Drip Emitter Septic Systems

R. Mosley, Inc. is now offering Drip Emitter Septic Systems and are the only state-licensed Drip Systems installer in Gilmer County, Georgia.

How Does A Drip Septic System Work?

Drip Septic Systems release small amounts or "drips" of wastewater at regular intervals, maximizing the treatment of sewage and minimizing the risk of untreated wastewater quickly flowing through the soil. Drip Emitter Septic Systems are commonly used on areas with steep slopes, forested areas, and other places where a trench for piping or chambers would be difficult to install. However, they may also be used in commercial developments such as a golf course or a resort that would only operate during the warmer months of the year. Drip Emitter Systems are usually used with another form of pre-treatment such as an aerobic septic system and/or sand filters.

Drip Septic System Diagram

The three (3) main components to a drip emitter septic system are:

  1. The Septic Tank
  2. The Lift Tank—This contains a pump and filter. The pump and lift station distribute the wastewater evenly through the tubing and the soil.
  3. The Dispersal Unit—This is only a supply and return line. It contains perforated tubing that carries the wastewater to the soil. The perforations are called "drip emitters." These are placed at intervals of 12-24 inches. This allows the wastewater to seep into the soil. The tubing is then connected to a feed line on one end and a return line on the other, allowing the system to be automatically back flushed on a regular basis.

There is also a control panel. The control panel monitors pressure changes, temperature, pump performance, and daily wastewater flow. The control panel can sometimes help alert the homeowners and professionals to potential problems with their septic system.

How to Maintain A Drip Septic System

It is very important to clean your septic tank periodically to remove accumulated sludge and scum build-up. It is very important in any system with a septic tank but even more critical when you have a drip septic system. Drip systems contain several filters that can get clogged. Also the drip tubing itself has small holes that may also clog with solids.

There are other key components which require maintenance. They are as follows:

  1. The filters need to be cleaned manually or changed once a year.
  2. The holes in the drip tubing may clog with solids. The system will back-flush itself automatically on a regular basis to help prevent this problem. However, if they continue to clog in spite of this action, it is recommended that you manually back-flush the tubing.
  3. The tubing itself may at some point need to be replaced.

NOTICE

Because water lines in a drip septic system are placed at a shallow depth, they may freeze during the winter. As a result, thermocouples (which measure soil temperature) are placed next to the lines to warn the homeowner when a freeze is imminent.