| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ's)
Why do Malibu homes have private onsite wastewater treatment systems?
Malibu incorporated in 1991 primarily to prevent the installation of the 'Big Pipe' or public sewer system. Resisting a centralized sewage treatment system, Malibu residents believed that a public sewer system would certainly lead to greatly increased development such as the once small town of Santa Cruz experienced when a public sewer system was installed. Consequently, each and every malibu home and business maintains its own private onsite wastewater treatment system.
How much does a septic system cost?
New construction costs for a conventional septic system can range from $15,000 to $50,000, depending on the specifics of the system, existing site conditions, and possible site access issues. Advanced Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) can cost substantially more than a conventional system. While can be seen as an additional cost, advanced wastewater treatment systems are can be the difference between a site being feasible for development and non-feasable.
Do I need to have access risers installed on my septic tank?
Tank access risers allow for easy access to the tank for cleaning and inspection. The City of Malibu requires access risers on all tanks. As part of the point of sale OWTS inspection process septic tank access risers will need to be installed to pass inspection. Access risers are also a good reminder of your tank's location and the need to pump.
How long does it take to design a septic system?
If you've already completed soils and percolation testing and your site has satisfactory results, designing the system can be completed in as little as a couple weeks it time is of the essence, or several months for larger more complex systems where there space is limited and setback restrictions may be present.
How long does it take to Install a septic system?
Conventional systems can usually be completed within a weeks time, advanced systems can take up to a months time to complete.
What are tertiary septic systems?
In septic terms 'tertiary' refers to a three-stage treatment process. Conventional septic systems usually are a pre-cast concrete septic tank with a two-stage treatment process, effluent then passes to a drainage. Initial treatment occurs within the septic tank itself where solids are separated by gravity and settle to the bottom of the tank. Anaerobic bacteria act to decompose or 'break-down' solids and eventually the liquid in the center of the tank passes through to the leaching bed area. Effluent passes through the soil where it is subjected to further filtering by the soil it passes through. A third stage, or tertiary stage, introduces oxygen (aerobic bacterial action) after the effluent leaves the septic tank, before the effluent is allowed to pass into the drain field. Effluent from the septic tank is aerated Oxygen is added to the effluent in the septic tank causing aerobic bacteria to further break down the effluent. This results in much cleaner effluent. Appropriately designed, required drain field areas are drastically reduced allowing these advanced onsite wastewater systems to be placed in areas where a conventional system simple would not fit. Due to the much improved quality of effluent produced from these tertiary septic systems they can frequently be placed in areas where bedrock and high historic groundwater levels exist or on soils with low permeability that would not adequately accept conventional septic effluent.
What is an advanced septic system?
Advanced Septic Systems can utilize a combination of innovative treatment options, including aerobic, ultraviolet, denitrification, and evapotranspiration systems.
Who are your primary clients?
Private homeowners, Business Owners, Contractors, Architects, and Developers. I'm building a new home and need a septic permit, where do I start? Malibu Septic, Inc. works in several different counties and is very knowledgeable in all aspects of septic and building construction. Dustin Rutherford is a licensed septic contractor and will be more than happy to meet with you onsite and advise you on the local building codes, permitting issues, and site history. We will also provide you a full single source proposal for your soils testing, septic system design, septic system permitting, and septic system installation.
I own a very difficult building site, what are my options?
Our firm specializes in finding creative ways to engineer septic systems on problem sites on steep slopes or small parcels, with large oak trees, poor soils, or high ground water. By utilizing the latest in septic technology, Malibu Septic can help design and permit septic systems on demanding hillside and beachfront properties.
I've been told that I can only build a 3 bedroom residence we want 4-5 bedrooms, can you help us?
Possibly. Advanced systems can sometimes be the answer but in reality certain sites simply are not compatible with today's septic technology. We at Malibu Septic are familiar with the latest in septic technology, such as: Aerobic Treatment, UV - Ultra Violet Treatment, Sand Filtration, Subsurface Drip Systems, Denitrification - Nitrogen Reduction, Evapotranspiration Systems, and other advanced septic options.
WHAT SERVICES ARE OFFERED BY MALIBU SEPTIC?
- Free initial site inspection, consultation, and proposal
- Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Design
- City of Malibu Certified Septic Inspections - Point of Sale
- Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Installation
- Septic System Repair and Maintenance
- Soils testing - pit excavation and evaluation
- Geotechnical soils lab testing
- Geotechnical engineering services
- City permitting expedition
- County permitting expedition
- Conventional septic system design and installation
- Pressure distribution system design and installation
- At-Grade system design and installation
- Seepage Pit Replacement
- Leach Field Replacement
- Aerobic Septic System
- Leach field restorations
- Septic System Inspections - City of Malibu Certified Inspectors
- Commercial and residential land development feasibility evaluations
- Residential septic system maintenance and monitoring services
Does my county allow alternative septic treatment systems?
The building codes of virtually every county in California allow for alternative treatment systems.
What contaminants do alternative systems remove that conventional systems may not?
New aerobic technology systems remove 98% of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and 99% of the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), substantially exceeding State and local codes. Modern wastewater treatment technology is becoming so advanced, that its safe enough to irrigate lawns with. Today's advanced wastewater treatment processes are changing the way California sees wastewater treatment.!
Will I need to pump the septic tank?
