Septic System Engineering Design
Tim Johnston, Registered Civil Engineer with Acorn Onsite, Inc.
Tim Johnston, P. E. is the Civil Engineer on staff that has a lifetime of experience working with septic systems. Tim has worked through residential septic system projects, large scale commercial facility onsite wastewater treatment system projects, and everything in between. Acorn Onsite, Inc. has the long term solution as the focus of our efforts. We are experienced with and have positive working relationships with the regulators, both at the County Environmental Health Agency level and at the California Regional Water Quality Control Board levels. We are competent working through all the appropriate wastewater permitting processes. We can perform all tasks in house or we are happy to work with other consultants, professionals, architects, engineers, contractors, installers, surveyors, etc. as appropriate.
A percolation test being conducted in Castro Valley, California.
A Few Types of Septic Systems we Design
Conventional Gravity (Standard System)
When site and soil conditions are favorable for a simple, gravity flow leach field we find this type appropriate. As conditions, such as soil type and compact spaces, get "worse" or less favorable, more systems with more technology are useful to allow development.
Shallow Trench Pressure Distribution
On sites where shallow soils are found often a shallow trench pressure distribution system is appropriate. These systems utilize a pump or siphon to use the shallow soils to disperse and treat the septic tank effluent.
Drip Dispersal
In shallow soils, shallow groundwater, or where a pretreatment unit is necessary, drip dispersal is sometimes an appropriate technique.
At-grade Bed Dispersal
In shallow soils, underlain by shallow rock, hard soils, high groundwater levels, etc. an at-grade bed dispersal system may be appropriate for the site.
Pretreatment Units
If site conditions or permit requirements necessitate further treatment than the depth of soil allows at the site, a pretreatment unit can be used to mitigate the concerns and allow for development.
Experimental Systems
Have you heard of a type of septic system not listed here? Give us a call to discuss that system's type as applicable to a practical application. We are familiar with many up and coming solutions and are always looking for opportunities to put these into use.