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Septic Aerator – Case Studies

Controlled Septic Aeration™ is Effective – The Truth & The Proof

Documented performance of a septic aerator system should be an extremely important consideration when evaluating aerobic septic system remediation designs to resolve septic tank problems. Being an engineering based company, data is important to us. These results should also be important to you. The Aero-Stream controlled septic aerator system performs in both controlled industry standard tests and in real world applications. Be aware of any company that cannot provide certified test data for their products. If they do not openly publish the data it is most likely that they do not have any and they are hoping you buy their product on blind faith because of a lower cost. Remember, you get what you pay for! Rest assured, you can always count on the Septic Aerator Experts to solve your septic system problems.

As you may be aware, there are thousands of web sites that sell septic tank additives with claims of the ability to restore your septic system. Unfortunately, these companies do not provide any data to support their claims. The reason they do not publish data is that their is no scientific basis for their claims. If their products are effective they must demonstrate a reduction of BOD5 (Biological oxygen demand – the strength of the effluent leaving the septic tank) and a reduction of TSS (total suspended solids – the amount of debris contained in the effluent leaving the tank). This is a very simple standardized test that can be performed before and after applying the “magic additive”. The additive industry lacks data or any proof of their claims. To the contrary, North Carolina State University has tested several additive products. The intensive scientific study determined that the additives had absolutely no positive effect on bacteria population or effluent quality.

Septic_Tank_Pro_Line11
Controlled Septic Aeration

Case Study 1 – Controlled Septic Aerator™ in Single Chamber 1,000 Gallon Septic Tank

NSF 40 Testing Protocol, Single Chamber 1,000 Gallon Septic Tank, 450 GPD

Aero-Stream Remediator® septic aerator was installed in a 1,000 gallon single chamber septic tank at the NSF/ANSI certified Massachusetts Alternative Septic Systems Test Center (MASST) in Barnstable County, MA. Residential strength wastewater was diverted to the test tank at a daily flow rate of 450 gallons per day (GPD), 7 days per week following the NSF/ANSI 40 flow distribution protocol. Data was collected over a 5 week period. The flow rate of 450 GPD is equal to a 3 bedroom home with 6 occupants, each occupant using on average 50 GPD (300 GPD total) with a designed 50% increase in flow rate factor or safety of 75 GPD per occupant (450 GPD total).

Summary: The project yielded a 80% reduction in BOD5 and a 60% reduction in TSS. Contrary to what you may read or heard from your pumper or contractor, controlled septic aeration by Aero-Stream® significantly reduces the effluent strength and significantly reduces solids flowing to the drain field. Some companies recklessly sell septic aerators that are of poor design and have not been tested. They rely on you the homeowner to “test” and even develop their products! This unethical behavior has lead to negative forums with the moderator lumping all septic aerator designs together. These careless accusations are absolutely false. Aero-Stream’s Controlled Septic Aeration™ is proven worldwide and documented in these case studies.

Sample Date CBOD5 (mg/l) TSS (mg/l)
3/15/2012 18 19
3/21/2012 31 29
3/30/2012 31 32
4/06/2012 44 75
4/12/2012 32 49
Average After Aero-Stream Installed 43 61
Average of Standard Anaerobic Septic Tank Effluent  220  150
Reduction 80% 60%
Aero-Stream Testing at MASSTC
All testing was done by Barnstable County Health Laboratory (M-MA009) *Method SM5210B 19th ed **Method SM2540D 20th ed

Case Study 2 – Septic Aerator in 1,500 Gallon Septic Tank

NSF 40 Testing Protocol, 1,500 G Septic Tank, 450 GPD

Aero-Stream Remediator® septic aerator was installed in a 1,500 gallon 3-chamber septic tank at the NSF/ANSI certified Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center (MASST) in Barnstable County, MA. Residential strength wastewater was diverted to the test tank at a daily flow rate of 450 gallons per day (GPD), 7 days per week following the NSF/ANSI 40 flow distribution protocol. Data was collected over a 5 week period. The flow rate of 450 GPD is equal to a 3 bedroom home with 6 occupants, each occupant using on average 50 GPD (300 GPD total) with a designed 50% increase in flow rate factor or safety of 75 GPD per occupant (450 GPD total).

