In small and rural communities managed decentralized waste water treatment facilities are viable and long term alternatives to centralized waste water treatment method as it is more cost effective. Among the many options available for waste water treatment and disposal in rural and small communities, each method has its own advantages and limitations. So a treatment technology should be selected taking into consideration the local conditions and treatment objectives. It is also necessary to evaluate the every community’s financial, physical and regulatory factors to find the best technology for the locality.
Besides the septic tank and drainfield systems, the onsite systems now include many alternatives that surpass the conventional methods to treat waste water. A number of alternative onsite processes such as sand filters, peat filters, aerobic treatment units, pressure distribution systems, drip irrigation and disinfection systems can be used in a wide range of soil and site conditions. These systems need to be managed as they require more monitoring and maintenance.
Cluster systems are small satellite treatment plants or soil absorption systems that have low cost collection sewers. Cluster systems are most appropriate in moderately populated areas as they treat waste water from a group of dwellings or businesses. They are generally located near the buildings they serve. The waste water from the dwellings is collected in its own interceptor tank where they settle out and allow solids to break down. The effluent travels through collection pipes that are buried at a shallower depth to smaller, less maintenance intensive treatment and disposal units.
It is very important to make the right choice of waste water treatment method. The apartments in Kerala now prefer to use the decentralized method due to its numerous advantages.
I was pleased to see this post. Managing waste water and sewage is an important consideration after any event that would disable the electrical grid. No power means no water no sewage disposal. For those urban and suburban dwellers that are prepared to bug in it could very quickly become critical. Not only do you have the problem of sanitary disposal of waste there is also a very good chance that many sewers would back up. If steps were not taken in advance that could very quickly result in having to abandon your location. I think there should be a lot of discussion on this topic as some innovative solutions are needed.
For those that have not had the experience of having a sewer backed up, here is what happens. As some Windsor residence have found out last year, after a major downpour. In some/most cities, the storm drains, and the sewer is in the same tunnel, if the main trunk line get over full, it will come back out through you floor drain, or if you have a basement apartment, right up from your toilet. (Hope your not on it at the time, because it could it the roof, and has 😯 ). So now you have a basement full of sewage water (black water). Every thing that is porous is now garbage, unless you can have it dry cleaned, but that means furniture, even if it is all wood (unless it is very well varnished, not partical board (sponge)). Everything that is below the 1ft above water line is removed (Dry wall) the studs can be treated. But in a SHTF scenario, it means moving time if you haven’t already, GOOD/GOD. (Get Out of Dodge). 😥
"We 'Prep.' to live after a downfall, Not just to survive."
It is possible to install a back up valve on the sewage line. They are simple and cheap. However installing them into aa existing system is a different story, It is difficult expensive and in some cases impossible.