A lagoon septic system is a type of alternative septic system. Lagoon septic systems consist of one or more lagoons/ponds designed to receive, hold and treat wastewater.
Lagoon septic systems can be very cost effective, particularly in rural areas where the cost of land is low.
They can handle intermittent and very large, sudden loads better than most other types of system, making them ideal for seasonal places such as campgrounds & resorts.
They are normally fairly simple to operate and maintain
They are very effective at treating wastewater
Lagoon septic systems require more land than other systems
They don't work as well in cold climates
Odors can be a problem, particularly at certain times of the year or if not properly maintained
Some wastewater requires additional treatment to meet local regulations
Types of Lagoon Septic Systems
The most common types of lagoon septic systems are:
Aerobic lagoons tend to be shallower than other types of lagoons, allowing air and sunlight access to more of the wastewater (and increasing its oxygen content).
Anaerobic lagoons are deeper, allowing the solids to separate as they would in a traditional septic tank.
Aerated lagoons utilize a system which actively mixes oxygen into the wastewater.
Facultative lagoons are the most common type of lagoon system in use today. They contain 3 layers: the aerobic zone, the facultative zone, and the anaerobic zone. Treatment occurs in all three layers. The top layer is called the aerobic zone, which contains the majority of the oxygen. The aerobic zone also serves as a barrier, which prevents the gases from the lower layers from escaping into the air. The anaerobic zone, or bottom layer, contains bacteria and other organisms which thrive in an anaerobic (oxygen-free) environment. The facultative zone, or middle layer, contains a mixture of aerobic and anaerobic conditions.
As you may know from researching this topic, failing Septic Tanks are a major financial and environmental problem in this country. Expensive septic repairs can often run from $5,000 to $20,000 or more and a large number of systems are failing throughout the country. For news stories related to failing Septic Tanks and tightening regulations you can go to: http://www.laundry-alternative.com/failingseptic.htm
You also can't sell your home if it has a failing system. For more information on how to properly maintain your Septic Tank, go to: http://www.laundry-alternative.com/septic_system_maintenance.htm