Yes, solids accumulate in septic tanks and have the capability to slow or prevent treatment of effluent. These solids (sludge) collect, and are digested very slowly by microorganisms in the anaerobic environment of the septic tank. Solids accumulate over a period of time and reduce the storage capacity of the septic working chamber. This reduced storage capacity allows less time for the sewage to 'digest' in the tank. Also, there is a quantity of grease, and sum and other materials that float on the surface of the liquid (scum). Both sludge and scum must be removed from the septic tank periodically.
If a septic tank is not cleaned on a regular basis, suspended solids and organic material will migrate into the dosing chamber and be pumped out to the field area. The additional suspended solids and organic material will eventually clog the soil, eventually causing failure of the leach field which backs up the tank and so forth. Like any investment, proper maintenance is key.
How will I know when to have the septic tank pumped out?
Tanks should be checked every year in the spring or early summer to determine how much sludge and scum has accumulated. The size of the septic tank and the waste it receives affects how often it needs to be pumped out. A septic tank with approximate (12 inches) of sludge in its first compartment is ready to be pumped out. An average tank should be pumped out every 2-3 years minimum. It can take a full 6 months or more for the biological actions to reestablish the digestion after a thorough pumping and cleaning.
Are septic tank additives necessary?
No. These products include biologically based materials (bacteria, enzymes, and yeast), inorganic chemicals (acids and bases), or organic chemicals (including solvents). If the additives reduce the need for regular pumping of the septic tank, the question must be asked, "where did the seepage go?" If the additive increases the level of biological activity in the tank, the additional digestion of the sludge can increase the amount of gas given off by the microorganisms digesting the solids. This gas bubbles up and can cause the suspended material in the sewage to be buoyed up and not settle out in the tank as it should. It is then carried into the final soil portion of the system and can plug the soil pores that accept the water. Other chemicals may emulsify greases, which will then not float and be trapped as scum in the tank. They will then flow out to the soil and plug the soil pores. Some of these products may contain chemicals that will damage the effluent absorption portion of the system or will percolate down through the soil to contaminate groundwater and nearby wells. Never, never use any unnatural additives.
Is Special Care Needed for a Disposal field?
Yes, there are things you can do to help maintain the disposal field. DO NOT DRIVE ON YOUR DISPOSAL FIELD. Driving on disposal fields can easily create a costly problems. Disposal fields do not have an unlimited capacity. Limiting water use can help prevent hydraulic overloading a system. Once a disposal field is overloaded with water, the soil becomes saturated. Water moves slower through saturated soil and the oxygen is driven out of the soil. The aerobic soil microorganisms (and larger worms etc.) are driven away, slowing the digestion of the organic particles in the sewage where there is lack of air. Worms and other such insects that keep soil spaces open will also move out. Once saturated, the system will take a long time to recover. A continuously overburdened system will fail and is hard to rejuvenate.
Good water conservation practices and immediately repairing any leaky faucets or toilets can help reduce the amount of wastewater to be treated. Keep grass cut short and direct surface runoff water away from the field area. Do not allow heavy traffic over the disposal field area. Continued traffic, even things like snowmobiles, over a disposal field or treatment mound during the winter can cause frost to go deeper into the ground and freeze the system.
Is your existing system effectively treating sewage?
Older systems may not have been designed to treat the increased amount of sewage you now generate in your home. Additions or bonus room conversions to bedrooms can push a septic system beyond the parameters it was designed for. Systems are not intended to simply dispose of sewage ("make it disappear"). Systems must adequately treat wastewater prior to its reintroduction into the environment (ground water and coastal waters). If your at all in doubt of whether your system is functioning properly, have your system evaluated.
SEPTIC SYSTEM BASICS
A septic system, also known as an onsite wastewater treatment system processes and purifies household wastewater (effluent) and disperses it back into the soil. The two major components of conventional systems are the tank and the drain field or leach field. Primary treatment of the effluent occurs inside the tank itself where bacteria digest the organic matter in the waste water. Secondary treatment occurs within the dispersal field where bacteria complete the digestion and purification of the effluent as it filters through soil. A septic tank is a watertight underground tank constructed of concrete or fiberglass. Residential tanks range from 1500 gallons to over 5000 gallons. The City of Malibu, and Los Angeles County now require a minimum 1,500 gallon tank and it goes up from there. The tank's purpose is to retain, store, and treat solids, before it releases effluent to the dispersal field. As waste water flows into the tank the heavier solids settle to the bottom and become a sludge layer; while fats, oils, and greases float to the top forming a layer of scum. There is a clear zone of liquid between the scum and sludge layers known as a clarified zone. Billions of bacteria live naturally within the tank and continuously perform the first phase of the treatment process, breaking down the solids in the tank. During the process, gases are produced and must be vented from the septic tank through the plumbing vents on the roof of the home it serves. Septic tank filters keep any particles 1/8 inch or larger from leaving the tank.
SUMMARY
An onsite sewage system can be an efficient, inexpensive, and convenient method for treating wastewater prior to its reintroduction back into the environment. A properly designed, constructed and maintained onsite sewage system will adequately treat wastewater for many years. A few precautions can ensure safety, and save you money.
Malibu Septic, Inc. | Septic FAQ's | Please call us at 3 1 0 . 2 6 6 . 7 1 9 7 for a free project consultation and estimate
Septic Do's and Don'ts >> | Septic FAQ's >> | Septic Facts >> | Resources >> | Products >> | News >> |
