Onsite Solutions of Virginia, Inc.   •   PO Box 861585   •   Warrenton, VA 20187   •   (540) 428-3919   •   onsite@sesonsite.com

This page was created by, and is maintained by Curtiss Grymala for Ten-321 Enterprises
and was last updated on Monday January 07, 2008

Onsite Wastewater Disposal System Maintenance

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Residential Modified Mound Systems
  • What's a WhitewaterŽ Mound System
    		•
  • Why Use a WhitewaterŽ
    		•
  • Installation Costs
    		•
  • Diagram of a Mound System
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    Residential Modified Mound Systems

    In Virginia, residential mound systems have been allowed since the adoption of the 1982 sewage regulations. Mounds received little use as they had a significant failure rate on good old Virginia Clay. They were also not the most attractive type of system sometimes ranging from 3 to 5 feet in height.

    Since then, mound designs have been significantly revised to work on sandy soils, loamy soils and clayey soils. In addition, the use of secondary treatment prior to the mound can reduce the height of sand required to less than two feet. By reducing the height and spreading the mound out over a longer area across the slope, it is easier to blend the mound. This allows the mound to be an economical aesthetically pleasing system for use on what would normally be considered land that did not perc.

    The new regulations, effective July 1, 2000, will allow mounds to be placed on soils with 10" - 12" standoff to perched or seasonal water tables and 12" to 24" standoff to rock.

    What's a Whitewater Mound System

    In the WHITEWATERŽ system, waste from the household exits through a sewer line into a standard septic tank. The macro solids and sludge produced during the anaerobic digestion of the wastewater settle to the bottom of the tank and the lighter materials float on top. The partially treated effluent flows into the WHITEWATERŽ Aerobic Treatment Plant. Here, up to 97% of the impurities in the original wastewater are removed. The turbulent mixing induced by aeration causes aerobic bacteria to oxidize the raw wastewater to carbon dioxide and water. The effluent receives additional purification by passing through the sand in the mound. A timer activates the pump every two to three hours. The water is used by plants or trees in the mound area. Evaporation, evapotranspiration and infiltration disseminate the remaining water.

    Why Use a WhitewaterŽ

    We believe that the combination of an aerobic treatment unit and the Wisconsin Mound to be a very effect disposal tool. Low Pressure or Drip irrigation can be used to dose the system. The ATU reduces the heavy organic loads on the sand. In turn, this reduces maintenance costs and extends the life of the media in the sand module. In addition, limiting the number of sand filter modules makes for a more aesthetically pleasing installation.

    Installation Costs

    Initial installation costs are high compared to simple in ground septic systems but are only 30% more than most systems installed today. The higher quality effluent produced by the WHITEWATERŽ treatment system protects your drinking water supply and is much safer for the environment compared to conventional septic effluent. Horses and other livestock should be fenced from the actual mound area mostly to protect the irrigation equipment. The system functions satisfactorily year round.

    Typical installation costs are between $17,000 and $25,000 depending on site conditions and the number of bedrooms in the house. A two-year initial service contract is included with the WHITEWATERŽ system.


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