By Lynne Richman Cox

There has been a great deal of discussion recently about the efficacy of and liability associated with alternative onsite septic systems (AOSS) that will impact our state and local policies on installation and maintenance of these systems.

In an effort to help our community leadership design regulation that addresses factual detail about these systems, it is absolutely necessary to provide truth in history and condition of these systems from a first-hand perspective.

AOSS can be described in two forms: treatment and dispersal. They may be used separately or in combination with one another.

Alternative “treatment” or “pre-treatment” systems include aerobic treatment units such as Microfast or Fast systems, media filters (peat, sand, trickling or textile) and disinfection using chlorine, ozone or ultraviolet.

Alternative dispersal systems include drip, pressure, “pad” or “bed,” mound and spray irrigation. Each of these treatment and dispersal systems may be used in combination with other alternative or conventional treatment and dispersal systems.

In Virginia, the Puraflo peat filter treatment system began being used in the early 1990s and was the system of choice until the Advantex textile filter and Ecoflo peat filter systems came into use in the early 2000s. During that 10- to 12-year span, a number of other treatment systems were designed and approved for use by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). The purpose of all of these systems was to reduce the footprint of the drainfield so there could be greater wastewater treatment capacity in a smaller area. Virginia has approximately 60,000 alternative systems in use, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

Every system goes through a process of development and experimental status before being approved for general use.
Common causes of conventional system failure were undersized systems, system age and limited space for the soil absorption field. Many of these failing conventional systems have been replaced with alternative systems.

One of the most critical factors in septic system performance, whether conventional or alternative, is the nature of the soils used for the septic system soil absorption field. The Virginia Department of Health requires a professional soil scientist to carefully evaluate a home site before a new septic system permit is issued. Other common causes of failure include improper design and poor system use, management, and maintenance by the homeowner.

Just as farmers need more efficient harvesting equipment and drivers need more fuel-efficient vehicles, property owners need solutions for wastewater treatment within the most current soil and environmental requirements for their properties. All of these highly developed mechanical and technological systems require a certain amount of maintenance and oversight to perform at optimal levels. The AOSS is no exception.

As reliable as the properly designed and installed system can be, it must be inspected and maintained to ensure the highest level of performance. Our next steps should include educating the general public on maintaining these systems to benefit our community’s environmental health and reduce the need for “punitive” responses to irresponsibility.

The writer is the business development and contract administrator at Dominion Septic Inc. in Goldvein.

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