Sewage from each house flows into an adequately sized septic tank for primary treatment. Within the septic tank, wastewater is treated through anaerobic digestion and physical flotation/settling processes. A Zoeller Septic Tank Effluent Pump (STEP) system is located in the outlet end of the tank at each home. The STEP system discharges filtered effluent to small diameter sewer lines. Sewer lines follow the existing contour so they are economical to install. Expensive manholes and large pipe diameters are not required. The collected effluent is transported to a recirculating media filter for further treatment.

A Zoeller Media Filter is used to treat wastewater to secondary utilized treatment standards. Media filters have been utilized successfully for over 100 years. They are considered to be very robust and quite cost effective to operate. Effluent is trickled onto a bed of gravel and stone, and is treated by organisms that live on the media. Treated effluent is collected in the bottom of the system. Typically Eighty percent of the effluent is recirculated for additional treatment and twenty percent is sent on to the disposal system. Numerous sizes can be configured to accommodate specific site requirements. Filters vary in size and configuration, based on local engineer’s requirements.

A Drip Irrigation System is an effective means of wastewater disposal for community systems. Drip systems use ½" diameter tubing plowed 8"-10" into the soil. The tubing has an emitter every 2’. When pressurized, the emitters ‘drip’ effluent. Drip systems require the least amount of area of all soil based systems. Green spaces can be utilized to save as much land as possible for home sites. Since this system is soil based, surface water such as streams and lakes are protected from contamination. Drip systems can be used in small and odd shaped areas, where soil type and steep slopes preclude the use of conventional systems. Zoeller Company has extensive experience using drip irrigation with wastewater systems. Zoeller’s application engineers will work with community planners, designers and engineers to develop the best solution.