Retrofit aerobic treatment devices

[Toxic Avenger]

I recently had a homeowner ask me if he could install the Aero-Stream aerobic treatment device inside his existing septic tank.  Well, first thing I asked him was if the product was NSF certified.  He did not know.  So I checked both the Aero-Stream website and the NSF website.  I discovered it is NOT NSF certified.  The NSF International does not certify retrofits (i.e. new devices installed in existing tanks).  I contacted Aero-Stream by email and they replied by stating the following:

"No our product is not (NSF certified). They do not have a protocol for retrofits for
remediation. We have been after them for four years to do a protocol,
they keep telling us it is on their agenda but they have not done it.
We can be added to any type of system and we work in all soil types. By
staying 12 to 14 inches off the bottom of the tank we create a quiet
zone under the stone. The boiling action of the bubbles at the surface
pulls paper and floatables to the bottom, holding them there for better
digestion.
We are able to reduce the TSS discharge by 96%, E Coil and Fecal col by
98% and BOD5 by 87%."

I asked them to send me as much documentation as they have on product testing, and all I got in return was a single page .pdf of a test site in Spring Field, MO done in December 2009.  The test data does not go into very much detail, other than claim the TSS and BOD both went down, 96% and 85% respectively, within 10 days after the unit was installed.  The lack of detail in their "test site data" leaves me less than convinced this product will remediate your failing septic system anywhere close to a NSF 40 Certified ATU. 

FYI...the Aero-Stream device goes for $1075.00, which is cheaper than even the cheapest certified ATU.  Also, the company says they have a 2 year full money-back guarantee if not satisfied, and they are BBB accreditted.  At this time, I would not feel comfortable advising anybody to spend $1100.00 on this device.  I would like to see it tested by an unbiased entity first, and not just the company selling it.   

[jmenchhofer]

I looked into this product a couple of months ago, mainly because they have a banner ad that shows up pretty regularly on the Ohio Septic Forum.  When I e-mailed them for more information, they replied with a bunch of studies regarding the benefit of aeration on drainfield rejuvination.  I believe I also found a site where there were a bunch of customer reviews, and there was one customer who gave the company a "five star" rating, even though their product didn't solve his sewage problem.  Apparently they stand by the money back guarantee and there was little to no hassle involved.

If you want to see what they sent me, send me an e-mail and I'll forward it to you.

[Toxic Avenger]

The Sludgehammer appears to be much more complicated and in-depth.  What I don't understand is both the Sludgehammer and the Aero-Stream are to be placed in existing septic tanks, and both appear to me to be "retrofits".  The NSF publication "Onsite Wastewater Monitor" states the following:

"How Does Retrofit Fit in Certification?
In short, retrofit is not a fit with certification to the current NSF/ANSI
Standards. The disconnect is that retrofit applications generally involve
using part of the existing treatment system to create the final, complete
system. For example, a certified system often comprises a tank and
various components. A retrofit application often utilizes the existing tank.
When combined with the remaining components of the certified system,
some would suggest the end product is the same as that of the certified
system. The problem is that the retrofit product includes used
components. This creates two issues. First, determining whether or not
the existing component(s) have the proper specification is likely to be
difficult. Another is the condition of the used component(s) and how that
may affect the performance of the system. A conclusive analysis and
determination of these on a case by case basis is generally not practical or
cost-effective to allow certification of the retrofit system. As a result, the
certification is applied to newly installed, complete systems only."

I do not understand how the Sludgehammer is NOT considered a retrofit using this definition, so how did they manage to get NSF certified when Aero-Stream cannot?  Interesting.

[phil zim]

We have used the sludge hammer on several systems. I know that bob davis has it on his home and office. We have it retrofitting some systems. You can call me at 260-489-9967 or email at zimmermanbrothers@verizon.net   Thanks Phil

[BillWorthington]

If the drain field or lateral lines can no longer handle the discharge due to organic soil compaction (which is normally the case in failed drain field or lateral line systems), how could this device possibly influence aerobic conditions several feet below the lateral line gravel bed where the compaction has occurred? There is NO air down there and no WAY to get air down there without digging up the entire system.

In other words, how can an air pump system mounted in the tank (many feet away from the drain field) inject air ten to 15 feet below the ground in the drain field, lateral lines, cesspit or cesspool bed? I'm stumped!