Summary: The project yielded a 95% reduction in BOD5 and a 86% reduction in TSS. This configuration meets the requirements of the ANSI/NSF 40 Class 1 effluent at a fraction of the cost of a packaged ATU (Aerobic Treatment Unit).

Sample Date CBOD5 (mg/l) TSS (mg/l)
9/6/2011 7.6 18
9/16/2011 7.6 13
9/23/2011 18 17
9/28/2011 11 33
9/30/2011 12 17
10/5/2011 9.4 17
10/12/2011 11 29
Average After Aero-Stream Installed  11  21
Average of Standard Anaerobic Septic Tank Effluent 220 150
Reduction 95% 86%
All testing was done by Barnstable County Health Laboratory (M-MA009) *Method SM5210B 19th ed **Method SM2540D 20th ed
Aero-Stream-Distribution-Box-300×225
Distribution Box – Clear Effluent Flowing to the Drain Field!

Case Study 3 – Septic Aerator Performing Nitrogen Reduction

Simultaneous Nitrification/Denitrification System

An Aero-Stream Remediator® septic aerator was installed in the tank. Data below represents effluent quality based on the patented nitrification/denitrification process. The data below represents a composite sample from a 1,000 gallon single compartment tank. This is the first tank that the wastewater enters when exiting the home. The dwelling has 3-bedroom and has 5 occupants.
1st TankTank AverageUnits
D.O.5.9mg/L
Nitrite (NO2)1.3mg/L
Nitrate (NO3)3.6mg/L
Nitrate (N)4.5mg/L
Alkalinity240 
Ammonia1.9mg/L
PH7.4 
D.O. Bottom0mg/L

Case Study 4 – Septic Aerator Reducing High Strength Waste

BOD5 and TSS Reduction

Introduction: The Merton Custard Shoppe’s septic systems were designed and installed to treat the wastewater from their new operation as a fast food custard manufacturing restaurant. Within 1 year of operation the system was tested for BOD, TSS and FOG to confirm the system was functioning as designed. The data revealed that the effluent flowing to the distribution field was considered high strength rather than low strength as designed. The owners were issued a corrective action letter from Waukesha County Department of Health.

Goal: The project goal was to reduce the effluent strength to < 220 mg/l BOD5, < 150 mg/l TSS, < 30 mg/l

FOG. The system was processing 900 – 1,000 GPD of wastewater.

Summary: A total of four (4) QT800UH Aero-Stream Remediator® septic aerator were installed in the second chamber of a 1,750 gallon 2-chamber tank. The project yielded a 71% reduction in BOD5 and a 76% reduction in TSS. The system now operates with a six-sigma process that is below the maximum limit by 79% for BOD5 and by 29% for TSS.

Original Testing Data Date BOD5 TSS F.O.G.
Pump chamber 2/12/2004 610 170 5.4
Pump chamber 2/24/2004 740 220 14
Pump chamber 2/25/2004 660 210 6.9
Pump chamber 2/29/2004 570 170 7.8
Pump chamber 3/1/2004 570 180 6.4
Pump chamber 3/5/2004 530 130 7.5
Average 613 180 8
std dev 69 29 3
After Installing Aero-Stream Septic Aerator Date BOD5 TSS F.O.G.
Pump chamber 1/3/2005 180 6
Pump chamber 1/12/2005 180 52
Pump chamber 1/13/2005 160 62
Pump chamber 1/19/2005 190 48
Pump chamber 1/20/2005 180 40
Pump chamber 1/21/2005 150 52
Pump chamber 3/6/2008 2 77
Average 149 48
std dev 15 20
USL (3 sigma) 194 107
% Below Maximum Limit 68% 32%
Reduction     76%   73%
All testing was done by Test America, Inc. Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, & Consumer Protection (WIDATCP).  Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR).  United States Department of Agriculture. *Method SM5210B 19th ed **Method SM2540D 20th ed ***Method 9221E

