Wastewater System Services

Typically installed at a Single-family home or small business it consists of a septic tank and a drain field, sometimes also called a leach field or disposal field, a trench or bed subsurface wastewater infiltration system. The effluent (liquid waste) is piped from the septic tank to the shallow underground trench of stone or gravel. The waste filters through the stone/gravel and is further treated by microbes in the soil. The footprint of this system is relatively large and may not be suitable for all residential properties or conditions. Here is an interactive resource to learn more about how Septic systems work. 

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If being used appropriately (no hard to process or large amounts of waste) these systems usually only need an annual inspection and pumping of the solids that build up every 3-5 years. 

Sometimes called Enhanced or Innovative Systems these septic systems can use/be a variety of technologies and designs that treat wastewater more effectively than traditional/conventional methods/systems. They are often used for locations that have space constraints, limiting soil types, or specific local regulations. The primary goal being that by the time the liquid waste reaches the soil it is cleaner, putting less strain on the local soil/space/ground water. 

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These systems can often require more frequent maintenance and inspections due to their more complex nature and local regulation/reporting requirements (See OSSP below). 

It stands for: On-site system service provider (OSSP) for residential enhanced or alternative wastewater treatment system inspections. When you receive a notification from the County that you need an OSSP report completed we can provide that service. Depending on your system, the frequency of those reports can vary as well as your system type and county requirements. We'd be happy to help you determine your regulation requirements and set up a regularly scheduled service inspection. 

It comes down to the amount processed and the types of waste being processed. Residential systems tend to process relatively consistent and smaller amounts of organic/human waste, household cleaning chemicals, and water amounts. This varies only slightly depending on household size, season, and lifestyles of those living there. Commercial systems often process large amounts of waste and can contain more toxic or complex waste such as pharmaceuticals from medical centers or heavy metals from industrial facilities. These systems often require a much more specialized treatment to meet environmental safety regulations.