Churning of wastewater is not something you can avoid on your property irrespective of how much you will try. To this end, several technologies now exist for the treatment of sewage. They nonetheless can all be broadly categorized into centralized and decentralized systems. Decentralized systems are also called onsite systems. With this alternative, you will treat sewage at its point of production. This negates the expenses of pipe laying to transport sewage into a central location for treatment and the repairs associated with the breakdown of the pipes.
Commercial water treatment systems for some people are synonymous with decentralized systems. Technology has, however, now allowed the use of onsite systems for the treatment of large amounts of wastewater using simple, natural, and inexpensive solutions. The following are among the leading options for onsite wastewater treatment.
Septic Tanks
These mark the most common types of centralized wastewater treatment systems. Here, effluent will be passed through a septic tank before its disposal in beds or trenches. In the septic tank, the solids in your wastewater will settle at the tank’s bottom and form a sludge layer. Light wastes like grease and fat, on the other hand, float forming a scum layer. The bacteria present in your septic will break down the solid waste and thus reduce the sludge amount at the bottom of your tank. The water from your septic tank is nonetheless highly infectious and should pass through a land where pathogens and bacteria will be digested before its use. Periodic maintenance of the tank, every 3–5 years, is essential to avert the risk of sludge accumulation that will minimize its efficacy. You should also ensure your tank’s size will accommodate the amount of sewage from your property.
Aerated Wastewater Treatment Systems (AWTS)
These are generally used for water meant for irrigation on your lawn and gardens. This option includes several treatment compartments. Sludge and scum will be separated in the first container while in the second one; the water will be mixed with air to assist bacteria in the tank with the breakdown of solids. Chlorination, UV disinfection or membrane filtration and further settling of solids take place in the third compartment before water is ready for use.
Sand Filters
These are often used for the treatment of pre-filtered wastewater and generate water quality similar to that of AWTS. The effluent, in this case, is pumped through coarse sand beds then disposed of in subsurface irrigation systems in gardens and lawns. Sand filters are low maintenance alternatives that can accommodate surge loads and extend the life of your land application systems.
Reed Beds
These also handle pre-filtered sewage. The reed beds remove nutrients from the wastewater and settle its remaining solids. The resulting water is distributed into subsurface irrigation systems with a depth of not less than 300mm. The reeds here can be used for landscaping though they need periodic pruning to look good.
The above treatment alternatives will negate the high wastewater treatment expenses for your locality. Moreover, they are natural options that will also avert the use of harmful chemicals in the treatment of wastewater. They are thus your healthiest and most eco-friendly sewage treatment choice.
