If you’re shopping for a new septic system, you may have heard of a type of septic system called an Aerobic Treatment Unit, or ATU. So, what is an ATU septic system, and is it right for you? Acme shares the details with you today.
Shopping for a new septic system may have you lost in the midst of unfamiliar or confusing terms and specifications. Is there really that much of a difference between various types of septic systems? It may make sense to shop for systems that coincide with the size of your home, but what other aspects should prospective septic owners consider? Aerobic treatment units, or ATUs, provide many of the benefits that homeowners may be looking for, and even some they haven’t yet considered. Let’s take a look at this modern-style septic tank to help you decide if it is right for your home.
Aerobic Treatment Units And Your Environment
ATUs rely on oxygen to break down septic waste, which reduces the amount of time it takes for the septic system to perform its waste treatment cycle. This means that an ATU requires less energy to perform its functions, and leaves a smaller footprint on the environment. If you’re looking for more eco-friendly additions to your home, ATUs are right for you.
ATUs And Soil Type
Septic systems typically consist of two primary components: the tank and the drain field. The septic tank is where the initial phase of the waste breakdown takes place, while the drain field is responsible for the second phase of treatment. The soil in which your drain field is installed plays an integral role in this process.
The soil that surrounds the septic drain field acts as a natural filtration system that purifies the wastewater produced by your septic tank. For optimal filtration, soil should not be exceptionally rocky, clay-like, too soft, compacted, or contain high levels of sodium. A professional septic technician can assess soil quality and advise you on whether or not an ATU septic system is right for you.
ATUs And Water Table Levels
If you live in an area with a high groundwater table, the soil on your property will have a high level of saturation. The efficiency with which ATUs treat septic waste means that they produce cleaner effluent (the final product of treated waste), and have a much lower risk of contaminating surrounding natural water sources.
Every region in the world has different water table levels, and those levels can change depending on precipitation over the course of the year. Florida generally has high water tables, predisposing natural water sources to higher levels of contamination from septic waste. Installing an ATU on your property can help mitigate the risk of contaminating surrounding groundwater, keeping your community and environment cleaner.
Qualifications For ATU Installation
ATUs are equipped with more advanced technology and components than what is commonly found on a traditional septic system. These components include alarm systems, air pumps, electrical systems, and bacteria maintenance. Because of these structural differences, ATUs must be installed by technicians from a professional ATU septic company that are knowledgeable about installation, environmental standards, and local regulations for this type of septic system.
All of the technicians at Acme have received specialized training, and are certified to provide safe, reliable ATU installation and maintenance.
ATU Maintenance
While modern septic systems should be pumped an average of once every 3-5 years, ATUs actually require pumping once every 1-3 years. While this increase in frequency may sound like a possible downside, the efficiency of ATUs offset any increase in pumping costs by reducing the cost of water bills over the course of the year.
Maintaining regular pump-out and maintenance appointments ensures that your ATUs electrical systems, air pumps, and other components continue to function optimally. Routine maintenance also helps you avoid septic troubles such as clogs and drain field flooding.
Contact Acme For ATU Installation
So, what is an ATU septic system? In short, they are a modern, eco-friendly, highly efficient waste-management solution. Ready to make the switch?
Contact us for fully certified professional ATU installation today.