Also, how is this device supposed to encourage air to travel to the clogged drain field while the tank baffle blocks that from happening?

Some "claims" never cease to amaze me.....

just imo
 

[Stuart Meade]

Bill,

Some secondary treatment devices, especially Aerobic Treatment Units can induce significant amounts of oxygen into the wastewater exiting their units.  Aero-Tech's unit, for example, raises to the dissolved oxygen to 4 ml/liter.

Abortion fields tend to fail because anaerobic conditions in the system promote anaerobic bacteria that feed on the nutrients in the wastewater.  They multiply and eventually create a biomat which slows the system's ability to drain and eventually makes the system backup (and fail). 

Cleaning the wastewater (removing suspended solids and inducing oxygen) promotes beneficial aerobic bacteria that can break down the existing bio-mate and often revive a failed system.
I use the word "can" since this is not a guaranteed result.  That said, I have seen many system revived by the use of a secondary treatment device.

[BillWorthington]

Thanks Bill,

I understand the concept and thank you for your response. My concern lies deeper within the subsoils.

 Many municipalities require replacement lateral relocation since the compaction within the subsoils creating the non-permeable state, can (and often does) run much deeper than standard bed depths.

 Simply removing upper soil layers and medium (or possibly depleting biomat stores from) may only provide a short term fix since even IF the medium and upper soils were removed and replaced, the effluent would again naturally become anaerobic (no oxygen present) once gravity pulls it down to lower soils where the compaction exists.

Imo, these products still appear to have little effect on deep compaction with that area being most often the root of system failure. Homeowners fretting the costs of replacement (anywhere from 5k to 50k) often inadvertently (or willingly) severely reduce consumption and become substantially more ‘septic friendly’ as a result of their dilemma.

Perhaps such lifestyle modifications (temporary may they be) support the illusion of the device’s success.

Perhaps time will tell

[Toxic Avenger]

Bill,

You mentioned "deep compaction" in the soil as being most often the root of system failure.  In the county I work in, that is not the case.  The majority of failed systems I've dealt with are either 1) very old, undersized and/or degraded (i.e. tanks/d-boxes falling apart); or, 2) the field system is being overloaded due any combination of the following: large amount of people in the home, sprinkler system over the field, overuse of bleaches and anti-bacterial agents, and biomaterial accumulation (as Stuart mentioned).  I have seen several sites that have compaction issues, but over 90% of those even are older systems that did not have proper soil borings done, as we require today.  If those areas where compaction IS an issue, companies have performed air-injection soil-fracturing (one such product call a Terra Lift) which is a large gas powered machine which shoots pressurized air and small styrofoam pellets into the soil between trenches and breaks up compaction.  Check it out, it really does help when compaction is an issue, but its uses are very limited - it is NOT a permanent fix to any failed system in my opinion, but it can lengthen the life of a system if done properly.

[On-Site Inspection]

I would add to above that the combination of Terra-Lift and a device like Aero-stream might help.  The Terra-Lift I think is limited to around 40" of depth. But the combination of relieving the sub-surface compaction and introduction of Disolved Oxygen to the site might help.  Some of the Terra-Lift folks also inject styrofoam to maintain the fracture effect.  Most of the Terra guys were pretty much banned here in Missouri due to our Karst topography and potential ground water contamination. Mike

[Stuart Meade]

I think terra-lift can be a useful tool but is unfortunately sometimes "sold" to homeowners as a magic pill.  This, of course, is the problem with many on-site technologies whether it's chambers, SB2, D-box levelers or effluent filters.  Since homeowners know very little about septic systems,  unscrupulous "providers" can easily take advantage of them.

I've heard of excavators charging as much as $200 to clean (spray off with garden hose) an effluent filter.  If you are not shocked, understand,  I sell a new Polylock PL-122 filters for $55!

I would only purchase a "fix" if it is NSF 40 standard tested and approved. 

Starting May of 2011, I've become the Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Ohio distributor for Aero-Tech aerobic treatment units.

I've been a fan of the Aero-Tech system for many years and am now excited about being their distributor.  I've replaced the Google ads on this forum with a banner ad to my new website.  Please give it a look and call or email me if you have any questions.