Case Study 5 – Septic Aerator Performance with Bio-Brush™

BOD5, TSS, Fecal Coliform Reduction

Introduction: The Aero-Stream®, LLC corporate office has a conventional commercial in-ground system with a design flow of 655 gallons per day installed to treat the Patented-Bio-Brush for septic aeratorwastewater from our office and manufacturing facility. One Aero-Stream Remediator® Pro Line™ septic aerator was installed. This data based on weekly testing of a non-residential pilot application. The system utilizes a 24/7 extended aeration process. The first Chamber is anaerobic capturing the influent strength (ST1), second is the aeration chamber (ST 2), the third chamber (ST3) provides a location to measure the quality of the effluent post aeration. Starting 1/15/2009, a Bio-Brush™ was added to the aeration (ST2) chamber, which resulted in the following reductions.
Patented-Bio-Brush

Summary: The Bio-Brush™ Reduced the BOD5 93% in the aeration tank and reduced the TSS 74% in the aeration tank!

Date BOD5* TSS** Fecal Coliform***
 ST1 ST2 ST3  ST1 ST2 ST3  ST1 ST2 ST3
11/4/2008 493 272 113 57 86 24
11/10/2008 370 39 53 134 109 40
11/18/2008 387 54 29 143 132 16
12/2/2008 348 57 25 101 144 20
12/11/2008 221 45 25 87 153 47
12/18/2008 370 42 25 149 160 13
12/30/2008 314 42 12 167 176 11
1/9/2009 235 46 13 53 149 8 Bio-Brushes Introduced
1/15/2009 306 32 11 55 86 14 11000 240 240
1/22/2009 247 41 15 30 20 8 4600 240 93
1/29/2009 255 30 19 49 11 8 4600 240 15
2/5/2009 382 24 22 170 13 4 2400 240 9
2/19/2009 526 32 17 60 19 41 11000 43 9
2/26/2009 358 22 15 40 22 5 1100 240 4
3/5/2009 350 17 10 62 38 10 2100 93 9
3/12/2009 360 13 6 60 14 7 930 15 3
3/19/2009 426 18 6 92 13 15 11000 1100 3
3/26/2009 359 9 9 118 8 10 1100 1100 4
4/2/2009 290 7 5 40 10 5 11000 4 2
4/9/2009 313 8 6 35 12 3 11000 43 2
Before Bio-Brush Installation:
Average 345 272 113 85 86 24 5085 5085 5085
std dev 91 11 9 45 5 16
After Bio-Brush Installation:
Average 345 21 14 85 22 11 4690 190 6
std dev 79 11 9 45 8 11
Reduction     92% 88%   74% 54%   96% 99.88%
  All testing was done by SF Analytical Labs, Inc. Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, & Consumer Protection (WIDATCP): Lab #105-168.  Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR): Lab #241249360.  United States Department of Agriculture: Registration Lab #5581 *Method SM5210B 19th ed **Method SM2540D 20th ed ***Method 9221E

Case Study 6 – Septic Aerator Restoring a Failed Septic System

Residential BOD5 , TSS

Introduction: Conventional In-ground septic system that was in total failure in June 2003.This was one of the pilot system used to develop the Aero-Stream® product. Aero-Stream Remediator® septic aerator was installed. Single tank system, composite samples are from the tank containing aeration equipment; household has 5 occupants.

Summary: The Bio-Brush™ Reduced the BOD5 66% in the aeration tank and reduced the TSS 63% in the aeration tank!

