over the older style systems. Aerobic systems break down the waste faster than other systems. This can be an advantage in areas where the water table is high, and leach fields are near. Having a waste breakdown speed of up to 2 times faster than traditional systems, aerobic systems use less space than other septic designs.
Aerobic septic tank system cost usually ranges between $8,000-$20,000, depending on the size of your property and water table depth. The amount of maintenance required will depend on the type of aerobic system you have installed.
Alternative Septic Systems
If one of the above systems doesn’t work, alternative systems can be used instead of conventional ones. The main alternative systems are:
- Mound
- Sand Filter
- Drip
- Evapotranspiration
- Built Wetland
- Chambered
Mound Septic System
A mound septic system is a sewage disposal technology. The solid waste material from an onsite wastewater treatment process is decomposed by slowing passing through 3 feet or more of dry soil.
The earth within these chambers is loosely compacted but tamped periodically to prevent any massive voids from forming therein, with liquid effluent flowing passively through the media being dispersed by percolation in 25-30 inch layers once reaching the bottom of each chamber.
Sand Filter
A sand filter septic system uses a layer of sand and gravel like an air filter. Solids sink to the bottom, and water runs through pre-existing natural holes in the media. The water is then filtered using a final layer of finer material such as dirt, peat moss, or perlite, which acts like an activated carbon filter, removing any remaining solids from the wastewater before entering the soil.
Drip Septic System
A drip septic system is a type of sewage disposal that continuously drops water into the soil. It also breaks down solids from liquids. This can be an advantage over traditional systems because it breaks down the waste faster and uses less space than other septic designs.
Evapotranspiration
An evapotranspiration septic system is a low-cost, low-maintenance alternative to conventional wastewater treatment. It was designed to provide drinking water without chemicals or other additives and has become popular in drought-stricken regions as an environmentally friendly approach for small-scale rural households.
Built Wetland
A wetland septic tank system is an aerobic treatment plant that processes human waste by causing it to break down in a shallow pond known as a constructed wetland. Wetlands are very effective at naturally removing nitrogen and phosphorus from water due to the bacteria that break them down. This type of septic system has no worries of nitrates building up and being released into groundwater.
Chambered
A chambered septic system is a type of septic tank that has spaces or compartments in the tank. Each compartment holds one specific kind of solid waste material. The solid waste is separated by using a screen, layer of gravel or plastic. Solid waste material decomposes at different rates based on oxygen, carbon dioxide, and moisture present in each chamber.
Like an anaerobic tank, aerobic systems use microorganisms with oxygen and varying temperatures to break down solids. The process works in chambers using aerobic bacteria to break down substances, traveling to a leach field. If there is no oxygen in the septic tank system, the solids can turn into floating sludge and block pipes.