Mound system replacement

[tamterese]

I have a mound system that has failed after 20 yrs. I have had several companies out to evaluate the problem and everyone agrees my mound has failed.  I do not have enough room on my property to add an additional mound. One company has proposed taking off the top section of the existing mound and installing infiltration chambers to carry the waste. Question, will this work? is this legal? Can the mound be taken out copmpletely and replaced? If so, what are the regulations for this process. I live in Lake county Indiana.

[Stuart Meade]

How your failed mound system is repaired has everything to do with how it failed.   Answer any of the following questions that you can.

1. How old is your mound system?
2. How often have you had your septic tank pumped (every year, every three years, never)?
3. Where is the failure occurring?  Is it wet on just the top of the mound (top of the bed), or is is leaking out the very bottom (toe) of the slope?
4. Has anyone bored into the mound to see if the sand under the bed is saturated or is dry?
5. Has anyone checked to see if there is a bio-mat formation at the gravel and sand interface (directly under the bed)?

Stuart Meade

Meade Septic Design Inc
Meade Septic Supply LLC

[tamterese]

The mound is over 20 yrs old. Bottom of the slope and the top of the mound are both saturated. Two foot hole dug standing water. Yes there is a biomat formation.

[Stuart Meade]

If you know that a bio-mat is the cause of failure, an aerobic treatment unit should clear things up.  I am the Aero-Tech distributor for Indiana.  Visit the website to learn more about secondary treatment http://www.septicdesign.com/septic-lingo/secondary-wells/
Feel free to call me to further discuss your options.  574-533-1470

Digging out and replacing the bed is the least desirable route.   Building another mound system on your property (if you have room) is a better option than trying to re-construct your existing mound.

[Toxic Avenger]

While installing an "secondary treatment unit" will usually clear up biomat formation, it takes time, not to mention they do nothing to solve the issue of over-saturating a mound due to poor water conservation.  For example, if your mound is undersized compared to the amound of wastewater going to it per day, then that issue is not going to be solved just by adding an aerobic treatment unit.  Sure, the effluent in the mound will be cleaner, but it is still wastewater, and if it is still leaking out the sides of the mound then you need a larger system OR learn to reduce the amount of wastewater you send to your system.  

Conservation tips:  
1)  Never do all your laundry in one day, spread it out over the course of a week. In your case, with an already failed mound, stop doing laundry at your house and take it to a laundrymat or somewhere other than your house.  
2)  Stop using as many anti-bacterial agents as possible.  Bacteria is GOOD for septic systems!
3)  When taking a shower, shut off the water while you are "lathering up", then turn it back on when you rinse.
4)  If you have a water softener, maybe switch to an "on-demand" type, or change the settings so it doesn't flush/backwash as often.  
5)  Don't waste your money on things like "Rid-ex", there is zero proof out there that they help at all...check out the Purdue Extension website if you want a sceintific opinion.
6)  Don't water the lawn (excessively) in teh area of your septic system.
7)  Don't use garbage disposals and keep as many solids from going down the sink drain as possible.
8.  Don't buy the thickest, fluffiest toilet paper, instead go for something middle of the road or lighter if possible.