Date                           BOD5*                            TSS**  

4/5/2004                        130                               50

4/12/2004                      52                                 80

9/8/2004                        91                                 68

10/12/2005                    95                                 66

10/14/2005                    140                               110

11/10/2005                    48                                 28                     Installed Bio-Brush™

11/18/2005                    180                               88

03/06/2008                    2                                  26

11/18/2008                    44                                 49

11/24/2008                    44                                 49

01/29/2009                    74                                 36

02/05/2009                    148                               32                     Low Air Flow

02/16/2009                    40                                 11

02/19/2009                    24                                 5

02/26/2009                    40                                 27

 

Before Bio-Brush™

Average                         102                               75

 

After Bio-Brush™

Average                         35                                 28

Reduction                  66%                             63%

All testing was done by Test America Labs. Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, & Consumer Protection (WIDATCP) Lab # 128053530.  Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR).  United States Department of Agriculture.

*Method SM5210B 19th ed

**Method SM2540D 20th ed

***Method 9221E

Case Study 7 – Septic Aerator Restoring Commercial System

Winery Resort/SPA BOD5, TSS & F.O.G. Reduction

Introduction: Several Aero-Stream Remediator® septic aerator were installed in the tank. Commercial facility with 14 seepage pits and 1 conventional field septic system that was near total failure in July 2009. All of the pits were 80% saturated and the field was 100% saturated. The septic system services a restaurant, banquet hall, bar, laundry facility and wine tasting room. The septic tanks are located in a courtyard area that regularly emitted foul odors during banquet events. The estimated flow rate is in excess of 6,000 GPD. The septic tanks and grease interceptors are significantly undersized for the flow rates with a typical hold time of 36 hours.

Summary: The BOD5, FOG and TSS have been reduced more than 90% with additional equipment budgeted and to be installed. All odors in courtyard have been eliminated. Ponding levels in seepage pits have stabilized and beginning to regress.

Date                           BOD5*    FOG ** TSS***

7/29/2009                      4100     68.8      5030

9/3/2009                        2800     56.4      782

10/29/2009                      900     15.8      715

1/20/2010                        390     3.4       376

 

Reduction                      90%      95%      93%

All testing was done by Sierra Analytical Labs. Certified by the California Department of Health Services Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program No. 2320

*Method EPA 405.1

**Method EPA 413.1

***Method EPA 160.2

Case Study 8 – Septic Aerator Mitigates Condemnation

Lakota Street Residential System Remediation

Introduction: Aero-Stream Remediator® septic aerator was installed in the tank. This is a 40 year old, 4 bedroom home with 3 occupants. The tank is 890 gallons. The 12 month average flow rate is 174 GPD with a monthly low average of 150 GPD and monthly high average of 209 GPD. This system exhibited symptoms of failure in 2002 with surface ponding and surface discharge in an area of approximately 20 feet in diameter.

The system was pneumatically “ruptured” at a cost of $1,500 that improved the system performance for only two years. Green County issued a violation notices for the past 2 years. The next step needed to be condemnation of the home. The Aero-Stream® septic aerator system was installed on 12/16/09. After only 10 days the vast majority most of effluent surfacing ceased.

Summary: Within 60 day of installation the surface ponding has been eliminated. The BOD5 and TSS have been reduced more than 85% and 96% respectively. Fecal Coli form has been reduced by 97%.

Property Location: Latoka Street   Spring Field, MO    Greene County
Date BOD5* TSS** Fecal Coli form***
12/16/09

360

910
12/28/09

54

39

76000 cfu/100 ml
2/17/10

56

34

2000 cfu/100 ml
Reduction

85%

96%

97%
       

 

Sample Date CBOD5 (mg/l) TSS (mg/l)
9/6/2011 7.6 18
9/16/2011 7.6 13
9/23/2011 18 17
9/28/2011 11 33
9/30/2011 12 17
10/5/2011 9.4 17
10/12/2011 11 29
Average After Aero-Stream Installed 11 21
 Average of Standard Anaerobic Septic Tank Effluent 220 150
Reduction 95% 86%

Case Study 9 – TKN Nitrogen Reduction – NSF 40 Testing Protocol, Single Chamber 1,000 Gallon Septic Tank, 450 GPD

