To understand how an alternative system works, let’s first cover the basics of a traditional septic system. With a traditional septic system, all wastewater exits the house to an exterior tank where biological decomposition begins. Grease and kitchen oils float to the top, while heavier solids sink to the bottom, leaving clearer wastewater in the middle, which then flows out of the tank via piping to buried, gravel-filled trenches, commonly referred to as a drainfield or leachfield. From here, the ground acts as a filter while the water passes down through layers of sediment.

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Alternative Systems

While alternative systems utilize all of the same components of a regular septic system, the biggest difference lies within the system’s use of a filtering device or component between the septic tank and the ground. Alternative systems may also include a recirculating tank, filter, additional holding, dosing, or discharge tank, as well as pumps and a control panel.

 

The need for an alternative system arises when there are concerns with soils that do not percolate (or perc, for short), or in situations wherein the soil fails to create an efficient filter. For example, conditions such as fractured bedrock, sand, or extremely rocky soils do not allow for sufficient wastewater, leaving it to freefall into the groundwater below. Solving this problem is where our alternative septic systems excel.

 

Alternative systems are also extremely beneficial when a lot has limited space to work with, as an alternative system can reduce the size of a traditional drainfield by up to 50%, not to mention a much lighter environmental footprint.

 

Alternative systems may also be required when a drainfield will be located within close proximity of open waterways, such as irrigation ditches, streams, rivers, and lakes. Our history of collaborating with local, regional, and state agencies ensures your system will meet all codes and compliances involved in such circumstances.

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The AOS Difference

While there are several alternative systems on the market today, our experience and expertise with not only the soil conditions of Northern Utah, but also the hundreds of challenging projects we have built and problems we have solved, has led us to focus on what we know works best: the recirculating textile filter. This system, combined with compacted gravel beds, has proven time and again to be the most efficient, low-maintenance system available for virtually all seasonal or terrain-based challenges in Utah. Our recirculating textile filter system provides superior waste reduction and has been proven to be the most easily serviceable. Due to the large number of installs we perform each year, parts are always readily in-stock for quick maintenance and service repairs. 

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*While an alternative system can solve most wastewater disposal problems, it can not fix all problems or eliminate all wastewater disposal challenges. Excessive slopes, wet lands, and soil conditions may still leave you with a lot that is unbuildable.