THE MEANDER TANK
me-an-der intr. v. 1. To follow a winding and turning course, n. l.A circuitous journey…
As explained on page 7, retention time (how long water remains in the tank before exiting to the drainfield) is important in the functioning of the system. Dr. John H. Timothy Winneberger, a well-respected innovator in sewage disposal technology, invented a triple-compartment tank —which Peter Warshall (in Septic Tank Practices) named the meander tank.
The meander tank actually increases the velocity of liquid, but smooths out the flow and helps stop short-circuiting from the inlet to the outlet. Two partitions are built as shown, dividing the tank into three rectangular chambers. Passage from one compartment to another is through slots too large to clog, and liquids traverse the tank’s length three times, passing through one chamber, then the next two, before exiting to the drainfield. In the early model shown, the first chamber held about % of the liquid volume, the last about V9 of the liquid volume.
Note: Two-compartment meander tanks—easier to construct—are also built, with one longitudinal baffle.
The meander tank is considered by many engineers to be far more effective than conventional tanks, but the industry has not caught up with the vision. The meander tank is a better mousetrap, but no one is building it, at least not for homes. For commercial applications, engineer Michael D. Mitchell, of Northwest Septic, Inc., of Mt. Vernon, WA, has designed some very interesting meander tank configurations, intended, he says, to “minimize mixing while maximizing settling.”
The meander tank,
a 3-compartment tank that increases retention time
if you need to build your own tank due to cost, remote site, etcv see mflcs
4A/D serr/c sysre/ws. (‘seer. /tg&J
however, this is not a job for someone with no construction experience.