1. Do I have to have an inspection contract (maintenance agreement)? What doesit consist of?
Yes, the agreement is required by the state of Texas. The inspection contract is a basicinspection to all the operating parts associated with the aerobic system. The inspectionis to ensure the system is functioning correctly, thus appropriately cleaning anddispersing the waste-water.
2. Can I use pool chlorine tablets?
No. Pool tablets are made of a different chlorine compound. The pool tablets do notdissolve at a rate fast enough for an aerobic system. You should be careful mixing poolchlorine tablets with waste-water chlorine tablets, because together they form anexplosive mixture.
3. How often do I need to put bleach in my system? Where do I put the bleach inmy system?
The amount of bleach you need depends on the amount of water your system uses. A500-gallon per day system typically uses 1 to 3 gallons of bleach a month. A 750-gallonper day system, typically uses 3 to 5 gallons a month.The liquid chlorine dispenser is about 6 inches above the ground. There is a cap thathas a red sticker displaying "liquid chlorine or liquid chlorine dispenser" ... this is whereyou want to put the bleach.* Do not overfill the reservoir. Check your levels at least once a month.
4. What are bacteria and why is it important to my system?
They are microorganisms that ingest the waste. Without them no waste is beinginspection to all the operating parts associated with the aerobic system. The inspectiondisposed
5. How does an aerobic system work?
Theaerobic plantemploys a process that uses bacteria (typically from the human body)to treat and clean up water by accelerating bacteria growth through the introduction ofoxygen. Once the waste-water has been treated, the clean water can be distributedabove ground to water plants, grass, or other vegetation. Today, the aerobic system is
the most popular. Generally, homeowners use a 500-gallon per day treatment plantdesigned to treat 500 gallons of typical household waste in a 24-hour period, which is
the equivalent to 20 gallons per hour. If 20 gallons per hour is exceeded, the system'scapability is exceeded. For example: a family of 4 can easily exceed the 20 gallons per
hour when the family comes home and washes clothes, takes showers, washes dishes,flush toilets within one evening.
6. What can happen if my wastewater is not properly treated? Why should I care?What should I do and not do to ensure my system works properly?
Improperly treated waste-water, when discharged into lakes, rivers, or groundwater, cancontaminate public and private water sources over a wide area. This contamination can
lead to outbreaks of such deadly diseases as cholera, typhoid, paratyphoid, polio,hepatitis, and meningitis. You can also be fined if your system is causing pollution.Listed below are things you can do and information you need to keep you plant runningefficiently and effectively.
Keep an adequate supply of chlorine tablets in the chlorinator.Do not flush or wash down the drain anything that will not dissolve or is notbiodegradable such as condoms, or anything of rubber. Do not flush items withcotton or polyester fiber such as diapers, sanitary napkins, baby wipes, papertowels, and cigarette filters. These things will be in your system forever.Antibiotic kill the bacteria your system needs to function.
When taking antibiotics,treat your wastewater treatment plant with 2 cups of sugar, dry yeast, or dog food.Use anti-bacterial soaps and disinfectants sparingly.Use chemical cleansers, like bleach, according to the instructions. Use lowsudsing, low phosphate, and biodegradable detergents.AVOID KILLING THEWASTE PLANT'S BACTERIA.
7. How can I know when something in not right with my system?
If your sprinklers are spraying several times in a 3 to 4 hour period, this is the firstindication that your system may be in hydraulic overload (water is going thru the system
faster than it can be treated). Each spray cycle uses approximately 20 gallons percycle. Frequent sprinklers running means water is going thru the system faster than20 gallons per hour. Ultimately water goes thru the system and does not get treatedproperly resulting inFOUL ODOR, PLUGGED SPRINKLER & PLUGGED WATERPUMP. Once the system goes into hydraulic overload it can take a week to 10 days forit to recover. This problem usually occurs due to water leaks in toilets and or frequentoperation of the washing machine.If you hear a fairly load buzzing and or a red light on indicating a high water load in the pump tank, the water pump did not run and pump the water out when it should have.Most of the time it was because the electric breaker that powers this pump has trippedand the pump no longer have and electric supply. Resetting the breaker inside the plantcontrol panel can repair this problem.