Home sewage treatment plants are becoming more and more popular among investors whose buildings do not have access to the municipal sewage system. Undoubtedly, it is an interesting alternative to traditional concrete or ecological septic tank. Therefore, it is worth taking a closer look at the specifics of home sewage treatment plants and determining the approximate costs of its construction and operation.
Table of Contents
What is an ecological septic tank?
The term ecological septic tank is commonly referred to as a popular type of sewage treatment plant, i.e. treatment plants with seepage drainage. They consist of a tank for preliminary wastewater treatment (preliminary settling tank) and a system of drains, i.e. perforated pipes, for their distribution in the ground on the plot.
Sometimes the term ecological septic tank is also used to refer to drainless sewage tanks. By adding the adjective “ecological”, producers want to emphasize that the septic tank is 100% tight, so the contaminants contained in it do not get into the ground in an uncontrolled way, and thus do not pollute it.
Advantages of a home sewage treatment plant
The home sewage treatment plant is convenient and cheap to operate. In many cases, it allows you to forget about the need for systematic disposal of sewage and related expenses. It does not require absorbing maintenance procedures. Ecology is also an important issue in the case of sewage treatment plants. The pollutants in the wastewater undergoing natural biological processes decompose into simple mineral compounds that are harmless to the environment. When properly selected and properly exploited, the liquid that leaves it can be drained into the ground without fear or drained into a river or a drainage ditch. It does not pose any threat to individual water intakes.
Types of home sewage treatment plants by installation
This installation is usually:
- autonomous, which means that it is used to treat only wastewater coming from the facility for which it was designed;
- mechanical-biological, which means that both biological processes and mechanical methods are used to treat wastewater;
- gravity, i.e. sewage flows into it naturally (pump transport of sewage to devices is used rarely and only in cases that require it);
- domestic and economic, which means that only sewage resulting from the normal functioning of the household is sent to it and treated.
Biological wastewater treatment plant – what is it?
The biological wastewater treatment plant is currently the most frequently chosen solution. All thanks to modern and advanced technologies that are used in such a device. The principle of operation of a biological wastewater treatment plant is as follows: the produced raw sewage is directed to a septic tank / primary sedimentation tank, where it is treated with anaerobic bacteria or, as is the case with the most modern technologies, it is also subjected to preliminary aeration. Their task is to break down this waste.
The next degree of purification takes place only in the oxygen chambers (aerated) of the treatment plant tank. The water obtained in this way can be reused, but not for every purpose. Purified water is successfully used for watering e.g. lawns. However, it cannot be eaten, which should be remembered, and you should consider its storage in winter. It is also worth knowing that there are many models of such devices that must be adapted to the needs and possibilities of the soil. For example, biological treatment plants with infiltration tunnels are suitable for small plots of land and for soils with very low permeability.
Ecological sewage treatment plant – what is it?
An ecological home treatment plant works on a similar principle to a biological treatment plant. There is one significant difference, however. The process of aerobic and anaerobic treatment takes place in separate places. The first runs in the septic tank, while the second runs in the drainage in the soil. For this reason, ecological sewage treatment plants are also called drainage treatment plants. It is practically impossible to obtain purified water in drainage systems. It is also impossible to control the effectiveness of the treatment of such a system, as there is no technical, reliable method of sampling the treated sewage for laboratory tests.
Biological or ecological treatment plant – which one to choose?
The ecological treatment plant requires a lot of space, its operation cannot be controlled. Its assembly also includes the installation of drainage pipes, which is not the case with biological treatment plants. Ecological sewage treatment plants can, therefore, be installed only on large plots of land with easily permeable soil, while biological ones will work well on small areas and on difficult soils. And how much does a home sewage treatment plant cost?
The costs are not the lowest, but it is certainly a profitable and convenient solution. Certainly much more comfortable than a septic tank. When wondering how much a home sewage treatment plant costs, it is worth knowing that you can receive funding for biological devices, which will significantly reduce installation costs. There are no subsidies for ecological sewage treatment plants, moreover, they are less effective and after a few years they become “silted”.
Our contributing author is a passionate advocate for eco-friendly living and sustainability. With a background in eco-life, they are dedicated to inspiring and empowering individuals to adopt environmentally conscious lifestyles. Through insightful articles, they share practical tips, innovative solutions, and thought-provoking perspectives to promote a greener, more sustainable world. Join them on the journey towards eco-smart living and discover how small choices can make a big impact. 🌱
