How Septic Design Can Impact the Environment

If you’re preparing to install a new septic system for your residential or commercial property, there are a number of factors you’ll need to take into account. Whether you’re installing a new system or replacing an old one, you’ll need to make sure you’ve put the proper thought into the design of your new septic system, as well as the environmental engineering factors that will lead to a minimized environmental impact.

Here is some information from our team specializing in environmental engineering in Hudson, CO.

Issues to consider

Any time you’re looking to install a new septic system, it’s important to call out professionally trained and licensed septic system technicians to your property. They will be able to analyze the area of installation and determine what type of system is best for your property.

One of the first factors to consider is the size of the septic tank that you’ll need to install. Tank size is primarily based on the amount of water you use in your building, and whether you expect that usage to change at all in the future. This will also help you determine the retention time for the septic tank. Retention time refers to the amount of time effluent stays in the tank before it moves out into the absorption system or leach field. There must be a sufficient amount of liquid in the tank to provide the solids with enough time to either settle to the bottom or rise to the top of the tank.

The next factor is location. Where will the septic tank be placed? The location of the tank is based primarily on the kind of system you choose, as well as the regulations in your area with regard to required distances from wells and other nearby properties. This will, in turn, affect the placement of your drain field.

You must also consider the percolation (perc) rate, which is the rate at which soils in your area will accept liquids. A solid septic system design will involve thorough perc testing, determining how well your property will be able to absorb water. You’ll need to perform these tests before you can get a permit for the installation. This is one of the primary environmental concerns associated with the project, as you don’t want to accidentally overflow your area with moisture, damage the landscape and potentially cause health problems by too much wastewater coming out into the drain field.

You will also want to consider how to preserve the general character of your property. Causing as little disturbance to trees and other plantings as possible is generally advisable when installing your septic system.

These are just a few examples of some of the considerations you’ll want to take into account while you’re engaged in the process of designing your septic system in a way that will not have a great environmental impact. For more information about the process, we encourage you to reach out to the team at High Plains Engineering & Design, LLC to discuss septic pit evaluation in Hudson, CO.

Categorised in: House Building