Septic Tank VS Bio Cycle Unit

SolarCharge

Hi there,

I am about to embark on a restoration and extention that is basically a new build.

Can anyone explain to me the difference between a traditional Septic Tank and a Bio Cycle Unit?

sydthebeat

a septic tank does not have any movable parts. its basically a two chamber concrete tank that uses anaerobic bacterial action to break down effluent waste.

biocycle and other 'effluent treatment systems' have movable parts such as maceraters, aerators etc to aerobically break down the effluent.

treatment systems have shown to remove a higher percentage of nasty particles and have safer residue than septic tanks.

the requirement to use a septic tank or treatment system is usually dependent on the site conditions and topography.

muffler

+1 to the above and just to add that you will have to get a site assessment carried out which will dictate which type of system can be used on your site.

I cant speak for anywhere or anyone else but here in Donegal for example its probably less than 10% of sites that get approved for a conventional septic tank.

SolarCharge

Ah right, thanks for the advise. I've no idea yet whether a septic tank or bio cycle unit would be acceptable on the site. The site is in Connemara and the land is quite rocky.

Hypothetically, if you had the choice between the two, which would you go for?

changes

I would love to have been allowed to get a septic tank. But planners stated i must get a treatment plant. My treatment plant runs on electricity 24 7 all year round and needs desludged once every year (or 2 depending on the intake).

My sister has a septic tank for years and years and I don't think they have ever had to desludge it and it does not need electricity.

But saying that the days of the septic tank are limited in this country.

What did your planners specify??

SolarCharge

I haven't actually spoken to planners yet, meeting with builders late next week.

This would be a holiday home, would I still have to run the electricity for a bio unit 24/7?

changes

I'm not too familiar with the biocycle but the envirocare unit runs constantly.

Check out this link

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055574981

SolarCharge

Thanks Engineer, that was very helpful. I suppose the next question is where would I find someone like this to carry out the assessment and design?

The Engineer

Now, there's the $64,000 question! You could try the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland website (http://www.acei.ie/memberdirectory.asp) and do a search based on your region, etc. Alternatively, try one of the manufacturers of secondary treatment systems. One of them may be able to offer an assessment and design service.

A good starting point might be to contact one of these manufacturers and arrange for one of their engineers (not one of their sales reps!) to meet you on-site and carry out an initial assessment of the site.

muffler

A lot of Planning Authorities have an approved list of assessors. Give them a quick ring or check their web site.

The Engineer

muffler wrote: »

A lot of Planning Authorities have an approved list of assessors. Give them a quick ring or check their web site.

The OP mentioned his site was in Connemara. To the best of my knowledge, Galway County Council do not have an approved list of assessors. In any case, as I mentioned in an earlier post:

The Engineer wrote: »

Always ask for a copy of their insurance details up-front. Just because someone is on a Local Authority's "Approved Panel of Site Assessors" does not mean that they are insured to undertake the work you want them to.

In a previous thread (http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055539979&page=2) it came up for discussion that a Local Authority was requiring the "approved" site assessors to carry Professional Negligence Indemnity insurance for not only site assessment, but also for design of the on-site wastewater treatment system. I would contend that a large portion of those persons that made it onto this particular Local Authority's list of approved assessors (or in fact any other Authority's list, for that matter) do not carry Professional Negligence Indemnity insurance for the design of the on-site wastewater treatment system. I also find it odd that the EPA / FÁS / GSI course makes no reference to Professional Negligence Indemnity insurance. Nor does it make reference to its applicability for completing the EPA Site Characterisation Form. In fact, not too many people out there, be they "approved" site assessors, Local Authorities, etc., seem to want to face facts and accept that the design of an on-site wastewater treatment system is specialist work and requires specific insurance cover.

So, once again to the OP, I would say Caveat emptor. The onus is (unfortunately) always on you, the end-user, to verify that the person you are getting to undertake the work is competent and insured.

sydthebeat

I think mufflers last reply has basically answered the ops query so if you dont mind ill lock this thread and carry this discussion on to the existing thread you have linked to.