Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies

Drawing on the authors' combined experience of more than 30 years, Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies explores use of these technologies on a wide-scale basis to solve the problems associated with conventional septic tank and drain field systems. The authors discuss a regulatory and management infrastructure for ensuring long-term, reliable applications of onsite systems for wastewater management. The book and its supporting web-site (www.advancedonsitesystems.com) are an information catalog for advanced onsite wastewater technologies. This combination offers tools that will help onsite wastewater professionals communicate effectively with each other and their clients, thus minimizing the confusion and misunderstandings often related to the use of advanced onsite systems.

The authors provide an overview of advanced onsite systems technologies and compare them to conventional onsite systems and centralized wastewater systems. They present key concepts for decentralized wastewater solutions and information on advanced onsite wastewater treatment and effluent dispersal technologies currently available. The book delineates a management, regulatory, and planning framework for adopting the use of advanced onsite systems technologies as alternatives to conventional septic systems and centralized collection and treatment plants. It concludes with an exploration of the future of advanced onsite systems technologies and their uses.

A toolbox for service professionals, regulators, and community planners, the book highlights objective methods to assess the performance of technologies and examples of real-world applications. The authors detail a solution-driven and performance-based regulatory framework for the use of advanced onsite systems as a true alternative to centralized collection and treatment plants and offer guidance on how to plan for future growth with such systems. They answer the age-old question of "what to do when the land doesn't perc and sewer isn't coming?"

ONSITE WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT - AN OVERVIEW
Introduction
Septic Systems versus Advanced Onsite Systems versus Centralized Treatment
Managed Advanced Onsite Treatment
Wastewater Treatment Levels and Receiving Environment
Septic Systems Cannot Do It Alone
Onsite Treatment to Levels Greater Than Septic Tanks
Use of Soil for the Majority of the Treatment Is Not Required
Assimilation: Subsurface or Surface Dispersal of Effluent
Responsible Management and Regulations
Onsite Technology Is Ready for the 21st Century
Advanced Onsite Treatment Systems
Onsite Effluent Dispersal Systems
Remote Monitoring System
Regulatory Framework
References

DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SOLUTIONS
Introduction
The Term Decentralized
Centralized Versus Decentralized Solutions
The Science of Wastewater
Pollution Scale
Wastewater Treatment Basics
Determining Wastewater Characteristics
A Simple Look at Wastewater Treatment
Concept of Overall Treatment Levels
Soil and Site Issues
References

MEDIA FILTERS
Introduction
Theory of Attached Growth Wastewater Treatment Systems
Types of Natural and Synthetic Media Used for Treating Wastewater
Flow and Load Estimates
Single- Pass Systems
Methods and Benefits of Recirculation
Textile Filters
Controls
Level Sensors
Determining Timer Settings
Pump Selection
Other Fixed Film Processes
System Monitoring and Maintenance
Soil Dispersal of Packed Bed Filter Effluent
References

AEROBIC TREATMENT UNITS
Introduction
Theory of Biochemical Wastewater Treatment Using Aerobic Treatment Processes
Aerobic Treatment Unit (ATU) Operation
Typical ATU Configurations
Oxygen Transfer
ATU Influent
Hydraulic and Organic Loading
Flow Equalization
Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Wastewater
Operational Issues
Performance Certification
References

EFFLUENT DISPERSAL AND RECYCLING SYSTEMS
Introduction
Effluent Dispersal Technologies
Soil and Site Evaluation: Then and Now
Assimilation: Subsurface Dispersal of Effluent
New Concept for Effluent Dispersal System Design
Experimental Design Example
Nitrogen Reduction and the Effluent Dispersal System
Nitrogen Model
Total Maximum Yearly Load (TMYL)
References

MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK FOR USING ADVANCED ONSITE WASTEWATER SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES
Introduction
Centralized Versus Onsite Wastewater Systems' Management
EPA Management Models
Responsible Management Entity (RME)
Who Can Be An RME?
Utility/RME System Concept
Value-Added Services
Redefining the Roles
Helping the Onsite Industry
Serving the People and the Environment
Long-Term Cost
Regulatory Changes Needed
Examples of Utility Programs
References

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR USING ADVANCED ONSITE WASTEWATER SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES
Introduction
Regulatory Framework for Use of Septic Systems
Regulatory Framework for Use of Advanced Onsite Systems
Building a Foundation for Performance Based Regulations
Performance Monitoring Requirements Matrix
Approval Process for Advanced Onsite Technology
Soil and Site Issues
Building Agreement

PLANNING WITH ADVANCED ONSITE SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES
Introduction
Integrating the Use of Advanced Onsite Systems in Planning
Onsite versus Centralized Wastewater Systems
Wastewater and the Receiving Environment
Operation and Management Infrastructure
References

THE FUTURE OF ADVANCED ONSITE SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES
Introduction
Managed Onsite Systems
Why Treat Beyond The Septic Tank?
Fixing Current Problems and Addressing Future Needs
Performance Monitoring Is Now Possible
Regulating Use of Onsite Systems Online
Five Steps to E-Government for Onsite Systems
The Future Is Bright
References