Project Spotlight
Replacement septic system for dwelling, Castro Valley, Alameda County, CA
Considerations
Project Classification: Replacement for existing dwelling
Facility Type: Existing single family dwelling
Permitting Jurisdiction: Alameda county Department of Environmental Health
Site Constraints: Parcel size, creek running length of property, soils, terrain and topography
Solution
Engineer of Record: Tim Johnston, PE, Acorn Onsite, Inc.
Installer Acorn Onsite, Inc.
Service Provider: Property owner with technical assistance by Acorn Onsite, Inc.
Type of OWTS: Shallow trench pressure distribution
Narrative
A Castro Valley property owner dealt with a substandard septic system for years. The property owner found Acorn Onsite, Inc. and asked us for assistance to provide a solution to the failed septic system. Acorn Onsite, Inc. was happy to work with the property owner considering the full site build-out and future plans. Although the creek flowing through the property is relaxing it provided a challenge to work around for septic system design. Acorn Onsite, Inc. provided preliminary site exploration, opinion to the property owner on options to proceed, soil testing, design development, permitting, and installation services to the property owner. The property owner is now happy to have a fully compliant, operative septic system that he can have confidence in for many years to come.
Standing on the recently installed leach field looking toward the creek tree growth.
Project Spotlight
New dwelling construction septic system, Livermore, Alameda County, CA
Considerations
Project Classification: Septic system to accommodate new dwelling construction
Facility Type: Large parcel agriculture, new caretaker dwelling
Permitting Jurisdiction: Alameda County Department of Environmental Health
Site Constraints: Seasonal creek, soils, terrain and topography
Solution
Engineer of Record: Tim Johnston, PE, Acorn Onsite, Inc.
Installer Acorn Onsite, Inc.
Service Provider: Property owner with technical assistance by Acorn Onsite, Inc.
Type of OWTS: Shallow trench pressure distribution
Narrative
A Livermore landowner wished to install a new caretaker dwelling for a ranch on Collier Canyon Road. She initially asked Acorn Onsite, Inc. for advice on septic system options. This lead to Acorn Onsite, Inc. developing an appropriate, fully compliant, new septic system for the proposed dwelling. Due to the relatively poor soils, seasonal creek, and other site constraints, a shallow trench pressure distribution leach field was used. Maintenance is done by the property owner with technical assistance by Acorn Onsite, Inc.
Pressure distribution leach field under construction in Livermore, Alameda County, CA
Problem Diagnosis Spotlight
Livermore septic system problem solved!
After noticing some septic system issues, a Livermore Valley couple called Acorn Onsite, Inc. to diagnose the problem. Our expert staff determined that the existing leach field had reached the end of its useful life, having developed excessive bio-mat. In additional the property owners had built a garage over the leach field and the property had been red tagged by the county. To correct the problem, Acorn Onsite, Inc. was tasked with engineering a new OWTS to accommodate the failed system and legalization of the garage.
Considerations
Project Classification: Replacement for existing dwelling to accommodate garage construction
Facility Type: Existing single family dwelling
Permitting Jurisdiction: Alameda County EH
Site Constraints: Existing site uses, shallow soils, existing end of life septic system
Solution
Problem Diagnose: Acorn Onsite, Inc.
Engineer of Record: Tim Johnston, PE, Acorn Onsite, Inc.
Installer: Acorn Onsite, Inc.
Service Provider: Acorn Onsite, Inc.
Type of OWTS: Shallow trench pressure distribution
New septic tank being installed for a Livermore Valley home replacement septic system.
Carmel Highlands creek side property
Very small lot, with outdated house
Considerations
Project Classification: Replacement to serve replacement dwelling
Facility Type: Creek side cabin
Permitting Jurisdiction: Monterey County Bureau of Environmental Health
Site Constraints: Terrain and topography, trees, creek, and permitting restrictions.
Solution
Engineer of Record: Tim Johnston, PE, Acorn Onsite, Inc.
Type of OWTS: Drip disperal
Narrative
An out of area property owner recently purchased a small creek side property on Palo Colorado Road, Carmel-By-The-Sea. The property owner tasked an architectural firm to design a replacement dwelling for the property. The architect then tasked Acorn Onsite, Inc. to determine and develop an onsite wastewater treatment system for the project. Acorn handled significant permitting issues for the property with ease and speed. Now the property has an appropriate septic system for years to come.
Small creekside property in Carmel, CA developing a septic system solution.
Red-tagged dwelling now legal
Additions built on top of a failed leach field!
Considerations
Project Classification: Replacement for existing dwelling
Facility Type: 4 bedroom dwelling on small lot
Permitting Jurisdiction: Contra Costa Health Services
Site Constraints:
Site uses, wells, and past bad decisions by previous owners.
Solution
Engineer of Record: Tim Johnston, PE, Acorn Onsite, Inc.
Installer: Stoddard Plumbing
Type of OWTS: Drip dispersal
Pretreatment technique: Anua Purasys
Narrative
A real estate investor purchased a property on Franklin Canyon Road, Martinez, CA with knowledge of many issues. As an investment he decided to attempt to correct the problems. Among which included past bad decisions by previous owners regarding the septic system and well locations. Acorn along with Stoddard Plumbing developed a solution that uses the best available technology to make the best of the situation. Significant pushback by the regulators was efficiently handled by Acorn. Now the property owner is pleased to have corrected the problem so the future is better for the property.
An example of the best available OWTS technology used on this constrained property.