WhitewaterŽ Alternative Discharging Systems in Virginia

The system depicted in the diagram reflects a common design for alternative discharging systems for individual single family dwellings. The layout is consistent with The Alternative Discharging Sewage Treatment Regulations for Single Family Dwellings. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is responsible for the issuance of the actual general discharge permit. The local or regional office of The Virginia Department of Health is responsible for the review, permitting, inspection and monitoring the performance of individual discharging systems. These systems are most commonly used when there is no onsite option for sewage disposal. The use of discharging systems for new construction is more closely regulated by local ordinances than the State Regulations. Some localities do not allow discharging systems for new construction. Other localities have very strict discharge limits that are often not economically attainable for individual home use. Most localities allow discharging systems for the repair of failed septic systems when public sewer is not available.

Why Use a WhitewaterŽ Discharging System?

The WhitewaterŽ Alternative Discharging System is a dual process system combining an NSF Standard 40 Aerobic Treatment Unit with a single pass sand filter and disinfection. The combination of an aerobic treatment unit and a single pass sandfilter is the best treatment system. The aerobic unit does the bulk of the work, reducing the heavy organic loads on the sandfilter. In turn, this reduces maintenance costs and extends the life of the media in the sand filter module. There is little cost difference between an ATU single pass sand filter system and a recirculating sand filter system. The additional equipment cost is offset by savings in labor required to construct the filter modules on site onsite. In addition, limiting the number of sand filter modules makes for a more aesthetically pleasing installation.

What About Maintenance?

This combination process has proven to consistently meet some of the most stringent discharge requirements while requiring very little maintenance. Your WhitewaterŽ Aerobic Treatment Unit is covered by a standard 10-year warranty and 2-year extended service plan at no extra cost. Depending on the locality, additional fees for monitoring the system and collecting required effluent samples run between $30.00 and $60.00 per month, about the same cost as public sewer. Onsite Solutions provides these services as well as other local wastewater operators and contractors.