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Posted: 2/9/2016 5:28:20 PM EDT
[#1]
Quoted:
I know there was a nice thread recently about a new system but I'm looking a building this year and I need to get some informed opinions. Building in central Texas, rocky ground, pretty level. McLennan County has a design and permitting/inspection process. One designer says the aerobic systems are not worth the trouble, don't generate much water for irrigation and he suggests the old style, leach field. What is you experience? 3000 sq ft home, 4 adults, 2 children. Thanks Bullshit. Every gallon of liquid that goes down your drains and toilets will be output through the system's sprinklers, or into a reservoir if you choose. In that area of Texas, darn right go with the Aerobic system. I have one. CMOS |
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Posted: 2/9/2016 5:45:30 PM EDT
[#2]
I'm in Dripping Springs (Hill Country, ground similar to that described by you). We have a traditional system with a leach field. It's the less expensive option, but we only have it because the septic tank existed when we purchased our property. We haven't had any issues with our system in the 3+ years we've lived there - 2 adults, 3 children.
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Posted: 2/9/2016 7:02:29 PM EDT
[#3]
I have a friend that is required by his county to have an aerobic system,
he would tell you, if you are not required to have an aerobic system don't install one. If you choose to install one, you are required to have inspections done. The type of maintenance and inspections vary by county. You may want to read through this: http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/licensing/ossf/ossfmaintenance.html |
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Posted: 2/9/2016 8:17:03 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I have a friend that is required by his county to have an aerobic system, he would tell you, if you are not required to have an aerobic system don't install one. If you choose to install one, you are required to have inspections done. The type of maintenance and inspections vary by county. You may want to read through this: http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/licensing/ossf/ossfmaintenance.html |
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Posted: 2/9/2016 9:28:03 PM EDT
[#5]
I in the Hill Coutry area - approx 20 miles North of New Braunfels. My landscape is rocky ground and my house in is a hill side. Minimal flat ground for a leeching field. I have an aerobic systm - and have had no issues. The system is 5 yrs old and tank has never been pumped out. It chlorinates well and requires almost no maintainance. I do pay $200/yr to have it inspected quarterly. It was an county requirement, but provides me with some piece of mind.
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Posted: 2/9/2016 9:44:55 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I in the Hill Coutry area - approx 20 miles North of New Braunfels. My landscape is rocky ground and my house in is a hill side. Minimal flat ground for a leeching field. I have an aerobic systm - and have had no issues. The system is 5 yrs old and tank has never been pumped out. It chlorinates well and requires almost no maintainance. I do pay $200/yr to have it inspected quarterly. It was an county requirement, but provides me with some piece of mind. Do you get much spray out of the back end? |
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Posted: 2/9/2016 10:14:46 PM EDT
[#7]
I've had an aerobic since about 2005. Wouldn't take for it. I've heard way too many horror stories about the others not working well, if at all, when the ground becomes saturated during extended periods of rain.
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Posted: 2/9/2016 10:17:35 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I've had an aerobic since about 2005. Wouldn't take for it. I've heard way too many horror stories about the others not working well, if at all, when the ground becomes saturated during extended periods of rain. Are you saying you LIKE the aerobic system, or not? Can't quite tell. CMOS |
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Posted: 2/9/2016 10:34:10 PM EDT
[#9]
All heads spray fairly evenly. I have 2 above the tank and 2 below the tank. There is about a 10-15 ft elevation difference above and below. To be fair, we aren't full time residents at this place - just 3 weekends per month, family of 3.
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Posted: 2/9/2016 11:04:36 PM EDT
[#10]
We are out by Bandera (Hill Country) and have had a "normal" septic installed in 2005.
The leach field is in caliche, no problems in 10yrs. Honestly, your best bet is to have a septic contractor out to look at where you want to install it and see what his recommendations are as to the best type of system for your soil. |
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Posted: 2/9/2016 11:25:57 PM EDT
[#11]
Due to our soil type (NNE Texas) we are required to go Aerobic
We have been here for 18 years If you decide to go Aerobic, get references from the installers and maintainers and check them out We went through several who destroyed our system every time they maintained it It got so bad, I finally started maintaining it myself. I have not had any major issues in the last 10 years I have gone through 1 water pump and 2 aereator motors in the last 10 years |
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Posted: 2/9/2016 11:38:55 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Are you saying you LIKE the aerobic system, or not? Can't quite tell. CMOS Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I've had an aerobic since about 2005. Wouldn't take for it. I've heard way too many horror stories about the others not working well, if at all, when the ground becomes saturated during extended periods of rain. Are you saying you LIKE the aerobic system, or not? Can't quite tell. CMOS Yes...very much like it. |
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Posted: 2/10/2016 1:06:25 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Due to our soil type (NNE Texas) we are required to go Aerobic We have been here for 18 years If you decide to go Aerobic, get references from the installers and maintainers and check them out We went through several who destroyed our system every time they maintained it It got so bad, I finally started maintaining it myself. I have not had any major issues in the last 10 years I have gone through 1 water pump and 2 aereator motors in the last 10 years I'll try to get references, what type of work from the "servicers" caused your problems? |
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Posted: 2/10/2016 1:57:47 PM EDT
[#14]
If using an old style system, try to avoid having the water line going next to the trenches. If water line breaks, you'll have a difficult time finding source for the leak and will smell like crap digging it up.
