Aerobic and alternative septic systems in Arizona
Arizona permits more than a dozen kinds of on-site wastewater systems beyond the conventional tank and leach field. If your home has a pump, an alarm, a blower or a control panel tied to the septic system, you likely have one of them, and it needs more upkeep than a conventional system.
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Conventional vs. alternative
A conventional system (ADEQ general permit 4.02) is a septic tank with treatment in trenches, beds or chambers, or disposal through a seepage pit, all relying on gravity and the native soil. When a site has shallow soil, rock, a small lot or other limits, the design can call for an alternative system that treats the wastewater further, spreads it differently, or both.
Which alternative systems does Arizona permit?
| System | ADEQ permit | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobic system | 4.15 | Mechanically adds oxygen to treat the wastewater before it goes to disposal |
| Pressure distribution | 4.04 | Uses a pump and controls to spread effluent evenly under pressure |
| Textile filter | 4.12 | Passes wastewater through a packed bed of textile media |
| Intermittent sand filter | 4.10 | Doses wastewater onto a sand bed at intervals |
| Peat filter | 4.11 | Doses wastewater onto a peat bed |
| Wisconsin mound | 4.08 | An above-grade, pressure-dosed bed of engineered media |
| Subsurface drip | 4.22 | Timed, pressure-dosed drip lines below the surface |
| Disinfection device | 4.20 | Reduces microorganisms with heat, UV light or chemicals |
Selected Type 4 general permits from ADEQ's list. ADEQ also permits composting toilets, evapotranspiration beds, cap systems, sand-lined trenches, constructed wetlands and nitrogen-reducing systems.
Maintenance is different
- Have it inspected about once a year. The EPA says that's the interval for systems with mechanical parts such as pumps and float switches.
- Treat an alarm as a service call. It usually means a pump, float or blower problem, so cut back water use and call.
- Keep the power on. Pumps and blowers need electricity, and a tripped breaker can stop the system working.
- Keep pumping the tank. Most alternative systems still have a tank that collects solids.
- Check your permit paperwork for any service or reporting requirements that came with the system.
Buying or selling a home with one
The transfer-of-ownership inspection applies to alternative systems too. The University of Arizona notes that not every inspector knows every system type, so ask whoever you hire whether they've worked on yours. See Arizona septic inspections for home sales.
For service on an aerobic or alternative system, call (480) 542-8315 or see septic repair.
Questions people ask
How do I know if I have an alternative system?
Look for a control panel, an alarm light, a blower you can hear, or more than one tank lid. The county permit for your property will name the system type.
Are alternative systems more expensive to own?
They usually cost more to run than a conventional system because of yearly service, electricity for pumps and blowers, and parts that wear out. They're often the only option on lots that can't support a conventional leach field.
My aerobic system's alarm is going off. What should I do?
Cut back water use, check that the breaker hasn't tripped, and call for service. Don't open the tanks yourself.
Request septic service
Tell us what's going on and a local septic contractor will call you back. Or call (480) 542-8315 now.
Call for pumping, repairs or a home-sale inspection.
Call (480) 542-8315