Percolation-Septic Tank Alternatives

superhooper

Is there anything one can do where a site is not going to pass a percolation test? Well I'm guessing it won't. It's on reclaimed marshy ground adjacent to a small river but not prone to flooding. Is Puraflo a realistic solution? Will planners allow this type of alternative to a septic tank?

The only thing that springs to mind, is to find a system that is certified to discharge directly into the stream (puraflo isn't).

Raised percolation beds is another possible solution, but get the site assessed first!

PS a puraflo system is used in addition to a septic tank, not instead of one.

muffler

superhooper wrote: »

Is there anything one can do where a site is not going to pass a percolation test? Well I'm guessing it won't. It's on reclaimed marshy ground adjacent to a small river but not prone to flooding. Is Puraflo a realistic solution? Will planners allow this type of alternative to a septic tank?

I wouldn't preempt the outcome of a site assessment. There is very little that is not possible nowadays.

Get your assessment carried out and worry then if necessary.

Poor Uncle Tom

muffler wrote: »

Get your assessment carried out and worry then if necessary.

Your assessor should be able to give you alternatives, once the tests have been analysed. reed bed, raised beds, normal percolation areas, or straight discharge. The later will require an expensive treatment system as the outflow tolerance will usually be extremely low for Nitrogen and Phosphorus and you will need to apply for and get a discharge licence from the Department. Anyway get the advice of your assessor.

Muffler is right, there are so many solutions out there it is unlikely there will not be one for most every site, but some can be very expensive.

Schooby

if it looks like you are going to go for a surface water discharge, as opposed to ground water which is the norm, ie percolation area you should check out if the relavent authority, environment section of your council will grant you a license to do so as if they won't you'll waste time money and loads of brain space on something that with the best will in the world may not happen.

superhooper

Fair Enough. Thanks for the advice. When you say assessor do you mean a Civil Engineer or are there other specialists?

Schooby

a civil eng with the Site suitability Cert from FAS should be in a position to give you options, if its particularly difficult case you could seek out a hydro geologist, but get a few lists of approved assessors off council web sites and discuss your site with as many as possible and you'll get a good idea of where you are going with it.

Also look at waste water treatment manuals, on site waste water treatment systems for single houses from the EPA 2000

jfly57

I'd reccommend going the reedbed route. We had major percolation prob last year with our existing septic tank which had to to be rectified as part of our submission to get planning permission for an extension to our house. It's very eco-friendly, brings wildlife to your site but it requires very careful design and installation. <SNIP>




Mod edit: no names - read the charter please.

no1donjuan

I dealt with this guy before, EPA qualifed and got recently got planning on 0.125 acre of a site. One big mess that no engineer could sort out. <SNIP>



Mod edit: as you didnt even bother to take the time to read the post above its safe to say you havent read the forum charter either. Infraction given

bossanova

Similar Thread:

Percolation Test failed, upland peat soil, no streams nearby.
Results:
T1 - Result = 740 - must be <90; ideally <50
T2 - Result = 800 - must be <90; ideally <50

What are the options now? my client will obviously go for whatever technologies are out there.
I hear Willow Beds are an option but how can a permission be given without a successful percolation test?

I think your client would need to ask themselves whether they really want to live in an area that is likely to be marshy for a large part of the year, unless it's Shrek.

Would raised percolation beds be an option on this site?

bossanova

Its a beautiful site, gently sloping with views of the salty islands, its very high above sea level and not marshy at all. The soil is peat but its never been flooded as its on slope.

Slig

You'll need a discharge license to discharge directly into a watercourse and they are very difficult to get. It will also depend on the flow of water in the stream and if there is always water in it.

There are way to many poorly speced, badly positioned and malfunctioning treatment plants in this country already and they are having a very serious effect on our water quality. Look at galway for example.
If you are serious about building on this site because of its beauty dont spoil it for yourself and others by creating a smelly swamp out of it. If it wont pass a percolation test then dont build a house there!

Calluna

I'm kinda with Slig on this - it isn't always about engineering a solution... but maybe you don't have alternatives and I'm not anti people building in the country, etc, etc....now if this is a holiday home, I have no pity!
Anyway, re the discharge licence, some Local Authorities (Tipp North for ex) have good guidance notes on what they require as part of a discharge licence application (if you need to discharge to stream you'll prob need a discharge licence). Usually 3 - 4 water samples lab analysed and interpreted, flow data (not usually available, so you'd have to get a hydrologist/eng to set up a meter on site) and a number of other details of treatment system, proposed discharge rate. If stream is in significant ecological area or catchment, you might be asked for environmental assessment. I'm not trying to put you off, just give you a better picture of what's ahead...and costs/time associated. hth

Supertech

Further difficulty with a discharge license application in some counties is that you need a certain period 'rain free' before you can gather samples ..... might be a while before you can get them !!!

jfly57

Hi bossanova, being a new site you may have difficulty getting planning since your tests failed. However, we got permission(Wex Co Co) for installation of reed-bed treatment system for an existing dwelling as mentioned above in previous reply(13/08). It all arose from a planning app for an extension to our dwelling. Our existing perc had packed in so we had to replace it. Our perc tests failed. Going the reed bed route took a lot of careful planning and slow, patient persuasion of the Environment Dept of the Co Co but we got there after 8 months. If you PM me I can give you further info. Also do a search for reedbeds in Ireland and you might be surprised with what it throws up.