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Posted: 2/10/2016 2:25:34 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I'll try to get references, what type of work from the "servicers" caused your problems? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Due to our soil type (NNE Texas) we are required to go Aerobic We have been here for 18 years If you decide to go Aerobic, get references from the installers and maintainers and check them out We went through several who destroyed our system every time they maintained it It got so bad, I finally started maintaining it myself. I have not had any major issues in the last 10 years I have gone through 1 water pump and 2 aereator motors in the last 10 years I'll try to get references, what type of work from the "servicers" caused your problems? One of them bent the aereator shaft somehow 
Another time they tore apart the biokenetic filter abd did not assemble it properly so I had raw sewage flowing into the effluent tank They left the water pump electrical connector hanging into the tank |
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Posted: 2/10/2016 5:10:14 PM EDT
[#16]
OP,
Just FYI - I have had my aerobic septic system for 10 years now, with zero problems. Over that timeframe I have had it pumped twice (family of 3). Especially where you are, it's a good system as you can reclaim the water for lawns and gardens. CMOS |
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Posted: 2/10/2016 7:12:39 PM EDT
[#17]
Depending on the soil you may not have a choice between an aerobic or conventional. That determination will be made by the engineer. The lot size can also have a bearing in some counties. I build homes and haven't installed anything but aerobics for about the last 10 -12 years. |
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Posted: 2/10/2016 9:09:09 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
OP, Just FYI - I have had my aerobic septic system for 10 years now, with zero problems. Over that timeframe I have had it pumped twice (family of 3). Especially where you are, it's a good system as you can reclaim the water for lawns and gardens. CMOS Good info, thank you. |
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Posted: 2/10/2016 10:11:39 PM EDT
[#19]
Don't do the leach with that many people
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Posted: 2/10/2016 10:54:53 PM EDT
[#20]
I hate the aerobic system. Water pumps, air pumps, high water alarms, adding chlorine. If you have a short period of heavy use untreated waste will flow to the pump-out tank and that is a mess. I would always pick a conventional if I had the choice.
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Posted: 2/11/2016 2:51:18 PM EDT
[#21]
Local installer called me back and has put a couple of systems in the same area. He says there is about 12" of dirt then rocks. I'll need to dig out a very large area, come back with sand and such because I can't have a normal leach field. He told me there are a lot of options but the rock removal and fill would add quite a bit to the cost. I've been trying to come up with an excuse to buy a tractor, this may weight into that decision.
I found what he was talking about - Soil Substitution System- A septic system where the drain field may be constructed in gravel, rocky, or other soil substrates of high permeability where the septic tank effluent could rapidly reach groundwater without having undergone adequate treatment through soil contact. These systems are constructed similarly to a conventional system with the exception, of the requirement of a 2-foot thick substituted soil buffer below and on all four sides, of the drain field excavation. |
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Posted: 2/11/2016 4:34:41 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I hate the aerobic system. Water pumps, air pumps, high water alarms, adding chlorine. If you have a short period of heavy use untreated waste will flow to the pump-out tank and that is a mess. I would always pick a conventional if I had the choice. +1 He speaks the truth. I've been on aerobic since 2003. Besides, it's 450 to 500 bucks to periodically pump those tanks out. Air pumps now $200 - $300 they use to be over 400. Rebuild kits are available for around $50 - $75. If the system is running perfectly ( with the air line blowing bubbles in the second tank ) - there is no smell, even without chlorine tablets. If the air line becomes clogged ( most do ) - it will usually overwork the air pump and break the diaphragm. Most folks would not know the air line is clogged, and just install a new air pump not knowing it isn't doing a thing for their system. My neighbors have frequently overloaded the daily usage, and have had to have all 3 tanks pumped several times. Generally, they are a pain in the ASS. eta: Some folks are still purchasing chlorine " septic tablets " at about 65 bucks for 10lbs. http://www.homedepot.com/p/PRO-CHLOR-TABS-10-lbs-Aerobic-Septic-Tablets-47010/205050999 When you can get 25lbs of swimming pool chlorine tablets for the same price. http://www.lowes.com/pd_649740-1772-22025CLX___?productId=50333003&pl=1&Ntt=chlorine+tablets+for+pool I called the EPA - and they DID NOT have a problem with it. |
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Posted: 2/11/2016 6:08:01 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Depending on the soil you may not have a choice between an aerobic or conventional. That determination will be made by the engineer. The lot size can also have a bearing in some counties. I build homes and haven't installed anything but aerobics for about the last 10 -12 years. This above is true, soil and county requirements will affect your options. I'm in Burnet County and the septic company had to come out and take soil samples in several spots where the septic system would be installed and that affected what the county would approve. We have good soil where it was going at so I ended up with a conventional system for the size of my home/number of people living here. |
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Posted: 2/11/2016 10:55:26 PM EDT
[#24]
We have an aerobic system, due to high clay content in our soil. My friend installs and maintains septic systems and he told me that an aerobic system requires maintenance on average every three to five years. Pump replacement, pumping out tank, etc. A leach field system could go thirty years without service, if the soil is good and the owners take care of it. It is also cheaper to install the traditional than it is the aerobic.
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Posted: 2/12/2016 10:34:00 AM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
This above is true, soil and county requirements will affect your options. I'm in Burnet County and the septic company had to come out and take soil samples in several spots where the septic system would be installed and that affected what the county would approve. We have good soil where it was going at so I ended up with a conventional system for the size of my home/number of people living here. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Depending on the soil you may not have a choice between an aerobic or conventional. That determination will be made by the engineer. The lot size can also have a bearing in some counties. I build homes and haven't installed anything but aerobics for about the last 10 -12 years. This above is true, soil and county requirements will affect your options. I'm in Burnet County and the septic company had to come out and take soil samples in several spots where the septic system would be installed and that affected what the county would approve. We have good soil where it was going at so I ended up with a conventional system for the size of my home/number of people living here. I am also in Burnet county and ended up using an aerobic system. In seven years it has been pumped once, but did not really need it at that time. The system I have also uses liquid household bleach at about a gallon a month which costs about $4.25 a gallon. The maintenance is higher, but not excessive. I have spent about $550 in maintenance in seven years including having it pumped once. |
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