Septic Systems (PA Perspective)

The Pennsylvania Perspective to On-lot and Land-based Wastewater Disposal Systems is being provided by B. F. Environmental Consultants and the Center for Environmental Quality at Wilkes University. This on-line guide to on-lot wastewater disposal in Pennsylvania provides basic information on approved, alternative and experimental land-based wastewater disposal and recharge systems. This online resource provide general information on the selection, siting, sizing, and maintenance of on-site wastewater disposal systems for residential, commercial, and community applications.

Our Website Index and Table of Contents

1.0 Septic System Use

2.0 The Black Box -The Septic System

• 2.0.1 Septic Tank
• 2.0.2 How Septic Tanks Work
• 2.0.3 Septic Tank Sizing

2.1 Aerobic Tank

2.2 Grease Traps (commercial facilities)

2.3 Soil Absorption Areas

• 2.3.1 Conventional
• 2.3.1.1 Seepage Bed
• 2.3.1.2 Standard Trench
• 2.3.2 Subsurface Sand Filter Beds and Trenches
• 2.3.3 Elevated Sand Mound
• 2.3.4 Elevated Sand Trench

3.0 Septic System Does and Do and Donots

4.0 Characteristics of Domestic Wastewater

4.1 Septic Tank Treatment Efficiency

5.0 Spray Irrigation

5.1 Individual Residential Spray Irrigation System (IRSIS)

5.2 Large Volume Slow Rate Irrigation

• 5.2.1 Hydraulic Loading Rate
• 5.2.2 Nitrogen Limitation Hydraulic Loading Rate

6.0 Evapotranspiration System

7.0 Peat Bio-Filter

8.0 Drip Irrigation

8.1 Siting Requirements

8.2 Treatment Requirements

9.0 Other Alternative Systems, like Composting Toilets

10.0 Other Systems - Not Approved in Pennsylvania

11.0 Approved PA Systems (pdf) Feb 2004

12.0 Alternative Experimental Systems PA (pdf), Jan 2003

13.0 Greywater and Reuse Systems (under construction)

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