Aero-Stream Remediator® was installed in a 1,000 gallon single chamber septic tank at the NSF/ANSI certified Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center (MASST) in Barnstable County, MA. Residential strength wastewater was diverted to the test tank at a daily flow rate of 450 gallons per day (GPD), 7 days per week following the NSF/ANSI 40 flow distribution protocol. Data was collected over a 2 year period. The flow rate of 450 GPD is equal to a 3 bedroom home with 6 occupants, each occupant using on average 50 GPD (300 GPD total) with a designed 50% increase in flow rate factor or safety of 75 GPD per occupant (450 GPD total).

Sample Date

TKN (mg/l)

4/26/2011

11

4/29/2011

13

9/28/2012

47

10/5/2012

44

10/13/2012

42

10/18/2012

46

10/24/2012

18

2/14/2013

39

4/18/2013

42

4/25/2013

46

5/2/2013

52

5/10/2013

52

5/17/2013

45

5/23/2013

42

5/29/2013

41

6/5/2013

50

  
Average

39

  
Standard Septic Tank Effluent

60

  
Reduction TKN

34%

All testing was done by Barnstable County Health Laboratory (M-MA009)

*Method SM5210B 19th ed

**Method SM2540D 20th ed

Case Study 10 – TKN Nitrogen Reduction – NSF 40 Testing Protocol, 3 -Chamber 1,500 Gallon Septic Tank, 450 GPD

Aero-Stream Remediator® was installed in a 1,500 gallon 3-chamber septic tank at the NSF/ANSI certified Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center (MASST) in Barnstable County, MA. Residential strength wastewater was diverted to the test tank at a daily flow rate of 450 gallons per day (GPD), 7 days per week following the NSF/ANSI 40 flow distribution protocol. Data was collected over a 22 month period. The flow rate of 450 GPD is equal to a 3 bedroom home with 6 occupants, each occupant using on average 50 GPD (300 GPD total) with a designed 50% increase in flow rate factor or safety of 75 GPD per occupant (450 GPD total).

Sample Date

TKN (mg/l)

Sample Date

TKN (mg/l)

Sample Date

TKN (mg/l)

12/22/2011

18

11/16/2012

39

5/23/2013

39

12/22/2011

48

11/29/2012

37

5/30/2013

44

5/12/2012

45

12/7/2012

43

6/5/2013

43

5/24/112

24

12/13/2012

38

6/12/2013

51

5/30/2012

32

12/21/2013

39

6/21/2013

53

5/31/2012

30

1/3/2013

39

6/27/2013

50

6/15/2012

18

1/11/2013

42

7/10/2013

40

6/22/2012

16

1/18/2013

40

7/17/2013

32

7/12/2012

36

1/24/2013

37

7/24/2013

42

7/21/2012

32

1/30/2013

40

8/2/2013

51

7/26/2012

32

2/8/2013

34

8/9/2013

37

8/16/2012

26

2/14/2013

48

8/16/2013

31

8/23/2012

30

2/20/2013

41

8/23/2013

48

8/30/2012

38

2/28/2013

37

8/29/2013

54

9/12/2012

30

3/8/2013

47

9/5/2013

45

9/13/2012

30

3/30/2013

32

9/13/2013

45

9/28/2012

100

4/3/2013

32

9/17/2013

42

10/5/2012

51

4/11/2013

40

9/26/2013

44

10/13/2012

43

4/18/2013

39

10/2/2013

51

10/19/2012

25

4/25/2013

47

10/9/2013

45

10/24/2012

11

5/2/2013

40

10/17/2013

47

11/2/2012

19

5/10/2013

44

10/23/2013

45

11/9/2012

35

5/17/2013

32

10/31/2013

44

Average

39

Standard Septic Tank Effluent

60
 

Reduction TKN

35%
All testing was done by Barnstable County Health Laboratory (M-MA009) *Method SM5210B 19th ed **Method SM2540D 20th ed