DIY installation of an autonomous sewage system

Recommendation points

• System parts
• Choosing a location on the site
• Working process
• Drainage field or absorbent pad
• Working process

The article provides step-by-step instructions for the installation of an autonomous sewage system on the site of a country house. You will learn how to choose the right place for the system and how to discharge the water. You will find detailed installation instructions and a table with the calculation of the price of an autonomous sewage system.

Modern human requirements for housing include not only electricity and water supply, but also effective disposal of waste. Household waste is taken out by special companies, but the wastewater has to be disposed of locally.

System parts

In order to get an idea of ​​the installation stages, we will find out what the parts of an autonomous sewage system are. Many years earlier, cesspools and sedimentation tanks were used for this – water seeped from them directly into the soil through special holes. This approach does not withstand modern environmental requirements, therefore, underground autonomous wastewater treatment systems were created..

Automatic cleaning systems.These are volatile systems that are installed and maintained by the specialists of the manufacturing company. They have a rather complex internal structure, but they consist of one block in which a sedimentary compartment, a bioseptic and equipment for aeration and transfer (pump, compressor, fittings) are located. Work discreetly and efficiently.

Septic tank.Tank, or a system of tanks in which waste water settles. Discharge of treated water is carried out according to the principle of gravity overflow. Such structures can be created independently and maintained on their own. The advantage of septic tanks is the possibility of phased modernization.

Septic tank equipment.These are pumps, sewage pumps (fecal pumps), aerators, filling sensors, alarms, automatic shut-off valves. According to the installation principle, the equipment is:

1. Internal (concealed) installation – elements and devices are located inside the tanks or in capsules or caissons next to them. Only automation controls are brought into the room. Such a system is convenient in that it does not take up space in the room, but its control, repair and maintenance are difficult. It is used when working on a large area (away from the building).
2. Outdoor installation. The maximum number of units and devices is taken out into the premises of the house (boiler room, nodal). Only containers, pipes and sensors remain underground. Convenient repair, maintenance, control. Problems – takes up space, power loss of external pumps (compared to submersible ones), noise.

Drop point.The choice of the principle of removal of treated water is selected based on local realities:

1. Storm sewer.
2. Ditch, gutter.
3. External discharge (if water is suitable for irrigation).
4. Drainage field.

The quality of the purified water is checked in the laboratory of the SES, where you can also get a certificate of the quality of water permissible for external discharge (irrigation).

Choosing a location on the site

This conclusion is drawn from the basic requirements of different systems.

Factory autonomous cleaning system has detailed instructions and written recommendations for installation. These documents state that the device can be located 1.8 meters from the foundation of the building. Hence the conclusion – such systems are perfect for compact and even urban areas..

Homemade septic tanks and prefabricated systems are more cumbersome, so they will require a larger pit. When constructing treatment facilities based on conventional tanks (with the subsequent installation of equipment), it is not possible to do with one barrel. Two and sometimes three containers are required. Consider this, as well as the length and slope of the highways when choosing a location.

Drainage field will allow the utilization of coarse water (one tank), but will require significant earthworks. However, during operation, its presence and operation will be invisible..

Working process

Based on the background information and the realities of the site, you have decided on the choice of the system and it’s time to start the installation.

Attention! We strongly do not recommend assembling an expensive compact system with your own hands. In this case, the manufacturer is not responsible for the operation of the station..

Assumed baseline data:

1. A prefabricated system based on three underground plastic tanks of the Triton-N 1500 type (price 330 USD). The first is a sedimentary septic tank (sump), the second is a bioseptic (bioreactor) with an aerator, the third is a purified water storage.
2. Additional equipment – filling sensor, compressor, pump. Location – outdoor.
3. Water is used in summer for irrigation, in winter it is discharged into the drainage field.

The containers can be located either in a chain or in a concentrated manner. After determining the location of the septic tank, excavate a pit, the dimensions of which in the plan will exceed the dimensions of the structure by 300 mm on each side. Freezing of the soil in this case does not matter, since the containers will be insulated.

1. Dig a pit with a depth equal to the height of the tank plus 400 mm (the tanks will be completely underground).

Important! The inlet level of the first tank must be below the level of the house spout. Difference – based on the norm of 20 mm per 1 m of the line length.

2. Lay a layer of sand 100 mm on the bottom of the pit and tamp it by hand.
3. Install the tanks and tie them with a plastic pipe (50-75 mm) along the tops.

Attention! The clean water intake pipe must be immersed 200 mm in water.

4. Remove the sewer from the house along the trench and connect it to the sump.
5. Connect the inlet of the aerator (armored hose) and bring it together with the inlet pipe into the house.
6. Connect the drain pipe at 1/3 of the storage tank height and bring it into the house (for the subsequent connection of the pump).
7. Seal all connections carefully. Insulate pipes with materials based on polyethylene foam (Merilon, Energoflex, Penopol). Cover tanks with 100 mm M35 foam.
8. Install revision aeration pipes and covers for them.
9. Install shut-off valves to switch between summer and winter reset modes. Connect the treated water outlet to the irrigation system.
10. Fill the pit sinuses with sand, spilling water every 30-40 mm of thickness.
11. Decorate the landscape above the septic tank.

In practice, such a system does not require intervention in the underground part for decades. The addition of bacteria to the aerator and the evacuation of the sump can be done through inspection pipes.

Drainage field or absorbent pad

This structure is a system of pipes with holes laid on drainage material – crushed stone, gravel, expanded clay. It should be located 300 mm below the level of soil freezing. A vegetable garden or garden with small trees can be located above it..

Working process

To determine the size of the field, you need to calculate the diameter and length of the pipes that can accommodate a single maximum discharge (V). With reasonable water management this figure is approximately 100 liters per person. Suppose there are four tenants and V = 400 liters (0.4 m³).

With a pipe diameter of 150 mm, the cross-sectional area will be equal to:

• S = Pr² = 3.14 x 0.0752 = 0.017 m²

From the known volume, we calculate the length of the pipe:

• L = V / S = 0.4 / 0.017 = 23.5 lin. m

Add 10% of the stock 23.5 + 10% = 27.35 and take the total pipe length 28 m.

It is recommended to divide the drainage pipeline into communicating sections. In our case, it is appropriate:

• 28/4 = 7 m, a total of 4 segments of 7 m

When using other diameters, other parameters will change proportionally. Drainage pipes should be tied at one end into a common pipe and connected to the “winter” outlet. The free ends of the pipes must go out and communicate with the atmosphere.

Along the length, strictly at the bottom of the pipe, holes of Ø 20 mm should be made with a step of 250 mm and laid down with these holes on a cushion of rubble at least 400 mm thick. To the top of the pipes, the structure must be covered with sand.

Table. Water purification system cost

Name	Unit rev.	Qty	Unit price, cu e.	Cost, cu e.
Septic tank “Triton-N” 1500	PCS	3	330	990
Surface pump “Agidel-M”	PCS	1	40	40
Compressor Sturm MC8864	PCS	1	50	50
Sewer pipe KGEM single-socket (150)	run. m	40	five	80
Insulation (materials)	–	–	–	50
Sealing connections (materials)	–	–	–	20
Hoses, cables, fasteners, connections, etc..	–	–	–	50
Total				1280
The cost of a factory autonomous system of similar action				from 1800 USD e.

After a complete set of such a system (with a pump and a compressor) and the launch of bacteria into the bioreactor, the output indicators will not yield to the factory models. At the same time, the cost of your own design will be 40% lower..