What Are Alternative Treatment Systems?

What is an Alternative Treatment System?

Alternative septic systems are advanced onsite wastewater treatment systems (AOWTS) that are designed to treat and dispose of domestic sewage in a way that is more environmentally friendly and sustainable than traditional septic systems. These systems use various methods to treat and dispose of sewage, including natural processes, mechanical treatment, and advanced treatment technologies. Examples of Alternative systems are MicroSepTec, Aquaklear, and AdvanTex systems.

What distinguishes an Alternative Treatment System from a Traditional Septic System?

An Alternative Treatment System treats wastewater to a higher degree than a traditional septic system. Alternative Treatment Systems add air to the septic tank to break down organic matter and reduce pathogens and nutrient loading through “aerobic” digestion. This oxygen fosters the growth of bacteria, which then break down and digest the wastewater inside the Septic Tank as they are suspended in the liquid. As a result, Alternative Treatment Systems are more efficient than conventional septic systems at decomposing organic matter and reducing the concentration of pathogens in wastewater.

Why choose an Alternative Treatment System?

Alternative Treatment Systems are preferred over conventional septic systems due to the nature of the wastewater but draw backs include additional costs, maintenance, and government oversite. Sites that may require alternative treatment include: parcels with limited leach field area, high water table, coarse sandy soil, waterway proximity, heavy clays, etc.