Whitewater® Drip Irrigation

Drip irrigation is one of the most environmentally sound methods of wastewater disposal. Wastewater is treated to secondary effluent standards prior to being applied to the disposal area in small, metered doses. By design, wastewater grade drip irrigation tubing allows the treated effluent to be applied close to the surface in the most biologically active soil horizons. The small frequent doses and even distribution over the entire absorption area, create an optimal environment for wastewater treatment and disposal. The WHITEWATER® Filter-Drip Irrigation System has been designed to provide a long term, reliable and environmentally sound means of onsite wastewater disposal.

How to Use Whitewater® Drip

The Whitewater SF Series Filter - Drip Disposal System, can be combined with any Whitewater DF Series Aerobic Treatment Unit to effectively manage the treatment and disposal of wastewater. Developed by our team of engineers and professionals, this unique system is an effective alternative for on-site wastewater disposal from both residential and commercial generators. It is particularly effective on difficult sites with slow percolation rates, shallow depths to rock or restrictions and seasonal water tables. Where installation is particularly difficult, the flexibility of our Whitewater System is your ultimate solution for wooded or cleared sites. That's right, wooded sites. The unique flexibility of our designs allow the drip tubing to be installed around valuable trees. Some clearing may be necessary. The WHITEWATER® filter-drip irrigation system has been designed to provide long term, reliable and efficient service. Unlike other septic effluent systems, the WHITEWATER® system can achieve tertiary quality standards by removing up to 97% of the original wastewater impurities. This includes a 90% removal of viruses and a significant reduction of nitrates. A 99% reduction in bacteria and viruses can be achieved with disinfection.

Why Use a Whitewater®

The WHITEWATER® filter-drip irrigation system has been designed to provide long term, reliable and efficient service. Unlike other septic effluent systems, the WHITEWATER® system can achieve tertiary quality standards by removing up to 97% of the original wastewater impurities. This includes a 90% removal of viruses and a significant reduction of nitrates. A 99% reduction in bacteria and viruses can be achieved with disinfection.

You and Whitewater®

You and the WHITEWATER® system can contribute to a safer and healthier environment. WHITEWATER® provides significant environmental improvements over other "traditional" septic effluent systems, including other septic drip-irrigation systems that apply effluent that has received little or no treatment. These systems rely on the soil in the absorption area to complete 80 to 90 percent of the wastewater purification process. While the natural soil is a great biological filter, repeated applications of septic effluent will ultimately result in the soil becoming clogged. Subsequent hydraulic overloading results in poor system performance and eventual failure. When these conditions exist, septic effluent poses a significant threat to human health and the environment. Surfacing of septic effluent poses an obvious health risk to those nearby and threatens nearby streams, lakes and rivers. Hydraulic overloading poses significant threats to groundwater and drinking water supplies as bacteria and viruses can travel under saturated flow conditions directly to the water table. These impacts are magnified in Karst limestone geology, areas with highly fractured or permeable bedrock and coastal areas with shallow fluctuating water tables.

How Does It Work?

The WHITEWATER® System combines an NSF standard 40 Class 1 Aerobic Treatment Unit with the patented WHITEWATER® Filter System. The extended aeration process removes up to 97% of the original wastewater impurities . The filter system removes any suspended solids greater than 115 microns (115 mm). Prior to dosing the field the control unit opens and closes the appropriate valves to allow the filter to backwash for one minute. During the backwash cycle, turbulent wastewater flow cleans the filters and scours the surfaces. The backwash water is returned to the aerobic treatment unit for re-processing. During the dosing cycle, all wastewater passes through the filters trapping solids greater than 115 microns. Approximately once per week, the control unit opens the appropriate valves to allow the entire system to flush. This cycle creates a turbulent wastewater flow with sufficient velocity to scour the insides of all parts of the filter drip system and remove any soft solids that may have passed through the filters. Again, the flush water is returned to the aerobic treatment unit for re-processing.

Where Does Effluent Go?

The effluent is applied to the absorption area via wastewater rated flexible polyethylene tubing with large turbulent flow labyrinth emitters uniformly spaced along the line. The emitters are protected against root intrusion by the Rootguard® patented process. Rootguard® incorporates a small dose of the herbicide Treflan into the emitter. The herbicide is time released to prevent roots from entering and clogging the emitter. Treflan is stable in the environment and does not leach into the soil or groundwater but stays in the soil immediately surrounding the emitter. In addition, the interior of the drip tubing is lined with a bactericide (10-10,Oxybisphenoxarsine) that inhibits organic slime formation on the interior walls of the tubing.

Warranty Information

WHITEWATER® fiberglass ATU's are guaranteed for ten years. The air compressor has a 5-year limited warranty. The filter system is guaranteed for two years and the initial purchase price includes a two-year maintenance and service agreement. The Wasteflow™ drip tubing is guaranteed for ten years. Compare that to the one-year warranty of our competitors.